Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh – Geologically ancient, agriculturally prosperous and culturally rich Andhra Pradesh is a marvelous mix of Dravidian foundation and Aryan enrichment. The two mighty Godavari and Krishna make the delta infinitely fertile – the coastal Andhra is virtually fertile –the rice bowl of south India .The Andhras are a colourful people , proud of their sonorous language Telugu. They love music , dance and cinema . Andhra Pradesh is famous for the unique arts and crafts such as Kalamkari, bidri  ware and intricately embroidered Himroo, exquisitely painted light wood Nirmal artefacts, glass embedded Banjara apparels, shadow puppets. Diverse influences worked their way into the emergence of Kuchipudi, a Major Classical dance form of India and Burrah Katha, a unique performing art.

Andhra Pradesh abbreviated A.P., is a state situated on eastern coast of India, is sprawled over an area of 276,754 sq. km. It is India’s fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population known as the “Rice Granery of India” is the favourable tourist state, watered by 34 rivers Andhra Pradesh commands a 1000 km. Andhra Pradesh is bordered by Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Orissa in the north, the Bay of Bengal in the East, Tamil Nadu to the south and Karnataka to the west. There are about 20 notified sanctuaries in the state and each of them is home to a variety of rare animal species such as the Great Indian Bustard, Nilgai, etc.

The history of Andhra Pradesh dates back to the time of Ashoka the Great Mauriyan king (3rd century B.C.). This state became an important Buddhist center during his reign. The evidences of the Buddhist influence can be seen in Amaravathi and Nagarjunakonda. These are regarded as one of the greatest archaeological sites in India. Andhra region witnessed the rule of Chandragupta Maurya during which it established itself as an independent kingdom.

Population of Andhra Pradesh is around 74 million and more than 70 per cent of its population live by agriculture, growing rice, jowar, bajra, ragi, small millets, cotton, sugarcane, pulses, groundnut, bananas, and tobacco.

The tongue language of Andhra is Telugu. State sport is Kabbaddi and Kuchipudi is the famous classical dance form. Architecture in Andhra Pradesh ranges from prehistoric cairns to Buddhist Setups; Hindu and Jain temples of great importance to imposing churches, secular monuments such as the Charminar of Hyderabad to some of the most beautiful mosques and Islamic tombs of India.

Costumes of Andhra Pradesh - The attire of people from Andhra Pradesh shows impact of North and South Indian culture. Sari, salwar kameej, and churidaar are the clothes that women of this state generally wear. Men generally wear a kurta with lungi (a piece of cloth worn around the waist). Western influence has increased the popularity of trousers, shirts, and jeans in recent years.

Hyderabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh adjoining with Secunderabad city, is the largest city in the state. Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh’s main seaport, is the second largest city of the state and is home to the Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command. Vijayawada due to its location and proximity to major rail and road routes is a major trading center and the third largest city of the state.

Weather of Andhra Pradesh is extremely hot for the most part of the year with high humidity along the coast and relatively dry in the interior areas. The best time to visit is November till February when it’s relatively cooler. The hottest months are April, May and June.

Andhra Pradesh beach offers unlimited enjoyment to the sun parishioners and sea bathers. Moreover it is a thrill of a different kind for the fun-loving picnickers. Apart from Visakhapatnam and Bheemunipatnam beaches, there are other famous beaches such as Manginapudi, Kakinada, Chirala, Kalingapatnam and Mypad.

List of Andhra Pradesh Districts

Andhra Pradesh has 23 districts: Adilabad, Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, East Godavari, Guntur, Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Krishna, Kurnool, Mahbubnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Sri Potti Sreeramulu Nellore, Nizamabad, Prakasam, Rangareddy, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Warangal and West Godavari.

Pilgrimages and Religious Attraction

Andhra Pradesh is home to Hindu saints of all castes. Tirupati or Tirumala is a very important pilgrimage for Hindus throughout India. Srisailam is another major temple in Andhra Pradesh of national importance.

Festivals celebrated in Andhra Pradesh:
* Sankranthi in January.
* Maha Shivaratri in February/March.
* Ugadi or the Telugu New Year in March/April.
* Sri Rama Navami celebrated in March/April, 9 days after Ugadi.
* Varalakshmi Vratham in August.
* Vinayaka Chavithi in August.
* Dasara in September/October.
* Deepavali in October/November 20days after Dasara.
* Bonalu in Sravanam. (Celebrated in Telangana region).
* Bathukamma celebrated on Dasara in Telangana region.

Andhra in Handicrafts: Andhra Pradesh is famous for handicrafts exporting of Lacquer toys, Anakapalli articles, Ikat weaving, Pembarthi Sheet Metal Ware, Nirmal pottery, Bidriwork as well as Gadhwal, Pochampalli and Dharmavaram silk saris are some of the amazing handlooms and handicrafts the state is renowned for. Durgi, Allagadda and Tirupati are three of the major centers of stone art. Telengana is particularly well known for its folk paintings. Banjara needle craft, Kalamkari, the pen-painted fabrics of Machilipatnam and Kalahasti, Silver Filigree of Karimnagar and Budithi handicraft of Srikakulam are other handicraft specimens.

The main tourist attractions

The golden beaches at Visakhapatnam, the one-million-year old limestone caves at Borra, picturesque Araku Valley, hill resorts of Horsley Hills, river Godavari racing through a narrow gorge at Papi Kondalu, waterfalls at Ettipotala, Kuntala and rich bio-diversity at Talakona, are some of the natural attractions of the state. Kailashagiri is near the sea in Visakhapatnam. A park is on the hill top of Kailashagiri. Visakhapatnam is home to many tourist attactions like INS Karasura Submarine museum (The only one of its kind in India), the longest Beach Road in India, Yarada Beach, Araku Valley, VUDA Park, and Indira Gandhi Zoological Gardens.

Details of major Tourist centres in the state are:

Alampur : Temples, Sculpture.
Amravati : Buddhist Monuments, Excavations at Sankaram.
Bhadrachalam Hindu pilgrimage centre.
Hyderabad : Palaces, Mosque Museum including Salar Jung Museum.
Golconda : Ruins of ancient Fort, Tombs : Osman Sagar : Dam site, picnic spot, lake.
Secunderabad :Twin city of Hyderabad.
Karimnagar : Handicrafts.
Kolleru : Water bird sanctuary.
Lepakshi : Temples, Frescoes excavations.
Machlipatnam : Kalamkari textiles, antiquities.
Medak : cathedral, fort, Pocharam sanctuary.
Nagarjunasagar : Dam-site holiday resort, lake, Buddhist university, Wildlife sanctuary, Tiger reserve.
Nagarjunakonda : Buddhist ruins and reconstructed monuments, island Museum.
Rajahmundry : Temples, Hindu pilgrimage centre.
Pakhal : Lake, Wildlife sanctuary.
Penukonda : Vijayanager ruins, mosque, fort, hill station.
Puttaparti : Pilgrimage centre.
Tirupati : Major Hindu pilgrimage centre, temples, nearby waterfalls, picnic spots, city of seven hills, one of the richest temples in the world.
Vijaywada : Temples, mosques, Mangalagiri.
Sri Venkateshwara Sanctuary : Wildlife sanctuary.
Udayagiri : Ruins of Forts.
Vishakhapatnam : Commercial and industrial heart of Andhra Pradesh, temple, beaches.
Warangal : Temples, forts, ancient capital, carpets.
Hanamkonda : Temples, Sculpture.