Location : South India
Major Attractions : Hyderabad, Tirupati, Warangal
Best time to Visit : October to February


About Andhra Pradesh
Situated in the southern part of India, Andhra Pradesh is bordered by Chattisgarh, Orissa and Maharashtra towards the north, Tamil Nadu from the south, Bay of Bengal from the eastern side and Karnataka on the west. With a total area of over 2,75,000 sq. km, Andhra Pradesh is the fourth largest state in India after Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The state which was formed after combining the kingdom of Hyderabad and a few regions of Madras houses mainly people belonging to the Hindu and Muslim religions.

Tourist Attractions in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh can be ideally summed up as the perfect amalgamation of the old and contemporary. The state was ruled by several dynasties over the past few centuries, each of whom left their imprints on its land in the form of huge temples, beautiful churches, mammoth forts and numerous other impressive monuments. People from all walks of life interested in witnessing natural beauty, exotic variety of flora and fauna, exquisite architecture and delectable cuisine, come to visit the place and go back satisfied. Though the entire state is replete with fascinating tourist attractions, some of the most popular of these include Hyderabad, Warangal, Tirupati, Karim Nagar, Vishakhapatnam and Vijayawada.

Temples in Andhra Pradesh
The temples of Andhra Pradesh underwent several changes, both in their size and the style of construction, with time. The ruling dynasties such as the Cholas, Pallavas and the Chalukyas each played a significant role in building and maintaining these temples. Though a lot of these temples are in ruin, a number of others are still in excellent condition even centuries after their construction. Each of these temples besides being unique in their style of architecture also have their own presiding deities. Some of the most important temples in the state are the Balaji temple, Vemulawada Shiva temple, Thousand Pillar temple, Kanakdurga temple and the Birla temple.

Beaches in Andhra Pradesh
Though not as famed as the beaches of Goa and Kerala, the beaches of Andhra Pradesh are known for their relaxed atmosphere and immense natural beauty. The beaches here consist of golden sands, swaying palm trees and opportunities for a few enjoyable water sports. The perfect ambiance of these beaches make Andhra Pradesh a most favored family beach vacation destination. Some of the most popular beaches in Andhra Pradesh are the Rishikonda beach, Ramakrishna beach and the Lawson's beach, while there are other beaches including Bheemunipatnam beach, Ramapuram beach, Kalingapatnam beach and Vodarevu beach.

Forts & Monuments in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh is home to one of the most wonderful monuments in the country, the Char Minar situated at Hyderabad. Besides the Char Minar, there are plenty of other monuments which attract numerous tourists from the world over. The monuments which were built several hundred years ago by various rulers still display a glimpse of the royal ways that the state witnessed during the ancient times. Amongst the most visited monuments of Andhra Pradesh are the Charminar, Golconda Fort, Purani Haveli, Khamman Fort, Kush Mahal, Warangal Fort and Kondapalli Fort.

Climate of Andhra Pradesh
Like all other states of south India, the climate of Andhra Pradesh remains hot and humid throughout the year. The temperatures during the summer season ranges between 25 and 40 degrees until the monsoon season arrives and there is plenty of rainfall. The temperature falls during monsoons and the humidity rises, making things uncomfortable. Winter season which lasts between the month of December and February, is mild with temperatures rarely dropping below 20 degrees. The best time to visit the state is between October and February.

Getting There
By Air : Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh has a domestic airport which connects the region with other cities in India including New Delhi, Mumbai and other major Indian cities. The city also receives a few international flights.

By Rail : There are two main railway stations located in Andhra Pradesh, at Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Daily trains connect these cities with other major cities in India like New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta, Chennai and Bangalore. Other railheads in the state are located at Vishakhapatnam, Warangal and Vijayawada.

By Road : An extensive network of state and national highways runs through the entire state, connecting it with other cities in and around Andhra Pradesh. State transport buses ply regularly between the major cities of the state.