VIJAYWADA

• Kanaka Durga Temple: This picturesque temple will take you to a spiritual journey that will treat your visual senses. Located atop the Indrakiladri Hill, this temple worships Goddess Kanaka Durga as the presiding deity. Indrakiladri Hill will surprise you with the stunning views of the entire city. You have a choice of two routes to reach the temple. Test your fitness levels by taking the stairs. Or if it isn't for you, then motor up the Ghat road. Either way you'll find lots to discover with inscriptions of different dynasties that unfold stories of the past. For a more festive holiday, be here during the occasion of Dassara or Durgashtami where a large number of devotees throng the temple to offer their prayers to the Goddess.

• Buddhist sites: Dhyanakataka, Bhattiprolu, Goli Guntupalli, Ghantasala and Chinna Ganjam are some important Buddhist sites in and around Vijayawada. Many stupas and viharas were built during the Satavahana and Salivahana dynasties.

• Gunadala Mary Matha shrine: An annual feast is held every year to commemorate the appearance of Mother Mary at Lourdes on February 11, 1858. A church and a museum of valuable articles offered by the devotees and sacred relics of the past are present. An iron cross is erected atop the hill.

• Hazratbal Mosque: A holy relic of the Prophet Mohammed is kept here and displayed once a year. A large number of Muslims join in the celebrations.

• Hinkar Thirtha (Jain Temple), Mangalagiri: Definitely a must see, this Jain temple is the biggest in this region with an architecture that will mesmerize you.

VISAKHAPATNAM

Visakhapatnam is surrounded by ancient Buddist sites, most of which have been excavated recently . The imprint of Buddhist legacy is so strong here that the interest of archeologists in this area is growing by the day.

• Thotlakonda: The Buddhist Complex on the hill-top of Mangamaripeta, locally known as Thotlakonda lies about 16Kms from Visakhapatnam on Vizag Bheemili beach road. It is picturesquely located on the hilltop at about 128mts. high above the MSL. The existence of Buddhist site at Thotlakonda came to light during an aerial survey undertaken by the Indian Navy. After its discovery, the Government of A.P has declared the site measuring an area of 120 acres on the summit as protected monument during 1978.

   

  The excavations that lasted from 1988 to 1992 have exposed structural remains. These remains are classified as A) Religious, B) Secular and C) Civil. These structures include the Stupa, Chaityagrihas, pillared congregation halls, bhandagaras, refectory (bhojanasala), drainage and stone pathways etc. The complex comprises of several structural components such as a Mahastupa, 16 votive stupas, a stone pillared congregation hall, 11 rock-cut cisterns, well paved stone path ways, an apsidal chaitya-griha, 3 circular chaitgya-grihas , two votive platforms, 10 viharas consisted of 72 cells, a kitchen complex with three halls and a refectory (dinning hall) etc. Associated with the above structures were unearthed several inscribed chatra pieces with early Brahmi letters, nine Satavahana and five roman silver coins, terracotta tiles, stucco decorative pieces, sculptured panels, miniature stupa models in stone, Buddha padas depicted with asthamangal symbols, early historic pottery etc.

• Bavikonda: Bavikonda, an important Buddhist heritage site located on a hill about 15kms., northeast from Visakhapatnam city. Here the Buddhist habitation is noticed on a 40 acres flat terraced area. Bavikonda in Telugu means a hill of wells. A Hinayana school of Buddhism was practiced here. Bavikonda Monastery flourished between 3rd Century B.C., and 3rd Century A.D., The discovery of relic caskets in Mahachaitya is significant. Bavikonda has remains of an entire Buddhist complex, comprising 26 structures belonging to three phases. A piece of bone stored in an urn recovered here is believed to belong to the mortal remains of the Buddha. It also contains large quantity of ash, charcoal, and earthenware. Three abandoned water tanks were also have been found on this hillock.

