Andhra Pradesh offers a heady mix of history, pilgrimage, natural wonder, scenic beauty. Of late, it has started drawing huge number of tourists from across the world. Andhra Pradesh Travel Guide highlights the reasons why one should travel to Andhra Pradesh, how to reach there comfortably and what all does the state offers to its tourist so that they have a memorable vacation.
Andhra Pradesh Travel Guide also answers your queries about the state related to the safety of travel, history, cuisines, religion, languages and other related questions.
About Andhra Pradesh
Location
Andhra Pradesh is located to the South-East of India on the Deccan Plateau. Andhra Pradesh has earned itself sobriquets of “Agriculture Capital of India" and the “Rice Bowl of India" due to its leading position in agriculture. River Godavari and River Krishna flow through the state of Andhra Pradesh supplying water to 23 districts of the state. Most of the people in Hyderabad speak Telugu which also is the official language of Andhra Pradesh.
History of Andhra Pradesh
The state of Andhra Pradesh was initially ruled by the Aryans most of whom later converted to Buddhism under the influence of Emperor Ashoka. The Satavahana Dynasty also known as the Andhras were the first dynasty to rule the state and this is probably the source from which the state has derived its name. The state was later ruled by the Pallavas, the Chalukyas, the Cholas and the Kakaityas before coming under the Muslim rule. Even after the independence of India in 1947, a major part of the state remained under the control of Nizams of Andhra Pradesh for a long time.
Andhra Pradesh Tourism
Andhra Pradesh Tourism relies completely on numerous pilgrims who pay a visit to the state every year. The numbers of domestic tourists visiting the state of Andhra Pradesh in 2010 alone were 15,57,89,584. To put in other words 21% of total number of domestic tourists in 2010 had Andhra Pradesh for their destination.
Hyderabad the capital city of Andhra Pradesh is the biggest crowd puller owing to the presence of historical wonders like Charminar and the places of religious significance like Mecca Masjid in the city. The Venkateswara temple at Tirupati is a place of great importance to the followers of lord Venkateswara who visit the temple in large numbers. The temple is the most visited place of pilgrimage all across the world.
Major cities of Andhra Pradesh
- Hyderabad: The capital city of Andhra Pradesh, the major attraction of Hyderabad is 400 years old Charminar and the Golconda Fort.
- Visakhapatnam: Visakapatnam is the second largest city in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the fastest growing Asian cities and popularly called the ‘City of Destiny’. The various Buddhists relics in the state are centre of tourist attraction.
- Warangal: The popular tourist attractions of Warangal include Warangal Fort, Thousand Pillared Temple and Rayaparthi Temple among others.
- Vijayawada: Vijaywada is popularly known as the ‘Business Capital of Andhra Pradesh’. The places worth a view in the city of Vijaywada are Prakasham Barrage, Gandhi Hill and Victoria Museum among others.
- Tirupati: Tirupati temple in the city of Tirupati is its major attraction. The large numbers of tourists visiting the temple makes it the most visited city in the world.
Demographics
| Latitude | Between 12°41' and 22° North |
| Longitude | Between 77° and 84°40' East |
| Area | 2,75,069 sq km |
| Climate | The state has tropical hot and humid climate and witnesses 2 rainy seasons in a year: mid June till September and October-November. Coastal areas are prone to Cyclones |
| Max temperature | 42 degrees |
| Min temperature | 16 degrees |
| Average annual rainfall | Between 87.5 - 31 cm |
| Population | 84,655,533 |
| Languages | Telugu, Hindi, Urdu |
| Clothing | Light Cottons are favourable throughout the year due to the climatic conditions. |
| Time Zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) on Andhra Pradesh
Where is Andhra Pradesh located?
Andhra Pradesh is located on the south eastern coast of India. It is surrounded by Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Odisha in the North, Tamil Nadu in the South, Karnataka to the West and the Bay of Bengal to the East.
Which is the capital city of Andhra Pradesh?
Hyderabad also called the ‘City of Pearls’ is the capital city of Andhra Pradesh. It also is the largest city in Andhra Pradesh.
What languages can the people in Andhra Pradesh communicate in?
Telugu and Urdu are the two official languages of Andhra Pradesh. 84% of the population in Andhra Pradesh speaks Tamil. The other languages spoken in the city are Hindi, Marathi, Tamil and Kannada.
What are the primary religions practiced in the city?
Hinduism is the dominant religion in Andhra Pradesh. Most of the Telugu people in Andhra Pradesh are Dravidians who follow Hinduism. You are very likely to encounter Muslims (followers of Islam) as well for they constitute a large majority in the population of Andhra Pradesh.
What are the food options in the state of Andhra Pradesh? What is the city famous for in terms of food?
Rice is the staple food of Andhra Pradesh and naturally majority of dishes in the state are rice based. Hyderabadi Biryani which is the most popular form of Biryani in India owes its origin to Andhra Pradesh. You will also find a wide array of meat in the cuisine. It is cooked with delicious spices of Andhra Pradesh giving it a unique flavor. The state is also famous for finger licking pickles and chutneys.
Which places should I visit while in Andhra Pradesh?
When in Andhra Pradesh definitely visit the renowned places of pilgrimage in the state. These include the Venkateswara Temple at Tirupati, the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad and Amaravati’s Shiv Temple. You will also find various other Buddhist abodes in Amaravati. Besides you can make your way to Hyderabad’s popular monument Charminar and the Golkonda fort.
What is the best time to visit Andhra Pradesh?
The best time to visit Andhra Pradesh is between October and February when the weather is cool, comfortable and cozy. It is advisable not to travel to the state in the summers (May to July) as the temperature rises to as high as 40 degrees. Even the monsoons are humid creating uneasiness sometimes. So it is best to visit the place is the winter months.
Why is Tirupati so famous?
Tirupati is a state in Andhra Pradesh which is famous for the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. The Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara (form of lord Vishnu) is the most visited place of worship all across the world. The temple witnesses 50000-100000 visitors offering prayers daily.
Is it safe to travel in Andhra Pradesh at night?
Andhra Pradesh is comparatively a safer Indian state still travel at night only when you are in familiar surroundings with known people. For women it is advisable not to travel at night alone and if urgent make sure you are accompanied by someone you can trust.
How can one reach Andhra Pradesh?
Besides having an international airport in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh is well linked by rail and road. It is easily accessible from any part of India.
Last updated on: 10/21/2011
