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Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
ఆంధ్ర ప్రదేశ్
state
Map
 • Rank4th
Population
 • Total76,210,007
 • Rank5th
Websitewww.aponline.gov.in

Andhra Pradesh (Template:Lang-te, Template:Lang-ur [aːnd̪ʱɾə pɾədeːʃ]ⓘ) or AP, the "Rice Bowl of India", is a state in southern India. It lies between 12°41' and 22°N latitude and 77° and 84°40'E longitude, and is bordered by Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Orissa in the north, the Bay of Bengal in the East, Tamil Nadu to the south and Karnataka to the west. Andhra Pradesh is the 4th largest state in India by area and population. It is the largest and most populous state in South India. The state is crossed by two major rivers, the Godavari and the Krishna. Historically this land was known as Andhrapatha, Andhradesa, Andhra-avani, Andhra-mandalamu, Andhra-vishaya, etc.[1]

History

Main article: History of Andhra

An Andhra Kingdom was mentioned in the Sanskrit epics such as Aitareya Brahmana and Mahabharata. Inscriptional evidence showed that there was a kingdom in coastal Andhra ruled by Kuberaka with Pratipalapura (Bhattiprolu) as his capital in 5th century BCE. This probably was the oldest known kingdom in south India. Around the same time Dhanyakatakam/Dhranikota (present day Amaravati) seemed to be a very important place. According to Taranatha: "On the full moon of the month Chaitra in the year following his enlightenment, at the great stupa of Dhanyakataka, the Buddha emanated the mandala of "The Glorious Lunar Mansions" (Kalachakra)[2][3]. The Mauryans extended their rule over Andhra in 4th century BCE. With the fall of the Mauryan Empire Andhra Satavahanas became independent in 3rd century BCE. After the decline of the Satavahanas in 220 CE, Ikshvakus, Pallavas, Vishnukundinas, Anandagotrikas and Cholas ruled the Telugu land. Inscriptional evidence of Telugu was found during the rule of Renati Cholas (Kadapa region) in 5th century CE[citation needed]. During this period the Telugu language, emerged as a popular medium undermining the predominance of Prakrit and Sanskrit[citation needed]. Telugu was made official language during Vishnukundina Kings[citation needed] who ruled from Vinukonda as the capital. Eastern Chalukyas ruled for a long period after the decline of Vishnukundinas. Their capital was Vengi. As early as 1st century CE, they were mentioned as being the vassals and chieftains under the Satavahanas and later under Ikshvakus.

The battle of Palnadu resulted in the weakening of Chalukyan power and emergence of the Kakatiyadynasty in the 12th and the 13th centuries CE.

File:Kakateeya Sculpture.jpg
Kakateeya Sculpture at warangal

The Kakatiyas were at first the feudatories of the Western Chalukyas of Kalyani, ruling over a small territory near Warangal. In 1323 CE, Delhi Sultan Ghiaz-ud-din Tughlaq sent a large army under Ulugh Khan to conquer the Telugu country and capture Warangal. King Prataprudra was taken prisoner. Musunuri Nayaks recaptured Warangal from the Delhi Sultanate and ruled for fifty years. The Vijayanagar empire, one of the greatest empires in the history of Andhra Pradesh and India, was founded by Harihara and Bukka, who served as as treasury officers of the Kakatiyas of Warangal[4]. In 1347 CE, an independent Muslim state, the Bahmani kingdom, was established in south India by Alla-ud-din Hasan Gangu as a revolt against the Delhi Sultanate. The Qutb Shahi dynasty held sway over the Andhra country for about two hundred years from the early part of the 16th century to the end of the 17th century.

File:Chowmah alla palace night.jpg
Chowmahalla palace

In Colonial India, Northern Circars became part of the British Madras Presidency. Eventually this region emerged as the Coastal Andhra region. Later the Nizam had ceded five territories to the British which eventually emerged as Rayalaseema region. The Nizams retained control of the interior provinces as the Princely state of Hyderabad, acknowledging British rule in return for local autonomy.

India became independent from the United Kingdom in 1947. The Muslim Nizam of Hyderabad wanted to retain his independence from India, but the people of the region launched movement to join Indian Union. His state of Hyderabad was forced to become part of the Republic of India in 1948 as Hyderabad State.

