Travel India

Bihar

2011-05-01T00:15:00.000-07:00

Bihar Map

Assam

2011-04-29T10:33:00.000-07:00

Assam Map

Arunachal Pradesh

2011-04-29T10:27:00.000-07:00

Arunachal Pradesh Map

Andaman and Nicobar Pictures

2011-04-29T07:34:00.000-07:00

Andaman and Nicobar

2011-04-29T07:05:00.000-07:00

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal and a Union Territory of India. It comprises two island groups, the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands, separated by the 10° N parallel, with the Andamans to the north of this latitude, and the Nicobars to the south. The Andaman Sea lies to the east and the Bay of Bengal to the west.

India States & Union Territories

2011-04-29T05:23:00.000-07:00

Maps and Information on Indian States & Union Territories

Andaman and Nicobar
Andhra Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh
Asom (Assam)
Bihar
Chandigarh
Chhattisgarh
Dadra and Nagar Haveli
Daman and Diu

Delhi
Goa
Gujarat
Haryana
Himachal Pradesh
Jammu And Kashmir
Jharkhand
Karnataka
Kerala

Lakshadweep
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra
Manipur
Meghalaya
Mizoram
Nagaland
Orissa
Pondicherry

Punjab
Rajasthan
Sikkim
Tamilnadu
Tripura
Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal)
Uttar Pradesh
West Bengal

Adilabad

2010-11-19T11:37:00.000-08:00

Location:	Adilabad district
Attractions:	Wildlife Sanctuaries and Waterfalls
Best Time to Visit:	October to February

Adilabad is a famous town situated in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Being the headquarters of Adilabad district, it gets a special attention from travel and tourism point of view. The district is sited on the northern borders of the state, where Indian rivers like Godavari, Penganga and Wardha move across its expanse. Established in the year 1905, Adilabad has derived its name from the erstwhile ruler of Bijapur, Adil Shah. In the bygone era, the place has been ruled by the Mughals, Mauryas, Satavahanas and Chalukyas as well.

Adilabad was known as Ethlabad in the earlier times. It has been influenced by a variety of cultures and customs during the reign different rulers. In the present day, the culture of the region appears a blend of the native Telugu culture and the contiguous Marathi culture. With such fusion of cultures, Adilabad perhaps sounds interesting and a place worth exploring. The whole region appears to be set in the lap of the nature.

Encircled by mountains and lush green woods, Adilabad is hallowed by the rumination of blessed souls like Ved Vyas. It is a place where you can see gushing waterfalls, invigorating rivers and interesting wildlife, inciting your nerves. It is also a prosperous business center of cotton, acclaiming it as the 'City of Cotton'. In short and snappy terms, Adilabad is a wonderful tourist destination where both, adventure and sacrosanct appear alongside.

Area: 16,128 sq.km

Temperature Range:
Summer: Max 46°C and Min 30°C. (125F - 81.56F Approx.)
Winter: Max 31°C and Min 15°C (84.26F - 40.78F Approx.)

Rainfall: Seasonal, 1045 mm

The Adilabad district is bounded by Maharastra State in the East, West and North directions, Karimnagar and Nizamabad districts in the South direction.
Rivers:Godavari, Penganga, Pranahita and Kadem,

Major Places:
Adilabad, Nirmal, Bellampalli, Mandamarri, Sirpur, Mancheryal, Lakshettipeta.

Tourist Places:
Pranahita, kawal and Sivaram Wildlife Sanctuary, Kadam Dam, Pochera and Kuntala waterfalls.

Pilgrimage Centers:
Basar, Utnoor and Keshlapur Temples.

Handicrafts:
Nirmal Paintings and Toys and Bell Metal Craft

This district was earlier called as Ethlabad. This place was under the rule of the kakatiya Velma and Qutubshahi and Asaf Jahin Kings. This district was formed in the year 1905.

The District is occupied with 50% of Forest area, and Hosts Three wild life sanctuaries. 1.Pranahita is famous for Tigers, Jaguars, Deer and different Birds, 2.Shivaram is famous for Crocodiles, Monkeys, Foxes and Spotted deer, 3.Kawal is famous for Tigers, Jaguars, Deer's and Panthers. The mineral Wealth found in this district is Coal, Hematite. The Bamboo's from the forest feeds the Sirpur paper mill at Sirpur Khaghaz Nagar, which was established in 1938

World Famous Nirmal Paintings and Toys, and Bell Metal Craft are the handicrafts of this District. The temple of Goddess Saraswathi, the one and only temple of this deity in South India, located at Basar is a famous pilgrim place. The water sources to this district are Kadem Project at Lakkipet, Vattivagu Project on Vattivagu, Satnalavagu project on Rallavagu and Chelamalavagu project on Chelamalavagu at Ekkapally village. Pochampadu Reservoir on river Godavari caters the water supply to the farm fields.

