Andhra Pradesh, the third largest state in India is said to have been the home of the Pre- Dravidian dark coloured inhabitants.
Andhra Pradesh, the third largest state in India is said to have been the home of the Pre- Dravidian dark coloured inhabitants. Andhra region witnessed the rule of Chandragupta Maurya during which it established itself as an independent kingdom. The state located in South India, is bounded by Tamil Nadu in the south, Maharashtra in the North and North-West, Madhya Pradesh in the North-East, Karnataka in the West, and the Bay of Bengal in the East. The medieval city of Hyderabad is its capital. The main languages spoken here are Telugu, English, Urdu and Hindi.
State Bird -Indian roller State Animal - Black buck
State Flower - To be declared State Tree - Neem
Area 2,75,068 SqKm
Capital Hyderabad
Language Telugu and Urdu
Districts 23
Population 76,210,007
Male 38,286,738
Female 37,923,269
Literacy 45.11 % (1991 census)
tourism
Andhra Pradesh, known as the "Rice Granery of India" is a favourable tourist state in India which has a coast line of 1000kms with eight of its 23 districts having direct access to the sea. Located in South India, Andhra Pradesh is bounded by Tamil Nadu in the south, Maharashtra in the North and North-West, Madhya Pradesh in the North-East, Karnataka in the West, and by the Bay of Bengal in the East. The medieval city of Hyderabad is its capital. The main languages that are spoken in Andhra are Telugu, English, Urdu, Hindi.It uniquely combines history, beaches, mountains into a great travel destination. The state of Andhra Pradesh is recognized variously-for its legendary dynasties; for its most revered temple, Tirupati; for its beautiful language, Telugu; for its lacquer toys and beautiful weaves; rich literature and the vibrant Kuchipudi. The Places to see in Andhra Pradesh are Sri Venkateswara temple at Tirupati, Charminar, Salar Jung Museum, Golconda Fort in Hyderabad and Buddhist viharas at Nagarjunasagar. Andhra Pradesh had been an important seat of rich Buddhist heritage. Andhra Pradesh has also the largest IT park and largest Film City in Asia.
The climate is generally hot and humid. The summer temperatures vary from 20C to 40C, while in winter it is between 13C and 32C. The South-West monsoons play a major role in determining the climate of the state. The North-East monsoons are responsible for about one-third of the total rainfall in Andhra Pradesh. Best time to visit Andhra Pradesh is October to February.
Department of Tourism
Govt. of Andhra Pradesh,
A Block, 3rd Floor Secretariat
Hyderabad - 500 063,
Andhra Pradesh, India
Phone: 040-23456717, 040-23450991
Fax: 040-23454966, 040-23450068
Director of Tourism
Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Tank Bund Road,
Hyderabad - 500 063,
Andhra Pradesh, India
Phone: 040-23452492
Fax: 040-23453109
Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation
Tourism House, Himayatnagar,
Hyderabad - 500 063
Andhra Pradesh, India
Phone: 040-23262151
040-23262152, 040-23262153, 040-23262154, 040-23262457
Fax: 040-23261801
Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development
Corporationatri nivas, S.P Road
Secunderabad,
Andhra Pradesh, India
Phone: 040-27816375, 04027893100
Andhra Pradesh Tourist Information Centre
Tourism Department,
Govt. of Andhra Pradesh
Phone: 040-23450444 India Tourism
2nd Floor, Netaji Bhavan, Himayatnagar,
Hyderabad - 500 063
Phone: 040-23261360
040-23261363
APTDC Central Reservation offices
Tank Bund Road,
Hyderabad - 500 063
Andhra Pradesh, India
Phone: 040-2345036, 040-23450165,
Fax: 040-23261801
Andhra Pradesh Regional Offices
New Delhi
Andhra Pradesh Tourist Information Centre
Assistant Director
AP Bhawan, Ashoka road,
New Delhi - 110 001
Phone: 011-23381293
Andhra Pradesh Tourist information Counter
210 Kanishka Shopping Plaza
19 Ashoka Road
New Delhi - 110 001
Phone: 011-23366328
Vishakapatnam
Regional Tourist Information Bureau
Tourist Information officer
Vuda Building, Siripuram,
Visakhapatnam - 530 003
Phone : 0891-2754716
Andhra Pradesh Tourist Information Counter
Visakhapatnam
Railway Station
Vijayawada
Central Reservation Office
Opp PWD Grounds,
M.G Road,
Vijayawada
Phone: 0866 2571393
Tourist Information Counter
M.G Road
