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ANDHRA PRADESH

CAPITAL-DISPUR

LIST OF CHEIF MINISTERS OF ANDHRA PRADESH

#	NAME	TOOK OFFICE	LEFT OFFICE	PARTY
01	Neelam Sanjiva Reddy[4]	01 November 1956	11 January 1960	INC
02	Damodaram Sanjivayya	11 January 1960	12 March 1962	INC
	Neelam Sanjiva Reddy	12 March 1962	20 February 1964	INC
03	Kasu Brahmananda Reddy	21 February 1964	30 September 1971	INC
04	Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao[5]	30 September 1971	10 December 1973	INC
05	Jalagam Vengala Rao	10 December 1973	06 March 1978	INC
06	Marri Chenna Reddy	06 March 1978	11 October 1980	INC
07	Tanguturi Anjaiah[9]	11 October 1980	24 February 1982	INC
08	Bhavanam Venkatarami Reddy	24 February 1982	20 September 1982	INC
09	Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy	20 September 1982	09 January 1983	INC
10	Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao	09 January 1983	16 August 1984	TDP
11	Nadendla Bhaskara Rao	16 August 1984	16 September 1984	TDP
	Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao	16 September 1984	02 December 1989	TDP
	Marri Chenna Reddy	03 December 1989	17 December 1990	INC
12	Nedurumalli Janardhana Reddy	17 December 1990	09 October 1992	INC
	Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy	09 October 1992	12 December 1994	INC
	Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao	12 December 1994	01 September 1995	TDP
13	Nara Chandrababu Naidu[10]	01 September 1995	14 May 2004	TDP
14	Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhar Reddy	14 May 2004	02 September 2009	INC
15	Konijeti Rosaiah	03 September 2009	24 November 2010	INC
16	Kiran Kumar Reddy	25 November 2010	Present	INC

ELECTED POLITICAL OFFICIALS OF ANDHRA PRADESH

Lok Sabha members of Andhra Pradesh

#	NAME OF MEMBERS	PARTY
01	Adilabad	ST
02	Peddapalli	ST
03	Karimnagar
04	Nizamabad
05	Zahirabad
06	Medak
07	Malkajgiri
08	Secunderabad
09	Hyderabad
10	Chevella
11	Mahabubnagar
12	Nagarkumool	SC
13	Nalgonda
14	Bhongir
15	Warangal	SC
16	Mahabubabad	ST
17	Khammam
18	Araku	ST
19	Srikakulam
20	Vizianagaram
21	Visakhapatnam
22	Anakapalli
23	Kakinada
24	Amalapuram	SC
25	Rajahmundey
26	Naraspur
27	Eluru
28	Machilipatnam
29	Vijayawada
30	Guntur
31	Narasaraopet
32	Bepatla	SC
33	Ongole
34	Nandyal
35	Kurnool
36	Anantapur
37	Hindupur
38	Cuddapah
39	Nellore
40	Tirupathi	SC
41	Rajampet
42	Chittor	SC

Rajya Sabha Members of Andhra Pradesh

S.NO.	NAME OF MEMBER	PARTY
01	Aiyar, Shri Mani Shankar	INC
02	Akhtar, Shri Javed	NOM
03	Benegal, Shri Shyam	NOM
04	Bhartia, Smt. Shobhana	NOM
05	Dua, Shri H.K.	NOM
06	Ganguly, Dr. Ashok S.	NOM
07	Jayashree, Smt. B.	NOM
08	Mungekar, Dr. Bhalchandra	INC
09	Swaminathan, Prof. M.S.	NOM
10	Vatsyayan, Dr. (Smt.) Kapila	NOM

OCCUPATION

Agriculture is the main occupation of about 62 per cent of the people in Andhra Pradesh. Rice is a major food crop and staple food of the State contributing about 77 per cent of the food grain production. Other important crops are jowar, bajra, maize, ragi, small millets, pulses, castor, tobacco, cotton and sugarcane. Forests cover 23 per cent of the State's area. Important forest products are teak, eucalyptus, cashew, casuarina, bamboo, softwood, etc. The production of food grains in the state for the first time since formation of the State is recorded at 204.04 lakh tonne in 2008-09 as against 198.17 lakh tonne in 2007-08.

