Top Historical & Heritage Places in Andhra

At a distance of 33 km from Guntur, 38 km from Vijayawada, 111 km from Machilipatnam, 162 km from Khammam, 178 km from Nalgonda, 178 km from Bhadrachalam, 194 km from Rajahmundry, 270 km from Nellore, 274 km from Hyderabad, 403 km from Vishakhapatnam, 450 km from Anantapur, Amaravati is a popular historical town situated on the southern bank of Krishna River in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. It is the new capital of Andhra Pradesh state and one of the popular pilgrimage sites for Hindus as well as Buddhists.

The town gets its name from Amareshwara or Amaravati temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The town has been mentioned in the Indian epics as Dhanyakataka and Andhranagari. It was also served as the capital of the Satavahanas, who ruled Andhra Pradesh from the 2nd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. Later it was ruled by several major dynasties like Andhra Ikshvakus, the Pallavas, the Cholas, the Kakatiyas, the Delhi Sultanate, Musunuri Nayaks, Bahmani Sultanate, Vijayanagara Empire, Sultanate of Golconda and Mughal Empire successively before the founding of the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1724. It was ceded to France in 1750 but was captured by England in 1759. It was briefly captured by Hyder Ali, but remained under British rule for the majority of time since the 1780s. Amaravati is currently the de-facto capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh, following its bifurcation from Telangana in 2014.

Amaravathi has gathered attention from all over the world because of the ...

Distance from Vijayawada: 38 Kms

At a distance of 198 km from Hyderabad, 128 km from Vijayawada and 119 km from Warangal, Khammam is a town and headquarters of Khammam district. Situated on the banks of Munneru River, a tributary of Krishna River, Khammam is one of the top Telangana tourist places.

Khammam derived its name from Stambadri, a hill on which an ancient Narasimha temple is built. Stambadri was called Kambam Mettu, which later changed to Kammamet and finally Khammam. Khammam district is known for its natural resources like coal and iron ore. It is also famous for its natural beauty. Godavari River flows through Khammam district touching Bhadrachalam. Khammam district is bordered with Bastar region of Chattisghar state which is core Dandakaranya forest area.

Khammam was ruled by several dynasties including Kakatiyas, Musunuri Nayaks and Velama kings, Reddy kings, Qutb Shahi and Nizams of Hyderabad. Khammam district has several tourist attractions like Bhadrachalam, Kinnerasani Dam & Sanctuary, Khammam Fort, Kusumanchi Temples, Nelakondaalli, etc.

Khammam is well connected by Road and Train from Hyderabad and Vijayawada. It is hardly 2 hours drive from Vijayawada and 3 hours from Hyderabad. Khammam also has excellent public transportation facility. The Khammam railway station lies between Hyderabad - Vijayawada line and has frequent train ...

Distance from Vijayawada: 120 Kms

At a distance of 149 km from Hyderabad, 142 km from Nalgonda, 118 km from Khammam, 241 km from Vijayawada and 523 km from Visakhapatnam, Warangal or Orugallu or Ekasila Nagaram is a historical city in Warangal district of Telangana. Warangal is the district headquarters and the second largest city in Telangana after Hyderabad. It is also one of the famous weekend getaways from Hyderabad and an important historical site in Telangana. This is one of the popular places to experience Telangana tourism. Hanamkonda is its twin city.

Warangal was the capital of a Hindu Shaivite kingdom ruled by the Kakatiya dynasty from the 12th to the 14th centuries. Its old name was Orugallu where Oru means one and Kallu means stone. The entire city was reportedly carved using a single rock. The cultural and administrative distinction of the Kakatiyas was mentioned by the famous traveler Marco Polo. Famous rulers of Kakatiya dynasty include Ganapathi Deva, Prathapa Rudra, and Rani Rudramma Devi. After the defeat of Prathapa Rudra, the Musunuri Nayaks united seventy two Nayak chieftains and captured Warangal from Delhi sultanate and ruled for fifty years. Jealousy and mutual rivalry between Nayaks ultimately led to the downfall of Hindus in 1370 AD. It was occupied by Bahmani Sultanate followed ...