Tourist Attractions

S.No	Tourist Spot	Theme	Place
1	Dokra metal Crafts	Handicrafts	Adilabad
2	Jainath Temple	Pilgrim Centres	Adilabad
3	Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary	Wild Life	Jannaram
4	Kuntala Waterfalls	Water Falls	Kuntala
5	Nagoba temple, Keslapur	Pilgrim Centres	Keslapur
6	Nirmal Arts - Paintings & Toys	Handicrafts	Nirmal
7	Pochera Waterfalls	Water Falls	Pochera
8	Pranahita Wildlife Sanctuary	Wild Life	Mancherial
9	Sri Gyana Saraswathi Devasthanam	Pilgrim Centres	Basara
10	Utnur Temple	Pilgrim Centres	Utnur

Andhra Pradesh

2010-11-19T10:26:00.000-08:00

Andhra Pradesh Travel

Chittoor
Chittoor Excursions | How to Reach | Horsley Hills | Tourist Attractions

Kurnool
How to Reach | Tourist Attractions | Srisailam Temple

Nellore
How to Reach | Excursions | Mypad Beach | Tourist Attractions

Nizamabad
How to Reach | Excursions | Tourist Attractions

Kadapa
How to Reach | Kadapa Excursions | Tourist Attractions

Puttaparthi
Accommodation | How to Reach | Tourist Attractions | Satya Sai Baba Ashram | Weather

Andhra Pradesh History

2010-11-19T10:19:00.000-08:00

According to the Attereya Brahmana (2000 BC), the Andhras were originally Aryans from North India who later migrated to the South and settled down there. The history of Andhra Desa begins with 236 BC, the year of King Ashoka's death. It was subsequently ruled by the Satvahanas, Sakas, Ikshvakas, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas and later the Qutub Shahis and the Nizams. During the 17th Century, British annexed the land in the name of Madras. After Independence, Andhra State came into being on October 1, 1953. Later Hyderabad State was merged to it and ultimately on November 1, 1956, it became Andhra Pradesh.

Centuries ago, Andhra Pradesh was a major Buddhist centre and part of Emperor Ashoka's sprawling kingdom. Not surprisingly, traces of early Buddhist influence are still visible in several places in and around the state. After the death of Emperor Ashoka, several dynasties from the Ikshvakus, Pallavas, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas,Vijayanagaram kings, Qutb Shahis, Mughals and the Asaf Jahi's, ruled this princely city.

The history of Andhra Pradesh dates back to the epic era of the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha. But the documented history points to 236 BC, when Satavahana established a kingdom and a dynasty around the modern Hyderabad. During the reign of 450 years, Buddhism flourished in the kingdom. The rulers were followers of Brahmanism, but the women folk practiced Buddism. It was during this period that Buddhism spread from these shores to China, The far East and to Sri Lanka. The Ikshvakus succeeded the Satavahanas and ruled the kingdom for 57 years. The Pallavas annexed the area South of River Krishna and ruled till the end of 6th century.

Then came the dynasties of Chalukyas and the Kakatiyas. The Kakatiyas established themselves as rulers of a Telugu speaking people. The glorious reign of the Kakatiyas came to end in the 14th century and for the first time Telugus came under a Muslim regime that brought with it a totally different set of customs, language and religion.

The Delhi Sultanate came in power in 1347 AD, governed byAllahuddin Hasan, claiming lineage to Bahman Shah of Persia, revolted against the Delhi Sultanate and declared himself ruler of the southern part of the territory, comprising mainly the Deccan and Telangana area.

It was somewhere around this time that the Qutub Shahi dynasty came into being when Sultan Quli, the Bahmani governor of Telangana, became independent and extend the new kingdom of Golconda right upto Machlipatnam on the east coast. Given the title of Quli-ul-Mulk by the Bahmanis, Qutub Shah, a descendant of a royal family of Hamdan in Persia, took over the reins and ruled till 1548.

Aurangazeb last Mogul king to rule India, conquered the Deccan in 1687 and left his governors, the Nizams, to rule Andhra. The British and French took over from the Nizams. Andhra became a part of Indian Union in 1947. The present state was formed in 1953, merging a part of the then Madras State (present Tamil Naidu) and the princely state of Hyderabad.

Indian Geography

2010-11-19T08:14:00.000-08:00

Indian Geography - A Glimse

Introduction :

India the seventh largest country in the world , is well marked with off from the rest of Asia by mountains and the sea, which gives the country a distinct geographical entity.It covers an area of 32,87,2631 sq.km. Lying entirely in the northern hemisphere the mainland extends measures 3214 km from north south between extreme latitudes and about 2933 km from east to west between extreme longitudes.It has a land frontier of about 15200 km.

The country lies between 8º4' and 37º6' north of the Equator and is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal in the east, the Arabian Sea in the west and the Indian Ocean to the south.The total length of the coastline of the mainland, Lakshwadeep group of islands and Andaman and Nicobar group of islands is 7,516.5 km. Also,in the east lies the Bangladesh.In the north west Afganisthan and Pakistan border India.The Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Straits separate India from Sri lanka. The Andaman and Nicobar island in the Bay of Bengal and Lakshwadeep in the Arabian sea are parts of the territory of India.There are as many as 200 islands in Andaman alone, extending for 350km.There are 19 island in Nicobar group.

The Arabian sea consist of the Lakshadweep group. They are formed on a coral deposit off the Kerala coast .The southern most of this lies just to the north of the Maldive island which is an independent territory.