FOOD

DRESS

IMPORTANT PLACE

Hyderabad-

Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh is the fifth largest city in India. Hyderabad is nearly 400 years old and is famous for its natural beauty, mosques and minarets, bazaars, cuisine, bridges, hills and lakes. Some of the highlights of this city are the Charminar, Salar Jung museum.The fifth largest city in the country, is the capital of Andhra Pradesh and has several prominent places in and around it. It has a Hindu-Muslim culture with a number of monuments of historical importance like Charminar, Golconda, Salarjung Museum, Mecca Maszid, Osman Sagar and Osmania University. The capital is in reality the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad linked together by the Hussain Sagar.

Vijayawada-

Vijayawada, is located at the head of the Krishna delta, in Andhra Pradesh, about 70 km from the sea. Earlier the city was known as Bezwada and the present name is derived from the presiding deity, Kanakdurga also called Vijaya. Vijayawada has a major railway junction, which is beautifully encircled by hills on three sides. The waters of Krishna river on the south flows swiftly, presenting a mesmerizing scene.

Srisailam-

Srisailam is a beautiful weekend destination from Hyderabad. Located on the banks of river Krishna, in the dense forests of the Nallamalai Hills, Srisailam offers some beautiful temples. The place is famous for an enchanting wildilfe sanctuary with a wide variety of animals and birds. It is also known for its mesmerizing Dam and the natural splendour. Definitely a worth visiting destination.

Warangal-

The city of Warangal is located in the north of Andhra Pradesh State. It lies along the Chennai -Kazipet-Delhi rail route. It was once the capital of the Kakatiya dynasty, a famous Andhra dynasty that ruled the state in the 12th century AD. The beautiful lakes, temples, wildlife, rich antiques and relics, makes it one of the must visit places in Andhra Pradesh.

Vishakhapatnam / Vizag-

Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh is popularly known as Vizag. It is one of the major thriving industrial city on the east coast of India. This port city has the biggest ship building yard in India. It has also developed oil refining, fertilizer, petro-chemical, steel plant, sugar refining and jute industries. This enchanting city has majestic hills, valleys and golden beaches along the Bay of Bengal coastline, making it an ideal place for holidays.

Tirupati-

The holy city of Tirupati is located in the southeastern part of Andhra Pradesh, in the district of Chittoor. It is known for the famous Tirupati temple which is dedicated the Hindu god 'Venkateshwara', one of the most important pilgrimage centers in India. Considered one of the most busiest pilgrimage center in the world, this temple attracts millions of pilgrims. Apart from this, Tirupati is also famous for several other temples along with red wooden toys, copper and brass idols.

Nagarjunasagar-

The Nagarjunasagar is a huge irrigation project on the River Krishna. It is situated about 150 km from Hyderabad and has a glorious past. The Nagarjunasagar was a valley in the Nallamala range of the Eastern Ghats and its civilization is thousands of years old. According to the history, it was first ruled by the Satavahanas and subsequently by the Ikshvakus in the third century.

Charminar-

constructed in 1591 is worth seeing for its grandeur and architectural beauty. The minarets are 48.77 metres high and they spring from the abutments of open arches facing the four cardinal points. Mecca Maszid is to the south of Charminar.

Golconda-

About 8 km from the city, the capital of the Qutb Shahis in the 16th century, is rich in historical monuments, which include the famous Golconda Fort. Golconda was known the world over as a rich mine of diamonds in medieval times. Qutb Shahi tombs are nearer to this fort. These tombs mark the third and final stage of architecture that flourished during the 16th-17th centuries A.D.

