| AMARAVATI
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Amaravati is one of the important
Buddhist sites near the ancient Satavahana
capital Dhyanyakataka. Located
350 kilometres from Hyderabad, Amaravati
was one of the four major places of
Buddhist worship in India. Several Buddhist
stupas and viharas were built
here during the reign of the Satavahanas.
Over two thousand years ago, on the south
bank of River Krishna stood Mahastupa,
the largest stupa in the country.
To get there:
Air: From Vijayawada, which
is 65 kilometres away. (Service to start
soon)
Rail: Most convenient rail
heads are: Guntur (36 kms) and Vijaywada
(82 kms)
Road: Taxis are available
at Guntur and Vijaywada. Bus services are
also available. 
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| BHADRACHALAM
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Here is a shrine, which is dedicated to
Sri Seeta Ramachandra Swamy. The
forty-eight forms of Vishnu are depicted
here. Situated on the left bank of the River
Godavari, it is a little over 300 k.m.
from Hyderabad. This holy place throngs
with about three lakh pilgrims during the
Sri Rama Navami.
To get there:
Air: The nearest airport
is Vijaywada which is 20 kilometres away
Rail: Kothagudem which is
40 kilometres away is the nearest rail head.
Road: Bus services are available
from Hyderabad to Kothagudem, from where
buses are available every hour to Bhadrachalam
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| KOLANUPAKA
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Situated about 80 kilometre away from Hyderabad,
this place was the second capital town of
the Kalyani Chalukyas during the
eleventh century A.D.
It is well known for its 2000 year old
Jain Mahavira Temple which is famous
for its 1.5 metre high image carved in Jade.
Other interesting sites include the Sri
Veeranarayana temple, Someswara temple and
the Kolanupaka site museum.
To get there:
State buses and taxis are available from
Warangal and Hyderabad.
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| LEPAKSHI
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480 kilometres from Hyderabad, this place
has the finest temple architecture and paintings.
Legend has it that Lord Shiva and
Parvati were married on the spot
where the Kalyana Mandapam stands.
To the south of the main shrine is a huge
Nagalingam, standing on a granite block
shrouded by a seven headed cobra, magnificently
carved out of the rock. The monolithic Nandi
near the Veerabhadra temple is another remarkable
figure carved out of a single 4.5 metre
high and 8.23 metre long rock. Details of
its carvings are also fascinating.
To get there:
Air: Nearest airport is Bangalore
which is 100 km away.
Rail: Nearest rail head is
Hindupur which is 16 km away, on the Hyderabad-Bangalore
railway line.
Road: Regular bus services
are available from Hindupur and Anantapur
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MEDAK CHURCH |
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Built on an immense scale in solid white
granite, this Goethic structure is one of
the largest and the best in the country.
It is situated about 100 kilometres from
Hyderabad.
It is chiefly known for its large stained
glass window paintings that depict scenes
from the Bible. Just 16 kilometres from
the Medak Church is Pocharam,a
beautiful lake and wildlife sanctuary.
To get there:
Air: Nearest airport Hyderabad
is 100 km away.
Rail: Nearest rail head at
Kamareddy is 60 km away
Road: Well connected by state
buses to Hyderabad, Warangal, Karimnagar,
Siddipet and Sangareddy.
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RAMAPPA LAKE AND TEMPLE |
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At Palampet, 74 kilometres from Warangal
is the famous Ramappa Temple built
by the Kakatiya rulers around 1213 A.D.
The fabulous Nandi bull, sculpted
in black basalt is also located here. The
sculptures of this temple have helped rediscover
a near extinct dance form called Andhra
Natyam. The Ramappa Lake, which
lies one kilometre away, is ideal for picnics.
To get there:
State buses and taxis are available from
Hyderabad and Warangal.
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SRI KALAHASTI |
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This holy place is 36 kilometres from Tirupati,
between two steep hills on the banks
of river Swarnamukhi. The temple
here is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form
of Vayu Linga.
Legend has it that the Linga was
worshipped by a spider who built its web
over it, by a snake which offered it a gem
and by an elephant who washed it with water.
The name of this place has been derived
from this legend.
To get there:
State buses are available from Tirupati.
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TIRUPATI |
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The temple town of Tirupati is 740
kilometres away from Hyderabad. It is renowned
the world over for its ancient temple of
Lord Venkateshwara on Tirumala
Hills. The black idol of Balaji
is covered in gold jewellery and precious
ornaments and is two metres high. It is
believed to be the richest temple in the
country and is made in the Dravidian
style. Tirupati is a famous centre
for woodcarving. Typical items are sculpted
icons of various Gods and Goddesses.
To get there:
Air: Tirupati is connected
with Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore.
Rail: It is connected by
rail with all the cities in India.
Road: Regular bus services
are available from Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore,
Chitoor, Vijayawada and other cities.
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SRISAILAM |
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Located 232 km south of Hyderabad, Srisailam
is situated on the bank of river Krishna.
With one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas
installed, Srisailam is an important pilgrim
centre of India. The Brahmaramba Mallikarjunaswamy
temple is perched on a 457 metre high
hill that is covered with thick vegetation.
An extension of the Nallamalai forest
on the southern bank of river Krishna, Srisailam
has also become a popular holiday resort.
Across the river Krishna, there is the
512 metre long Srisailam dam with
the Srisailam Hydro Electric Power Station
that produces hydel power. AndhraTourism's
Saila Vihar Rest House and Devasthanam's
guest houses and cottages provide good
lodging and boarding facilities.
To get there:
Air: Nearest airport Hyderabad
is 237 km away
Rail: Nearest rail head,
Nandyal on Guntur-Hubli broad gauge line,
is 158 km away
Road: State buses and Devasthanam
buses connect Srisailam to all important
towns of Andhra Pradesh.
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