Andhrapradesh

Andhra is the fifth largest state of India, It is also called the 'rice granary of India'. The main language spoken is Telugu. Some of the population speak Urdu. The main occupation is agriculture and weaving. The main crops are paddy and tobacco.

Sight seeing

Hyderabad is the capital city of Andhra Pradesh. It was one of the world's richest monarchy namely the Nizams. It is a major center of Islamic Culture and is a harmonious amalgam of the south and north,muslim and hindu

The Charminar is situated in the heart of the old walled city. This edifice is the best known land mark with bustling bazaars all round, where a variety of articles like artificial pearls, chandeliers, silks are displayed. It was built in 1591 A.D. by QuliShah, as a form of talisman to ward off the dreaded epidemic that was ravaging the city. As the name suggests, Charminar has four minarets rising 49 meters high,Typical of Qutbshahi architecture.

The Salar Jung Museum is the treasure house of art located on the bank of the river Musa. Acclaimed as one of the finest one-man collections in the world, this museum is named after Mir Yusuf Ali Khan -Salar Jung 111- the Prime minister of the late Nizam, who was a great connoisseur of art. It houses 35,000 exhibits collected from all corners of the world including illuminated manuscripts, bejeweled armories, wood carvings, exquisite cut glass collections etc. Some of the sculptures in marble like "Veiled Rebekah", "mestophiles" and the "Lady with the lamp" are some irresistible objects of art, with classic workmanship. The oil paintings acquired from France, an array of vases and pewters, numerous watches and clocks, rich Persian silks and wall hangings,floor coverings and Chinese tapestry are some of the prize exhibits. Visiting hours 10 00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M. Fridays are Holidays.

Nagarjuna Mountain and Nagarjuna Sagar is 149 km south east of Hyderabad. It has a history dating back as early as the 2nd century A.D. It is named after Sage Nagarjuna Acharya -an exponent of the Mahayana form of Buddhism. Known as "Vijaya- puri"in the early days, it was one of the important Buddhist centers of South India. Today only the ruins of the lost city lie in the shadow of the Nasgarjuna Sagar Dam. Some outstanding remains of the stupas, Marble carvings, sculptures have been excavated and preserved in a museum in the nearby island which can be reached by a boat. The site on which Nagarjuna mountain stands was excavated in 1926.Worth visiting are the sites of Ashwamedha Yaga, Queen's bathing ghat and the Buddhist monasteries.

Other Important places to visit Nagarjuna Sagar ,Govt Archaeological Museum, Konai Water Falls, and Arakku Valley Simhachalam.
The following are of religious importance:
Devi Viswamatuka temple at Draksharama near Ramachandra-puram in East-Godavari district, Devi Bramarambal temple in Srisailam, Tirupati, and Thirumala temples Puttaparthi, and Manthralaya mutts. .

Spcialities: Pearls, Silks, and Handicrafts.

For further information:
Andhra Pradesh Travel & Tourism
Development corporation Ltd
5th Floor, Ganga Vihar Complex
M.J. Road,
Hyderabad-500 001                         Home