Andhra pradesh

HISTORICAL

Raymonds Tomb Raymonds Tomb Located in Saroornagar, about 10 km from Hyderabad city centre, the Raymond's Tomb is a 7m high black granite obelisk or the pillared shrine dedicated to Jaochim Raymond, a Frenchman, who was the Comptroller of Ordnance in the court ofNizam Ali Khan.

The Nizam's Museum The Nizam's Museum Located in the stately Purani Haveli, the palace acquired in the year 1750, by the second Nizam, is now transformed as a museum with a fascinating collection. The Nizam's museum showcases the gifts & mementos presented to the lastNizam on the occasion of Silver Jubilee Celebration in 1937.

The Salar Jung Museum The third largest museum in India, the artifacts are kept in 36 huge halls, painstakingly collected by Mir Yusaf Ali Khan, (Salar Jung III), the prime minister of Nizam of Hyderabad. The Salar Jung Museum contains over 35,000 exhibits as varied as Persian carpets, wood carvings, miniatures, armory and clothing. The Jade Room has swords, daggers and clothing of Mughal emperors and Tipu Sultan.

Victoria Museum Victoria Museum place for archaeology lovers, Victoria Museum has a watchfully preserved collection of ancient sculptures, paintings, idols, weapons, cutlery and inscriptions.

Warangal Fort Warangal Fort, 12 kilometers from Hanamkonda was built during the 13th century by the Kakatiyas. The impressive fort has four huge stone-gateways. Built by one of the Kakatiya Kings, Ganapathi Deva and his daughter Rani Rudrama Devi, one can still spot some exquisite pieces of sculpture here.

A.P.State Museum A visit to the Andhra Pradesh State Museum is a delight for art lovers. A.P.State Museum Located in the picturesque Public Gardens, the museum boasts of one of the richest repositories of antiques and art objects in the country. A.P.State Museum Built in 1920 by the Nizam VII, the museum building itself is a fine model of Indo-Saracenic architecture.

Amaravati Museum Amaravati Museum collection includes the antiquities from other Buddhist sites in Andhra Pradesh belonging to the 3rd Century BC to about the 12th Century AD, a gold necklace from Gummadidurru, relic-caskets with bone-relics and gold flowers.

Asman Garh Palace Asman Garh was designed and built by Sir Osman Jah, a noble belonging to the Paigah family and single time Prime Minister of Hyderabad State.

Bhagavan Mahavir Government Museum Bhagavan Mahavir Government Museum of historical and archeological significance is the Bhagavan Mahavir Government Museum in Cuddapah. Bhagavan MahavirGovernment Museum is a money house of very old stone sculptures, bronze icons and inscriptions dating back to several centuries.

Charminar The Charminar is as much the signature of Hyderabad as the Taj Mahal is of Agra or the Eiffel Tower is of Paris. Charminar stands in the heart of the old city. Built in 1591 to mark the end of an epidemic of plague it is a magnificent edifice. It is believed to have been built as a charm to ward off a deadly epidemic raging at that time.

District Archeological Museum The District Archeological Museum houses number of artefacts and anthiquities representing the evolutions of human civilisation right from Paleolithic to Asafjahi times ( i.e., 16th AD ) .

Falaknuma Palace Falaknuma Palace is located in Falaknuma, about 4 km South of Charminar. Falaknuma Palace Built in 1870 by Nawab Vikar-Ul-Ulmara, the Prime Minister of Hyderabad, it is a stupendous palace which has a image gallery, a luxurious welcome hall with cabinets containing diamond, crystal and emerald objects. Falaknuma Palace is a rare blend of Italian and Tudor architecture.

Gandhi Hill The first Gandhi Memorial with seven stupas in the country was constructed on this hill at a height of 500 ft. The 52 ft. stupa was unveiled on 6th October, 1968 by Dr. Zakir Hussain, the then President of India.

Golconda Fort Golconda is one of the well-known forts of India. The name originates from the Telugu words 'Golla Konda' meaning "Shepherd's Hill". Golconda was originally a mud fort, which passed to the Bahmani dynasty and later to the Qutb Shahis, who held it from 1518 to 1687 A.D. The first three Qutb Shahi kings rebuilt Golconda, over a span of 62 years.

Qutb Shahi Tombs The history of Hyderabad begins with the establishment of the Qutub Shahi dynasty. Owing to the inadequacy of water and frequent epidemics of plague and cholera Quli Qutub Shah established the new city with the Charminar at its centre with four great roads fanning out in four cardinal directions.

