Andhra Pradesh Travel

Andhra Pradesh - Food Bowl of the South

Andhra Pradesh is often referred to as the "Food Bowl of the South". The state is renowned for its legendary dynasties; its most revered temple, Tirupati; the world-famous pearls of Hyderabad; exquisite lacquer toys and handwoven textiles; rich literature; and the vibrant Kuchipudi dance form. Andhra Pradesh can be broadly divided into three major regions—the coastal region, comprising nine districts and commonly known as Andhra; the interior region, consisting of four districts collectively called Rayalaseema; and the Telangana region, which includes the capital city Hyderabad and nine adjoining districts. The main tourist destinations of the state are Hyderabad and Tirupati.

Hyderabad - The City of Pearls

Location: Most famous for its pearls and pearl jewellery, Hyderabad fascinates visitors with the romantic legend of a young prince and a village belle, a love story that led to the foundation of this historic city.

Tourist Destinations: The Charminar – Its four minarets dominate the skyline for miles. The structure is square-shaped, with each side measuring about 100 feet and a pointed high arch at the center. The Charminar market once housed nearly 14,000 shops, forming a unique and vibrant oriental bazaar. Near the Charminar stand four magnificent arches known as the Char Kaman, which served as the gateway to the Zilu Khana (antechamber) of the royal palace. Another major attraction is the Hussain Sagar Lake, a vast artificial lake located between Hyderabad and Secunderabad. One of the most visited cultural landmarks of the city is the Salar Jung Museum. Close to Charminar stands the grand Mecca Masjid. Other mosques such as the Jami Masjid and the Toli Masjid are modest yet historically significant structures. The Falaknuma Palace and the Regency Mansion are also notable tourist attractions.

Tirupati - The Abode of Lord Venkateswara

Location: Tirupati is one of the most ancient and sacred pilgrimage destinations in India. The name "Tirupati" means the "Lord of Lakshmi" and refers to the town situated on the Venkata Hill, the abode of Lord Venkateswara. The hill is also known as Tirumala, meaning the "sacred hill". The temple here is believed to be one of the busiest religious sites in the world, attracting more pilgrims annually than Rome, Jerusalem, or Mecca.

Tourist Destinations: The sacred Sri Venkateswara Temple is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala, of the Tirupati Hills and stands on the southern banks of Swami Pushkarini. Lord Venkateswara is also revered as the Lord of the Seven Hills. Swami Pushkarini is believed to be the celestial water tank of Lord Vishnu in Vaikuntha and lies adjacent to the main temple. The Sri Varahaswami Temple is situated to the north of the Sri Venkateswara Temple, while the Sri Anjaneyaswami Temple stands opposite it. The Sri Govindarajaswami Temple, along with its many sub-shrines, is another major attraction in Tirupati. The Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple, located in the heart of Tirupati town, houses the idols of Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana. The Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple is the only Shaivite temple among the predominantly Vaishnavite temples of Tirupati. Several other significant temples are located within a 200 km radius of the town.

How to Reach Andhra Pradesh

The capital city, Hyderabad, is well connected to most major Indian cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai, as well as select international destinations.

The airport is located at Begumpet, about 8 km north of Abids. Other important airports in the state include Tirupati, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam.

There are three major railway stations in Hyderabad—Nampally, Secunderabad, and Kacheguda. Secunderabad Railway Station is well connected to all major cities across the country. Among the several bus terminals in Hyderabad, the main one is operated by the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC). From these terminals, buses operate to all parts of the state as well as important destinations in neighboring states. Most private bus operators have their offices on Nampally High Road. Visakhapatnam is the major port of the state, while Kakinada, Machilipatnam, Bheemunipatnam, Krishnapatnam, Vadarevu, and Kalingapatnam serve as minor ports.

Caper Travel India offers a wide range of South India Tour Packages. For more details, send us your query.