In an effort to gain an independent state, and protect the interests of the Telugu people of Madras State, Amarajeevi Potti Sriramulu fasted until death. Public outcry and civil unrest after his death forced the government to announce the formation of a new state for Telugu speakers. Andhra attained statehood in October 1953 with Kurnool as its capital.

On 1 November 1 1956 Andhra State merged with the Telangana region of Hyderabad State to form the state of Andhra Pradesh, which would be mainly Telugu-speaking. Hyderabad, the former capital of the Hyderabad State, was made the capital of the new state Andhra Pradesh.

Economy

Agriculture

Paddy fields beside NH5

Agriculture has been the chief source of income for the state's economy. Two important rivers of India, the Godavari and Krishna, flow through the state, providing irrigation. Rice, sugarcane, cotton, mirchi, Mangoes and tobacco are the local crops. There are many multi-state irrigation projects in development, including Godavari River Basin Irrigation Projects.[5][6]

Information technology

File:Hitec city.jpg
Cyber towers

The state has also started to focus on the fields of information technology and biotechnology. In 2004 - 2005, Andhra Pradesh is at the fifth position in the list of top IT exporting states of India. The IT exports from the State were Rs.1,800 million in 2004. But by a percentage increase of 52.3% every year, the IT exports reached Rs.19,000 million in 2006 - 2007 and ranked fourth in India. The service sector of the state already accounts for 43% of the GSDP and employs 20% of the work force.[7]

Mineral wealth

Andhra Pradesh is a mineral rich state, ranking second in India in terms of mineral wealth. For example, the state has about one third of India's limestone reserves, at about 30 billion tonnes.[8]

The state ranks first nationwide in hydro electricity generation with national market share of over 11%.

Andhra Pradesh's gross state domestic product for 2005 is estimated at $62 billion in current prices. This is a chart of trend of gross state domestic product of Andhra Pradesh at market prices estimated by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation with figures in millions of Indian Rupees.

Year Gross state domestic product
1980 81,910
1985 152,660
1990 333,360
1995 798,540
2000 1,401,190

Andhra's Annapurna

Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is a Masonry dam built across Krishna River in Nagarjuna Sagar, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is the world's tallest masonry dam, at a height of 124 metres and creates a reservoir holding up to 11,472 million cubic metres.

Nagarjuna sagar, worlds largest masonry dam

It is one of the earliest irrigation and hydro-electric projects in India. The dam provides irrigation water to the Nalgonda District, Prakasam District, Khammam District and Guntur District. The right canal (AKA "Jawahar canal") is 203 km long and irrigates 1.113 million acres (4,500 km²) of land. The left canal (AKA "Lalbahadur Shastri canal") is 295 km long and irrigates 1.03 million acres (4,200 km²) of land. The project transformed the economy of above districts. The hydro electric plant has a power generation capacity of 815.6 MW with 8 units (1x110 MW+7x100.8 MW). Along with these there are many dams and projects like SRISAILAM DAM,SRIRAM SAGAR,SOMASILA DAM,TUNGABADRA RIGHT CANAL and the newly constructing POLAVARAM(Indira sagar) & PULICHINTHALA(K.L.RAO sagar) DAM.

Government and politics

Main articles: Andhra Pradesh Politics and List of Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh
File:800px-Assembly1.jpg
The Andhra Pradesh State LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY at the centre of the Hyderabad City

Andhra Pradesh has a Legislative Assembly of 294 seats. The state has 60 members in the Parliament of India: 18 in the Rajya Sabha, Upper House and 42 in the Lok Sabha, Lower House.[9][10]

Andhra Pradesh had a series of Congress governments till 1982. Kasu Brahmananda Reddy held the record for the longest serving chief minister which was broken by N.T. Rama Rao. P.V. Narasimha Rao also served as the chief minister for the state, who later went on to become the Prime Minister of India. Among the notable chief ministers of the state are Tanguturi Prakasam, CM for only the Andhra state,[ The first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, was Neelam Sanjiva Reddy],others include Kasu Brahmananda Reddy, Marri Chenna Reddy, Nedurumalli Janardhana Reddy, Nadella Bhaskara Rao,Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy, N.T. Rama Rao, Nara Chandrababu Naidu and Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