Salarjung Museum-

Salarjung Museum was constructed by the Prime Minister Salarjung III of the erstwhile Nizams but was later shifted in 1968 to the new imposing building constructed on the southern bank of the river Musi. The museum consists of a vast and varied art mass collected from several countries in the world.The `Public Garden' in the heart of the city is another tourist attraction with State Museum and Art gallery, Jawahar Bal Bhavan, Health Museum, Assembly Buildings, Lalita Kala Toranam (open-air theatre). On the other side, on the hillock, there is the Birla Mandir and the Planetarium. The State Museum displays prehistoric implements, sculptures, paintings, inscriptions, illuminated manuscripts, coins, old arms, Bidri and old Chinaware and textiles. It is an impressive building with four minarets, two large and two small. Its most unusual features are the lofty pillars supporting the arches and the prayer niche carved in single slabs of granite. Falaknuma Palace is a castle built on a hill by Sir Vicar-ul-Umra, one of the Prime Ministers of the Nizam's Dominions. The Nehru Zoological Park on the Bangalore National Highway is spread over 300 acres of undulating landscape, which preserves the beauty of the boulders in all its pristine glory.

Gandipet-

18 Km west of Hyderabad is a dam named `Osmansagar dam' constructed on the river Musi to control floods, some five and a half decades ago. It is now the source of drinking water to the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The pleasant and beautiful gardens, comfortable rest-houses and placid expanses of water have made this place a tourist attraction and a picnic spot.

Ramappa Temple-

This is located at Palampet near Mulug in Warangal district. This is of tourist importance owing to the existence of the renowned and exquisitely carved sculptures of the Ramappa Temple, and the Ramappa Lake constructed at the time of Kakatiya Ganapati. The temple, built of black basalt with splendid carvings, is 12.19 metres high. The Ramappa lake is a magnificient irrigation work of the 13th century AD, and the place, where the lake stands, is surrounded by thick forests and presents a beautiful natural scenery making it a popular holiday resort.

Nizamsagar-

At a distance of about 144 km north-west of Hyderabad, a reservoir known by the name Nizamsagar was constructed across the Manjira river, a tributary of the Godavari, between Achampet and Banjapalle villages of Nizamabad district. The most outstanding feature of the project is the gigantic masonry dam sprawling across the river for 3 km with a motorable road of 14ft width over it. There are excellent boarding and lodging facilities for the tourists at this project.

Kuntala-

It is situated in Adilabad district, 22 km from Boath on the bank of the Kadam river. Here the river falls from a height of about 45 metres and enters Khanapur. The waterfall known as ``Kuntala Waterfalls'' is the highest in Andhra Pradesh. It affords picturesque scenery.

Basara (Adilabad district)-

It is on the bank of the Godavari on the Secunderabad-Manmad metre-gauge line of South Central Railway. It has one of the two temples dedicated to Goddess Saraswati in India, the other being at Kashmir. Vemulavada is in Karimnagar district and situated about 32 km., from Karimnagar on the road to Kamareddy. The village is an ancient one and has been in existence from the time of the Western Chalukyas. It is famous for the temples of Rajarajeswaraswami and another for Vaddegesvara. It is also a place of great historical importance and attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists.

Bhadrachalam-

This temple-town on the left bank of the river Godavari in Khammam district is considered a holy spot since Lord Rama is supposed to have lived here for some time. It owes its importance to the temple dedicated to Lord Rama, which is said to have been constructed by His ardent devotee, Kancherla Gopanna, popularly called as "Ramadas''. He was an official in the Taluk Office during the reign of the last Qutb Shahi ruler, Abul Hasan Tana Shah.