The Indian sub-continent is characterised by great diversity in its physical features. It may be divided into following physical units:

Physical Features :

Himalayan Mountain

The Himalayas and the associated mountains arcs gridling the sub continent on the stretch in a consistent north west- south east direction for about 2400 km between the gorges of the indus and the Tsango-Bhramaputra.The section between the Indus and the Sutlej and the Kali is termed as Kumaon Himalayas. The other two sections between the Kali and the Tista and between the latter river and the Dihangare described as the Nepal and the Assam Himalayas.Kanchanjunga (8598 Mtrs) is the highest mountain peak in India.The Greater Himalayas which have an average altitude of 6000 m have within them almost all the prominent peaks such the Everest (8848m) , Kanchenjunga (8598m) Nanga Parbat (8126m) ,Nanda devi (7817m) and Namcha parbat (7756m).

The Indus-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plain

The great plain of india is formed by the Indus, ganga and the Brahmaputra rivers. the plain extends for 3200 km between the mouths of the Ganga and the indus, all along the foot of the mountain rim, with a width varying from 150 to 300 km. The longitudinal extent from the banks of the Ravi and the Sutlej to the ganga delta alone is of 2400km. The plain is narrowest in Assam and broadens towards the west . It is 160 km wide near the Rajmahal Hills and 280 km near Allahabad. The plains are alluvial in nature.

Peninsular plateau

Rising from the alluvial plains of uttar pradesh and Bihar, south of the Yamuna Ganga line, the great indian plateau extends towards the south to encompass the whole of Peninsula. With a general elevation of 600-900m,the plateau makes an irregular tringale with its concave base lying between Delhi ridge and Rajmahal hills and the Apex formed by Kanya Kumari . The outlying projections of the peninsular plateau presented by the Aravallis,Rajmahal and Shillong hills convey some idea of its original northerly limits.

The location of another fragment of the peninsular block in the Shillong plateau gives the indication of the possible connection. The Shillong Plateau a highly dissected and jungly tract, descends in a deep slope towards the Surma valley.The northern outliers are represented by the Mikir and the Rengma hills.

Western ghats

The topography of the Deccan and the Karnataka Plateau is dominated by the Western Ghats, which stretch uninterruptedly to the southern tip of Peninsula.They have a general altitude of 900-1100 m but occassionally rise upto 1600 m or even more.Near Goa the highly dissected relief of the lava rocks is replaced by smoothly rounded hills of Granite and Gnesis.In this stretch the ghats dip but rise once again in the Nilgiris.Further south the continuity of the ghats is distributed by the palghat gap and the Shencottah gap.The Cardamom Hills may be regarded as the continuation of the Western ghats.

Eastern Ghats

The eastern Ghats are generally less impressive than theWestern Ghats and form a discontinous crest on the eastern peripheryof the plateau.They are repesented by an irregular line of hills, such as the Nallamalais, Velikondas,Palkondas and the Pachaimalais. This hills are often referred to as the northern hills in the northern sector,Cuddapah ranges in the middle and the Tamil nadu hills in the south.

The Coastal Plains and the Islands

The plateau is flanked by coastal plains of varid width extending from Kutch to Orissa. There are striking difference between the eastern and the western coastal plains; with notable exception of Gujarat the west coast has narrow alluvial margin interspersed by hillty terrain .It has indentation except in the south where the beautiful Lagoons introduce an element of diversity.

The eastern coast on the other hand has a wide plain with well developed deltas of the major rivers. The climatic transition between the south west monsoon regime of the north and the north -east monsoon regime of the south has given rise to interesting differences in the alluvial features in the two different stretches of the east coastal plain.

River System of India :

The rivers may be classified as follows :

The Himalayan
The Deccan
The Coastal
The rivers of the inland drainage basin

The Himalayan Rivers

The Himalayan rivers are generally snow-fed and flow throughout the year. During the monsoon months (June to September), the Himalayas receive very heavy rainfall and the rivers carry the maximum amount of water, causing frequent floods.

The Deccan Rivers

The Deccan rivers are generally rain-fed and, therefore, fluctuate greatly in volume. A very large number of them are non-perennial.

The Coastal Rivers

The coastal rivers, especially on the west coast, are short and have limited catchment areas. Most of these are non-perennial as well. The rivers on the inland drainage basin are few and ephemeral.

The Rivers of the Inland Drainage Basin

They drain towards individual basins or salt lakes like the Sambhar or are lost in the sands, having no outlet to the sea.

Others Geographical Facts :

Climate

The Himalayan range in the north acts as the perfect meteorological barrier for the whole country.Even though it falls under Monsoon climatical category, the climate varies from one place to another.Also despite the country's size and its varied relief, the seasonal rhythm of the monsoon is apparent throughout.Some mountains are adjoined to the north by China Nepal and Bhutan.A series of mountain ranges separate India from Burma.Although much of northern India lies beyond the tropical zone, the entire country has a tropical climate marked by relatively high temperatures and dry winters.

Rainfall is very heavy in the north-eastern region, the western slopes of the Western Ghats and parts of the Himalayas, all of which receive over 2,000 mm annually. The eastern part of the peninsula, extending up to the northern plains, receives rainfall varying from 1,000 to 2,000 mm a year, while the area from Western Deccan up to the Punjab plains gets between 100 mm and 500 mm a year. Rajasthan , Kachchh and Ladakh have hardly any rainfall.The population of India crossed the billion mark at the turn of the millennium.

