One of the most popular travel destinations in India is Andhra Pradesh, the fifth largest and most populous state in the country. It is the largest state in the southern part of the country and is bounded by the Bay of Bengal to the east. The region (the word “Pradesh” means “state” or “region” and is part of the names of several Indian states) serves as a transition from the north to the south of the country.

Andhra Pradesh (or “AP” as it is sometimes referred to) is known as the “rice bowl of India” for its agricultural production and also as a destination for many religious pilgrimages. It also has its own official regional language, Telugu, which has been called “the Italian of the east” because of its smoothly flowing nature.

History

The region originally was settled by Aryans from the north who mingled with the local Dravidians. It was part of several dynasties in the early history of the country. The capital of the state is Hyderabad and was founded more than 400 years ago on the River Musi. It is situated in the western part of the region. It is known for its many mosques and temples.

The coastal part of AP on the Bay of Bengal was owned by the British East India Company dating back to the 17th century with the interior portion remaining under autonomous control of the Muslim Nizam rulers. In the late 19th and 20th century, Andhra was a center of opposition to British rule and when India was granted independence in 1947, the Nazim of Hyderabad tried to maintain the region’s autonomy, but were forced to join the new nation in 1948.

Points of Interest

Among the many pilgrimage sites in the region is Tirupati at the foot of the Tirumala Mountains, the most visited Hindu temple in India. The temple is the home of Lord Venkateswara, a much worshiped form of the Hindu god Vishnu. The temple sits among 12 hills and pilgrims who trek there are known for making sacrifices of hair.

The region also boasts limestone caves that are one million years old and a number of other natural wonders, including gorges and waterfalls. The region is known for its agricultural production which is due to the Godavari and Krishna rivers providing irrigation. Because AP also has many non-vegetarian inhabitants, its cuisine is somewhat more diverse.