Phone: 0866-2571539
0866-2571393
Tirupati
Regional Tourist Information Bureau
Tourist Information officer
Near TTD 3rd Choultry
Tirupati - 517 501
Phone : 08772243306
Central Reservation office, APTDC
T.P Area, Beside Venkateshwara Bus Station,
Tirupati-517501
Phone: 877 22553885,
22553886
Fax: 877 2256877
NagarjunaSagar
Regional Tourist Information Bureau
Tourist Information officer
Punnami, Hill colony
Nagarjunasagar - 508202
Phone:08680-277364
08680-276540
Chennai
Andhra Pradesh Tourist Information Counter
Tamil Nadu Tourism Counter
Near Kalaivalar Arangam
Walajah Road
Chennai - 600 002
Phone:044-25381213
Warangal
Andhra Pradesh Tourist Information Counter
1-1-1/1, 1st floor,
Talwar Hyundai Show Room, Chaitanyapuri, Opp. REC, Kaizipet,
Warangal
Phone:0870 2446606
Andhra Pradesh Tourist Information Counter
Kazipet Railway Station
Warangal
Mumbai
Andhra Pradesh Tourist Information Counter
General Assurance Building
Dr. D. N. Road
Opp. Handloom House
Mumbai - 400 001
Phone: 022-22072245
Bangalore
Tourist Information Centre
33 G-10, Swiss Complex
Race Course Road
Banglore - 560 001
Phone: 080-2383361,
080-2383362
Goa
Andhra Pradesh Tourist Information Counter
Hotel Flamingo
Panajim,
Goa - 403 001
Kolkata
Andhra Pradesh Tourist Information Centre
4/1 Middleton street
Sikkim Commerce House
Kolkata - 700 071
Phone: 033-22813679
Fax: 033-22292857
Srisailam
Tourist Information Counter
Punnami Hotel,
Srisailam
Phone: 8524 288311
Kurnool
Tourist Information Counter
C/D-6, C-camp,
Nandyal Road,
Kurnool-518002
Fax:8518 270104
How to get there
Air: Begumpet Airport at Hyderabad, also known as Hyderabad Airport, is currently the only international airport in Andhra Pradesh. It is well connected to most major Indian cities and some overseas. Other important airports of the state include Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Tirupati and Vishakapatnam.
Sea: Major Sea Port of Andhra Pradesh is at Vishakapatnam which have regular cruise to Andaman &is also connected with other major ports. Gangavaram deep water port is under development. Minor Sea ports include Kakinada, Krishnapatnam, and Machilipatnam.
Rail: Andhra Pradesh is well connected with around 620 Railway stations. In which three main train stations include Hyderabad or Nampally, Secunderabad and Kacheguda. Secunderabad is the main station from where one can get trains to all major towns/cities of the country. It has a Total Rail network of 5107 kms
Road: Andhra Pradesh has a total road network of 178,474 Kilometers with about 12 National Highways of 4014 Kms. and State Highways of 8763 Kms. Andhra pradesh state road transport corporation, considered as the largest state transport undertaking in the world provides transit facility in the state of Andhra pradesh. APSRTC runs intercity and inter district buses within the state of Andhra pradesh. It also runs interstate routes connecting to the adjacent states of Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
land
Andhra Pradesh lies between 12o41' and 22o longitude and 77o and 84o40' latitude. It is bounded by Madhya Pradesh and Orissa in the north, the Bay of Bengal in the east, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in the south and Maharashtra in the west. Andhra Pradesh is the third largest state in India and it forms the major link between the north and the south of India. It is the biggest and most populous state in the south of India.There are three main regions in Andhra Pradesh - (1) Northern Circars or coastal Andhra comprising Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Ongole and Nellore districts; (2) Rayalaseema or Ceded districts comprising Kurnool, Cuddapah, Chittoor and Anantapur districts; and (3) Telangana comprising Khammam, Nalgonda, Warangal, Karimnagar, Medak, Nizamabad, Aadilabad, Mahbubnagar and Hyderabad districts. The Circars or Coastal districts are well developed and enjoy a greater degree of affluence than the other two regions; Rayalaseema is close to the coastal districts and here rainfall is less than in the coastal districts and drought conditions prevail sometimes, and the Telangana region is of the former princely state of Nizam's Hyderabad, which is close to Maharashtra's Marathwada region and some parts of Karnataka.