Natural Vegetation

The Himalayan region, which is rich in vegetative life, possesses varieties that can be found practically from the tropical to tundra regions. Only the altitude influences the distribution of vegetation. In the rest of the country, the type of vegetation is largely determined by the amount of rainfall. Outside the Himalayan region, the country can be divided into three major vegetation regions: the tropical wet evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, the tropical deciduous forests, and the thorn forests and shrubs.

Vegetation of the Assam region in the east is luxuriant with evergreen forests, occasional thick clumps of bamboo and tall grasses. The Gangetic plain is largely under cultivation. The Deccan tableland supports vegetation from scrub to mixed deciduous forests. The Malabar region is rich in forest vegetation. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have evergreen, mangrove, beach and diluvial forests. Much of the country's flora originated three million years ago and are unique to the sub-continent.

Population

The population of India crossed the billion mark at the turn of the millennium. The mammoth census of 2001 is in the process of being compiled. In 1996, the population was 945 million with 73% in rural areas. In terms of population, India is the world's second-largest country, after China. 16% of the world's population lives in India. The average population density is 320 per sq km (in 1996), though it reaches 6,888 per sq km in the larger cities. In July 2003 it was 1,049,700,118 (est.)

Languages

India, according to a recent census has 1,652 dialects. Needless to say that most of them are only spoken dialects. The principal languages with rich literary heritage are :- Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu.

Natural resources

Coal (Fourth-largest reserves in the world), Iron ore, Manganese, Mica, Bauxite, Titanium ore, Chromite, Natural gas, Diamonds, Petroleum, Limestone, Arable land

Environment-current issues

Deforestation, Soil erosion, Overgrazing, Desertification, Air pollution from industrial effluents and vehicle emissions, Water pollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural pesticides, Tap water is not potable throughout the country, Huge and growing population is overstraining natural resources

India is a land of incredible diversity. The diversity of the Indian population is matched by the incredible physical diversity. The sixteen official languages of India, the five major religions, and the caste system create somewhat chaotic conditions for the nation. It dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian Ocean trade routes.

Andhra Pradesh - A Glimse

2009-02-03T04:41:00.001-08:00

Andhra Pradesh, India's fifth largest state, is sprawled over an area of 275,068 sq. km. History has forged, and left behind vital links with the state, as is evident from the many edifices, monuments and architectural ruins, the legacy of dynasties as old as 300 B.C. Andhra Pradesh is situated in fertile coastal plains, semi arid Deccan plateau and amidst hills of the Eastern Ghats. Exquisite crafts, glorious remnants of the past, vibrant festivities, irresistible delicacies coupled with the charming features of the people leave behind indelible impressions.Kuchipudi dance of Andhra Pradesh is world famous. Andhra Pradesh has also the largest Information Technology park and largest Film City in Asia.

Andhra Pradesh History:

According to the Attereya Brahmana (2000 BC), the Andhras were originally Aryans from North India who later migrated to the South and settled down there. The history of Andhra Desa begins with 236 BC, the year of King Ashoka's death. It was subsequently ruled by the Satvahanas, Sakas, Ikshvakas, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas and later the Qutub Shahis and the Nizams. During the 17th Century, British annexed the land in the name of Madras. After Independence, Andhra State came into being on October 1, 1953. Later Hyderabad State was merged to it and ultimately on November 1, 1956, it became Andhra Pradesh.

Centuries ago, Andhra Pradesh was a major Buddhist centre and part of Emperor Ashoka's sprawling kingdom. Not surprisingly, traces of early Buddhist influence are still visible in several places in and around the state. After the death of Emperor Ashoka, several dynasties from the Ikshvakus, Pallavas, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas,Vijayanagaram kings, Qutb Shahis, Mughals and the Asaf Jahi's, ruled this princely city.

The history of Andhra Pradesh dates back to the epic era of the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha. But the documented history points to 236 BC, when Satavahana established a kingdom and a dynasty around the modern Hyderabad. During the reign of 450 years, Buddhism flourished in the kingdom. The rulers were followers of Brahmanism, but the women folk practiced Buddism. It was during this period that Buddhism spread from these shores to China, The far East and to Sri Lanka. The Ikshvakus succeeded the Satavahanas and ruled the kingdom for 57 years. The Pallavas annexed the area South of River Krishna and ruled till the end of 6th century.

Then came the dynasties of Chalukyas and the Kakatiyas. The Kakatiyas established themselves as rulers of a Telugu speaking people. The glorious reign of the Kakatiyas came to end in the 14th century and for the first time Telugus came under a Muslim regime that brought with it a totally different set of customs, language and religion.

The Delhi Sultanate came in power in 1347 AD, governed byAllahuddin Hasan, claiming lineage to Bahman Shah of Persia, revolted against the Delhi Sultanate and declared himself ruler of the southern part of the territory, comprising mainly the Deccan and Telangana area.

It was somewhere around this time that the Qutub Shahi dynasty came into being when Sultan Quli, the Bahmani governor of Telangana, became independent and extend the new kingdom of Golconda right upto Machlipatnam on the east coast. Given the title of Quli-ul-Mulk by the Bahmanis, Qutub Shah, a descendant of a royal family of Hamdan in Persia, took over the reins and ruled till 1548.

Aurangazeb last Mogul king to rule India, conquered the Deccan in 1687 and left his governors, the Nizams, to rule Andhra. The British and French took over from the Nizams. Andhra became a part of Indian Union in 1947. The present state was formed in 1953, merging a part of the then Madras State (present Tamil Naidu) and the princely state of Hyderabad.

