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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh’s capital city, Hyderabad has the atmosphere of an Arabian Nights fairy tale. Whimsical palaces, erstwhile stately homes and crowded bazaars filled with shops selling Hyderabadi pearls, incense and copper utensils characterise the city, while in the distance looms Golconda Fort. The city’s historical connection traces itself to the rulers or Nizams whose wealth was legendary. Rooms full of jewels and currency notes, a garage full of gleaming Rolls Royce’s are all now part of history, but a unique culture lives on, colouring the city with its distinctive charm. The Epicurean tastes of this most exalted royal house of princely India gave rise to a fabled cuisine based on painstaking preparations and slow cooking. Much of Hyderabad’s old town can be covered on foot. The city’s important landmarks include Charminar, a 16th century gateway; the Salar Jung Museum which exhibits priceless treasures alongside trivia that made up the personal collection of the owner; Mecca Mosque and Golconda Fort. Nagarjunakonda is the site of ongoing excavations which have revealed Buddhist temples, stupas and monasteries.

Hyderabad


Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh was founded in the late 6'th century by Qutab Shahi dynasty line of Kings known for their beautiful monuments and mosques, Medieval Indian, Saracenic, Mughal and Colonial architecture which, create an architectural richness rarely found in other parts of the country.
 

How to get there

	Air: Indian Airlines connect Hyderabad with Bhubaneshwar, Bangalore, Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Madras, Nagpur and Vishakapatnam.
	Rail: Well connected by rail with Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Madras and other cities in India.
	Road: Good motorable roads connect Hyderabad to Aurangabad 548 kms, Bangalore 568 kms, Bombay 735 kms, Calcutta 1588 kms, Madras 704 kms, Tirupati 651 kms, Panaji 698 kms etc.
	Bus Services: Regular bus services connect Hyderabad with Bangalore, Madras, Nagpur, Tirupati and other tourist centres in Andhra Pradesh.

Places of interest

• Birla Temple 1 km

• Hussain Sagar 1 km

• Indira Park 1 km

• Charminar 7 km

• Mecca masjid 7 km

• Osmania University 6 km

• Qutub Shahi Tombs & Golconda Fort 13 km

• Nehru-Zoological Park 8 km

• High Court 7 km

• Public Gardens 1.5 km

• Race Course 9 km

• State Central Library 7 km

• Tank Bund 1 km

• Asmongarh 9.5 km

• Khajana Museum 12 km

• Planetarium 1 km

• State Archaeological Museum 1.5 km

• Salar Jung Museum

Excursions

• Mir Alam Tank 8 km

• Raymond's Tomb 12 km

• Himayat Sagar 22 km

• Osman Sagar 22 km

• Yalagirigutta 69 km

• Kolanupak 80 km

• Bidar 136 km

• Nagarjunasagar and Nagarjunakonda 149 km: Nagarjunasagar is the tallest masonary dam in the world across river Krishna. The Nagarjunakonda is an island formed in the man made lake. Launch services are available from Nagarjunasagar to Nagarjunakonda.

• Places of Interest on the island are: Archaeological Museum, Mahastupa, Bodhisri, Chaitya, Simhala Vihara, Mahsik Vihara, Brahusutya Vihara and Royal Bath.

• Rising above the forest of the Nallamalai forest the Bharamarambha Mallikarjuna Swamy temple on a 457 mt. high has one of the twelve Jyothir lingas. It is the seat of one of the 18 leading Saktis Mahakali in her manifestation as Bharamarambha. The temple sculptures narrate in stone, episodes from the great Hindu epics - Ramayana & Mahabharata. Regular bus services connect Sri Sailam with Hyderabad (234 km), Tirupati (436 km), and Vijayawada (248 km), Sri Sailam Devasthanam provides accommodation for the pilgrims at their cottages and choultries at nominal cost. The APTT and TDC operates package tours from Hyderabad to Sri Sailam every week.

Vijayawada

Vijayawada or the "City of Victory" as it literally translates is called so as it was here or so it is believed that Arjuna, the Pandava Prince was rewarded for his penance, which he did on Indrakiladri Hill. Today, with excellent communications, perhaps the best in the South where railways are concerned, Vijayawada is looking forward to an exciting future. A predominantly business city of the Coastal Anthra, Vijayawada on the banks of the holy river krishna attracts many piligrims as well for its temple dedicated to Durge. The city is also a base for visiting the Buddhist excavations at Amaravati, which is less than 70 km away. Also accessible from Vijayawada are the towns of Kuchipudi, Mangalagiri and Kondapalli which are famous for dance, temple and handicrafts respectively. So altogether Vijayawada presents a colourful and varied picture and can be termed as a business cum pilgrim cum tourist centre.