Distance from Vijayawada: 237 Kms

Hyderabad (also known as Bhagya Nagaram) is the fifth largest metropolis of India and the capital of the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It is known for its rich history and culture with monuments, mosques, temples, a rich and varied heritage in arts, crafts and dance. Also known as The City of Nizams and The City of Pearls, Hyderabad is today one of the fast developing cities in the country and a modern hub of IT, ITES, and Biotechnology. Hyderabad is often referred to the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad together which are commonly referred as a single city.

Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, a ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty (the ruling family of the Golconda - previously a feudatory of Bahmani sultanate that declared independence in 1512) founded the city of Hyderabad on the banks of the Musi River in 1591. The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb captured Hyderabad in 1687, but the Mughal-appointed governors of the city soon gained autonomy. In 1724, Asaf Jah I, who was granted the title Nizam-ul-Mulk ('Governor of the country') by the Mughal emperor, defeated a rival official to establish control over Hyderabad. Asaf Jah's successors ruled as the Nizams of Hyderabad. The rule of the seven Nizams saw the growth of Hyderabad both culturally and economically.

Hyderabad is the financial and economic capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad is known as the city of pearls, lakes and, lately, for its IT companies.

Distance from Vijayawada: 273 Kms

At a distance of 6.5 km from Vijayawada Railway Station, 30 km from Guntur and 275 km from Hyderabad, The Undavalli Caves, a monolithic example of Indian rock-cut architecture, are located in Undavalli Village of Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh.

The Undavalli Caves are ancient cave temples believed to be built between 4th and 5th centuries by Gupta dynasty. The caves are located on a hill overlooking the Krishna River. These caves have been carved out of solid sandstone on a hillside. The best known and largest one has four stories with a huge statue of Lord Vishnu in a reclining posture sculpted from a single block of granite in the second floor. Other shrines inside the cave are dedicated to Trimurti- Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Main cave belongs to the earliest examples of Gupta architecture, primarily primitive rock-cut monastery cells carved into the sandstone hills. Initially caves were shaped as a Buddhist monastery and the first floor still retains style of Buddhist vihara, including some Buddhist sculptures. Facade of the third floor is adorned with numerous sculptures, including depictions of lions and elephants.

Undavalli caves are associated with the Vishnukundina kings of 420 to 620 CE. It is also believed that these caves were used by the Buddhist monks as the rest houses. This is a good place to visit in the vicinity of Vijayawada.

Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM

Distance from Vijayawada: 7 Kms

At a distance of 24 km from Vijayawada Railway Station & 262 km from Hyderabad, Kondapalli Fort, also known as Kondapalli Kota, is located at Kondapalli Village in the Krishna district close to Vijayawada.

This 14th century Fort is believed to have been built by the Reddy King of Kondaveedu, Prolaya Vema Reddy. Spread over an area of 18 sq.km, this Fort is said to have served as a recreational palace for the king. The Fort was also used as a business centre. Later, the fort went into the hands of Gajapati rulers of Orissa. In the year 1520 AD the King, Sri Krishna Devaraya of Vijayanagara Empire has captured the Kondapalli fort in Kalinga wars. Later, the fort came into the hands of Qutubshahi Kings in the 16th century. During the colonial rule, the British soldiers were given training in this fort.

Situated on a hill, the fort has an impressive three storied rock tower protected by three levels of entries. The main entrance gate is known as the Dargah Darwaza, which has been made out of a single slab of granite. Another entrance gate of the fort is known as the Golconda Darwaza. The major attraction of the fort is the Tanisha Mahal or Palace, which is located on a crest between two hills. Near the fort there is a Dargah of a Persian Saint, Gareeb Sahib. One can still find several other ruined structures within the premises of the fort. There is a Gajasala, where elephants were kept, Queen's palace, Virupaksha Temple, Dining hall, a reservoir and prisons.

Kondapalli ...

Distance from Vijayawada: 24 Kms