Andhra Pradesh, the land which hosted a variety of cultures, religions and traditions for thousands of years continues to embrace all today. That tradition continues with people belonging to various faiths, religions and castes coming together.

This is the land that gave the world such forms of art as Kalamkari, dance such as Kuchipudi, toys such as Konadapalli and jewellery such as the Nizam’s. The thriving cities, nature’s bounty in the form of a 1000-km coastline, forest cover, verdant hills and valleys and flora and fauna coupled with the legacy handed down centuries by far-sighted rulers have made Andhra Pradesh a unique State.

HYDERABAD : History by day. Magic by night. That’s Hyderabad, a city of smiles, of lights, of thousand faces. Hyderabad is a heady mixture of heritage, traditional hospitality and a thriving software revolution. Mecca Masjid, Salarjung Museum, AP State Museum, Legislative Assembly, Birla Temple, Lumbini Park, Hussain Sagar, Golconda fort, Qutub Shahi Tombs, Hi-tec City, Shilparamam, Nehru Zoological Park, Ramoji Film City, are worth visiting.

TIRUPATI : The town of Tirupati is one of the most ancient and sacred pilgrimage spots in India. The name ‘Tirupati’ means he “Lord of Lakshmi.” The hill near the temple is called ‘Tirumala’ or the “sacred hill.” The temple here is said to be the busiest in the world, eclipsing even Rome, Jerusalem and Mecca in the number of pilgrims visiting it. Lord Venkateswara Temple, Sri Govindraiaswamy Temple, Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple, Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple, Akasa Ganga, Padmavati Temple, Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple, Sila Thoranam, Swami Pushkarni, Narayanavanam, Sri Venkateswara Sanctuary, etc. must be visited.

WARANGAL : Warangal has beautiful temples, picturesque lakes alluring flora & fauna all around Warangal Fort, Ekashila , Stately Arches, Khush Mahal, Thousand Pillar Temple, Ramappa Temple, Pakhal Lake, Bhadrakali Temple, Siddeshawara Temple, Kazipet Dargah, Kolanupaka, Yadagiri Gutta, etc. are worth seeing.

BELUM CAVES : From lofty heights, one can descend below the earth at Belum, the longest cave system in the plains of India. The caves extend to a length of 3.25 km. The caves were said to have been inhabited by man as long as 6,000 years ago. There are huge galleries covered by stalactites and stalagmites and even a mini-waterfall deep down.

ANANTHAPUR : From places of historical interest such as the Penukonda and Rayadurga Forts to places of religious significance like Lepakshi and Dharmavaram, Ananthapur has it all. Another site worth visiting is Thimmamma Marrimanu, an amazing 550 year old banyam tree that has found mention in the Guiness Book of World Records for its enormous size.SRISAILAM : It holds pre-eminent significance for Hindus as this is where the famous Brahmarambha Mallikarjunaswamy temple, one of the 12 Jyortirlingas is situated here.

VISHAKHAPATNAM : Sprawling Golden beaches, splendid monuments, ancient temples - these are some of the tourist attractions of the city of valour. Visakhapatnam is a cosy place, The Dolphin’s Nose, Kailasagiri, Buddhist Heritage Sites, Rishikonda Beach, Bheemunipatnam, Borra Caves, Araku Valley, Ramakrishna Mission Beach, Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Simhachalam, etc. are worth seeing.

NAGARJUNA SAGAR : Imagine visiting a place where at one go you have an unfettered view of the past and the present. Where the finest examples of human achievement can be witnessed. A site that once was home to a highly evolved civilizations and which is today a location that represents the high point in the evolution of construction activity. Nagarjunakonda, Anupu, Ethipothala, Srisailam, Nagarjunasagar Dam, etc. must be visited.