-- Andhra Pradesh General Info --

Andhra Pardesh is one of the oldest state of India and was created by combining the old princely state of Hyderabad with the Telgu-speaking portions of the former state of Madras. Most of this large state stands on the high Deccan plateau, sloping down to the low -lying coastal region to the east where the mighty Godavri and Krishna rivers meet Bay of Bengal in wide deltas. The capital Hyderabad, is naturally a magnet for its Muslim heritage, as well as the nearby Golconda Fort and Qutb Shahi tombs .and also there  are the impressive ruins of Kakatiya kingdom at Warangal, commented on by Marco Polo, and the Buddhist sites of Nagarjunakonda and Amaravathi, as well as the beautiful Kanaka Durga Temple at Vijayawada, and the famous temple complex of Tirumala in the state's extreme south east.

History: Andhra Pardesh was once a major Buddhist centre and part of Ashoka's empire until it broke apart. Traces of early still remain in several places, particularly Amaravathi. the Sanchi of Andhra Pardesh. Later, in the 7th century, the chalukyas held power, but they in turn fell to the Chola kingdom of the south around the 10th century. It was this dynasty that built the vast and almost impregnable stone fortress of Golconda - one of India's most impressive monuments . The near by tombs of the rulers of this Muslim dynasty rival those of the Delhi sultans and the early Mughals in size and splendor. The general's successors, the Nizams of Hyderabad, ruled the state right through to Independence.

Culture: Beautiful crafts, vibrant religious festivals, a varied cuisine and the sonorant mother tongue, Telugu, are some of the indelible impressions of this state. Kuchipudi is the famous classical dance form of Andhra Pradesh. Tribal dances contribute in equal measure to the artistic heritage of Andhra Pradesh. Tholubommalaata, a shadow puppetry theatre is a fascinating folk art.

Handicrafts: Lacquer toys, Anakapalli articles, Ikat weaving, Pembarthi Sheet Metal Ware, Nirmal pottery, Bidriwork as well as Gadhwal, Pochampalli and Dharmavaram silk saris are some of the amazing handlooms and handicrafts the state is renowned for. Durgi, Allagadda and Tirupati are three of the major centers of stone art. Telengana is particularly well known for its folk paintings. Banjara needle craft, Kalamkari, the pen-painted fabrics of Machilipatnam and Kalahasti, Silver Filigree of Karimnagar and Budithi handicraft of Srikakulam are other handicraft specimens.

Climate: The temperature varies from 41-20 degree centigrade in summer (March to May) to 32 -13 degree centigrade in winter (January to February). June to December are the monsoon months and the weather remains hot and sultry. October to February is the best season.

Festivals: The famous  Deccan Festival having cultural programmes is celebrated in February. Bakri-Id is celebrated with great craze in Andhra Pradesh and in particular, the capital Hyderabad. The state also celebrate typical Indian festivals such as Nag Panchami, Holi, Diwali, Gandhi Jayanti, Mahavir Jayanti and others.

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