Andhra Pradesh temples reflect rich cultural and historical aura. Most of the temples in Andhra Pradesh have been the ensuing creation of many ancient dynasties dating back to pre-Christian era like the Dravidian, Nagara, Kakitiyas, Vijayanagaras, Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas etc. The oldest and most famous temples AP include the Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam or the Tirumala at Tirupathi, Sri Kalahasti Temple in Kalahasti, Sri Sailam Temple at Srisailam among many others.
Among the famous temples AP, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthan dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, is the ancient and richest of the Andhra Pradesh temples or any other temple in the country, drawing huge crowds of pilgrims throughout the year. Built on the seven hills of Tirumala, this temple is the most important and prominent pilgrimage site for devotees across the nation and world too. Offerings from devotees visiting this temple fill its coffers to the brim. Among the other famous temples AP, the Srisailam temple located in the Kurnool District is also the most revered shrine, dedicated to Sri Mallikarjuna Swami and Brahmaramba considered to be the incarnations of Lord Siva and Parvati. This famous temples AP is considered to contain one of the twelve Jyothirlingas in the country. Of the most famous temples in Andhra Pradesh, the Thousand Pillars Temple in Warrangal is an excellent depiction of architectural splendor built by the Kakatiyas during the Eleventh and Fourteen century B.C. which is also a famous tourist destination and a favourite shooting spot in many movies. The Saneeshwara Temple, at Mandapalli in Rajamundry, is another famous temples AP, dedicated to the Saneeswara Bhagawan and most visited of the Andhra Pradesh temples.
Andhra Pradesh is considered as the ‘Rice Bowl of India’ as more than 77% of the cultivation in the state is Rice. Andhra Pradesh also contains the second longest coastline of 972 kilometers and has Vishakapatnam, Kakinada, Krishnapatnam and Machilipatnam Ports to its credit. The population is approximately around 80,000,000 and the weather is sub tropical, with hot summers and rich monsoon. Andhra Pradesh has been under the rule of great many dynasties: Ikshvakus, Pallavas, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagaram Kings, Qutub Shahis, Mughals, Asaf Jahis and the British; therefore many of the monuments, temples, churches, government buildings etc. retain a form of one or other legacy from the successive dynasties that ruled it. The capital of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad has great many monuments than any other places in the state. The Golconda fort is a famous tourism spot and is believed to be the source for the world’s famous diamond, the Kohinoor
Diamond. Charminar is a monumental delight and tourists from different parts of the country and world over, visit this beautiful and unique monument. The Salar Jung Museum, Mecca Masjid, Quli Qutub Shahi Tombs, Falaknuma Palace among many others keeps the tourist in awe. Very near to Hyderabad is the World’s tallest masonry Dam, the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, which is a sight to watch when all its gates are opened—a rare event though. People from all parts of the state and neighboring states make it a point to visit the dam during that time; lest they miss the marvelous panorama