Area: 2,76,754
Capital : : Hyderabad
Population : : 76
Language : : Telugu, Hindi
Art : Andhra Pradesh is rich in textile industries- Uppada, Gadwal saris. Venkatagiri, Siddipet and Pochampalli are famous textile weaving places. Pearl jewellery, perfumes, silk products, exquisite saris & colourful lac bangles are unique of the State.

Industry :

The software industry is gaining prominence. Besides, iron & steel, cotton textile & engineering industries are also operating.

A visit to the state of Andhra Pradesh is a delight for art lovers, naturalists, religious…who never find a place like it owing to its varied tourist spots. The state with its glorious past and luminous present is escalating towards the future with utmost level of development in various fields. With a very short span of its commencement of development it has climbed the sky attracting every one to see this land of marvel.

Andhra Pradesh, sometimes called as the “Kohinoor of India”, is a mystical land where history has left behind the monuments and architectural ruins; and dynasties as old as 300 BC. It has many holy temples with architectural beauty, which attract large numbers of pilgrims and tourists from inside and outside the country. The Venkateswara temple at Tirupati is the most visited Hindu temple in the country. The beautiful monuments like Charminar, Golconda Fort, Chandragiri Fort and Falaknuma Palace, are some of the preferred destinations to visit.

Architecture:

Architecture in Andhra Pradesh ranges from prehistoric cairns to Buddhist Setups; Hindu and Jain temples of great importance to imposing churches, secular monuments such as the Charming of Hyderabad to some some of the most beautiful mosques and Islamic tombs of India. Cities of Andhra Pradesh have interesting examples of European architecture as well as domestic vernacular architecture.

Art & Crafts:

Andhra Pradesh has given the world a number of forms of performing arts, handlooms and curios. The world famous Kuchipudi classical dance was born in the state. Kalamkari, the art of dyeing with vegetable oils and colors, still flourishes and silk sarees woven in the state rank among the most beautiful in the world. The handicrafts occupy s special place and possess a timeless charm.

Monuments:

Bhongir Fort, Chandragiri Fort, Asman Garh Palace - Hyderabad, Charminar - Hyderabad, Golconda Fort - Hyderabad, Falaknuma Palace - Hyderabad, Legislative Assembly - Hyderabad, Osmania University, Purani Haveli - Hyderabad, Paigah Tombs.

Wildlife:

Alisagar Deer Park Nizamabad, Coringa Wild Life Sanctuary Coringa, Eturnagaram Sanctuary, Gundla Brahmeswara Sanctuary Nandyal, Indira Gandhi Zoological park Visakhapatnam, Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary Palamaneru Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary Jannaram, Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary, Kolleru Lake Bird Sanctuary, Mahaveer Harina Vanasthali National Park Hyderabad, Manjira Wildlife & Bird Sanctuary Sangareddy, Mrigavani National Park Chilkur, Nehru Zoological Park Hyderabad.

Pilgrim Centres:

Birla Mandir Hyderabad, Mecca Masjid Hyderabad, Mukteshwara Swamy Temple, Kaleshwaram Anumasamudram Peta(Rahamatabad) Nellore, Dichpalli Temple Nizamabad, Neelakanteshwara Temple Nizamabad, Prasanthinilayam Puttaparti, Sri Agastheswara Swamy Temple Tirupati, Swami Pushkarini Tirupati, The Govindarajaswami Temple Tirupati

Caves:

Belum Caves, Undavalli Caves, Yaganti Caves, Borra Caves, Kirinrandal Guthikonda Caves, Guthikonda Mogalarajapuram Caves,Vijayawada

How to reach Andhra Pradesh

The best place to begin a tour of Andhra Pradesh is Hyderabad, the capital. Hyderabad is very well - connected by air, rail and road to all major cities of India. The other major cities of the state are Secunderabad, Visakhapatnam, Waltair and Vijayawada. An efficient road and rail network connects every district to the state capital.

Heritage & Culture

The various dynasties that ruled the State of Andhra Pradesh, from the Ikshvakus, Pallavas, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagaram kings, Qutb Shahis, Mughals, to the Asaf Jahis, all have contributed significantly to the State's rich cultural tapestry and have left behind a heritage studded with spectacular monuments, temples, mosques, palaces all vibrant with arts, crafts, dance and literature.

The state has a rich cultural heritage. The great composers of carnatic music Annamacharya, Tyagaraja and many others chose Telugu as their language of composition, thus enriching the language. Kuchipudi is the state's classical dance form.Andhrites have been movie buffs decades. The state produces about 200 top notch movies per year.

Andhra Pradesh has several museums, including the Salar Jung Museum, which features a varied collection of sculptures, paintings, and religious artifacts, and the Archaeological Museum, which features Buddhist and Hindu sculptures and other antiques; both museums are located in Hyderabad

The State is rich in natural resources, cultural heritage, history and most of all, an opportunity to explore them, created by combining the old princely state of Hyderabad with the Telugu speaking portions of the former state of Chennai, Andhra Pradesh to this day retains much of its regal glory and mystic charm.

Telugu, the official language of Andhra Pradesh, is described by C.P. Brown as the " Italian of the East ". It has been influenced by Sanskrit. The prominent poets of Telugu include Nannaya, Tikkana, Sri Krishna Devarayulu and a host of others.

