Not everyone takes the effort to discover the treasures of Andhra Pradesh, primarily because of its vast size and the fact that all the major attractions are spread across miles of harsh terrain. But if you explore carefully, Andhra Pradesh is a rewarding tourist destination in India. In fact, it is a lot more popular than its neighbors Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are. (take from the blog)
Andhra Pradesh is a tourist hub of India. It is blessed with scenic beauty of swirling beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, and architectural masterpieces. It also offers its visitor themed parks, the sculpture of the rural area and hi-tech cities. The state also reflects the true secular spirit. People belonging to different religions live in harmony here.
You have numerous places to explore in Andhra Pradesh, but these are the ten most popular ones. Check them out!
- Araku Valley:
Araku Valley is an enchanted hill station located close to the Orissa Border. The beauty of this place is beyond compare. The valley is famed for its coffee plantations. A journey to this valley will fill you with soothing views of the thick forests that line its way. The garden is known for its lush green valleys, scenic gardens, waterfalls, and streams. The Ananthagiri Hills, located on the way to the Araku Valley is a must visit place. Enjoy your journey through the thick forests of the Eastern Ghats before ending the trip. The nearest airport to the Araku Valley is Vishakhapatnam Airport. From here, you can hire a cab or take a bus. The pleasant weather draws tourists here all year long, especially during the summers.
- Tirupati:
Tirupati is a major pilgrimage city of Andhra Pradesh. It is renowned for the Sri Venkateswara Temple. Besides, the city is also popular for the Alamelu Mangapuram Temple, Kapila Theertham temple, Govindaraja Swamy Temple, and Padmavathi Ammavari temple. Tirupati is not just a place for temples. It also has other attractions like Venkateswara Zoological Park, Chandragiri Fort, and the archeological museum. Sit on top of the hill for a beautiful view of the surrounding views. Besides, the place is also known for its festivals and fair. The Gangamma Jatra is one of the most important cultural festivals of this location.
- Ramakrishna Mission Beach:
The Ramakrishna Mission Beach is one of the most popular beach parks in Andhra Pradesh. It has gained a vast popularity as the famous visiting spot for the visitors. The beauty of Ramakrishna beach is beyond compare. The place is best known for the INS Kursura Submarine Museum. The roadside restaurants, the Kali Temple, aquarium, and Visakha Museum are other attractions of this place. The beach is great for surfing the waters and sunbathing.
- Visakhapatnam:
Visakhapatnam, also known as “The Jewel of the East Coast”, is the second largest city in Andhra Pradesh. This coastal city is also known as Vizag. According to Hindu mythology, Bakasura, an evil demon was killed by Bhīma in Visakhapatnam. This fastest growing city also provides useful options for education. Being a coastal town, Visakhapatnam has pristine beaches like the Bhima Beach and the Rishikinda Beach. Also, the combination of caves, valleys, beautiful hill ranges and valleys draw a lot of tourists to the city. The tourist attractions of the place include the Dolphin’s Nose, INS Kurusura Submarine Museum and the ISKCON temple.
- Vijayawada:
Vijayawada is a major trading center in Andhra Pradesh. It is fondly dubbed as the ‘business capital of the Andhra Pradesh’. The literal meaning of Vijayawada is “The Place of Victory”. The place is not only for its business ventures, but also for tourist attractions like the Krishnaveni Mandapam, Lord Narasimha temple, Prakasam Barrage and Kanaka. Legends say that Goddess Durga rested here after defeating the demon. There are also popular Buddhist sites like Ghantasala, Gudivada, and Amravati. You can use rail, road or road transport to reach this city. Many superfast trains pass through the city. The best time to visit Vijayawada is between October and March.
- Srikalahasti:
Srikalahasti is a town located on the banks of Swarnamukhi River. It is one of the holy centers in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Srikalahasti is one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams of Lord Shiva. The place has several testimonies in the form of religious shrines dating back to the pre-Christian era. The temples of Srikalahasti display a combination of customs, myth, traditions and folklore. The festival of Maha Shivratri is celebrated with great zeal between February and March. You can reach Srikalahasti via rail, road, and air.
- Guntur:
Guntur is a town located 64 kilometers away from the Bay of Bengal. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Guntur is one of the learning centers of the state. It is the transportation and textile hub of the country. Being the largest producer of the tobacco and cotton, Guntur also holds the agricultural importance. The Agastheeswara Sivalayam is a major attraction of this place. Guntur has experienced moderate industrial development, because of which the place is highly unpolluted. This ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Gunthur also produces the hottest variety of chilies in the world. All in all, it is a must visit place according to our views.
- Kakinada:
Kakinada is a city and a municipal corporation located in Andhra Pradesh. It is the headquarters of the East Godavari District. Being the deep-sea port, Kakinada is the center for deep-sea exploration. The city was ruled by the Nandi Kings, followed by the British, which made it a substantially developed region. The place is also dubbed as the Fertilizer City because of the numerous fertilizer plants in the area. Kakinada is also called the Second Madras because the city is well planned and the same time very peaceful. The chief attractions of this place include the Coringa Sanctuary, Draksharamam, and Adurru.
- Nellore:
Nellore is an urban aggregation and the municipal corporation of the Nellore District. It is also the headquarters of the Potti Sri Ramulu Nellore District. The city is surrounded by nearby places like Kavali and Gudur, two of the most highly populated regions. Nellore played a significant role in the formation of Andhra Pradesh. It underwent many political changes after being taken over by the British. The city was also home to many great poets and literary personalities. Owing to a rich history, Nellore is blessed with many architectural wonders. Some of the most beautiful temples of this region are the Mallikarjuna Swamy Kamakshi Tai temple and the Sri Talpagiri Ranganadhaswamy temple. Other attractions of this place are the Pulicat Lake, Udayagiri Fort, Somasila dam and Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary.
- Kurnool:
Kurnool is the district in Andhra Pradesh. It is the largest city area wise with more than 50, 00,000 people. Kurnool used to be the capital of Andhra Pradesh, but now acts as a major place for banking companies and insurance firms. The climate of Kurnool keeps on changing. April and May are the hottest months and January, and February are the most pleasant ones. The car festival of Kurnool is very popular here. This festival is dedicated to Sri Ajaneyaswami. The major attractions of Kurnool are the Kurnool Fort, the tomb of Abdul Wahab and the ruins of the palace of Gopal Raju, the last Hindu ruler. Wildlife enthusiasts will have a great time exploring the Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary, the habitat of the Great Indian Bustard.
These ten stunning cities, landscapes and towns will fill you with the utmost sense of satisfaction. Have you ever been to Andhra Pradesh? Which is your most preferred tourist destination?