File:Highcourt11.jpg
HIGH COURT

The Beginning of multi-party politics

In 1983 the Telugu Desam Party's N.T. Rama Rao (NTR), became the chief minister of the state for the first time introducing a formidable second political party to Andhra politics and thus breaking the virtually-single party monopoly on Andhra politics. Nadendla Bhaskar Rao attempted a hijack when NTR was away to the US for a medical treatment. After coming back, NTR successfully convinced the governor to dissolve the Assembly and call for a fresh election. NTR won by a large majority. His government's policies included investment in education and rural development and in holding corrupt government offices accountable.

In 1989 group elections ended the 7-year rule of NTR with the congress being returned to power and Dr. Marri Chenna Reddy at the helm. He was replaced by N. Janardhan Reddy who was in turn replaced by Kotla Vijaya Bhasker Reddy.

In 1994 Assembly saw NTR becoming the chief minister again but he was soon thrown out of power by his finance minister and son-in-law N. Chandrababu Naidu. NTR died from a heart attack before the next elections and thus Naidu was able to win a second term before he was defeated by the Congress-led coalition in the May 2004 polls.

Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy of the Indian National Congress (INC) is the current chief head/minister of state. Rajasekhara Reddy fought the 2004 Assembly elections in an alliance with the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), which was formed by the politician Chandrasekhar Rao whose aim is to form a separate state, though the educated people are sure that his motive is to have power and not for doing any good for the people.

Divisions

Districts of Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh can be divided into four governance regions, namely Coastal Andhra, Uttarandhra or North Cosatal Andhra, Rayalaseema and Telangana.[11]

Andhra Pradesh has 23 districts:

  1. Adilabad
  2. Anantapur
  3. Chittoor
  4. Kadapa
  5. East Godavari (Kakinada)
  6. Guntur
  7. Hyderabad
  8. Karimnagar (Sriramapuram)
  9. Khammam
  10. Krishna (Machilipatnam)
  11. Kurnool
  12. Mahbubnagar, (Palamuru)
  13. Medak
  14. Nalgonda
  15. Nellore
  16. Nizamabad (Induru)
  17. Prakasam (Ongole)
  18. Rangareddi
  19. Srikakulam
  20. Visakhapatnam
  21. Vizianagaram
  22. Warangal
  23. West Godavari

Important cities

A list of the most important cities in the state:

  • Hyderabad is the capital and with the adjoining twin city of Secunderabad, is the largest city in the state.
  • Guntur is the heart of tobacco, chilli and cotton industries, features many nearby ancient sites(A,N,S,B).
  • Tirupati is the place of richest temple in the world and the most visited pilgrimage site in India.
  • Vijayawada is an important trading centre and a prominent railway junction.
  • Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh's main seaport, is home to the Indian Navy's Eastern Naval Command.
  • Warangal is one of the oldest cities in the state with a history of 800 years. It was the capital of the Kakatiya dynasty.[12]
  • Nellore is famous for its high [paddy] yields,and rapid industrial development like krishnapatnam ultramega project,port,apache etc.
  • Nizamabad(induru) is famed for the Nizamsagar dam, Nizam Sugar factory and Bodhan a historical place since the periods of Mahabharatha and Buddha.
  • Rajahmundry also hosts corporates and multinationals like ITC Ltd, ILTD Division, GlaxoSmithKline,AndhraPaper Mills,(ONGC) etc.

Transport

Major road links of Andhra Pradesh

Railways

  1. South Central Railway
  2. East Coast Railway
  3. South Western Railways
  4. Southern Railways

Airports

  1. Hyderabad (Begumpet)
  2. Shamshabad (Expected to start from March 16, 2008)
  3. Visakhapatnam
  4. Vijayawada (Gannavaram)
  5. Rajahmundry (Madhurapudi)
  6. Tirupati (Renigunta)
  7. Warangal (Mamnoor)(Orugallu)

Government also have plans to start airports in 6 other cities including Nellore, Warangal ,Kadapa,Kothagudem and Ongole.