Kondapalli Fort Kondapalli Fort is located 16 km away towards West from Vijayawada City and is built on a hill. Prolaya Vema Reddy, build this fort during 14th Century. Later came under the rule of the Qutubshahis who strengthened and eloborated by totaling new structures.

Legislative Assembly Legislative Assembly Built in 1913, the building was originally the Hyderabad State Town Hall. The structural design is a synthesis of Rajasthani and Persian styles, with an all white, aesthetic look. Situated adjoining the picturesque Public Gardens, a massive statue of Mahatma Gandhi in a sitting posture is erected at the entrance park to the Assembly.

Osmania University Osmania University established in 1918 by the late Nizam of Hyderabad, OsmaniaUniversity was the first university in India to impart education in a vernacular language the university buildings are splendid, especially the Arts College building which is a perfect example of Indo Saracenic architecture.

Paigah Tombs Paigah Tombs Built of lime and mortar, these tombs are outstanding examples of Indo-Saracenic architecture.

Purani Haveli Purani Haveli Built by the first Nizam of Hyderabad, it is a large building bounded by high walls where the Nizam used to hold his cabinet council meetings.

BEACHES AND LAKES

Bapatla Beach (Suryalanka) Bapatla Beach Located at a distance of 7 Km from Bapatla is the beautiful sun-kissed beach of suryalanka stretches endlessly. Right spot for a holiday trip.

Bheemunipatnam Beach Bheemunipatnam Beach Known as Bhimli for short, Bheemunipatnam, the second oldest municipality in the country, lies at the mouth of theGosthani river. The town is just 25 km north of Visakhapatnam and one of the roads between the two places runs all along the shoreline, providing breathtaking views at many spots. Bhimli beach is considered one of the safest for swimmers and surfers as the water is shallow.

Kakinada-Uppada Road Beach Kakinada-Uppada Road Beach on Uppada Road is located about 5 km from Kakinada town and is well linked by bus. Kakinada-Uppada Road Beach and shore waters are clean. The slope is gradual and the shore is wide. There is a beach park.

Kalingapatnam Kalingapatnam Beach Located in Srikakulam district, it is being residential as a beach resort by Andhra Pradesh Tourism. Kalingapatnam Beach is situated 30 kms from Srikakulam.  This scenic spot was an antique sea port and European merchants resided here during the regime of the East India Company.

Kothapatnam Kottapatnam is located about 18 km from Ongole town and is one of the beaches close from Ongole town. Kottapatnam beach is clean and serves as a popular recreational spot for the close to villagers. Kothapatnam Beach is very near to the Ongole town. Kothapatnam Beach is popular as a recreational spot.

Krishnapatnam In Nellore district on the southern tip of Andhra Pradesh, it has a clean beach.

Lawson's Bay A beautiful beach and the vast blue sea that falls on the way to Kailasagiri Hill, Lawson's Bay is an ideal spot for sea swim and surfing.

Manginapudi Beach Manginapudi beach is Located at a distance of 11 km. from Machilipatnam in Krishna District, Manginapudi deserves its importance partly from its scenic beauty and partly from being a historic port city. Machilipatnam flourished as a commercially important trading centre and served as a gateway to India. The beach possesses tremendous potential with a natural bay and comparatively shallow and safe waters.

Mypad Beach The brilliant coastline of the Nellore district makes Mypad Beach sites one of the most luring sites for beach lovers. Mypad Beach is one such beach, whose verdant green environment and sun kissed sands will really make you think that why they call the lengthy strolls on the beaches are the most memorable ones.

Perupalem Beach Perupalem beach is well recognized for its scenic beauty. Perupalem beach has wonderful prospective with a natural bay and reasonably shallow and safe waters. Newly built Baptist church is value a visit .

Ramakrishna Beach The combination of both Ramakrishna Beach And Lawson's Bay present a very charming site. One of the most appealing beaches on the Eastern Coast is the Ramakrishna beach, Ramakrishna beach is a favorite haunt for tourists visiting Vishakhapatnam. The vast stretch of water and the complementary calm is in sharp contrast to the scurrying activity on the road and the apartments on the other side.

Ramapuram Beach Ramapuram Beach place has a beautiful beach. There is a constant inflow of tourists spending their weekends in the still situation. Resorts Jolly Home Resort Ramapuram Beach Near Vodarevu.

