Quick Facts
- Capital: Amaravati (planned) | Executive Capital (Interim): Velagapudi (near Amaravati)
- Largest City: Visakhapatnam
- Official Language: Telugu (widely spoken), Urdu also used
- Formation: 1 November 1956 (States Reorganization Act), bifurcated in 2014 to create Telangana
- Nicknames: “Rice Bowl of India”, “Kohinoor of India’s East Coast”
- Coastline: ~974 km (2nd longest in India)
- UNESCO Sites: Sri Venkateswara Temple (Tirumala) – on UNESCO tentative list; Lepakshi – heritage significance
Contents
History & Heritage
Andhra Pradesh has a civilizational legacy stretching back to the Satavahanas (2nd century BCE), followed by Ikshvakus, Pallavas, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagara Empire, Qutb Shahi and Nizam rule, and later British administration. The state is significant for Buddhism (Amaravati, Nagarjunakonda), Hindu temple architecture (Tirupati, Srikalahasti, Lepakshi), and powerful medieval kingdoms.
- Satavahanas: Early Deccan empire; patronized trade & Amaravati Stupa.
- Vijayanagara Empire: Flourished in Rayalaseema region; Lepakshi temple is a masterpiece.
- Modern Era: 1953 — Andhra State carved out (first linguistic state); 1956 — merged with Telangana to form Andhra Pradesh; 2014 — Telangana bifurcated, AP retained the coastal & Rayalaseema regions.
Geography & Climate
AP spans the fertile Krishna-Godavari delta, the Eastern Ghats, long sandy beaches, and arid Rayalaseema plateaus.
- Rivers: Godavari & Krishna (lifelines), Penna, Vamsadhara, Nagavali.
- Coastline: 974 km along the Bay of Bengal.
- Climate: Tropical & semi-arid. Summers (Mar–Jun) can be hot; monsoon (Jun–Sep); winters (Nov–Feb) pleasant.
Top Places to Visit (Handpicked)
- Tirupati & Tirumala: One of the world’s richest and most visited temples (Sri Venkateswara). Include nearby Srivari Mettu, Srikalahasti (Rahu-Ketu pooja), Tiruchanur.
- Visakhapatnam (Vizag): RK Beach, Kailasagiri, Submarine Museum (Kursura), Araku Valley (coffee, Borra Caves), Simhachalam Temple.
- Araku Valley: Scenic hill station with tribal culture, coffee estates, and limestone Borra Caves.
- Amaravati: Ancient Buddhist center, Amaravati Stupa, capital region planning sites.
- Vijayawada: Kanaka Durga Temple, Prakasam Barrage, Bhavani Island.
- Lepakshi: Vijayanagara-era temple famed for hanging pillar, Nagalinga, largest Nandi monolith.
- Srisailam: Jyotirlinga of Lord Mallikarjuna, Nallamala forests, Srisailam dam.
- Gandikota: “Grand Canyon of India” on the Penna river; fort, view points, adventure camping.
- Kakinada–Konaseema: Godavari delta backwaters, coconut groves, Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (mangroves).
- Horsley Hills: Quiet hill retreat near Madanapalle.
- Puttaparthi: Prasanthi Nilayam (Sri Sathya Sai Baba Ashram).
- Nellore Coast: Mypadu Beach, Penchalakona Temple, Pulicat Lake (shared with TN).
Major Temples & Pilgrimage Circuits
- Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD): Sri Venkateswara, Padmavathi Ammavari, Govindaraja Swamy temples.
- Srikalahasti: Pancha Bhoota (Vayu) temple, Rahu–Ketu puja.
- Ahobilam: Nava Narasimha Kshetram in Nallamala hills.
- Simhachalam: Unique Narasimha deity covered with sandal paste (Visakhapatnam).
- Kanaka Durga Temple: On Indrakeeladri hill, Vijayawada.
- Lepakshi: Veerabhadra Swamy Temple – exquisite murals & carvings.
- Annavaram: Satyanarayana Swamy Temple near Kakinada.
- Srisailam: Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga.
Festivals of Andhra Pradesh
- Ugadi: Telugu New Year (Mar/Apr) with Ugadi Pachadi symbolizing six tastes of life.
- Sankranti (Pedda Panduga): Harvest festival; rangolis (muggulu), kite-flying, cockfights (in some rural belts).
- Brahmotsavam: Grand Tirumala festival.