The dance styles in the State are based on the standard treatises, viz. Abhinaya Darpana and Bharatarnava of Nandikeshwara, which is sub-divided into Nattuva Mala and Natya Mala.

Kuchipudi, a blend of music and abhinaya, is Andhra Pradesh‘s unique contribution to dance it have flowered from a village called Kuchelapuri or Kuchelapuram in Krishna district. From its birth around 300 B. C., it has remained a continuous and living tradition of this region, performed by men of the Brahmin community.

Arts & Crafts

In keeping with the rich traditions of the State, the people of Andhra Pradesh have patronised a host of arts and crafts that not only enrich the milieu but earn the artisans a decent livelihood. Kalamkari, Bidri,Nirmal paintings, fascinating weaves from Pochampalli, Gadwal,Venkatagiri and a number of other centres have earned a name all over the world.

The State is well known for its handlooms and textiles and its silk sarees are among the best produced in the country. The people of the State too have been patrons of the arts and crafts and this has resulted in the traditions being kept alive through the ages.

It is not only such exclusive and delicate material as silk that the artisans of Andhra Pradesh deal in, but metalware, carpets, wood and stone carving too. From the exquisite silver filigree andbrass and sheet metalware, artisans of Andhra Pradesh strive to bring out the best and it is sheer magic when they get down to producing their ware.

Kalamkari, using a quill (kalam) and vegetable dyes, is an art found nowhere else but in and around Machilipatnam and Srikalahasti of the State. While the Srikalahasti style is to draw outlines with a pen or quill and fill in the colours through a wax process, the Machilipatnam practice is to use wooden blocks carved into designs for printing.

All dyes and colours are natural and the painstaking process of Kalamkari printing on fabric goes through as many as a dozen stages.

Wall hangings come in another style from Siddipet in Medak district. This method, known as Batik, utilises the ‘cold’ process involving wax to create graphic designs and figures. Batik cloth also comes in the form of dress material, scarves and even sarees.

Cherial Scroll paintings done on cloth in earth colours is one of the traditional crafts practised mainly at Cherial in Warangal district. Painted in freestyle and depicting mythological stories, they are used as visual aids, and have attained great popularity as wall decorations.

Decorative hand-crocheted lace from Narsapur and Palakollu of West Godavari district adorns many a dining table in the form of mats. Curtains and bedspreads are some of the lacework produced here.

Sheets of Artistry

Metalware is another area in which the artisan of Andhra Pradesh excels. Be it the brass sheet metal of Pembarti in Warangal district, the silver filigree of Karimnagar, the Bidriware of Hyderabad or the bronze castings in Chittoor and East Godavari district, the artistry stands out to international acclaim and acceptance.

Bidriwork originated some three centuries ago at Bidar, which was part of the erstwhile Hyderabad State. Alloys are used in moulds to create shapes and the dark metal is then inlaid with designs using silver thread. Decorative pieces, bangles, ashtrays, pen-stands, caskets, cufflinks and paper-cutters are some of the Bidriware manufactured in and around Hyderabad.

From sheet metal to wood, craftsmen vie with each other to produce delicate and intricate designs. Wood carving in Chittoor district is one of the oldest traditional crafts. The carvings depict scenes from mythology as well as figures of deities.

In other parts of the State, wood carving is done to make musical instruments and in places like in Vizianagaram town and in Nuzvid of Krishna district, such instruments as Veena and Tambura are carved out of a single block of wood.

The Simple Wood

The soft wood available in many parts of the State is used in doll and toy making as well. The wooden figures are painted in bright colours that are pleasing to the eye.

Kondapalli is a small village in Krishna district and it is here that toys and dolls that have won international acclaim are made. The simple-looking dolls depict the typical rural Indian life. Kondapalli dolls take theshape of humans, birds, animals and fruits.

The craftsmen of Nirmal too take advantage of the locally-available soft wood to carve brightly coloured vegetables, fruits and animals. Wooden dolls are made of the soft Poniki or Ankudu wood and Etikoppaka in Visakhapatnam district is another centre that makes exquisite dolls with a rustic touch.

Weaving Magic

An area that Andhra Pradesh excels in is Sarees. Silk and cotton and a mixture of both are used to create alluring weaves and designs.Pochampalli, Gadwal, Venkatagiri, Narayanpet and Chirala are some of the places where some of the world’s best sarees are woven.

Among the cottons, Narayanpet and Venkatagiri are preferred.Venkatagiri in Nellore district is known for its excellent cotton sarees with gold borders and large golden ‘pallav’. Narayanpet cotton sarees are less expensive and long-lasting. Silk sarees from Dhamavaramcompare with the rich silks of Kancheepuram in broad borders with extensive gold ‘zari’ work.

In Pochampalli sarees of Nalgonda district adjoining Hyderabad, a unique method of tie-and-dye is used and this is known as ‘ikat’. Weavers in Andhra Pradesh have mastered the art of using cotton and silk alternately for warp (length) and weft (across). Known as ‘Himroo’, the art originated in Kashmir and was brought down south by Moghal rulers.

Pearls & Bangles

Shopping for bangles in the narrow bazaars of the Old City of Hyderabad is an experience one should not miss. Lac is used to manually create designs on glass bangles and the array in which they come is mind boggling. More romantic are the names given to sets of bangles by the local sellers.

