Andhra Pradesh : "The 29th state of India"
Blessed with two beautiful rivers, Krishna and Godavari, Andhra Pradesh has the Bay of Bengal to its west, and it boasts of a coastline of 972km, the longest in the country. This state is widely advertised as the Kohinoor of India by the tourism department. The state is most visited for its world famous Tirupati temple. Srisailam Mallikarjuneswar temple is another famous Shiva shrine and is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples in India.
In spite of the recent division of the state of Andhra Pradesh, which resulted in the formation Seemandhra which is what was left of Andhra Pradesh after Telangana region was carved out, Seemandhra seems to have got the better share regarding tourism. Places like Belum caves, Nagarjuna Konda, Borra caves and Pulicat Lake have all come under Seemandhra. Apart from this, it retains the better part of the culture and cuisine of Andhra Pradesh and has an already established tourism development. The state is home to various centres that have quite a lot of Buddhist influence like Dhulikatta, Bavikonda, Thotlakonda, Amravati, Nagarjuna Konda, etc.
The Vijayanagara dynasty can be credited for constructing some breathtaking structures in the state like Srisailam and Lepakshi temples. One of the famous mosques in the state is the Shahi Jamia Masjid in Adoni of Kurnool district. Rajahmundry city, located on the banks of Godavari River is one of the main attractions of the city. Likewise, Kolleru Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in India located in the state of Andhra Pradesh. A trip to this state will leave you completely mesmerised.
Visakhapatnam : "A gem of South India"
Visakhapatnam, also commonly known as Vizag, is one of the oldest port cities in the country. Situated in the heart of Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam is known for its picturesque beaches and serene landscape, as well as a rich cultural past. The port of Visakhapatnam is renowned for being home to the oldest shipyard in all of India. Located a short distance away from Visakhapatnam is Araku Valley, one of the prime attractions of Vizag. Situated at a lofty 910 metres above sea level, Araku Valley is a hill station replete with gushing waterfalls, crystal clear streams, lush green gardens and some challenging trekking trails.
Vizag is dotted with many beaches along its coastline, with the most famous one being the Yarada Beach. One of the most stunning places to see in all of Visakhapatnam, Yarada beach is surrounded by majestic hills on three sides, and by the Bay of Bengal on the other side. One of the best things about Vizag’s beaches is that they are a lot cleaner and a lot less crowded than other famous beaches along the Indian coastline, and Yarada beach is no exception. It is the perfect place to sit back on the golden sands and witness a marvellous sunrise or sunset.
If you’re a history lover, the Borra Caves are one of the best tourist attractions that Vizag has to offer for you. Nestled amidst the Ananthagiri Hills in Araku Valley, the Borra Caves are over thousands of years old and are the biggest among all the caves found in India. Made entirely of natural karstic limestone, the caves are kaleidoscopic in nature, and the light falling on the rocks coupled with the waterfalls creates an extremely colourful effect, lending an aura of magic and mysticism to the entire ambience.
The Katiki Waterfalls, situated a short distance away from the Borra Caves, is a gushing waterfall that measures around 50 feet in height and is completely surrounded by the lush greenery of the valley. The crystal-clear water cascading down the rocks, bordered by the gleaming green foliage is a sight for sore eyes. Being a coastal area, the primary cuisine of Visakhapatnam includes seafood, as well as traditional Andhra South Indian cuisine. While Visakhapatnam is not exactly renowned for being a shopping destination, you will still find a lot of things that you can take back home. You can purchase a wide variety of stuff starting from handicrafts to Kalamkari paintings to wooden toys to even gorgeous Pochampalli and Ikat sarees.
Tirupati : "Andhra's temple town"
Situated in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, Tirupati is known for Lord Venkateshwara Temple, one of the most visited pilgrimage centres in the country. Tirumala is one of the seven hills in Tirupati, where the main temple is located. The temple is believed to be placed where Lord Venkateshwara took the form of an idol and is hence. Home to the diety Govinda, Tirupati is one of the oldest cities of India and finds mention in plenty of ancient Vedas and Puranas.
