tourist map of paris 910 STATE OF GOOD KARMA In its typically understated way, Andhra Pradesh doesn t make much of its va

ANDHRA tourist map of paris PRADESH MAJOR TRAINS tourist map of paris FROM HYDERABAD & SECUNDERABAD DESTINATION TRAIN NO & NAME FARE ( ) DURATION (HR) DEPARTURE TIME & STATION Bengaluru 2430 Rajdhani 1025/1355 (A) 12 6.50pm Secunderabad (Tue, Wed, Sat & Sun) 2785 Secunderabad Bangalore Exp 274/715/970 (B) 11 7.05pm Kacheguda Chennai 2604 Hyderabad Chennai Exp 297/779/1058 (B) 13 4.55pm Hyderabad 2760 Charminar Exp 312/837/1119 (B) 14 6.30pm Hyderabad Delhi 2723 Andhra Pradesh Exp 465/1252/1715 (B) 26 6.25am Hyderabad 2429 Rajdhani tourist map of paris 1725/2245 (A) 26 7.50am Secunderabad (Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri) Kolkata 2704 Falaknuma Exp 442/1187/1623 (B) 26 4pm Secunderabad tourist map of paris 8646 East Coast Exp 430/1178/1624 (B) 30 10am Hyderabad Mumbai 2702 Hussainsagar Exp 312/823/1119 (B) 15 2.45pm Hyderabad 7032 Hyderabad Mumbai Exp 297/792/1089 (B) 16 8.40pm Hyderabad Tirupathi 2734 Narayanadri Exp 284/794/1009 (B) 12 6.05pm Secunderabad 2797 Venkatadri Exp 277/723/979 (B) 12 8.05pm Kacheguda Visakhapatnam 2728 Godavari Exp 297/779/1058 (B) 13 5.15pm Hyderabad Fares: A 3AC/2AC; B sleeper/3AC/2AC

907BUSES FROM HYDERABAD DESTINATION FARE ( ) DURATION (HR) FREQUENCY (DAILY) Bengaluru 480-775 12-10 7 (evening) Bidar 80 4 half-hourly Chennai 550-880 12-14 3 (evening) tourist map of paris Hospet tourist map of paris 280 9 2 Mumbai 550-985 14-12 6 (evening) Mysore 599 15 1 Nagarjuna Sagar 85-116 4 8 Tirupathi 435-735 12 12 Vijayawada 197-390 6 hourly Visakhapatnam 470-865 14 12 Warangal 77 3 half-hourly

910 STATE OF GOOD KARMA In its typically understated way, Andhra tourist map of paris Pradesh doesn t make much of its vast archaeological and karmic wealth. But the state is packed with impressive ruins of its rich Buddhist history. tourist map of paris Only a few of Andhra s 150 stupas, monasteries, caves and other sites have been excavated, turning up rare relics of the Buddha (usually pearl-like pieces of bone) with offerings such as golden flowers. Nagarjunakonda and Amaravathi were flourishing Buddhist tourist map of paris complexes, and near Visakhapatnam tourist map of paris were the incredibly peaceful sites of Thotlakonda, and Bavikonda and Sankaram, looking across seascapes and lush countryside. They speak of a time when Andhra Pradesh or Andhradesa was a hotbed of Buddhist activity, when monks came from around the world to learn from some of the tradition s most renowned teachers. Andhradesa s Buddhist culture, in which sangha (community of monks and nuns), laity and statespeople all took part, lasted tourist map of paris around 1500 years from the 6th century BC. There s no historical evidence for it, but some even say that the Buddha himself visited the area. Andhradesa s first practitioners were likely disciples of Bavari, an ascetic who lived on the banks of the Godavari River and sent his followers north to bring back the Buddha s teachings. But the dharma really took off in the 3rd century BC under Ashoka, who dispatched monks across his empire tourist map of paris to teach and construct stupas enshrined with relics of the Buddha. (Being near these was thought tourist map of paris to help progress on the path to enlightenment.) Succeeding Ashoka, the Satavahanas and then Ikshvakus were also supportive. At their capital at Amaravathi, the Satavahanas adorned Ashoka s modest stupa with elegant decoration. They built monasteries across the Krishna Valley and exported the dharma through their sophisticated maritime network. tourist map of paris It was also during the Satavahana reign that Nagarjuna lived. Considered by many to be the progenitor of Mahayana Buddhism, the monk was equal parts logician, philosopher and meditator, and he wrote several ground-breaking works that shaped contemporary Buddhist thought. Other important monk-philosophers would emerge tourist map of paris from the area in the following centuries, making Andhradesa a sort of Buddhist motherland of the South. 1 Sights Fort FORT (Indian/foreigner 5/100; h9am-6.30pm) Warangal s fort was a massive construction with three distinct circular strongholds surrounded by a moat. Four paths with decorative gateways, set according to the cardinal points, led to the Swayambhava, a huge Shiva temple. The gateways are still obvious, but most of the fort is in ruins. It s easily reached from Warangal by bus or autorickshaw ( 200 return). Admission includes entry to nearby Kush Mahal, a 16th century royal hall with artefacts on display. tourist map of paris