• Sankaram: A Britisher Alexander Rea unearthed Sankaram, a 2000-year-old Buddhist Heritage site in 1907. Located 40 km from South of Vizag, locally it is known as Bojjannakonda. The three phases of Buddhism viz. Hinayana, Mahayana & Vajrayana flourished here. This complex is famous for its numerous Monolithic Votive Stupas, Rock cut caves, and brick build structural edifices. Excavations yielded several historic potteries, Satavahana coins dating back to the 1st century A.D. several clay tablets bearing figures of Buddha etc. Bojjannakonda, the Eastern one bears richer architecture of the two hills. It presents a picturesque appearance with its Main Stupa on the hilltop and dominating myriads of stupas, mostly rock-cut and rarely brick-built, one above the other. Almost every outcrop and protuberance has been converted boldly into a stupa. Similarly at Lingalakonda, there are innumerable rock-cut monolithic stupas in rows spread all over the hill. Other Attractions are a Maha stupa nearby which yielded a relic casket, 3 chaitya halls, votive platforms, stupas and vajrayana sculptures. A gold coin of Samudragupta dating to 4th century AD was also found at this place. The Vihara was active for about 1000 years, spanning the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana phases of Buddhism. This place offers a glimpse into the rich Buddhist heritage and culture is a must see for any tourist.

• Pavuralakonda: Pavuralakonda or 'the hill of the pigeons' is a hillock lying to the west of Bhimli, at about 24 km from Vizag. The Buddhist setllement found here is estimated to have witnessed human habitation between 1st century BC to 2nd century AD. Sixteen rock cut cisterns for impounding rain water are found on the hillock, which offer a panoramic view of the coastline.

• Gopalapatnam: Gopalapatnam, situated on the left bank of River Tandava, is a village surrounded by brick built stupas, viharas and other Buddhist remains. Ancient pottery was also excavated from these sites.

HYDERABAD

• Mecca Masjid: A two hundred yards southwest of the Charminar is the Mecca Masjid, so named because the bricks were brought from Mecca to build the central arch. The Qutb Shahis never finished the building of the mosque, which was completed by Aurangzeb in 1694. Mecca Masjid is poetry in stone, with a hall measuring 67m and soaring to a height of 54m. Fifteen graceful arches - five to each of the three sides, support the roof. Towards the southern end of the mosque lie the marble graves of members of the Asaf Jahi dynasty.

• Birla Mandir: This white marble temple of Lord Venkateshwara floats on the city skyline, on Kala Pahad. The idol in the temple is a replica of the one at Tirupati.

• Medak Church: The Medak church, the single largest diocese in Asia and second largest in the world after the Vatican, is a priceless heritage. The main tower of the cathedral is 173 feet high and the structure is believed to be one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in India. This famous Cathedral was built with love and crafted to perfection. As the legend goes this church was born out of a famine that struck Medak during world War I. Reverend Charles Walker Posnett was posted as Reverend at Medak during that time. Moved by the plight of the people due to the unprecedented famine that lasted for three years, he proposed to build a great church at Medak in the year 1914. It took ten continuous years to complete this beautiful piece of architecture. With its massive dimensions the church can accommodate as many as 5000 people at a time. The main tower of the cathedral is 173 feet high and the structure is believed to be one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in India.

KURNOOL

• Srisailam Temple: The ancient and sacred temple of Srisailam is of great historical and religious significance. Situated on the south bank of the river Krishna, in the Nallamalai forest, on a 457 meter high hill is the Bhramaramba Mallikharjunaswamy temple, one of the 12 Jyothirlingas in the country. One of the state's three famous Linga Kshetrams (Draksharamam and Nagarjunamo are the other two), it is also known as "Sri Mallikharjunam" and "Sri Parvatham". The temple is also the seat of Mahakali in the form of Bhramaramba.The most appealing feature of this temple is that any one of any cast or creed can touch the deity and worship here.

• Prasanthi Nilayam: The Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram was established 40 years ago to provide a platform for the countless Sai Baba's devotees in India and abroad, to gather and share their woes and happiness and take lessons on life from the learned Sri Sathya Sai Baba who himself claimed at a tender age of 14 that he was Sai Baba reincarnated. The ashram sees frequent celebrity devotees visiting the ashram to relax in the peace of Puttaparthi's scenic surroundings. The huge donations received by the Sri Sathya Sai Baba on the Ashram's name are channeled into various philanthropic institutions, to built Puttaparthi into a self-sufficient township.