The non-stop chanting of ‘Om Namo Venkatesaya’, the mad pilgrim rush and the 8-feet tall idol of Lord Venkateshwara – everything about the Sri Venkateshwara Temple is majestic. Spread over an area of 26 kilometres and visited by nearly 50,000 pilgrims every day, the temple is also commonly referred to as the Temple of Seven Hills.
There are other temples in Tirupati too that you can visit, including the Sri Kalahasti temple, Sri Govindarajaswami Temple, the Kondandarama Temple, the Parashurameshwara Temple, and the ISKCON temple. Tirupati is home to a unique geological wonder that you shouldn’t miss out on. The Silathoranam is a natural arch formed out of rocks and is located at the Tirumala Hills.
Amaravathi : "Capital City of Andhra Pradesh"
Known as the Capital of Andhra Pradesh, Amaravathi is a planned city on the banks of the River Krishna. Amaravathi is renowned for being a site of a Buddhist Stupa that is a semi-hemispherical structure containing Buddhist relics and often called the Abode of God.
Located 32 kilometres north of Guntur District, Amaravati is a prime hub of pilgrimage and sightseeing. The original structure was established during the reign of Emperor Ashoka which is now a meditation site in the city.
Being built on a 217km riverfront, the city is designed to have 51% of green spaces. Its foundation stone was laid on 22 October 2015 by prime Minister Narendra Modi. After the separation into two states in the year 2014, Hyderabad was declared the capital city of the then newly formed state Telangana.
It led to Amaravathi being chosen as the Capital of Andhra Pradesh. The word Amaravathi in itself was derived from the ancient capital of Satavahana dynasty. Pilgrims visit this town almost throughout the year owing to the number of temples and shrines that adorn the little town in different parts.
Araku Valley
Araku Valley is a comparatively unexplored hill station mostly visited by locals as a weekend getaway and is situated some 120 kilometres away from Vishakhapatnam. If you're a tourist looking for exclusivity and tranquillity, Vistadome train leaves Vishakhapatnam at 6.50 AM, making way through 58 tunnels and passing over 84 bridges making way through the breathtaking landscape to reach Araku in approximately in 5 hours, go, catch that!
Located in the gentle hills of Eastern Ghats, Araku Valley is also home to a number of tribes as well. This valley is also home to a few tribal caves and the Museum of Tribal Arts, which are an experience in their own right. This destination is quite famous for its exquisite coffee, whose subtle aroma will have you craving for a cuppa. In addition to being a beautiful vista point, you can also try your hand at a number of adventure sports here, which include trekking and swimming as well. If a holiday to the hills is your call but you think you've seen it all, maybe you should to wait till you visit this one.
Borra Cave
Located on the east coast of India, the Borra Caves are situated in the Ananthagiri hills of the Araku Valley in Visakhapatnam district. Breath taking hilly terrain, beautiful landscape, semi-evergreen moist deciduous forests, and wild fauna of the Borra Caves are a visual feast.
A marvellous creation of nature, the Borra caves were formed when river waters flow through a limestone area, and the calcium carbonate turns into calcium bicarbonate, which is easily washed out by the running water. The most striking feature of the caves is its exquisite variety of speleothems ranging in size.
Borra Caves are deemed to be among the largest in the country and are perched at a whopping elevation of about 705 metres. They are basically karstic limestone structures extending to a depth of 80 m and are considered to be the deepest cave in India. The combination of sunlight and dark conjures amazing dancing shaped in the depths of the Borra Caves, which is a sight in itself.
Natural skylights in the caves make way for colourful imagery that imparts them a unique enigma of their own. Animal lovers will find bats as well as the golden geckos hiding in the shadows of the niches. The journey up to the primary destination with its picturesque location and a thrilling hike is a treat in itself. Visit this destination and explore the unique beauty of Araku Valley in all its glory.
