Hyderabad *

Andhra Pradesh, once a part of the Mauryan Empire during the reign of Ashoka, became an important Buddhist centre. One can still see evidences of the early Buddhist influence in Amravati and at Nagarjunakonda, one of the greatest archaeological sites in the country. Later it came under the hegemony of the Chalukyas and in the 10^th century was engulfed by the Chola kingdom. Subsequently, it witnessed the sway of the Muslim rulers and in 1713 A.D. it passed into the hands of a commander of the Mughal army under Aurangzeb.

Finally, it succumbed to the rule of the hereditary monarchs known as the Nizams of Hyderabad and remained with them till India attained independence. The fifth largest State of India, Andhra Pradesh is irrigated by the mighty Krishna and the Godavari rivers and is aptly termed as the 'Rice Granary of India'. Telugu is the main language of communication though the Muslim rule has paved the way of Urdu also.

Andhra Pradesh is the home of rich cultural heritage and handicrafts.

Kuchipudi, the classical dance originating from the state has vigorous choreography and is somewhat akin to Bharatanatyam. The craftsmen of Andhra have given to India their unique creations - Kalamkari vegetable dyed textiles, lacquer paintings from Nirmal, wood craft, Pochampalli silks, Hyderabad pearls and an extremely attractive and glittering array of glass bangles. Andhra Pradesh is also the home of the colorful Lambanis and Banjaras - Nomadic tribes and some of them turn up as pavement sellers offering their highly ornate long skirts and silver jewellery.

Climate: Summer(March to June) - Warm

Monsoon(July to August) - Warm

Winter(November to February) - Cool and Pleasant

Clothing: Summer - Cottons

Winter - Cottons or light woollens.

Capital: Hyderabad

 Tourist Attractions

A. Hyderabad; B. Lepakshi;

C. Nagarjunaconda; D. Tirupati

A. Hyderabad

Charminar

Hyderabad’s most famous building, the Charminar, is situated in the hear of the city. This neo-Saracenic structure is a square, graceful hall open on all four sides. Built by the founder of the city in 1591 as a thanksgiving after the waning of a dreadful epidemic plague, this 186 ft. high building gets its name from its 55 metre high four (chair) minars.

This Monumental Gate often described as ‘The Arch of Triumph of the East’.

Salar Jung Museum

Sir Salar Jung I, the Prime Minister of the Nizam, on a visit to Rome in 1876, bought Benzoni’s sculptural masterpiece, “The Veiled Rachel”. This was the beginning of what is today one of the finest museums in the world and the third national museum of India.

It is Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, Salar Jung II, who really built up the magnificent museum.

In 1968, the museum was transferred to a grand new building with 36 halls, on the banks of the river Musi. A vast array of art treasures, finest crystal and porcelain, an assemblage of rare statues, miniature paintings, illuminated manuscripts, fabulous bejewelled weapons and collections of jade, ivory and bronze are some of the glorious features of the museum.

Golconda Fort

About 10 kms to the west of the city is the historic Golconda Fort, once the headquarters of the Qutub Shahi Sultans who ruled a state that lay between the lower courses of the Godavari and the Krishna rivers extending to the Bay of Bengal.

Besieged by Aurganzeb in 1686, the fort withstood the attack for a full year before it fell owing to treachery.

It is built on the summit of a granite hill, dominating the landscape.

Its perimeter is about 11 km and the granite wall encircling the fort has eight gates and 70 bastions. Intricate stairways lead to the lofty citadel once occupied by the rulers.

The most interesting feature of the fort is its system of acoustics. A sound – say a clap of hands – made below the dome of the entrance is transmitted to the 61 metre high top of the fort, making it possible for quick despatch of any coded message.

Golconda was once the synonym for diamond mines. Ruling dynasties the world over, from the Czar of Russia to the monarchs of Britain, coveted the yields from these mines. The famous Kohinoor is a gift of Golconda.

See the expansive Roof Gardens.

The Tombs of Qutub Shahi Kings

One can capture its beauty in a beautiful domed mausoleum surrounded by gardens. The tombs follow certain pattern with Hindu style ornamentation, while important ones have their own mosques.

B. Lepakshi

Lepakshi has become a major tourist attraction because of the finest architecture and paintings found in the temples here. Unlike most of the South Indian temples, the temple does not have a prominent Vimana on the sanctum, but it has many Vimana like structures on top of the temple, indicating several cells of Gods housed in this temple.

C. Nagarjunaconda

Upstream of the Krishna river is Nagarjunakonda associated with the famous Buddhist scholar of 2^nd century, Nagarjuna. It was an important Buddhist monastic institution and has stupas with sculptures depicting scenes from the life of Buddha. The Indian archaeologists have salvaged the precious ruins from their ancient site, lifting them atop a hill and setting them up in a Vihara style museum.

D. Tirupati

Tirupati though a town, is mistaken as just the name of a temple which exists there. It is one of the most important and among the richest temples of South India. It is famous for the shrine on the'Seven Hills' of Tirumala which attract millions of pilgrims from all over India. Picturesquely situated amidst sacred waterfalls and tanks, the shrine potrays a fine example of early Dravidian art. In front of it is the 'Hall of Pillars' from where an attractive stepped way leads to the temple.