Hyderabad is also known as the ‘city of pearls’. Though not close to the sea, Hyderabad has had a flourishing trade in pearls, as the Golconda kingdom was famous for its diamonds. The processing of pearls has been skillfully mastered in Hyderabad in that craftsmen can sort, refine and polish pearls with ease.

Andhra Pradesh has turned out to be a gem of a State even in the sphere of arts and crafts.

Cuisine

The rich heritage and culture of Andhra Pradesh are reflected in the culinary skills of its people. The mere mention of Andhra and Hyderabadi cuisine brings before the mind’s eye a wholesome meal accompanied by hot tasty pickles or ‘Biryani’ accompanied by an appetising aroma.

But there is more to the cuisine of the State with each of the three regions — Coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema and Telangana — having its distinctive style of cooking. Chillies and spice are used in abundance but this need not deter food lovers from indulging themselves in a feast. By and large, the cuisine is vegetarian but the Moghal influence in the Deccan made ‘Moghlai’ cooking popular.

Moghlai

While Hyderabad is known for its wholesome Biryaniand a wide range of non-vegetarian as well as vegetarian fare, the coastal region of the State offers a wide choice as far as vegetarian cooking and pickles are concerned. The chillies grown in the region are highly potent and this gives the special flavour to the pickles.

Those willing to let themselves go for Moghlai cooking can choose from a large variety. ‘Sheermal’, a local variety of bread, or tandoori rotibaked on hot coals are on the starting line. The non-vegetarian dishes include ‘paya’ — hoof of lamb cooked over a slow fire overnight in a spicy soup so that by morning the bones become soft and chewable — and ‘zubaan’ — lamb tongue cooked in the same manner.

Haleem is pieces of boneless mutton cooked over a long period with pounded wheat to form a spicy porridge. Most of the dishes are available in the evening and before sunrise in hundreds of hotels and restaurants during the fasting month of Ramzan and are popular meals to break or begin the fast with.

And it is not only meat and fowl that Moghlai deals with. The brinjal or ‘eggplant’ that has no taste of its own is given a spicy, tangy flavour in the ‘bagara baigan’, using tamarind and spices. Dalcha is a watery dal in which ‘kaddu (pumpkin)’ or boneless mutton is used. ‘Bagara tamatar’ and ‘mirchi ka salan’ are equally rich in spice and chillies and `bagara khana’ makes up for the vegetarians who miss out on the biryani.

Hot Stuff

‘Avakai’ is the really hot and tangy mango pickle and there is hardly any household in the region that does not prepare it during the summer. The raw mangoes too are extremely sour and the pickle combined with the harsh chilli-powder and pungent mustard in oil gives it a heady taste.

Gongura, known as ‘ambada’ in Hindi and Urdu, is a sour-tasting leaf that goes into either ‘dal’ or is converted into a ‘chutney’ — another speciality in Andhra. Gongura chutney with either red or green chillies gives a taste hard to find elsewhere. You also find a lot of tasty non-vegetarian dishes blended with green leafy vegetables, like ‘palak mutton’, ‘methi chicken’, ‘kheema methi’ and ‘mutton ambada(Gongura)’, which has resulted from combination of Hyderabad and Andhra cuisine.

A typical Andhra meal has lots of chillies and is often accompanied by pickles. While raw mango pickle is the hot favourite, others includelemon, gooseberry, ‘Gongura’ and even ripe chillies pickles. Ripe red chillies and tamarind are used to make ‘chutney’ that is preserved throughout the year.

Curried prawns and fish with rice are specialities in many coastal Andhra towns and cities. Rice is the staple food in Andhra Pradesh and forms the main dish even in Moghlai cooking.

Something Sweet

Sweets and ‘kheer’ are not everyday affairs but form part of the meal on special occasions in any part of the State. It is mainly during festivities that full rein is given to the preparation. While `Sheer Khorma’ is the milky vermicelli sweet popular in Hyderabad, other dessert delicacies include "Double-ka-meetha (a bread pudding)" and "Khubani-ka-meetha", a syrupy speciality made with apricots and lots of sugar. In other parts of Andhra, a rice and milk delicacy is "ksheerannam" in which jaggery (gur) and powdered cardamom enhance the taste.

While Moghlai cuisine tops the list, Andhra food comes a close second. It is often that regular non-vegetarians break their routine by going in for a typical Andhra meal.

The cuisine of Andhra Pradesh is a gourmet’s delight, truly.Such delicacies are offered by the hotels, restaurants and dhabas in and around all major cities of the State.

India -The Incredible

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India is one country many people long to see, and having seen it once, wish to return again and again.

India is, indeed, incredible. Within the continent-of-a-country are the world's highest mountains, the Himalayas. Here is the great Indian desert, the Thar; deep jungle where the tiger roam and rhinos run wild; sylvan beaches, among the longest in the world; one of the most ancient settlements - the Indus Valley Civilisation - with a recorded past of five thousand years; the cradle of some of the oldest religions on the globe - Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism.

Equally enthralling monuments - forts, palaces, temples, memorials - line its historic face. Dances from the past survive as living arts even today. There is a vibrancy to the culture, both ancient and modern.

For India is also modern with its 21st century metropolises, luxury hotels, air-conditioned surface transport, hi-speed trains, networks of domestic airlines, Discotheques and shopping malls. Food - in an amazing range - Indian (oh, the variety!) and International. And music to blow your mind.