Road

Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) is the major public transport corporation owned by government of andhra pradesh connecting all the cities and villages. APSRTC has also the distinction of being in the Guinness book of World records for having the largest fleet of vehicles, and the longest area covered/commuted daily (Rahil). Apart from this thousands of private operators run buses connecting major cities and towns of the state. Private vehicles like autorickshaws occupy a major share of the local transport in the cities and adjoining villages.

Demographics

Telugu is the regional and official language of the state, spoken by 84.86% of the population. Telugu is the second largest language in India. The major linguistic minority groups in the state include the speakers of Urdu(7.86%), the 2nd official language of Andhra Pradesh, Hindi(2.65%)

The minority language speakers who constitute less than 1% are the speakers of Tamil(0.97%), Kannada(0.94%), Marathi(0.84%), Oriya(0.42%), Gondi(0.21%) and Malayalam(0.1%). The speakers of minority languages who constitute less than 0.1% are the speakers of Gujarati(0.09%), Savara(0.09%), Koya(0.08%), Jatapu(0.04%), Punjabi(0.04%), Kolami(0.03%), Konda(0.03%), Gadaba(0.02%), Sindhi(0.02%), Gorkhali / Nepali(0.01%) and Khond / Kondh(0.01%).

Music

Main article: Music of Andhra Pradesh

The state has a rich musical heritage. All three legends of the Carnatic music (that started during Vijayanagara Dynasty's Sri Krishna Deva Raya) Trinity - Thyagaraja, Shyama Sastri and Muthuswami Dikshitar were of Telugu descent. Other great composers include Annamacharya, Kshetrayya, and Bhadrachala Ramadasu. Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna is a contemporary legend.

Main articles: Qawwali and Sama-qwaani

Qawwali and Sama are most popular forms of devotional Sufi songs, Akbar Hussain & Ehsan Hussain are notable Qawwals.

Literature

Main article: Telugu literature

Nannayya, Tikkana, and Yerrapragada form the trinity who translated the great epic Mahabharatha into Telugu. Bammera Potana is another great poet from Orugallu (Now Warangal) famous for his great classic Sri Madandhra Maha Bhagavatamu, a Telugu translation of 'Sri Bhagavatham' authored by Veda Vyasa in Sanskrit. EmperorKrishnadevaraya wrote Amuktamalyada. Modern writers include Jnanpith Award winners Sri Viswanatha Satyanarayana and Dr. C.Narayana Reddy.

Main article: Urdu Literature

Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah was the first Deewan Shayar of Urdu Literary History. Makhdoom Mohiuddin regarded as revellutionary poet. Many classical writers like, Wali Mohammed Wali Dakhni, Amjad Hyderabadi, Charagh Hyderabadi, Aqeel Hashmi, Suleman Athhar Javed, Aslam Farshori, Ahmadnisar, Barq Kadapavi, Qamar Ameeni and many others.

Main article: Mushaira

Mushaira is a poets meet. It is widely organised in Telangana & Rayalaseema Regions. In Coasta districts, Krishna Guntur districts found fond of it.

Dance

Main article: Telugu dance
File:Kuchi pudi dancers.jpg
Kuchipudi, the traditional dance of Andhra

Jayapa Senani (Jayapa Nayudu) is the first person who wrote about the dances prevalent in Andhra Pradesh [13]. Both Desi and Margi forms of dances have been included in his Sanskrit treatise 'Nritya Ratnavali'. It contains eight chapters. Folk dance forms like Perani, Prenkhana, Suddha Nartana, Carcari, Rasaka, Danda Rasaka, Shiva Priya, Kanduka Nartana, Bhandika Nrityam, Carana Nrityam, Chindu, Gondali and Kolatam are described. In the first chapter the author deals with discussion of the differences between Marga and desi, tandava and lasya, Natya and nritta. In the 2nd and 3rd chapters he deals with angikabhinaya, caris, Sthanakas and mandalas. In the 4th Chapter Karnas, angaharas and recakas are described. In following chapters he described the local dance forms i.e. desi nritya. In the last chapter he deals with art and practice of dance.