Rishikonda Beach Rishikonda Beach is just 8 km from Vishakhapatnam or as some people would call it - Vizag. Golden, unspoiled beach, washed by the sun-warmed sea, it is perfect for swimmers, water skiers, and wind surfers. Tourists can enjoy a holiday in picturesque settings. Tourists can enjoy a holiday in picturesque settings. A visit to this beach will definitely be an exciting, thrilling and almost an intoxicating experience

Vodarevu Beach Vodarevu beach is 6 km from Chirala in Prakasam district. Vodarevu beach has a gorgeous beach. Vodarevu beach is fairly famous with tourists regularly, this too is a nice getaway from the movement and hustle of city life.

SPIRITUAL

Lord Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy Temple Annavaram is famous for Lord Veera Venkata Satya Narayana Swamy temple, Located atop the Ratnagiri Hills on the banks of the river Pampa.

Mecca Masjid Mecca Masjid is a hundred yards southwest of the Charminar is the Mecca Masjid, so named because the bricks were brought from Mecca to build the central arch.

Ramappa Temple In Palampet, there is a temple called the Ramappa temple. Here, one can find some gorgeous stone carvings.

Sri Veeranarayana Temple Sri Veeranarayana Temple is constructed in the Chalukyan style around 1104 AD.  Located between Hyderabad and Warangal, Kolanupaka is famous for the 2000 year old Jain Mahavir Mandir, with its 1.5 meters high image of Mahavira.

Thousand Pillar Temple The Thousand Pillared temple is located at Hanumakonda. The carvings on the temple are quite beautiful. The Hanumakonda was the ancient capital of Kakatiyas of Warangal.

Tirupati Tirumala Balaji Temple Tirupati town is 67-km from Chittoor in Chittoor district, the southern portion of Andhra Pradesh.

Alampur Temples NEAR the sacred confluence of theTunga- bhadra and the Krishna, and situated on the border between Kurnool and Maha- boobnagar Districts of Andhra Pradesh, is Alampur which houses a number of sacred shrines like those of Sangameswara and the Nava Brahma temples.

Amaravati Temple AMARAVATI has made Andhra statue a byword among the plastic arts of the world, since the Amaravati Buddhist sculptures are world-famous as the most perfect example of what is called the Andhra or the Amaravati type of sculpture.

Bhadrakali Temple The brilliant coastline of the Nellore district makes Mypad Beach sites one of the most luring sites for beach lovers.

Bhadrachalam Temple BHADRACHALAM is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Sri Ramachandra and situated on the banks of the sacred river Godavari. The Godavari river flows here quietly but gracefully.

Birla Mandir The elegant modern Birla Mandir built of white marble stands on Naubat Parbat a little hill in the center of town where once the 'Naubat' or drums were sounded and royal proclamations read out.

Chaya Someswara Temple The Pachchala Someswara and Chaya Someswara temples. built in the 11 th 12th centuries are located here.

Chengalamma Temple Chengalamma Temple located 100 Kms from Nellore, located on the banks of river kalingi is the Chengalamma Temple which represents the conclusion of three goddesses namely Saraswathi, Mahalaxmi and Parvathi.

Chenna Kesava Temple Gadwal is famous for Chenna Kesava Swami Temple built by the Rajas of Gadwal in the 17th Century A.D.

Kanak Durga temple The Kanka Durga temple of Sri Kanaka Durga located on the indrakila hill which attracts lots of visitors.

Kolanupaka Kolanupaka temple is famous as the jain temple of Mahavira , 2000 years old, having 1.5 meters high image of Mahavira. Kolanupaka became the second capital of the Kalyani Chalukyas in the 11th century.

Dharmapuri Temples DHARMAPURI is one of the oldest villages in Andhra Pradesh situated in Karimnagar District of the Telengana region.

Dichpalli Temple Just off the Hyderabad - Nizambad highway Dichpalli temple is situated 15 Kms from Nizambad Town. Picturesquely situated on a hillock ,

Dwaraka Tirumala Temple Dwaraka Tirumala Temple was constructed by the Myalavaram Zamindars between the years 1877 and 1902.

Kalahasti KALAHASTI is a town in the Chittoor District of Andhra, and it is a Railway Station on the Renigunta-Gudur section. It has a temple dedicated to Lord Siva, and is famous throughout Andhra as a sacred place and a place of pilgrimage.