How to get there

	Air: Vijayawada is connected to Hyderabad & Rajamundary by Vayudoot services.
	Rail: Vijayawada is connected by rail with most parts of the Country.
	Road: Good motorable roads connects Vijaywada with major cities in India. Some distances are Amaravati (66 km), Bhubaneswar (792 km), Bombay (1010 km), Calcutta (1245 km), Delhi (1724 km), Hyderabad (271km), Madras (433 km), Rajahmundhry (167 km), Tirupati (380 km), Vishakapatnam (366 km), Warangal (253 km) etc.
	Bus Services: Regular bus services from Amaravati, Annavaram, Guntur, Kodad, Hyderabad, Kakinada, Machilipatnam, Madras, Nellore, Suryapet, Rajahmundhry, Tirupati, Tuni, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Warangal amongst other places connect Vijayawada.
Conducted Tours Available. The Andhra Pradesh Travel & Tourism Development Corporation runs city sightseeing tours covering Kanakadurga Temple, Prakasam Barrage, Gandhi hill and Planetarium, etc. The tours are subject to sufficient bookings.

What to see

• Akkana & Madanna Caves

• Gandhi Hill

• Haxrathbal Mosque

• Kanakadurga temple

• Mary's Temple

• Milk Powder Factory

• Mogalrajapuram Caves

• Prakasam Barrage

Museums & Art Galleries

• Victoria Jubilee Regional Museum, Bunder Road.

Excursions

• Agripalli (40 km.)

• Amaravati (66km.)

• Chilkalapudi (71 km.)

• Gudivada (45 km.)

• Hamsala Deevi (85 km.)

• Kandapalli (16 km.)

• Kuchipudi (60 km.)

• Mangalagiri (12 km.)

• Manginapuri (83 km.)

Warangal

Warangal was the ancient capital of the Kakatiya rulers. It was here that the fort was constructed by king Ganapathi in 1199 A.D and completed by Rudramadevi in the year 1261. The thousand pillard temple with its star shaped shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Surya, the famous Ramappa temple & lake, the Pakhal lake are worth visiting.
 

How to get there

	Air: The nearest Airport is Hyderabad (141 kms) connected by Indian Airlines flights with Bombay, Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar, Calcutta, Delhi, Madras, Nagpur, Vishakhapatnam. East West Airlines & Continental Aviation also operates flights from Hyderabad to Bombay.
	Rail: Warangal links to all important cities in India by rail.
	Road: Warangal is connected by road to Amaravati (319 km), Armur (170 km), Bangalore (707 km), Bombay (880 km), Calcutta (1498 km), Delhi (1463 km), Hyderabad (141 km), Karimnagar (70 km),Madras (686 km), Nagpur (478 km), Nirmal (228 km), Nizamabad (199 km), Ramagundam (136 km), Tirupati (633 km), Vijayawada (253 km), Vishakapatnam (619 km), Yadagirigutta (72 km).
	Bus Services: Warangal is connected by regular bus services with Hyderabad, Yadagirigutta, Vijayawada, Armur, Kolanupaka, Jangaon, Kodad, Karimnagar, Nizambad, Adilabad, Suryapet, Palampet, Jagtial, Khammam, Bhadrachalam, Basar, etc.
	Local Transport: Coaches : Available from the Depot Manager, New Bus Depot, Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation, Hanumakonda.

What to see

• Thousand Pillar Temple
  A fine specimen of Kakatiya architecture and sculpture, the Thousand Pillar temple as the name implies has many pillars, all efficient carved. The temple is built in Chalukyan Style. The Nandi here has beautiful finishing.

• Fort-Warangal
  Constructed by King Ganapathi in 1199 A.D. and completed by his daughter Rudrama in 1261 A.D., the fort has two walls, with the traces of the third. Places of interest in the fort are a temple, and four thoranas or gateways, similar to those at Sanchi, signifying the Buddhist influence.

• Bhadrakali Temple
  The important attraction in this temple is the idol of the deity in sitting posture with her eight hands filled with weapons. The head of the idol is adorned by a crown.

• Planetarium
  Hear regular shows are held showing the mysteries of the University.

Excursions

• Laknavaram Lake

• Pakhal Lake and Wildlife Sanctuary (60 km.)

