Andhra Pradesh Tourism

Fabulous and splendid handicrafts, vibrant religious festivals, distinct famous cuisines and the mother tongue, Telugu, are some of the important constituents of its unique identity. The classical dance of Kuchipudi, tribal dances and the folk art of Tholubommalaata, a shadow puppetry theatre, lend their charm to the uniqueness of the state. The people here are friendly and warm and take keen interest in arts, crafts and dance. The Tirupati Temple is the main tourist and pilgrim attraction of Andhra Pradesh and attracts people from all over India and the world. The donations here alone have been enough for the establishment and running of a university, several hospitals and schools. The third largest state in India, the Krishna and Godavari are the major rivers of Andhra Pradesh.

Spotlights:
The most popular of the temples and historical monuments of Andhra Pradesh include the Tirupati Temple in Chittoor district dedicated to the Lord Venkateswara, situated atop the Tirumalai hill. It is a masterpiece of Deccan Indian architecture. The capital of the state, Hyderabad and its twin city Secunderabad are linked together by the Hussain Sagar Lake. The chief attractions of these cities are the 16th century Char Minar, Osmania University, State Museum and Art gallery, Salarjung Museum, Health Museum, Public Gardens, Birla Mandir, Macca Masjid and the first lion safari park of South Asia, Nehru Zoological Park. The major wildlife sanctuaries of the state are the Pakkal, Tadvai and Ethurnagaram sanctuaries, Kawak Wildlife Sanctuary and India's largest Tiger Reserve, the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Sanctuary.

The famous Golconda fort at Golconda, which was famous as a rich diamond mine all over the world in the medieval times that have been reputed to produce well known diamonds of Kohinoor and Pitt is another highlight of the state. The charming little hill resorts in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh are Anantagiri and Araku with their picturesque coffee plantations, mango groves, waterfalls, number of tribes and a distinctive culture. The Horsley Hills are also a popular tourist destination. The beaches and harbor of Visakhapatnam, Rishikonda, Bhimli, Bhimunipatnam, Bapatla, Kalingapatnam, Maipad and Manginapudi are not only beautiful but also offer facilities for pleasurable aquatic sport activities.