Classical dance in Andhra can be performed by both men and women, however women tend to learn it more often. Kuchipudi is the state's best-known classical dance forms of Andhra Pradesh. The various dance forms that existed through the states's history are Chenchu Bhagotham, Kuchipudi, Bhamakalapam, Burrakatha, Veeranatyam, Butta bommalu, Dappu, Tappeta Gullu, Lambadi, Bonalu, Dhimsa, and Kolattam.

Movies

Main article: Telugu Cinema

Andhra Pradesh is the state with the most cinema halls in India, at around 3000[citation needed]. The state also produces about 200[citation needed] movies a year. It has around 40%( 330 cinema halls out of 930 dts cinema halls in India((http://www.dtsonline.com/digitalcinema/find/index.php)) of all Dolby digital theatres in India. Now it also houses an IMax theatre with a big 3D screen and also 3-5 multiplexes. It is also the largest movie industry in India, producing more movies than any other industry.

State symbols

Krishna jinka,the state animal

Temples

Tirupati: Tirupati is the abode for the famous Hindu temple of Lord Venkateswara. It is the richest Hindu religious institution and second richest in the world after the Vatican[citation needed]. It records an annual income of about 100 Billion Rupees (2.5 Billion US Dollars), mostly from offerings by the devotees.

File:Tirumalatemple.jpg
The templeTirumala lit during the night

Yadagiri Gutta:Lord Vishnu (whose reincarnation is Lord Narasimha)

Vemulavada:Notable for the Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple complex, a site of pilgrimage for both Hindu (particularly devotees of Vishnu and Shiva) and Muslim worshippers. Built by Chaluka Kings between AD 750 and 975, the complex is named for its presiding deity Sri Raja Rajeswara Swamy, an incarnation of Shiva. It houses several temples dedicated to other deities including Sri Rama, Lakshmana, Lakshmi, Ganapathy, Lord Padmanabha Swamy and Lord Bhimeshwara. The complex also contains a 400 year old mosque.

Vijayawada: Vijayawada houses the second biggest and equally famous temple of Goddess Durga also known as Kanaka Durga.

Narayanpet: Sri Sri Sri Sadguru Avadhuth Narasimha Swami Math is located in Narayanpet of Mahabubnagar dist. www.srisadguru.com

Srisailam: Abode for Lord Siva worshipped with the name of Mallikarjuna and Goddess Parvathi, worshipped with the name of Bhramaramba. Srisailam has a unique distinction amongst the Hindu temples of the world; it is the only place to be one of 18 Shaktipithas and one of 12 Jyothirlingas. Huge hydro-electric multi-purpose dam has also been constructed at this place on river Krishna.

Bhadrachalam: Abode for Lord Rama. The legend goes back a few hundred years. There was a devotee by name Bhakta Ramadas, who was a tax collector in Taneesha (a Muslim ruler of Golkonda)'s government. Apparently he spent all the tax collection money on building a temple for lord Rama, eventually was put in prison by the Taneesha. Bhakta Ramdas has offered his prayers to lord Rama in the form of Kirtanas, and one fine day, lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana come in disguise to re-pay the money to Taneesha. Taneesha finally realized his mistake and from that day, not only freed Bhakta Ramadas, but also agreed to supply the required alms for the temple at Bhadrachalam. Till date, in independent India, the state administration maintains the ritual.

Srikalahasti: SriKalahasti is one of the Panchabhoota Sthalams signifying the 5 elements, 1) wind (Kalahasti), 2) water (Thiruvanaikaval), 3) fire (Tiruvannamalai), 4) earth (Kanchipuram) and 5) space (Chidambaram) that Siva embodies.

Ahobilam: Ahobilam or Ahobala is a complex of 9 temples of Lord Narasimha. Tandur : Sri Bhavigi Bhadreshar Temple in Tandur Rangareddy Dist of Andhra Pradesh

Mangalagiri: A temple town between Vijayawada and Guntur. Adobe of Lord Narasimha. The unique distinction at this shrine is that, the deity is offered payers in the form of 'Panakam' or Jaggery Water.

Annavaram: The holy shrine is the sanctum sanctorum of Lord "Satyadeva" or "Satyanarayana".

Simhachalam:This holy shrine is the adobe of Lord Narasimha, worshipped in the name of "Narasimha".