Vijayawada : "The Place Of Victory"
Nestled on the banks of River Krishna in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Vijayawada is the second-largest populated city in the state. Known as the ‘commercial, political and media capital of Andhra Pradesh’, the city is one of the most rapidly growing urban cities in India. Covered by hills and canals, Vijayawada is also home to numerous caves and rock-cut temples carved out of these caves.
Vijayawada is an amalgamation of the old world and the new; the air echoes with the clanking of temple bells mixed with the cacophony of traffic, the ancient monuments stand in perfect harmony with the modern architecture of the metro city. Among the most popular places to visit in Vijayawada are Bhavani Island, Victoria Museum, Hazratbal Mosque, Rajiv Gandhi Park, and Kolleru Lake etc., in addition to the host of temples and several caves. Other than this, the city is mostly a base to explore the nearby attractions like the Undavalli Caves, Kondapalli Fort, and Mangalagiri Hill etc.
Srisailam : "The Abode of Jyotirlinga of Andhra Pradesh"
Srisailam, a hill town in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh is home to the holy Malikarjuna Jyotirlinga and also as one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas of goddess Parvati. Situated on the banks of river Krishna, Srisailam is identified with a wildlife sanctuary and a dam.
You could seek the blessings of the almighty by visiting the many majestic temples in the city such as the one dedicated to Lord Shiva (it is renowned as Sikhareswara Swamy temple) or the famous Bhramaramba Mallikarjunaswamy Temple which is located at a height of around 457m from sea level. The Nallamala forest ranges with multifarious flora and fauna lie in close proximity to the Srisailam hills.
Rajahmundry
Located on the banks of River Godavari in Andhra Pradesh, and officially known Rajamahendravaram, Rajahmundry is the biggest city of the East and the West Godavari District in the state. Touted to be one of the oldest cities in India, Rajahmundry was founded in the 19th century by the Chalukya King- Raja Raja Narendra.
This Cultural Capital of Andhra Pradesh is also referred to as the 'born city' as it is believed to be the birth city of Telugu language. Touring along river Godavari and relishing the scenic landscapes is the prime attraction at Rajahmundry that draws in tourists from far and wide. Rajahmundry is primarily known to be a pilgrimage spot for Hindus, owing to the presence of several places of worship, the most famous of which is the Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple.
The River Godavari is considered a sacred river other than being a significant spot of tourism. The Pushkara ghats, located along the river, is where the grand Pushkara festivals are held every 12 years. Sometimes referred to as Southern Bombay, Rajahmundry is also a prominent textile hub. Alluring landscapes, primitive temples, and the Godavari river cruise - the heart of this historic land are as pristine as its environment.
Annavaram : Temple Village of Ratnagiri Hills"
Located in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, Annavaram is a small hamlet on the banks of river Pampa. It is on the hilltop of Ratnagiri, at a distance of 142 kilometres from Hyderabad. The temple village is famous for its shrine of Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy, a form of the Hindu deity- Lord Vishnu, and is flocked by tourists throughout the year. Annavaram Devasthanam is a sacred pilgrim centre that's thronged by lakhs of devotees every month, most of them who come to perform the special prayer (vrata), to please the lord they have come to worship.
Annavaram Devasthanam is a sacred pilgrim centre that's thronged by lakhs of devotees every month, most of them who come to perform the special prayer (vrata), to please the lord they have come to worship.
Puttaparthi : "The abode of Sathya Sai Baba"
The holy abode of the legendary figure, Sathya Sai Baba, Puttaparthi is a town which takes you back to the days of ashrams and the ways of living in those times with an equal influence of the present.
A tiny town in Andhra Pradesh, Puttaparthi has gained global fame as a centre of religious brilliance. It is a town which offers modern approaches of religion, settlements and even urbanization, being a unique village with urban facilities.
Though Puttaparthi does not have too many natural marvels or traditional tourist attractions, its richness and substance lie in its spiritual significance and a fresh breath of ideologies that it houses. Some of the places one must visit include the Sathya Sai Ashram, Sri Sathya Sai Space Theatre, Anjaneya Swamy Temple and a few more.