Mountains and Rivers
The state is dotted with hill ranges from the north to the south, running erratically down the middle of the country dividing it into western and eastern or coastal Andhra. These hills form integral geographical entities of Andhra life and history. In the north, there are Simhachalam and Annavaram hills, in the middle country there are the Srisailam hill ranges and in the south are the Tirumalai-Tirupati hills.
Nearly 75% of the state territory, is covered by the basins of three big rivers - Godavari, Krishna and Pennar and their tributaries. In addition, there are 17 short rivers like Sarada, Nagavali, Musi and other streams. The two great perennial rivers of the state, Godavari and Krishna spring from the Western Ghats in Maharashtra and flow eastward and joins the Bay of Bengal. The Godavari enters the state of Andhra Pradesh direct from Maharashtra, but the Krishna first goes to Karnataka where it flows for a considerable distance before entering Andhra Pradesh. Besides these two big rivers, there are the Tungabhadra, the Pennar and many other small rivers and rivulets. Pennar originates in the Karnataka plateau. Like all the peninsular rivers and even those which arise in central India, like the Narmada, Sone and Chambal, all these are rain fed rivers as there is no snow below the Himalayas. Andhra Pradesh has considerable topographical variations with dense forest in the north east, flat paddy lands in the coastal plains, several noteworthy beaches along the Bay of Bengal and the stark boulder-strewn region around Hyderabad.
History
Andhra Pradesh is said to have been the home of the Pre- Dravidian dark coloured inhabitants. Andhra region witnessed the rule of Chandragupta Maurya during which it established itself as an independent kingdom. After Ashoka, the Mauryan empire declined giving opportunity to establish smaller kingdoms. In about the third century BC the Satavahanas ruled for about five centuries. The Satavahanas established a strong rule with their territories extending upto Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The Satavahanas were overpowered by the Ikshvakus by the third century AD. During this period Brahmanism is said to have been revived. This reduced the influence of the Buddhist which was fostered by the Satavahanas.
By the end of the third century AD the Pallavas of Kanchi put an end to the rule of the Ikshavakus. Art and Architecture advanced during their rule. By 4th century AD the Anandas established their rule which lasted till 6th century. During the 7th century the Eastern Chalukyas exercised their power for about four centuries. Literature was advanced during this period with promotion of the Telegu script. The Kakatiyas who were the feudatories of the Eastern Chalukyas became independent in about the 12th century. During the rule of Delhi Sultanate, Muslims repeatedly attempted intrution into Andhra. In 1332 AD Ulugh Khan established themselves. The Reddi Kingdom of Kondavidu; the Velama kingdom, the Vijayanagar Kingdom also ruled independently . The rule of Muhammad Tughlag witnessed the rise of the independent Muslim Power at Bijapur. This was under the Bahamani Sultanate. In 1518 the Sultan Qili Qutub Shah declared himself independent and founded the Qutub Shah dynasty which existed till 1687. During this period literature, art and architect are advanced. The city of Hyderabad was laid in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah. The Mughals put an end to the Qutub Shahi rule in 1687. After this the Asafjahis called Nizams emerged. They influenced Andhra Pradesh till the 18th century till Andhra Pradesh was ceded to the East India Company. Gradually the whole of Andhra Pradesh except Hyderabad was under the British till 1947. In 1956 Andhra Pradesh was declared as a state.
Crafts
Hyderabad Pearls
The Capital city of the state, Hyderabad is the main centre for pearl trade in India and one of the principle pearl markets in the world. Pearl trade flourished here under the patronage of Nizam's of Hyderabad. The local craftsmen and jewellers are located close to Charminar. Pearls are priced according to the radiance, shape and size. Colour and lusture of pearls should be checked in day light. One of the ways to find out if the pearls are real, is to rub them gently against the edge of one's teeth. Genuine pearls will give a rough sensation while fakes will feel smooth.
