Andhra Pradesh is the home of many religious pilgrim centres:
Tirupati, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, is the second richest and most visited religious centre (of any faith) in the world. Srisailam, the abode of Sri Mallikarjuna, is one of twelve Jyothirlingalu in India.
Amaravathi's Siva temple is one of the Pancharamams, Vemulavada temple, one of the old abodes of Lord Shiva, reputed as Dakshina Kashi – Benaras of South India. Vemulavada temple is built by Chalukya Kings between AD 750 and 975. Yadagirigutta, the abode of an avatara of Vishnu, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha.
Birla Mandir, on the Naubath Pahad is a Hindu temple of Lord Venkateshwara, built entirely of white marble located in Hyderabad
The Ramappa Temple and Thousand Pillar Temple in Warangal are famous tourist spots and depict the finest taste of Kakatiya dynasty for arts & culture and temple carvings. Warangal is also home to Medaram – the Asia's largest tribal fair/festival called "Sammakka Saralamma Jatara".
Gunadala Matha Shrine - One of the second largest Christian pilgrim Destination in India located in Vijayawada City. Thousands of people visit Gunadala Matha throughout the year as they firmly believe in the merciful heart of the Blessed Mother Lady of Lourdes and are convinced of her Motherly blessings.
Devotees, not only from all corners of Andhra Pradesh, but from the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka visit the shrine during the festival in February, every year.
Gnana Saraswati Temple, Basar is one of the famous Saraswati Temples in India
Famous Buddhist centres
Amaravathi – Guntur District
Nagarjuna Konda – Guntur District
Bhattiprolu - Guntur District
Ghantasala – Krishna District
Sankaram - Visakhapatnam District
Bavikonda- Visakhapatnam District
Thotlakonda- Visakhapatnam District
Ramatheertham- Vizianagaram District
Salihundam- Srikakulam District
Nelakondapalli – Khammam District
Dhulikatta – Karimnagar District
Phanigiri - Nalgonda District
Lingapalem – West Godavari District
Others are Pavurallakonda, Chandavaram, Guntupalli, Adurru, Kummarilova, Kotturu Dhanadibbalu, Karukonda, kapavaram, Nandalur
Pilgrim centres and temples
Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple – The abode of Lord Venkateswara, is the richest and most visited religious centre (of any faith) in the world situated in Tirupathi City
Kanaka Durga Temple – One of the Shakti Peetam's situated in Vijayawada City
Sri Rajarajeshwara Temple - One of the famous and most visited Lord Shiva temple located in Vemulawada
Sri Mallikaruna Temple – One of the Jyothirlingam's situated in Srisilam Town
Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narashima Temple – Situated at Simhachalam near to Vizag City
Sri Kalashastiswara Temple – Situated at Srikalahasti Town
Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple – known as china Tirupathi located at Dwaraka Tirumala Town
Sri Amaralingeswara Swami Temple – One of the Pancharama's located at Amaravathi Town
Sri Someswara Swami Temple – One of the Pancharama's located at Bhimavaram Town
Sri Kshira Rama Lingeswara Swami Temple – One of the Pancharama's located at Palakol town
Bhadrakali Temple - In the city of Warangal
Sri Bhimeswara Swami Temple – One of the Pancharama's located at Rama Chandra Puram Town
Sri Satyanarayana Swami Temple – Located at Annavaram near Rajahmundry city
Ramappa Temple – Near to Warangal City
Arasavali Temple - Sun God's temple located 3 km away from Srikakulam almost on the shore of Bay of Bengal
Srikurmam - Temple of Lord Vishnu in Kurma Avataram also near Srikakulam on the Shore of Bay of Bengal
Rama Lingeswara Swamy Temple- One of the Lord Shiva's temple suituated in Yanamalakuduru village near Vijayawada, Shiva Rathri is well celebrated in this Temple
Thousand's of oldest temples are situated in Andhra pradesh.
Tourist Attractions in Andhra Pradesh
Charminar – Centre of the Hyderabad Old City
Golkonda Fort – Largest and 400 years oldest fort
Makka Masjid – Masjid in Hyderabad City
Ramoji Film City – Largest Film City in the world situated in Hyderabad City
Kilash giri – Mountain View along with beach side situated in Vizag City
Warangal Fort - Oldest fort built by Kakatiya before 13th century reflects the culture of Telugu people
Thousand Pillar Temple - Built by King Rudra Deva in 1163 AD. The Thousand Pillar Temple is a specimen of the Kakatiyan style of architecture of the 12th century.
Bhimili Beach – Beautiful Beach near to Vizag City
Araku Valley – known as Andhra Ooty near to Vizag City
Borra Caves – caves formed 1 million years ago situated near to Vizag City; belongs to Odisha
Surendrapuri – A unique Mythological Awareness Centre near Yadagirigutta, 60 km from Hyderabad
Bhavani Islands - A unique tourism spot to stay and visit near Vijayawada
Thimmamma Marrimanu - The World's Largest Banyan Tree, and "Marrimanu" was recorded as the biggest tree in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1989. Its branches spreads over nearly 5 acres. (2.1 ha.). Located about 35 km from Kadiri, and 100 km from Anantapur.
Lepakshi - this is the largest monolithic Nandi (Bull) in the world, (length 27 feet, height 15 feet), It is 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Hindupur, and 105 km from Anantapur, and about 120 km (75 mi) north of Bangalore.
Prakasam Barrage - A famous bridge which was constructed by the British Government in the remembrance of Tanguturi Prakasam, is the best tourist spot to visit in Vijayawada
Kolleru Lake - A famous lake situated between Krishna and West Godavari District
The golden beaches at Visakhapatnam, the one-million-year-old limestone caves at Borra, picturesque Araku Valley, hill resorts of Horsley Hills, river Godavari racing through a narrow gorge at Papi Kondalu, waterfalls at Ettipotala, Kuntala and rich bio-diversity at Talakona, are some of the natural attractions of the state. Visakhapatnam is home to many tourist attractions such as the INS Karasura Submarine museum, Yarada Beach, Araku Valley, VUDA Park, Indira Gandhi Zoological Gardens. The weather in Andhra Pradesh is mostly tropical and the best time to visit is in November through to January. The monsoon season commences in June and ends in September, so travel would not be advisable during this period.
Golkonda a ruined city of south-central India and capital of the medieval kingdom of Golkonda (c. 1364 – 1512), is situated 11 km west of Hyderabad.
The most important builder of Golkonda was a Kakatiya King. Ibrahim was following in the spirit of his ancestors, the Qutub Shahi kings, a great family of builders who had ruled the kingdom of Golkonda from 1512. Their first capital, the fortress citadel of Golkonda, was rebuilt for defence from invading Mughals from the north. They laid out Golkonda's splendid monuments, now in ruins, and designed a perfect acoustical system by which a hand clap sounded at the fort's main gates, the grand portico, was heard at the top of the citadel, situated on a 300-foot (91 m)-high granite hill. This is one of the fascinating features of the fort.
Andhra Pradesh is definitely rich in heritage and culture. The unique construction of temples of South India and the black stone deities give it a distinct identity. I really loved the blog and believe there should be more articles encouraging people to visit the beautiful locations of South India.
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