Amaravati-

It is an important tourist centre at a distance of 32 km north-west of Guntur owing to its world famous Buddhist stupa and antiquities of the 2nd century B.C. The Stupa here is the biggest with its dome measuring 49 metres and it rises to a height of 29 metres. Amaravati is a byword for sculpture among the plastic arts of the world as the Buddhist sculptures found here are perfect specimens of what is called the Andhra or Amaravati style of sculptures.Amaravati and its neighbouring village Dharanikota were the seats of the rule of the Satavahanas and these places are full of antiquities of great archaeological values depicting scenes from the life of Buddha, embodying various Buddhist emblems and symbols, and also inscriptions in Pali character. The lofty temple of Amareswara stands on the southern bank of the river Krishna, and is considered sacred and holy. It attracts a large number of pilgrims, especially on the Sivaratri day.

Ettipothala-

Water falls located six km northwest of Macherla in Guntur district is one of the many beautiful scenic spots in the State. The rivulet Chandravanka joins the Krishna falling from a height of 21 metres and the waterfalls offer a delightful view.

Undavalli (Guntur district)-

Lies on the south bank of the river Krishna about two kilometres from Prakasam Barrage at Vijayawada. There are the famous Undavalli Caves associated with the Vishnukundin kings of A. D. 420--620. These caves were dedicated to Anantapadmanabha and Narisimhaswami. From the point of sculptural and architectural excellence, these caves compare very well with those of Ajanta.

Mantralayam-

situated on the southern bank of the river Tungabhadra in Kurnool district is about 15 km. from Mantralayam Road Railway station on the Chennai-Mumbai line. It is also well connected by road from Hyderabad, Kurnool and other important centres. It is famous for Raghavendraswami Matt or Brindavan. It is here that Raghavendraswami, a great follower of Madhvacharya, entered samadhi after preaching the Madhva cult or Dvaita philosophy. There is no idol of Raghavendraswami but his Brindavan (samadhi) is worshipped.

Lepakshi lies-

At about 14 km east of Hindupur in Anantapur district. It is of great historical and archaeological importance in the State. This place is a repository of the best mural paintings of the Vijayanagara Kings. The best specimens of the Vijayanagara style of sculpture and mural paintings are found in the temples here. There is a colossal stone Nandi, reputed to be the largest of its kind in the country.

Srikalahasti-

(Chittoor district) is also a famous pilgrim centre and the temple here is dedicated to Lord Siva known as Vayulingam and considered as Dakshina Kasi.

Horsley Hills-

About 16 km from Madanapalle in Chittoor district, lies at a height of 1,265.53 metres above the sea level and forms the most elevated table land in the south of Andhra Pradesh. This is the coolest place and is a summer resort.

Rajahmundry-

It is situated on the left bank of the river Godavari in East Godavari district. It has a hoary past and is said to have been constructed by the Eastern Chalukya ruler Rajaraja Narendra in A.D. 1022. The town has some traces of fine palaces, fort walls, etc., of the 11th century A.D. Nannaya, the poet laureate, who was called `Adi Kavi belonged to this place. The Asia's largest rail-cum-road bridge on the river Godavari linking Kovvur and Rajahmundry is considered to be an engineering feat.There are a number of temples here and the Kotilingala temple on the bank of the Godavari is one of the most important temples. The Godavari Pushkaram, celebrated once in twelve years, attracts a large number of pilgrims from all over the country. At a distance of seven kilometres south of Rajahmundry, there is the Dowlaiswaram anicut across the Godavari.

Ryali lies-

At a distance of 25 km from Rajahmundry. It is famous for the temple of Jaganmohini-Kesavaswami. The idol of the deity is beautifully carved on black stone and it is worth seeing for its sculptural beauty and grand appearance. Visakhapatnam: This coast-city is on the Chennai-Howrah broad-gauge line of SouthEastern Railway and is a big railhead. The city has grown in importance educationally, commercially and industrially. It is the seat of the Andhra University. The places of interest in the city include harbour, Dolphin's Nose, a light-house, Hindustan Ship Building Yard, Caltex Oil Refinery, Coromandal Fertilisers Factory, Steel Plant, Circuit House on the Hill, a beautiful beach and an airport. Visakhapatnam harbour is considered to be one of the best natural harbours in the world, and the ShipBuilding Yard has a nation-wide importance. The city is worth visiting for both the internal and foreign tourists. Bheemunipatnam beach, nearer to the city, is a place for a short holiday.

