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Population : 66 million
Capital : Hyderabad
Language : Telugu, Hindi and Urdu
Area: 275,000 sq. km.
Location:
Located in south India, Andhra Pradesh
is bounded by Tamil Nadu in the south, Maharashtra in the
north and northwest, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa in the
northeast, Karnataka in the west, and by the Bay of Bengal in
the east. It is situated on the Deccan plateau and is one of
the oldest geological formations of the country.
Climate: Although a typical tropical climate,
Andhra region is quite either washed away by floods or hit by
harsh famines. The winters can get crisp and chilly while
the summers are sweltering with heat and dust. The best time
to enjoy the life of Andhra is during the winter months.
About Andhra Pradesh: Andhra Pradesh laced with the
vast coastline of nearly 1000 kms to the east of India is the
fifth largest state of the Indian Subcontinent and one of the
oldest in geological terms. The land is the cultural link
between the north eastern states of Orissa, West Bengal, Assam
and the others and the southern states of Tamil Nadu and
Karnataka. The cultural symphony is seen all through the
state. Once separated in three different regions, namely the
Telangana, the Andhra and the Rayal seema, Andhra Pradesh as a
state with the capital of Hyderabad came into existence only
in 1956.
The history of the state goes back to the pre -Aryan era. It
is believed that some of the Aryans came down south and
mingled with the locals thus forming a different clan
altogether. Although the state rose to prominence only after
the Mauryan emperor Ashoka came here spreading Buddhism,
Andhra was ruled by the Satvahan dynasty which controlled much
of Southern India during 2nd century B.C. It was during the
time of the Satvahanas that international trade was on full
spree especially with China, the Far East and the Middle East.
It was also useful for the spread of Buddhism. The Satvahan
dynasty flourished till the Pallavas form far south came into
the picture. It was also the Chalukyas, and the Cholas, who
ruled over the Telgu speaking region. The Kaktiyas and the
Vijayanagars left their impact as the rule ended.
With the Qutub Shahi came the Islamic invasion around the 16th
century A.D. The Islamic glory reached to its Zenith with the
Nizam's of Hyderabad, who were supposed to be the richest
rulers in the world. Eventually as the fate of whole of India,
Andhra too went under the British rule and the new state was
formed in 1956 by combining all the Telgu speaking areas under
one umbrella.
Today Andhra stands a witness to all that has passed. Known as
the Rice Granary of India, this fertile land is laced with a
1000 km long sea coast with beautiful beaches where one can
spot dolphins. With ancient caves at Borra and the hi-tech
city of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh definitely symbolizes the
harmony of the old with the new. Andhra Pradesh is full of
monuments and places and various things which have been the
pioneers in breaking the routine path. The World's tallest
masonry dam Nagarjunasagar stands proudly across the River
Krishna and so does the Lord Venkateshwara, in the richest
temple of the world in Tirupathi. While the world's highest
broad-gauge railway track between Vishakhapattanam and
Anantgiri stand with pride, so do the Borra caves, the oldest,
nearly a million years old. The amazing Charminar and the
world's largest one man collection, the Salarjung museum can
excite young and old equally. Today it has the first Lion
safari in South Asia as well as the largest film city in South
Asia.
Andhra has been the origin of the Kuchipudi dance and
Kalamkari art. Although the culinary delights offered in
Andhra Pradesh makes ones mouth water, so does ones nose and
eyes! The lip smacking food is tasty and equally spicy. The
pearls and the bangles of Hyderabad, the pickles of Guntur,
the toys of Kondapalli are enough to empty ones pockets as
well.
Festivals of Andhra Pradesh
The Deccan Festival, with its cultural programmes is
celebrated in February. Bakri-Id is celebrated with
ritualistic fervor in Andhra Pradesh and in particular, the
old city of Hyderabad. The Andhra Ugaadi which heralds the New
Year also means a season of mango-picking and more literary
pursuits such as poetry competitions.The state also observes
typical indian festivals such as Nag Panchami, Holi, Diwali,
Gandhi Jayanti, Mahavir Jayanti and others.
Places Of Tourist Interest in Andhra Pradesh
Charminar
Tirupati
Golconda Fort
Salarjung Museum
Dolphin's Nose
Mecca Masjid
Nagarjunakonda Museum
Chalukyan Temples
Borra Caves
Venkateshwara Temples |
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