Bangalore
272 Kms from Katikavanikunta
Best time to visit - January,February,March,April,May,June,October,November,December
Bangalore or Bengaluru, also known as the Silicon valley of India, will greet you with dreamy weather, Carnatic fusion melodies, a signature breakfast of masala dosa and filter coffee, and notorious traffic. Visit classic attractions such as the Bangalore castle known for its Tudor-style architecture and Tipu Sultan’s summer palace that dates back to the 17th century. To get your art fix, you could head to the fascinating Venkatappa Art Gallery. One of the more popular things to do in Bangalore is to take a walk through the green spaces of the 19th century old Cubbon Park, that were once the reason why Bangalore was known as the Garden City. Bangalore also serves as a comfortable cohabitation of tradition and modernisation that can be seen throughout the places to visit in the city, with throngs of vibrant Kannada temples coexisting with budding start-ups. Travel to Bangalore for the lively cafes, quirky shops and a fascinating contemporary culture. Vidhana Soudha, the Neo-Dravidian granite palace is also must visit places for the architecture aficionados. Tourists can head to the much revered Mavalli Tiffin Rooms (MTR), for authentic south Indian food and Toit’s, the brick-walled microbrewery for a cold beer.
Hyderabad
233 Kms from Katikavanikunta
A fascinating blend of the Hindu and Muslim cultures, every frame of Hyderabad - the joint capital of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, pulsates with vivid heritage. The metropolitan section of the city comprises of the hilltop Golconda, the modern city of Secunderabad and the old city of Hyderabad which are separated by an artificial lake - Hussain Sagar. On the western end lies the Hi-Tech city or the cyber hub of the city.
One of the main attractions of the old city of Hyderabad are its frantic bazaars swarming with chai and spice traders. Among the other places to visit in the city, the iconic Charminar built in 1591 to commemorate Hyderabad’s founding, the opulent Chowmahalla palace and one of the world’s largest mosques - the Mecca Masjid are the most popular. The art enthusiasts could head to the Kalakriti and Birla art galleries. As one of the must-dos in the city, plan a day trip to the Ramoji Film City (Telangana’s film industry - Tollywood). Also, no trip to Hyderabad will ever be complete without the delectable trifecta of Irani chai, Osmania biscuits and the quintessential biryani.
Hampi
183 Kms from Katikavanikunta
Best time to visit - January,February,March,October,November,December
Before the tropical air hits you here, an uncanny sense of time travel does, as you scan the historic Vijayanagar's devastatingly beautiful ruins and temples spread across the boulder-strewn landscape.
The ancient capital of the Vijayanagara Empire (1343-1565), which has now become a favourite hipster holiday destination, is best explored on foot or bicycle. It has a lot of famous attractions such as the Hemakuta Hill, home to the ancient scattered ruins and a monolithic sculpture of Hindu God Vishnu, along with Hampi Bazaar, once an ancient trading spot for horses, silk, cows, precious stones and now a hub of handicraft shops and little restaurants, with the 15th century Virupaksha temple at its western end and the 16th century Vittala temple at its eastern end. Sule Bazaar and the Achyutaraya temple is also a must visit.
This historic expedition can get tiresome and overwhelming for many, and the village in contrast maintains a very laid back atmosphere, with innumerable guest houses spread around, some even with a fascinating spartan setting, costing no more than 300 rupees. Just like its ruins, an ancient festival called the Hampi Utsav has also been kept alive since the Vijayanagar reign and is celebrated annually in November, with light and sound shows, music and dance performances, all boasting of the Kannadigas' rich culture, set against the backdrop of Hampi's ruins. The Mango Tree restaurant is a quaint place reached via passing through a banana plantation. Other good places to eat include Prince Restaurant, Goan Corner Restaurant and Laughing Buddha, popular for South Indian, Chinese, Israeli, Tibetan, and usual vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, enjoyed by the riverside.
Tirupati
240 Kms from Katikavanikunta
Best time to visit - January,February,March,November,December
Known all over the country for the sacred Sri Venkateswara Temple, Tirupati is located in the Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is actually located in Tirumala along with a number of other temples, though Sri Venkateshwara Temple or Tirupati Balaji is the main attraction for visitors. Tirumala is always bustling with energy owing to the many tourists as well as the number of festivals celebrated here.
