5 Exotic Places To Explore In Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh is known to be the melting pot of history and culture in India. The state is well known for its long coastline and the beauty of its beaches. It is also known for its rich textiles and unique culture, which reflect in its dance forms and handicrafts. Andhra Pradesh also boasts of its rich architecture reflected in its Hindu, Islamic, and Buddhist monuments. Rivers Krishna and Godavari flow across the state and add to its natural abundance.

Prominent tourist spots of the state are Tirupati, Vizag, Amaravathi, Vijayawada, Guntur, Kurnool, and Anantapuram. The beautiful Araku Valley, alluring Chirala Beach, enchanting Nallamala Forests, and sacred Tirumala Hills are the best places to visit in Andhra Pradesh. You can also explore the natural charm of Andhra Pradesh at Gandikota, Ananthagiri Hills, Machilipatnam, and Konaseema. We have created a list of the best places to visit in Andhra Pradesh for an exhilarating trip.

# Vizag

Vizag is one of the oldest and most powerful port cities in the country. It is also known as Visakhapatnam and is among the best places to visit in Andhra Pradesh. Renowned as one of India’s most beautiful cities, Vizag is surrounded by lush green hills and pristine beaches. The crystal clear water along the coastline is perfect for water activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving. Popular beaches of Vizag are Yarada Beach, Ramakrishna Beach, Rishikonda Beach, Bheemunipatnam Beach, and Gangavaram Beach.

Thrill-seekers can visit the enigmatic Borra Caves to explore the beautiful landscape strewn with wild flora and fauna. Another popular attraction is the Submarine Museum on RK Beach. It is an actual submarine, INS Kurusura, turned into a museum with artifacts and pictures from wars fought by the Indian Naval Forces. Nature lovers can witness the beautiful terrain in all its glory at the Araku Valley. Other popular tourist attractions of Vizag are Kailash Giri, VUDA Park, Dolphin’s Nose, and Katiki Waterfalls.

# Tirupati

Tirupati is a popular temple town situated in the Chittoor District at an elevation of 274 meters above sea level. Tirupati is considered one of the holiest Hindu temples in India. The spiritual town holds lots of significance in Hindu Mythology. The Sri Venkateswara Temple, also known as the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is the most revered temple of Tirupati. It is believed to be the abode of Lord Venkateshwara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple is renowned for its marvelous architecture and spiritual ambiance.

The town also boasts of natural marvels such as Silathoranam-a heritage natural rock formation, Swami Pushkarini Lake-the holy lake where pilgrims take a dip, and Akasaganga Teertham-the waterfall with religious significance. Other popular temples to visit in Tirupati are Sri Govindarajaswami Temple, Vedadri Narasimha Swamy Temple, Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple, Sri Venkateswara Temple, and Sri Venkateswara Dhyana Vignan Mandiram.

# Mahanandi

Located in the district of Kurnool, Mahanandi is a scenic village surrounded by the picturesque Nallamala Hills. The village is home to one of the nine shrines dedicated to the guardian deity of Kailash-Lord Nandi, also called Nava Nandulu. The Mahanandiswara Swamy Temple is an ancient temple that dates back to the 10th century and is visited by pilgrims across the country. Mahashivratri is celebrated with much fanfare at the temple every year. Kodanda Ramalayam and the Kameswari Devi Temple are also prominent places of worship in the village.

You can also visit Sri Yagantiswamy Temple, Mantralayam, Nagareswarasawami, Ahobilam Temple, and Venugopalaswamy Temple, which are the other popular pilgrim places in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. Other famous tourist attractions in the area are Belum Caves, Ranamandala Konda, Konda Reddy Fort, Oravakallu Rock Garden, and Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary.

# Konaseema

Konaseema is a picturesque region known for its rich tradition, heritage, and historical significance. It is among the best places to visit in Andhra Pradesh for a spiritual trip. It is a delta surrounded by the Bay of Bengal and tributaries of River Godavari. The lush greenery of the paddy fields and pristine stretches of white sand along this coastline, add to the natural beauty of the region.

Groves of Coconut and fruit-laden mango trees in the village area attract a lot of tourists. Fishing is the major occupation of the locals. You get a great opportunity to interact with the locals in the village and explore their style of living.

# Srisailam

The holy hill town of Srisailam, in the Kurnool district, is situated on the banks of River Krishna. It is home to the sacred site known as Malikarjuna Jyotirlinga or the Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple. The temple is among the eighteen Shakti Peethas where goddess Parvati resides. The region is surrounded by Srisailam Hills blanketed with lush green forests and majestic temples.

Nature lovers can visit some of the popular tourist places in Srisailam including Akkamahadevi Caves, Srisailam Dam, Octopus View Point, Srisailam Tiger Reserve, and Lingala Gattu. You can also seek blessings at the Shikaresvara Temple, Bhramaramba Devi Temple, Hemareddy Mallamma Temple, and Sakshi Ganapati Temple. The local life and tribal culture can be explored at the Chenchu Lakshmi Museum.