• Ramappa Lake (65 km)

• Yadagirigutta (64 km)

• Yadagirigutta (72 km)

Vishakhapatnam / Vizag

Lapped by the Bay of Bengel, on the eastern part of Andhra Pradesh lies the beach city, Vishakapatnam. Ages ago there stood a temple on the shores dedicated to Vaisaka, the God of Valour in the Hindu pantheon. The mighty sea has since swept away the shrine, but the name survived for identifying the now sprawling City of Visakhapatnam.

How to get there

	Air: Vishakapatnam is air linked with Calcutta, Hyderabad and Madras, which in turn is connected by Indian Airlines with Bombay.
	Rail: Visakhapatnam is well connected with all the important cities of India, some of which are Vijayawada, Vizianagaram, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Berhampur (for Gopalpur), Warangal, Hyderabad, Pune, Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Madras, Nellore, Tirupati, Guwahati and Trivandrum.
	Sea : Vishakapatnam is connected by sea to Calcutta, Madras, Port Blair, Ganjam, and Kakinada among other places.
	Bus Services: Regular State Transport buses run between Vishakapatnam and Hyderabad, Madras, Bhubaneswar, Jagdalpur, Koraput, Berhampur, Tirupati, Nellore, Vijayawada, Rajamundhry, Eleru, Kakinada, Warangal, Srikakulam, Araku, Vizianagaram, Bheemunipatnam, Simhachalam, Tuni, Machilipatnam, Guntur and among other places. Also regular city bus services connect places of interest in the City with each other.
	Local Transport: Coaches, Tourist Taxis, Metred Taxis, Autorickshaws, Cycle rickshaws available.

What to see

• Andhra University Building- 4 kms

• Dolphin's Nose

• Sri Venkateswara

• Konda

• Hindusthan Shipyard- 6.4 kms

• Simachalam Temple
  (The temple is dedicated to Lord Narashimha)- 16 kms

• The Three Hillocks- 5 kms

• Indira Gandhi Zoological Gardens

• Port- 6.4 kms

• Visakha refinery

Excursions

• Anantagiri (88 km.)

• Araku Valley (120 km.)

• Arasavalli (110 km.)

• Bheemunipatnam (29 km.)

• Borra Caves (90 km.)

• Chintapalli (165 km.)

• Coringa (177 km.)

• Draksharama (176 km.)

• Kakinada (165 km.)

• Kalingapatnam (143 km.)

• Kondakarla Ava (48 km.)

• Sankaram (45 km.)

• Vizianagaram (60 km.)

• Yanam (213 km)

Tirupati

Tirupati is one of the important pilgrim centres in India. It is famous for the shrine of the seven hills, dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, alsoknown as Balaji the temple of Tirumala (13 km).
 

How to get there

	Air: Tirupati is connected by Vayudoot Services with Hyderabad
	Rail: Tirupati is connected by rail with Hyderabad, Madras, Madurai, Puri etc.
	Road : Tirupati is well connected by road to Ahobolam-272 km, Bangalore-248 km, Horsley Hill-145 km, Hyderabad-617 km, Kalahasti-36 km, Lepakshi-379 km, Madras-151 km, Srisailam-436 km, Vijayawada-380 km, Renigunta-55 km etc.
	Bus Services: There are regular bus services between Tirupati and Hyderabad, Bangalore, Madras, Mysore, Madurai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirapalli, Kanyakumari, Hassan, Vijayawada, Srisailam, Hindupur, Guntur, Madanpalle, Kurnool, Cuddapah, Renigunta, Puttaparthi, etc.
	Local Transport: Tourist Taxis, Unmetered Taxis, Rickshaws, City bus services, Transport and buses on hire are available.

What to see at Tirupati

• Govindarajaswamy Temple

• Kapilathiraham

• Kodandaraswamy Temple

• Padmavati temple

Excursions

• Chandragiri (11 km)

• Kalahasthi (37 km)

• Kalyani Dam (18 km)

• Narayana Vanam (36 km)

• Kailesanathakona ( 43 km)

• Nagalapuram (65 km)

• Horsley hills (145 km)

• Kanchipuram (112 km)

• Perumallapalli (8 km)

What to see at Tirumala

• Lord Venkateswaram Temple
  The principal deity of this temple is Lord Venkateswara also known as Balaji. The temple is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture with its gopuram facing east. The vimana is completely covered with gold plate and this is known as Ananda Nilayam. The statues of Krishnadevaraya and his consort can be seen in the temple. The Brahmostavam or annual festival is celebrated in September. Akasaganga Waterfalls, Papanasam Waterfalls, Varahaswamy Temple, Perumallapalli

Nagarjunasagar (Nagarjund Konda)

