map of eastern usa with states and cities Birla Mandir & Planetarium HINDU TEMPLE, MUSEUM (Map p898) The Birla mandir (h7am-noon & 2-9pm), con

restoration of this dazzling palace or, technically, four (char) palaces (mahalla). Begun in 1750, it was expanded over the next 100 years, absorbing Persian, Indo-Saracenic, Rajasthani and European styles. map of eastern usa with states and cities The southern map of eastern usa with states and cities courtyard has one mahal with period rooms that have been reconstructed with the nizams over-the-top furniture; another mahal with an exhibit map of eastern usa with states and cities on life in the zenana (women s quarters); antique map of eastern usa with states and cities cars; and curiosities like elephant seats, and a Remington Urdu typewriter.

Around 36km east of Tirupathi, map of eastern usa with states and cities Sri Kalahasti is known for its important Sri Kalahasteeswara Temple and for being, along with Machilipatnam near Vijayawada, a centre for the ancient art of kalamkari. These paintings are made with natural ingredients: the cotton is primed with myrabalam (resin) and cow s milk; figures are drawn with a pointed bamboo stick dipped in fermented jaggery and water; and the dyes are made from cow dung, ground seeds, plants and flowers. You can see the artists at work in the Agraharam neighbourhood, 2.5km from the bus stand. Sri Vijayalakshmi Fine Kalamkari Arts (%9441138380; map of eastern usa with states and cities door No 15890) is an old family business with 40 artists. map of eastern usa with states and cities

Kondapalli fort (admission 5, camera 100; h10.30am-5pm), strategically situated on the old Machilipatnam Golconda trade route, was built in 1360 by the Reddy kings, and was held by the Gajapathis, the Qutb Shahis, map of eastern usa with states and cities the Mughals and the nizams before becoming a British military camp in 1767. Today it s a quiet, lovely ruin. On weekdays, you ll likely have the place to yourself and you can easily spend a few hours hiking around. map of eastern usa with states and cities Kondapalli village, 1km downhill, is famous for its wooden dolls. map of eastern usa with states and cities The fort is 21km from Vijayawada; an autorickshaw is 400 return.

Birla Mandir & Planetarium HINDU TEMPLE, MUSEUM (Map p898) The Birla mandir (h7am-noon & 2-9pm), constructed of white Rajasthani marble in 1976, graces Kalabahad (Black Mountain), one of two rocky hills overlooking the Hussain Sagar. Dedicated to Venkateshwara, the temple is a popular map of eastern usa with states and cities Hindu pilgrimage centre and affords excellent views over the city, especially at sunset. The library (h4- 8pm) here is worth a visit