Arasavalli:This holy shrine is the adobe of sun god, worshipped in the name of "suryadeva".This is thee only sun god temple in asia where rituals are taking place every day.This is very nearer to Srikakulam town(2km).

Pechalakona:It is the place of Penchala Narasimha Swamy Temple. It is located in Rapur mandal of Nellore Dist.

Srikakulam: There are two places with the same name in the state. A district and town by the same name on the north east corner of the state as well as a small village on the bank of river Krishna in Krishna district. The village Srikakulam houses the "Andhra Mahavishnu" temple. Legend says that this temple was constructed by the great Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Kingdom.

Ramappa Temple: a Shiva temple in the temple town of Palampet, near Warangal.

Thousand Pillars Temple : a Shiva temple in Hanamkonda city center, near Warangal.

Veerabhadra temple in the temple town of Lepakshi is an example of the Vijayanagar architectural style and art.

Ujjaini Mahakali Temple: The Temple is located in Secunderabad, Monda Market. The Temple is very famous for its Festival called Bonalu.

Sri Mogileeswara Temple: The temple is located at a small village known as mogili which is by the side of NH4,which is 10 km far from palamaneru.The temple is abode for the Lordsiva and parvathi.In this temple water is coming from the mouth of Nandi(ox)but it is stopped due to some natural changes. From this 3 km away a hill called as Devara Kondais abode for Parvathi

Yaganti: This is the holy place of Lord Venkateshwara swamy,also known for, Veerabramendra swamy writing of Kalagnanam at this place. There is a NANDI which grows in size every year(According to archaeological dept. the NANDI statue has grown 20 inches more when compared with 20 years back.

Cultural institutions

Andhra Pradesh has many museums, including the Archaeological Museum at Amaravati near Guntur City that features relics of nearby ancient sites, the Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad, which features a varied collection of sculptures, paintings, and religious artifacts, the Visakha Museum in Vizag (Visakhapatnam), which displays the history of the pre-Independence Madras Presidency in a rehabilitated Dutch bungalow and Victoria Jubilee Museum in Vijayawada, which has a nice collection of ancient sculptures, paintings, idols, weapons, cutlery, and inscriptions.

Other elements of Culture

Bapu's paintings, Nanduri Subbarao's Yenki Paatalu (Songs on/by a washerwoman called Yenki), mischievous Budugu (a character by Mullapudi), Annamayya's songs, Aavakaaya (a variant of mango pickle in which the kernel of mango is retained), Gongura (a chutney from Roselle plant), Atla saddi (a seasonal festival predominantly for teenage girls), banks of river Godavari, Dudu basavanna (The ceremonial ox decorated for door-to-door exhibition during the harvest festival Sankranti) have long defined Telugu culture. The village of Durgi is known for originating stone craft, carvings of idols in soft stone that must be exhibited in the shade because they are prone to weathering.

Festivals

Cuisine

Main article: Andhra cuisine

The cuisine of Andhra Pradesh is reputedly the spiciest of all Indian cuisine. There are many variations to the Andhra cuisine depending on caste, geographical regions, traditions etc. Pickles and chutneys, called pachchadi in Telugu are particularly popular in Andhra Pradesh and many varieties of pickles and chutneys are unique to the state. Chutneys are made from practically every vegetable including tomatoes, brinjals, and roselle (Gongura, ). The mango pickle Aavakaaya is probably the best known of the Andhra pickles.

Rice is the staple food and is used in a wide variety of ways. Typically, rice is either boiled and eaten with curry, or made into a batter for use in a crepe-like dish called attu (pesarattu) or dosas.

Meat, vegetables, and greens are prepared with different masalas into a variety of strongly flavoured dishes.

Hyderabadi cuisine is influenced by the Muslims who arrived in Telangana in the 14th century. Much of the cuisine revolves around meat. It is rich and aromatic, with a liberal use of exotic spices and ghee. Lamb, chicken and fish are the most widely used meats in the non-vegetarian dishes. The biryanis are perhaps the most distinctive and popular of Hyderabadi dishes.