Nagarjunasagar - the tallest and biggest masonry dam in the world accross the river Krishna, is about 150 km away from the metropolitan city of Hyderabad. It creates the third largest man-made lake in the world. Nearby Nagarjunakonda is known for its extensive ruins of Buddhist Stupas, Viharas and a university that flourished under Acharya Nagarjuna, the great Buddhist savant, scholar and philosopher who migrated to Nagarjunakonda from Amaravati to spread the message of the Buddha. Interestingly excavations conducted here have also revealed Brahmanical temples, which reveal the friendship that existed here centuries ago between the two faiths. Now though the actual site of the excavations have been flooded with the waters of the migty river, the relies of the ruins have been reconstructed and kept in an Island Museum, the largest of its kind in the world and are in an excellent state of preservation-thanks to the efforts of the Archaelogical Survey of India. Today Nagarjunakonda along with Nagarjunasagar attracts many tourists from South East Asian Countries and also from all over India.

How to get there

	Air: The nearest airport is Hyderabad (149 kms) connected by Indian Airlines, East West Airlines & Continental Aviation to Bombay.
	Rail: The nearest railhead is at Macherla which is 27 kms from Nagarjunasagar. However the convenient railhead is Vijaywada (177 kms) for tourist travelling from Bombay.
	Road : Vijayapuri (Nagarjunasagar) is connected by good motorable roads with Amravati 179 kms, Bangalore 619 kms, Bombay 888 kms, Calcutta 1422 kms, Delhi 1602 kms, Ethipothala 11 kms, Guntur 145 kms, Hyderabad 149 kms, Kurnool 261 kms, Macherla 27 kms, Madras 546 kms, Tirupati 493 kms, Vijayawada 177 kms, Vishakhapatnam 543 kms etc.
	Bus Services: There are regular bus services to Nagarjunasagar from all important towns in Andhra Pradesh.
	Local Transport: Tourist Taxis & Autorickshaws are available. Coaches are also available.

What to see

at Nagarjunasagar

• Left Canal (Lal Bahadur Canal) (9.5 km.)

• Model Dam (8 km.)

• Pylon, Right Bank Tunnel (Jawahar Tunnel) (13 km.)

• View Point (4 km.)

at Nargarjunakonda

• Archaelogical Museum

• Mahastupa

• Bodhisri Chaitya

• Simhala Vihara

• Mahisaka Vihara

• Brahusutiya

• Vihara

• Ashwamedha and Royal Bath

Excursions

• Ethipothala Waterfalls 11 kms. downstream of dam site. The water falls from a height of 70 feet into the gorge. Very good picnic spot with deep valleys and cave temples.

Srisailam

The temple at Srisailam is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered as one of his twelve Jyotirlingas. Srisailam, also known as Sriparvata is situated in the Rishabgiri Hills on the Southern banks of the river Krishna in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. Mention of Srisailam as Sriparvata has been made in the immortal epic of the Hindus - the "Mahabharata".

How to get there

	Air: The nearest airport is at Hyderabad (232 km) which is airlinked with Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Madras, Nagpur, Vishakapatnam. Other private Airlines like East West Airlines & Continental Aviation also connects Hyderabad with Bombay.
	Rail: Nearest railhead is Markapur Road on the Guntur-Hubli metre gauge line. Nandyal and Kurnool on the same line are also convenient railheads. However convenient railhead is Hyderabad (232 km).
	Road : Road distances from Srisailam are Atmakur (113 km), Anantapur (325 km), Bangalore (538 km), Bombay (971 km), Calcutta (1491 km), Delhi (1685 km), Dornal (49 km), Hyderabad (232 km), Kurnool (180 km), Madras (568 km), Nagarjunasagar (180 km), Nandyal (158 km), Tirupati (436 km), Vijayawada (248 km), Visakhapatnam (614 km).
	Bus Services: Srisailam is well connected by APSRTC and Devasthanam buses with Hyderabad, Mahaboobnagar, Nalgonda, Devorkonda, Guntur, Vijayawada, Kurnool, Ongole, Mahanandi, Mantralayam, Anantapur Tirupati and Chitradurg among other places.
	Local Transport: Cycle Rickshaws are available.

Places of interest

• Damsite

• Hatekeswaram

• Pathalaganga

• Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple

• Sakshi Ganapathi Sikharam

Excursions

• Alampur (27 km)

• Dindi Reservoir (64 km)

• Kurnool (180 km)

• Nagarjunasagar (180 km)

• Papanasam (2 km)

• Sangameswar (18 km)