- Rama Navami, Dasara, Deepavali: Widely celebrated across the state.
- Bonalu & Bathukamma: Observed in Telangana but culturally familiar in bordering AP regions.
Cuisine – What to Eat
Andhra cuisine is known for its bold spice, tamarind tang, and generous use of chilli & gongura (sorrel leaves).
- Meals: Spicy pappu (dal), pulusu (tamarind-based gravies), pickles (avakaya), pachadis, podis.
- Specials: Gongura mamsam (mutton), Royyala iguru (prawn curry), Kodi kura, Natukodi pulusu.
- Coastal Delights: Fish pulusu, crab curry (Kakinada, Vizag), prawn fry.
- Tiffins: Pesarattu (green gram dosa), Upma–Pesarattu combo, Punugulu, Dibbarotti, Ulavacharu with rice.
- Sweets: Pootharekulu (paper-like sweet from Atreyapuram), Ariselu, Bobbatlu (Puran Poli), Kaja (Kakinada Kaja).
Arts, Crafts & Dance
- Kuchipudi: One of India’s eight classical dance forms, originating from the village of Kuchipudi (Krishna district).
- Leather Puppetry (Tholu Bommalata): Traditional shadow puppetry.
- Kalamkari: Hand-painted/ block-printed textile art from Machilipatnam & Srikalahasti.
- Uppada, Venkatagiri, Mangalgiri Sarees: Renowned handlooms.
- Etikoppaka Toys: Eco-friendly wooden lacquer toys.
Economy & Key Industries
- Agriculture: Rice, chillies (Guntur), tobacco, cotton, oilseeds, aqua culture (shrimp & fish farming).
- Ports & Logistics: Visakhapatnam, Krishnapatnam, Kakinada – major ports powering exports.
- Pharma & Manufacturing: Visakhapatnam, Anantapur, Sri City (Tada) regions.
- IT/ITES: Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada–Guntur–Amaravati region, Tirupati growing as electronics hub.
- Tourism: Pilgrimage (Tirupati, Srisailam), beaches (Vizag), heritage (Lepakshi), eco & hill tourism (Araku).
Education, IT & Startups
- IIT Tirupati, IIIT Nuzvid / R K Valley, Andhra University (Vizag), SV University (Tirupati), GITAM, SRM Amaravati, VIT-AP.
- Growing IT presence in Vizag with fintech, analytics & SaaS startups; Electronics clusters around Tirupati.
How to Reach
- By Air: International airport at Visakhapatnam. Domestic airports at Vijayawada, Tirupati, Kadapa, Rajahmundry, Kurnool.
- By Rail: Major junctions: Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Guntur, Tirupati, Rajahmundry, Nellore.
- By Road: Excellent connectivity via NH-16 (Kolkata–Chennai), state highways linking Rayalaseema & coastal belts.
Best Time to Visit
October to March is generally pleasant statewide. For hill regions like Araku, winters & post-monsoon are perfect. Summers can be hot, especially in Rayalaseema.
Sample Itineraries
3 Days – Tirupati Spiritual Trail
- Day 1: Tirumala Darshan, Srivari Mettu trek (optional)
- Day 2: Srikalahasti, Kanipakam, Kapila Theertham
- Day 3: Tiruchanur, Chandragiri Fort & local food
4 Days – Vizag & Araku
- Day 1: RK Beach, Submarine Museum, Kailasagiri
- Day 2: Simhachalam, Yarada Beach, Dolphin’s Nose
- Day 3: Araku Valley, Coffee Museum, Tribal Museum
- Day 4: Borra Caves, Katiki Waterfalls
5 Days – Heritage + Nature Loop
- Vijayawada (Kanaka Durga) → Amaravati Buddhist sites → Lepakshi → Gandikota → Srisailam (Jyotirlinga)
Famous Personalities
- N. T. Rama Rao (NTR): Actor, ex-Chief Minister.
- Pingali Venkayya: Designer of the Indian National Flag (born in Machilipatnam region).
- Sir C. V. Raman’s roots trace to present-day AP/TN regions (note: he’s largely associated with TN/Karnataka).
- Alluri Sitarama Raju: Freedom fighter (Rampa Rebellion).
- PV Narasimha Rao: Former PM of India (born in present Telangana, historically part of undivided AP).
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam: Legendary playback singer (Nellore district).