Toys and Dolls
The best known with the widest range in Andhra Pradesh toys are those from Konda Palli, a small village in the Vijaywada district. The themes are centered round the villages and the different vocations common to rural life. Equally well-known are the Tirupati dolls of Tiruchanur village near Tirupati, made in the red sandal wood. They largely reproduce the religious figures in the traditional classical style of temple sculptures in small sizes, like dolls.
Nirmal, a village in Adilabad district in Andhra Pradesh, is widely famed for its toys. Though at one time Nirmal used to make religious figures, today it concentrates on animals but more on birds, especially in flying formations.
Ettikoppaka, a village in Vishakapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh, specialises in lacquered household articles in toy-sizes, including complete sets of cooking vessels, table-ware, furniture, etc. The special items are mirrors in fancy frames and toy carts.
Bidriware
Bidriware is shiny silver inlay work against a black background. Designs in pure silver are inlaid in an alloy of Zinc and Copper. Though the original home of Bidri is Bidar in Karnataka, it is perhaps one of the most popular Crafts of Andhra. The technique of bidri came to India from Iran (Persia) in the 14th century. It was Sultan Ahmad Shah Wali who introduced this craft to India and he and Nizam of Hyderabad made this craft most popular. Many craftsmen are carrying on the craft in Hyderabad. Bidri-ware has a wide range of variety. The designs are drawn free hand using sharp chisels. To keep the bidriware always looking new, Polish the inlay work withe silver polish and rub vegetable oil on the surface.
Brassware
Pembarti, a small village of Andhra Pradesh in Warangal District is known for its brass ware. They make statues depicting characters from Hindu mythology, pots, carvings etc. in bronze and brass. Mostly cast figures are hand crafted not machine made. Brass ware is also made in Tirupati, Warangal.
Carpets
Elluru, near Masulipatnam is famous for carpets of Indo-Persian style. The body designs of carpets are named after patrons or those associated with them or fruits like babul, guava etc. The designs are mostly floral and geometrical.The pile carpet came to Warangal with the Mughal army, for the military camps had not only soldiers but also artists and craftsmen. They evolved their own designs in course of time but with the flavour of the old, like the Persian Lancelot leaf transformed into a flower.
Silver-filigree
Silver-wax is widely used for making ritualistic objects. Silver-filigree is a style by itself which Cuttack in Orissa and Karimnagar in Andhra Pradesh produce in Puru metal. For this, pure-silver ingots are put through a wire-drawing machine. In the pre-machine days the ingots were beaten on an anvil and elongated into a long wire by passing it through a steelplate - wiregauge. The very fine hair-like wires are still done only in the old drawing technique, then twisted and flattened. Two thinnest wires are wound together two or three times on a Charkha after heating and then flattened again to get is as thin as the single wire originally was. A filigree object is a combination of a number of component parts pieced together.
Tortoise Shell Products
The tortoise-shell is used for making trinket boxes along with ivory. Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh is a prominent centre where this shell is used. The forties shell at the moment is used in a very limited way as it is in short supply. The best known product of this shell is the beautiful octagonal jewel box with the ivory net cover.
Dishes
The delicious Andhra cuisine, which is a combination of the South and Deccani, is reputedly the spiciest and hottest of all Indian cuisine. The cuisine is largely vegetarian, with only the coastal areas showing a marked preference for seafood. But it also has many non-vegetarian dishes which are spicy and unique in taste. The staple food, rice, is served with sambar, other lentil preparations along with vegetables, green chillies and ample spices. The spicy chutneys and pickles of Andhra, specially mango and shrimp, are a hot favorite all over the country. Traditionally, Andhra meal is served in banana leafs with people sitting down on mats or small raised wooden seats. Before serving a little water is sprinkled over the leaf. Rice is served with a little helping of ghee. Usually the meal includes nearly five types of dishes, but a typical one, has to have the famous hot pickles, chutneys, powders etc. The spiciness of the meal is neutralised using curd. The capital Hyderabad also has a unique cuisine of their own very different from the traditional Andhra meal.
* Bagara Baingan
* Kulcha
* Chekkalu
* Miriyala Charu
* Chicken Curry
* Pesara-Avakaya
* Dosakai Pappu
* Pesarattu
* Fish Curry
* Prawn curry
* Gongura Pickle
* Pulihora
* Kajjikayalu
* Vegetable Biriyani
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