THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE OF ANDHRA PRADESH ANDHRA PRADESH, A STATE WHOSE RECORDED HISTORY BEGINS IN THE VEDIC PERIOD, IS A TREASURE HOUSE OF HERITAGE STRUCTURES. THANKS TO VARYING INFLUENCES FROM RULERS, RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND LOCALS OVER CENTURIES, THE STATE SERVES UP A PROFUSION OF MAJESTIC MONUMENTS, FORTS, TEMPLES AND OTHER MANMADE STRUCTURES THAT DEPICT ITS RICH HERITAGE. TAKE AN EXCITING AND EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY THROUGH ANDHRA PRADESH’S MAGNIFICENT ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE. LEPAKSHI The Lord Veerabhadra Temple at Lepakshi, located 112 km from Anantapur is renowned as one of the 108 Shiva temples of India. It reflects classical Vijayanagara architecture. The dance hall or the Natya Mandapa is supported by 100 pillars, with finely sculpted figurines of dancing gods. From the middle of the hall emerges a dome, reminiscent of a giant lotus reaching out to heaven. VIZIANAGARAM FORT The Vizianagaram Fort is a spacious and sprawling campus with a cluster of stone buildings. The fort is a generous contribution of the surviving Rajus and many of the buildings within it have been converted into educational institutions. Inside is the Rani’s Mahal, a structure shaped like a hemisphere, with windows high enough to touch the ceiling. CHANDRAGIRI Chandragiri, situated on the banks of the Swarnamukhi River in Chittoor District, was the last capital of the Vijayanagar Empire. Situated atop a huge rock that rises 56 m tall, the fort is 12 km from the temple town of Tirupati. AP Tourism has a sound & light show at Chandragiri that captures the bygone glory of the Vijayanagar Empire. Gandikota Fort is situated on the banks of the Pennar River, located 77 km from GANDIKOTA Kadapa and 15 km from Jammalamadugu. Built upon a hill, this stone fort has a FORT 20-foot-high entrance and 101 bastions. Within the fort lie the Ranganatha and Madhava Swamy temples, the Jama Masjid, a 'Pigeon Tower' and other attractions. From atop the fort, one can enjoy panoramic views of the breathtaking scenery. Within 200 m reach of the fort, one may enjoy breathtakiing view of the river canyon. The gorge is oftenn referred to as the 'Grand Canyon of India'. UNDAVALLI Another interesting location near Vijayawada, is the ancient Undavalli Caves. These caves are said to have been carved in the 7th century AD. The entire cave complex is a cluster of 64 caves, each housing a lovely carved figurine. This double storeyed cave structure was said to have been used as a rest house by Buddhist monks. A huge monolith of the Lord Buddha in reclining posture is a magnificent sight. KONDA REDDY BURUJU Located in the heart of KKurnool and believved to have been built by the Rajas of Vijijaayanagaraam, Konda Reddy Buruju was ooriginally used as a prison. Other interesting places around includede thhe Gol Gumbazz, Shirdi Sai Baba Tempple aand Jagannaatha Gutta. KETAVARAM ROCK PAINTINGS Ketavaram is a small town close to Kurnool, with a fascinating secret. The important archeological site is popular for findings of paintings on the basalt rocks. Evidence suggests that these were created by inhabitants in the area from 6000 to 4000 BC. PENUKONDA GOOTY FORT Penukonda is located 70 km from Anantapur This ancient fort, locatated 45 km from Anantapur on thee Bangalore Highway. One of thehe eae rly on the Kurnoool-Bangalore National Highwgh ay, is a cappititals off ththe Vijayanagara Empiire, the must seee fforor hhistory buffs. Situated at a heih ghtg of PPenukokonda Fort was impregnable durining its 300 mmts on a hill, it is one of the oldest hilll forforts in heyydday. The two most noteworthy sights in Anddhra Pradesh. Built duringtg theh Vijayanagarara thehe fort are the "Gagan Mahal"a - the summeer erra, the fort is buiuilt in the shape of a shell and is reresort of the kinings, and the "Bababayayya Darga"" ssiggnificant forr iits watter resourceces avaiailable at - a quitintesssennce o f communa lhl harrmmony. ssuuch height. AMARAVATI MAHA STUPA Amaravati, located 35 km from Guntur, was once considered the most sacred pilgrimage centre for Buddhists in India. It’s the site where one of the largest Buddhist Stupas was once built. The Amaravati Stupa, an imposing structure adorned with marble sculptures stands 38 m tall and is carved with scenes from the life of Lord Buddha. KONDAPALLI FORT A marvellous 14th century fort with a breathtaking view of the surrounding valley, Kondapalli attracts tourists from all over the world. With a robust entrance gate carved out of a single boulder of granite as a guardian, this fort has witnessed the glory of several dynasties. The imperial fort served as a military fortification during the British era. A raging business centre of the past, Kondapalli still shines with its bygone decadence. KONDAVEEDU FORT Kondaveedu Fort is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Guntur. Built during the reign of the Reddy kings, it comprises of 21 magnificent stupas. Situated on top of a hill, the fort makes for a captivating sight. At 1500 feet high, it is an ideal place for trekking. BORRA CAVES On the way to Araku, at a distance of 90 km from Vizag, you will find yourself within the naturally sculpted walls of the multi-million-year-old Borra Caves. The breathtaking hilly terrain, beautiful landscape, semi-evergreen moist deciduous forests, and wild fauna of the Borra caves are a visual feast. Enjoy the stalactites and stalagmites in all their illuminated glory, in the midst of beautiful hills, valleys and the Gosthani river. BELUM CAVES Belum Cave stands out as a splendid example of the sheer will of nature and the beauty it can create. Formed over millions of years of erosion, this geological marvel is the second largest of its kind in the subcontinent. A mysterious underground stream flows throughout the year, gliding over the rocks of the cave and disappearing beneath the surface again. The cave also consists of various long passages, galleries and large cavities with fresh water tunnels. New Delhi INDIA Kolkata Mumbai Hyderabad Visakhapatnam Vijayawada Amaravati Tirupati Vizianagaram Benagaluru Chennai Fort Borra Caves Ketavaram Konda Kondapalli Fort Reddy Buruju Undavalli Amaravati Maha Stupa Kondaveedu Fort Gooty Fort Gandikota Fort Belum Caves Chandragiri Fort Penukonda Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority Andhra Pradesh Creativity & Culture Commission Sri. Himanshu Shukla, IAS, CEO Sri. Vijaya Bhaskar, CEO D No. 55-17-2-4, 5th Floor, Stalin Corporate Gantasala Music College Near CGO Complex, Industrial Estate, Auto Nagar Durgapuram, Vijayawada Vijayawada, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh - 520 007 Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh - 520 003 Phone: 0866 - 2552967 Phone: 0866 - 2434390 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.goAndhraPradesh.com andhrapradeshtourism aptdcofficial andhrapradeshtourism.