Legend has it that one should visit Sri Varahaswami temple before visiting Sri Venkateswaraswami. Varahaswami owned the seven hills and agreed to give them to Sri Venkateswaraswami with the demand that he too should be worshipped. And for this, Sri Venkateswaraswami asked his pilgrims to visit the Sri Varahaswami temple before visiting him.
For first timers there are a few things you should keep in mind including appropriate clothing, no alcohol and carrying extra locks for your rooms as well as vehicles. Before visiting the temple, you'll need darshan tickets, which are available at various TTD counters across the country.
A beautiful place with immense spiritual energy, Tirupati is a must visit.
Vijayawada
310 Kms from Katikavanikunta
Best time to visit - January,February,March,October,November,December
Think serene springs, juicy mangoes and mouthwatering deserts and Vijayawada is the name that will come to mind. The name Vijayawada literally means 'the place of victory' and it has the biggest railway junction in the south. Vijayawada is also very important in religious terms. The Kanaka Durga Temple has magnificent architectural wealth and will leave you spellbound.
Amravati, a town at a distance of about 33 kilometres from Vijayawada, is a growing tourist destination. It has a stupa that is perhaps bigger than the one at Sanchi. There are also some great examples of rock-cut architecture at the Undavalli Caves. A visit to Vijayawada is not only inspiring but also educating. It is famous for its heritage and grand history. Treat yourself to some good food and delicious sweets, and do not forget to buy at least four to five kilograms of juicy mangoes – an intrinsic part of the experience of Vijayawada.
Kurnool
55 Kms from Katikavanikunta
Best time to visit - January,February,March,October,November,December
Located in Andhra Pradesh, Kurnool is home to some of the most sacred temples of India, including the Shrine of Srisailam, Peta Anjaneyaswami and Birla Mandir.
Kurnool being a developing city, you will find spots with construction going on in full swing. Belum Caves is one such attraction. Considered to be one of the longest caves in India, it is a great way to spend your day. The caves demand a lot of walking around, so do wear comfortable shoes when you head here. The oxygen here is a little low so don't take toddlers with you and also avoid if you are claustrophobic.
Ugra stambham is another lovely sightseeing spot with great views. It's definitely worth a visit, though you should avoid going in the afternoon since it can get very hot.
Nellore
233 Kms from Katikavanikunta
Best time to visit - January,February,October,November,December
The awe-inspiring Ranganatha Temple is perhaps the most significant religious architecture in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. The temple is covered with intricate carvings and detailed artwork that will fill you up with a compelling sense of wonder.
The Pulikat lake here serves as an asylum for several migratory birds such as pelicans and flamingos. Take a boat ride to experience all that the lake has to offer.
You can also pay your respects at the Barah Shaheed Dargah, which is a mausoleum dedicated to 12 martyrs. It is a common belief that those who visit here to pay their respects, have all their wishes fulfilled. The festivities held here during Moharram are quite a sight to behold.
Nellore is famous for the Nellore Reddy cuisine. Popular restaurants here are Murali Krishna Sweets, Komalavilas and Sree Venkatarama Vilas. You can easily find hotels here in your budget.
Anantapur
94 Kms from Katikavanikunta
Lepakshi is located in Mandal, a small village in Anantpur district, which is 120 kms from Bangalore and 15 kms from Hindupur. When one travels from Bangalore, except the last 20 kms into the village, the remaining roads are tolled highways and it takes around 2.5-3hrs to reach Lepakshi from Bangalore city.Local Legend There are two interesting myths associated with Lepakshi’s origin. This place has a significant role in one of the great Indian epics Ramayana. It is said that the bird Jatayu, was wounded by the King of Lanka, during Jayatu’s futile attempt to save Sita from Ravana. As the result of the battle, Jatayu’s wings fell off on the rocks here. When Rama reached the spot, he saw the suffering bird and said affectionately, “Le Pakshi” (meaning “Arise, bird”) in Telugu.
