Andhra is the fifth largest state of India, It is also
called the 'rice granary of India'. The main languaage
spoken is Telugu. Some of the population speak Urdu. The
main occupation is agriculture and weaving.The main crops
are paddy and tobaco.Sight seeing Hyderabad is the capital city of Andhra Pradesh. It was one of the world's richest monarchy namely the Nizams.It is a major centre of Islamic Culture and is a harmonious amalgam of the south and North,Muslim and Hindu The Charminar is situated in the heart of the old walled city. This edifice is the best known land mark with bustlilng bazaars all round, where a variety of articles like artificial pearls, chandeliers, silks are displayed. It was built in 1591 A.D. by QuliShah, as a form of talisman to ward off the dreaded epidemic that was ravaging the city. As the name suggests, Charminar has four minarets rising 49 metres high,Typical of Qutbshahi architecture. The Salar Jung Museum is the treasure house of art located on the bank of the river Musa. Acclaimed as one of the finest one-man collections in the world, this museum is named after Mir Yusuf Ali Khan -Salar Jung 111- the Prime minister of the late Nizam, who was a great connoisseur of art. It houses 35,000 exhibits collected from all corners of the world including illuminated manuscripts, bejewelled armories, wood carvings, exquisite cutglass collections etc.Some of the sculptures in marble like "Veiled Rebecca", "mestophiles" and the "Lady with the lamp" are some irresistable objects of art, with classic workmanship. The oil paintings acquired from France, an array of vases and pewters, numerous watches and clocks, rich Persian silks and wall hangings,floor coverings and Chinese tapestry are some of the prize exhibits. Visiting hours 10 00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M. Fridays are Holidays. Nagarjuna Mountain and Nagarjuna Sagar is 149 kms south east of Hyderabad. It has a history dating back as early as the 2nd century A.D. It is named after Sage Nagarjuna Acharya -an exponent of the Mahayana form of BBuddhism. Known as "Vijaya- puri"in the early days, it was one of the important Buddhist centres of South India.Today only the ruins of the lost city lie in the shadow of the Nasgarjuna Sagar Dam. Some outstanding remains of the stupas, Marble carvings, sculptures have been excavated and preserved in a museum in the nearby island which can be reached by a boat.The site on which Nagarjuna mountain stands was excavated in 1926.Worth visiting are the sites of Ashwamedha Yaga, Queen's bathing ghat and the Buddhist monaste- ries. Other Important places to visit Nagarjuna Sagar,Govt Archaeological Museum, Tirupati, and Thirumala, Konai Water Falls, Arakku Valley, Simhachalam,Puttaparthi,and Manthralaya. Spcialities: Pearls, Silks, and Handicrafts.
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