Simhachalam-

16 km from Visakhapatnam, is an important pilgrim centre owing to the existence of the Varaha Lakshmi Narasimhaswami temple on a hill, which is 800 feet above the sea level.

Araku Valley-

Araku Valley is about 115 km, from Visakhapatnam. The valley extending over 36 sq.km is situated at an altitude of 610 to 915 metres above the sea level. The valley, with its bracing climate and orchards, and the Ananthagiri Hills, which present an enchanting view, attract Indian and foreign tourists.

Borra Caves-

In Vizianagaram district have archaeological importance due to the discovery of some Paleolithic implements. Vizianagaram, 64 km from Visakhapatnam, is a place of historical importance. It was the capital of the Gajapati chiefs in the 17th century A.D. The magnificent fort in this town depicts the past glory of these rajas. It has a Music College and a Sanskrit College.

LANGUAGE

Telugu

Urdu

Hindi

Banjara

English

FESTIVALS

Car Festival of Vanamalleswara Swami(January - February)-

Maddikera is situated to the extreme south of Pattikonda Taluk and is a railway station on the Guntakal-Vijayawada section of the South Central Railway. 'Maddikera' derived its name from the temple of 'Maddamma'. The car festival of Vanamalleswaraswamy conducted during January-February attracts a large congregation of about 10,000 devotees.

Deccan Festival / Hyderabad Festival(January)-

This festival brings the choicest talent from the field of Music, Dance and Theatre. Ghazals, Mushairas, Qawwalis, Classical dances and Music. Reverberate in the air of Hyderabad. Pearls and Bangles Fair is a part of this festival.

Visaka Utsav(January)-

'Visakha Utsav' is organised by A.P. Tourism every year from the third Friday to Sunday of January. The Visakha Utsav is organised to bring together a kaleidoscope of brilliant hues.

Makara Sakranti(January)-

SANKRANTI is an important festival for Telugus and people in rural Andhra look forward to this harvest festival, which has different attractions for different people. With crops harvested people have both money and leisure to make merry with.

Pongal(January)-

Pongal, a harvest festival, is celebrated from the 13th to the 15th of January. Pongal literally means "boiling over" and celebrates the bounteous crops in the fields. Pongal was originally a festival for the farming community, but today it has become one of South India's most popular festivals.

Ugadi(March-April)-

Ugadi is the Telugu New Year day. It is specially associated with Pacchadi (chutney) in telugu. The chutney is prepared with tender flowers of neem, jaggery or sugar & new tamarind. The whole family has to eat the chutney.

Mahasivarathri(March)-

Mahasivarathri means the great night of Siva. It is believed that Lord Siva was born in the form of a lingam on the night of Krishna Chaturdasi (14th day of the dark fortnight).

Vinayaka Chaturthi /Ganesh Chaturthi(August - September)

Ganesha Chaturthi is one of the most popular Hindu festivals. This is the birthday of Lord Ganesha. It is the day most sacred to Lord Ganesha and falls on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of 'Bhadrapada'.

Lumbini Festival(December)-

Lumbini festival is organized from the 2nd Friday to Sunday of December every year at Hyderabad and Nagarjunasagar to highlight.

Bathkamma-

Bathkamma is special to the Telangana region. In the month long festival, Goddess Bathkamma's idol is worshipped and is made to float on the rivers and lakes.
Hindu festivals such as Dusshera, Deepavali, Sri Ram Navami, Krishna Janmashtami, Vinayaka Chavithi or Ganesh Chaturthi and Maha Shivratri, Muslim festivals such as Bakr Id and Id-ul-Fitr and Christian festivals like Christmas, Easter and New Year's Day are also celebrated with gaiety.