Education

Indian school of business

Andhra Pradesh is served by more than 20 leading institutes of excellence in higher education. All major arts, humanities, science, engineering, law, medicine, business and veterinary science are offered, leading to first degrees as well as postgraduate awards. Advanced research is conducted in all major areas.

Andhra Pradesh has 1330 arts, science and commerce colleges, 238 engineering colleges and 53 medical colleges. The student to teacher ratio is 19:1 in the higher education. According to census taken in 2001, Andhra Pradesh has an overall literacy rate of 60.5%. While male literacy rate is at 70.3%, the female literacy rate however is only at 50.4%, a cause for concern.

The state has recently made strides in setting up several institutes of high quality. International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) and Indian School of Business (ISB) are gaining international attention for their standards. National Institute of Fashion Technology, Hyderabad (NIFT)[1]is well reputed among those interested in a career in fashion.

Major Universities/Institutes in Andhra Pradesh:

(See also List of institutions based in Hyderabad India)

Media

Andhra Pradesh has several newspapers. Prominent among them are:

Tourism

File:Araku-valley.gif
Araku valley

Andhra Pradesh is the home of many religious pilgrim centres. Tirupati, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, is the richest and most visited Hindu temple in India. Srisailam, the abode of Sri Mallikarjuna, is one of twelve Jyothirlingalu in India, Amaravati's Siva temple is one of the Pancharamams, and Yadagirigutta, the abode of an avatara of Vishnu, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha. The Ramappa temple and Thousand Pillars temple in Warangal are famous for some fine temple carvings. The state has numerous Buddhist centres at Amaravati, Nagarjuna Konda, Bhattiprolu, Ghantasala, Nelakondapalli, Dhulikatta, Bavikonda, Thotlakonda, Shalihundam, Pavuralakonda, Sankaram, Phanigiri and Kolanpaka.

File:RishikondaBeachmain.jpg
Rishikonda beach

The golden beaches at Visakhapatnam,the one-million-year old limestone caves at Borra, picturesque Araku Valley, hill resorts of Horsley Hills, river Godavari racing through a narrow gorge at Papi Kondalu, waterfalls at Ettipotala, Kuntala and rich bio-diversity at Talakona, are some of the natural attractions of the state.

File:Borra-caves4 vzg.jpg
borra caves

The Borra Caves are located in the Anatagiri Hills of Eastern Ghats, near Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh State in India. They are at a height of about 800 to 1300 metres above Mean Sea Level and are famous for millions of years old stalactite and stalagmite formations. They were discovered by William King George, the British geologist in the year 1807.The caves get their name from a formation inside the caves that looks like the human brain, which in the local language, Telugu, is known as borra.Similarly Belum caves was formed due to erosion in limestone deposite in the area by Chitravati River, millions of years ago. This limestone caves was formed due to action of carbonic acid — or weakly acidic groundwater formed due to reaction between limestone and water.

Charminar, Golconda Fort, Chandragiri Fort, Chowmahalla Palace and Falaknuma Palace are some of the monuments in the state.

Famous People from Andhra Pradesh

See List of people from Andhra Pradesh

See also

Notes

  1. ^ A Study of Telugu Place-names By S. S. Ramachandra Murthy, P. 10
  2. ^ Helmutt Hoffmann, "Buddha's Preaching of the Kalachakra Tantra at the Stupa of Dhanyakataka," in: German Scholars on India, Vol. I. PP. 136-140. (Varanasi, 1973)
  3. ^ Taranatha; http://www.kalacakra.org/history/khistor2.htm
  4. ^ Robert Sewell, A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A contribution to the history of India, Chapter 2 (http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext02/fevch10.txt
  5. ^ "Agriculture dept. of Andhra Pradesh".
  6. ^ "Key Sectors of Andhra Pradesh".
  7. ^ "Key Sectors of Andhra Pradesh".
  8. ^ "Key Sectors of Andhra Pradesh".
  9. ^ "Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly".
  10. ^ "Parliament of India".
  11. ^ AP Cabinet approves four regional planning boards.
  12. ^ "Warangal - The Kakatiyas".
  13. ^ Ntitya Ratnavali (http://www.telugupeople.com/discussion/article.asp?id=111

18. http://www.dae.gov.in/ni/nijul03/cudapah.pdf

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