ADVENTURE AND WILDLIFE

Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park The Mahaveer Harina Vanasthali National Park is located at Vanasthalipuram, at a distance of 20 km from the city and originally the area was under the Nizam. The Mahaveer Harina Vanasthali National Park was established in 1977.

Manjira Wildlife & Bird Sanctuary ( Sangareddy ) The Manjira Bird Sanctuary, located near Sangareddy in Medak district, spreads over an area of 20 sq.km. The Manjira Bird Sanctuary is snuggled between Manjeera and Singur barrages. The Manjira Wildlife sanctuary is formed by nine small islands, where one can find a number of animals, migratory birds and reptiles like Marsh Crocodiles and Muggers.

Nehru Zoological Park The Nehru Zoological park at Hyderabad is sprawled over a lush green area of 300 acres. This Park is a must visit for nature lovers, who are interested to see the best of nature.

Mrugavani National Park,Chilkur The Mrigavani National Park at Chilkur is spread over an area of 700 acres and is located at a distance of 25 km. from Hyderabad.

Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary is in Nelapattu village. It is located on the East Coast about 20-km north of the Pulicat Bird Sanctuary in the Nellore district. Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary is just 50-km from Chennai.

Pakhal Wild life Sanctuary Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary is situated 50 Km from Warangal, along the shoreline of Pakhal Lake and is named after it. It is a manmade lake, excavated in 1213 AD by the Kakatiyas.

Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary Amidst the fertile Godavari basin, this 591 Sq. Kms forest sanctuary has typical vegetation of the eastern ghats. Located 50 Kms from Rajahmundry, animals that can be spotted are Tiger, Panther, Gaur, Cheetal, Chowsingha, Sambar, Black Buck, Mouse Deer, Barking Deer, Sloth Bear, apart from Marsh Crocodile and a variety of birds.

Pranahita Wildlife Sanctuary Pranahita Wildlife Sanctuary is a treasure trove of fossils too. Here the wild life watcher can see the Indian Porcupine along with the other animals like Nilgai, Sloth Bear, Tiger, Leopard, Forest Cat, Langur, Rhesus, Palm Civet, Indian Otter, Wild Dogs, Hyena & diversity of birds including Brahminy Ducks, Teals, Strokes & Herons.

Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary is thick, verdant forests on the banks of the Krishna river between Nagarjunasagar and Srisailam, are home to a host of wild animals

Alisagar Deer Park Alisagar Deer Park is located in Nizamabad district of Andhra Pradesh. The Nizam constructed the Alisagar in 1931.

Coringa Wildllife Sanctuary The Coringa sanctuary is located around 20 Kms from Kakinada and 70 Kms from Rajahmundry. The Coringa situated in Godavari Delta.

Eturnagaram Sanctuary Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the oldest sanctuaries of Andhra Pradesh.It is located at a distance of 90 km. from Warangal and 250 km. from Hyderabad.

Gundla Brahmeswara Sanctuary The Gundla Brahmeswaram Sanctuary is located between Kurnool and Prakasam districts. It is sprawled over an area of 1194 sq.km at a distance of 30 Km. from Nandyal.

Indira Gandhi Zoological park Indira Gandhi Zoological park covers an area of 625 acres. It is presently one of the major zoo located in the natural settings of a reserve forest about 4 km. from the Visakhapatnam railway station on the National Highway at Mathurawada

Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary The Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary is located at Palamaner in andhra Pradesh. It is 50 Km away from Chittoor and 120 Km from Bangalore by road.

Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary The kawal wildlife sanctuary is situated at Jannaramin in andhra Pradesh. It was set up in the year 1965. The kawal wildlife sanctuary spreads over 893sq.km with dry deciduous teak forest, bamboo and miscellaneous species of flora

Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary The Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at Kinnerasani in the state of Andhra Pradesh. This wildlife sanctuary lies on the right bank of the Godavari River.

Kolleru Lake Bird Sanctuary The Kolleru Lake Bird Sanctuary at Kolleru has the largest fresh water lake in Asia. The Kolleru Lake Bird Sanctuary is 65 Km away from Vijaywada

Pocharam Forest & Wildlife Sanctuary Pocharam Forest & Wild Life Sanctuary Located 15 Kms from Medak and 115 Kms from Hyderabad, this sanctuary can be reached by private transport from Medak. Pocharam Forest was the favourite hunting ground of the Nizam and he declared it as a wild life sanctuary in the early part of 20th century.