!!Travel to Andhra Pradesh!!

The state of Andhra Pradesh, created in 1956 as an attempt to unite the Telugu-speaking locales in the Southern peninsula, offers an exciting mix of distinct flavors, cultural art forms and a never-ending coastline. Dotted with Buddhist ruins, pilgrimage sites, techno-savvy cities and ancient architectural remains, travel to Andhra Pradesh offers a sprawling view from the arid Deccan plateau to the fertile basins of the Krishna, Godavari rivers. The two rivers meander through Andhra Pradesh's countryside laden with architectural marvels- a convergence of Buddhist, Dravidian and Islamic styles - to be lost in the warm blue waters of the Bay of Bengal. The fertile basins lend the state of Andhra Pradesh the title of 'The Kohinoor of India.' Ruled by an assortment of dynasties, Andhra Pradesh is especially renowned for its twin-city of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, famous for their Nizams as for their mouth-watering spicy biryani.

Places to visit on the tour to Andhra Pradesh :

Charminar - Built by Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591 to mark the end of a catastrophic epidemic, The Four Towers, 30m in width, stand tall at 56m in the center of the old city of Hyderabad. Commanding a bird's eye view from the minaret's perched on top of the four arches that face the cardinal directions.

Golconda Fort - A remnant of the architectural genius of Qutb Shah period, it is an awe-inspiring citadel built on a granite hill to protect the city form war. More famously, it is the birthplace of Kohinoor diamond that emerged from its famous mines.

Nagarjunakonda - The excavated Buddhist ruins including the exemplary white marble depiction of the Buddha's life link this quaint prehistoric site with the 2nd century scholar, Nagararjuna.

Rushikonda - Just 8 km to the north of the largest shipbuilding yard of India (Vizag), is home to the best beaches that Andhra Pradesh has to offer.

Vijayawada - Often referred to as the Venice of India, located on a delta carved out by the burgeoning Krishna River; it is surrounded by gentle hill slopes and canals that criss cross through it.

Amravati - Visit this ancient Buddhist center on your travel to Andhra Pradesh to get acquainted with the Buddhist heritage of India. The 2000 year stupa links this center to the great King Ashoka who later found Buddhism.

Pilgrimage sites in Andhra Pradesh :

Mecca Masjid - Built opposite the Charminar, from the bricks baked from the soil from Mecca, it is one of the largest Mosques in the world where nearly 10,000 people can offer their prayers. For the non-worshippers, the single slab archways and inscriptions are worth a visit.

Tirupati - Visits by millions of pilgrims from the world over make it one of the busiest holy sites. Dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, it is best known for the ancient shrines especially on the 'Seven Hills' of Tirumala.

Puttaparthi - Set up 40 years ago, amidst the tranquility of southern foliage and soothing weather, this ashram is the birthplace of Sri Sathya Sai Baba who has an enormous following both in India and abroad.

Explore the hidden wonders of a forgotten India with specialized tour bookings and tour packages available at SouthIndiaTravelTourism.com for the largely untouched Andhra Pradesh.