India. Part of the World. Out of the World

Indian Culture

Indian culture is considered to be amongst the world's oldest, richest and most diverse. Many travellers and wanderers have come here and been enchanted by its natural beauty, splendour, beliefs, philosophies and practices. India is one country all men long to see, and having seen it once, would not give up that glimpse for all the wonders of the world, or so said American writer Mark Twain.

Religion in India
India is the home of one of the world's oldest civilisations. Sanskrit, its literary language, is probably the most ancient language still in use and the Vedas, which date back to the 12th century BC, are believed to be oldest scriptures still in use.

Architecture in India
India has an amazing architectural legacy extending back through the centuries. Viewing these majestic monuments is like travelling back in time or walking through the chapters of a history book. The many different dynasties that have fought and ruled over parts of India have left behind many monuments, ranging from towering forts such as the Red fort in Delhi, impressive mausoleums like the mesmerising Taj Mahal, ceremonial parks and gardens such as the Lodi Gardens, grand cities such as Fatehpur Sikri near Agra, or Hampi in Karnataka, and majestic temples such as the Sun Temple at Konark and Meenakshi temple at Madurai.

Beaches & Islands in India
Whatever your specific preference, a visit to the Indian isles can satiate both varieties-though your return back to civilisation is by no means guaranteed, if you prefer encounters of the second kind. It is a kind of journey back in time to the era of great discoverers - Drake, Cook, Columbus, Vasco-da-gama and others.

Indian Wildlife Sanctuaries

One of the good things about age old Indian taboos is that, like tourism, they help to conserve wildlife. India, due to its exceptionally varied climates and habitats provide a home for some of the world's most magnificent birds and animals.

Adventure Sports in India

India reflects the spirit of adventure. Here, in this exciting country with its diverse terrain, the quest for the nouvelle is sustained in unusual sports activities. And yet they allow for fascinating glimpses of traditional, mystical India.

Kipling's Tiger Tour
Kipling gained renown throughout the world as a poet and storyteller. Kipling was born on Dec.30, 1865, in Bombay, where his father directed an art school. He learned Hindi from his nurse, and he also learned stories of jungle animals. At six, he was sent to school in England, but until he was 12, poor health kept him from attending.

India – the land to travel to, a haven of tourism delights, a civilization to tour through. Tourists come to India for its wealth of sights, cultural exuberance, diversity of terrain and in search of that special something, an extra punch that only India promises and delivers. Teeming with over a billion people who voice over a million concerns in fifteen hundred different languages, India is where people live with variety, thrive on diversity and are too familiar with largeness to let it boggle them. Mud huts and mansions face off across city streets. Lurid luxury and limp living are inhabitants of the same lane.

From the smoky mangroves of the Sunderbans to the steaming Thar Desert, sizzling cities like Mumbai and Delhi to the scintillating villages of Khajuraho and Hampi, from the heights of the Himalayas to the deep blue waters around the Andamans, India is a travel haven – a tour package that frustrates and delights, as demanding as it is rewarding.

It demands that the traveller be prepared for its own strange forms of tourism offerings - the crowds at Pushkar, for pushy mendicants at Haridwar, for high commercialism at spiritual retreats. But equally, it means that he be prepared for an overwhelming warmth in the people, ease of conversation, and to be stunned into speechlessness by the beauty, sometimes the manmade and often the natural.

But what exactly is it that gets two and a half million people to pack their bags, book their tickets, buy industrial size cans of suntan lotion and enough toilet paper to supply the entire population of Liechtenstein for a month, and wing their way to India? Given that this is the land of the Taj, granted too that tea, tobacco, tempestuous democracy and terrific travel are a great combination but surely that's not reason enough.

There must be more because between truisms and half-truths, India has inspired more than any one place's fair share of travel lore. And, perhaps that's what it is - the legends of India - that's what inspires people from far and near to travel here, to sort out for themselves what's true and what's just a whole lot of tourism pamphlet hype.

If that's what you're going to be doing, here's a bit of India tourism mantra to help you on your way: expect nothing and everything will be yours.

India Welcomes You….

India or Bharath is the Destination of the Millennium, a Land of All Seasons where beauty beckons, culture echoes, diversity delights and tradition talks. Those who reach India are greeted with a gracious Namasthe, Namaskaaram, Vanakkam or SatSriAkal denoting warmth, hospitality and respect - a tradition in tune with the country’s age-old motto “Athidhi Devo Bhava” where the guest is treated as God.

Blessed with mist clad mountain ranges, deep blue seas, enigmatic deserts, golden beaches, emerald green valleys, palm fringed backwaters on the one hand and unique art forms, exciting fairs and festivals, interesting pilgrim centres, exclusive heritage sites, royal forts, majestic monuments, architectural marvels and exotic flora and fauna on the other, this legendary land is unique in all aspects - it is no wonder that India has emerged as one among the Top Five Tourist Hotspots of the world, with a tremendous increase in tourist traffic all through the year.

Discover and explore this wonderful peninsular subcontinent that is India, the land that projects Unity in Diversity - surrounded by the grand snow capped Himalayan ranges in the North, the spectacular coastline offered by the Arabian Sea in the West, the vast Bay of Bengal in the East, and the awesome Indian Ocean in the South..