ANDRA PRADESH

AMARAVATHI

        Amaravathi is at distance of 184 Kms. from Nagar junasagar  and 26Kms. from

        Guntur which was the captial of the Andhra Sathavahana King about 2000 years  

        ago.The   stupa (pillars) which was built during 2nd century B.C. can be  seen even

        today.The sculptures and other finds at Amaravathi, such as arrow-heads and  

        erracota are preserved in a Museum built on the site.Open from 9.00 A.M to 5.30

        P.M.Admission free. Near the Amaravathi site,on the bank of the river Krishna

        stands an ancient temple dedicated to Amaralingeswara(Siva).

HYDERABAD

        Hyderabad capital of Andra Pradesh is about 390 years old and has a romantic

        orgin.The fifth Golconda king Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah built it in 1589,when

        his captial, Golconda six miles away became congested .He names it

        'Bhagyanar' after Bhagmathi,his mistress,and changed the name

        to Hyderabad when the lady joined the royal house as a queen and

        was given the title 'Hyder Mahal'.

        Places To Visit

        1.Char Minar:6 Km from Railway station.

        2.Mecca Masjid:(Near Char Minar) is the most impressive

        mosque in south India.

        3.Golconda Fort:(12 Kms)The captial of the Qutb Shahi Kings from 1518 to 1687.

        It is now partly in ruins.

        4.Qutb Shahi Tombs:(1 km from the Golconda Fort.)

        5.Salar Jung Museum:Salar Jung Museum is a store house of

        art.Open on all days,except Fridays from 10.00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M.

        Admission fee is collected.

        6.Nehru Zoologi al Park:(5 Km)Pre-historic animals park,

        ancient Life Museum.Natural Historic Museum.Lion Safari

        Park,Children Train and Boat Rider and some of the other

        attractions.Open from 9.00 A.M. to 6.00 P.M.Entrance

        fee is collected.

        7.Lion Safari Park:This is the first and of its kind in India

        and South East Asia.The Lion Safari Park has at present 30

        acres off undertaking topography located in the western

        portion of Zoological Park.Visitors are taken inside this

        area in a Mini Bus which has reinforced glass and windows.

        Entrance fee is collected.

        8.Govt. Archaelogical Museum Public Gardens:(1 km) Open

        on all days except Fridays from 10.30 A.M. to 5.00 P.M

        9.Yeeleswaram Museum:(1 km)Open on all days except Sundays from

        10.30 A.M to 5.00 P.M.

        10.Naubhat Pahad:Opposite the public Gardens.

        11.Raymonds Tomb:12.8 km.A simple tomb of a

        French soldier who entered the service of the then ruling Nizam in 1786.

        Picnic spots

        1.Osman Sagar:This is a beautiful lake and a excellent picnic spot.

        (23 kms from the Hyderabad and 10Kms from Golconda)

        2.Himayat Sgar:(23 kms)A lovely Picnis spot.

        3.Mir Alam Tank:(8 kms)It is an artifical tank and a picnic spot.

WARANGAL

        Warangal (140 kms from Hyderabad) is a convenient stop for visiting not only the temple but also Palampet, Hanumankonda and Ramappa. Warangal was the ancient captial of the kakatiya dynasty.At Hunumankonda,the 1000 pillered temple,delonging to kakatiya   period is superb.The gateway-arch of the Kalyana Mandap in the Warangal Fort reminds the tourist of the gateway arch of Sanchi Saranathi stupa. About 64 km fom Warangal is situated Ramappa temple known as the bribhest gem in the galaxy of medieval Deccan architecture.a picturesque lake,bearing the same name,is in the        proximity of the temple.A glimpse of the wild life can be had at Pakhala Sanctury 64 kms from Warangal.The State Tourism Dept runs a sight seeing coach to Ramappa ana Pakhala twice a week.

 KALAHASTHI:(38 kms from Tirupathi)This picturesque,religious center is famous for its temple dedicated to Vayu Bhagavan (lord of air).

LEPAKSHI:Lepakshi is situvated 16 km from Hindugar and 96 kms from Bangalore .It is well known for the Verabadra Temple built in Vijayanagar style.Its walls and ceiling have a large number of paintings dating back to the 16th century.The monolithic Nandhi ,considered to be the largest of its kind can be seen at Lepakshi.

 NAGARJUNA SAGAR:(149 kms)

        This project is named after the famous Buddhist scholar and savant,Nagarjuna Charya who lived in the vicinity of this area in the 2nd century.

ETHIPOTHALA WATERFALLS:(11 kms from the DAM SITE).

NAGARJUNAKONDA RUINS:11 kms from the site are the assembled ruins of Nagarjunakonda.These consists of stupas, monasteries and bathing ghat .The museum houses inscribed pillars.sculptured slabs etc. It is closed on Friday.There is a boat service for the use of tourists.

 SRISAILAM:Srisailam in Kurnool District is one of the famous shrines of Siva.It is 210 km from Hyderabad.Devasthanam cottages are available

ARAKUVALLEY:Arakuvalley 120 kms from visakapatnam. It is famous for scenic beauty,forest and tribal people.

 TIRUPATHI

  Tirupathi is a jewel amoung-pilgirm-cum-tourist centers in  India. judged not only from the record number of visitors,but also  the scenic beauty and hilly climate,the shrine on the 'Seven Hills'  is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara(Vishnu-Balaji)

  Places to visit:

  1.Govindarajaswami Temple

  2.Kapila Theertham-(3 kms):This Siva Temple is situvated at the foot of the hill and the adjoining waterfalls is known as Kapila  Theertham; Kodhandaramaswamy Temple.

  3.Padmavathi Temple(5 kms):It is dedicated to Goddess  Padmavathi,consort of Lord Venkateswara

  4.Papavinasam (8 kms):There is a waterfall.

  5.Akasaganga(6 kms):The importance of the waterfalls is due

  to the fact that water is taken from here to the temple for worship

  6.Varahaswami Temple:It is said to be older than the temple of

  Venkateswara.

VISSAKAPATNAM:

                   known as Vizag.It is natural sea port with a hill projecting into the Bay of Bengal called Dolphin's Nose.

 Places to Visit:

        1.Caltex Oil Refinery

        2.Dolphin's Nose

        3.The Three Hillocks

        4.Andra University

        5.Sri Venkateswara Konda Temple.

        6.Simhachalam Temple