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South India - Andhra Pradesh
Places to visit
In Hyderabad
• Charminar, a 16th century Rectangular Four Arched Monumental Gate, often described
as 'The Arch of Triumph of the East'
• The Salar Jung Museum which exhibits priceless manuscripts, ancient weapons,
costumes and curios alongside trivia that made up the personal collection of the owner
• Mecca Mosque
• High Court buildings
• Golconda Fort, situated on the Western outskirts of Hyderabad, was built in the 13th
century, and served the kings as a stronghold, administrative centre and market place
(see the expansive Roof Gardens)
• The Tombs of Qutub Shahi Kings, have Hindu style ornamentation, while important ones
have their own mosques; they are surrounded by gardens
Lepakshi
Lepakshi has become a major tourist attraction because of the 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 the temple.
Nagarjunakonda
Upstream of the Krishna river is Nagarjunakonda associated with the famous Buddhist scholar of 2nd century, Nagarjuna. It was an important Buddhist monastic institution and has stupas with sculptures depicting scenes from the life of Buddha. 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. Nagarjunakonda is the site of ongoing excavations.
Tirupati
Tirupati is usually taken to be the name of a temple - one of the richest in Southern India, and supposedly the world's busiest holy site. Actually, it is a town, best known 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 is 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.
Puttaparthi
The home of Sri Satya Sai Baba, this is another highly visited pilgrimage site.
Warangal
Contains the ruins of Chalukyan style architecture
Amravati
At Amravati, ancient Dhanyakataka, the remains of the Buddhist influence in the Satvahana period include majestic carvings, chaityas, viharas, murals and panels. Much of the vast archaeological findings from the site - magnificent sculpted friezes, medallions and railings - are now exhibited in the British Museum, London, and the National Museum, Delhi. There is a Great Stupa, the foundation of which was laid by an emissary of Emperor Ashoka, who went on to propagate Buddhism in the region. There is also a small Archaeological Museum on the site containing some of the finds from the area. Some of the exhibits are from other sites in the Krishna valley region.
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