Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Top State Festivals
»
Sankranti
( Jan, statewide) This important Telugu festival marks the end of harvest
season. Kite-flying abounds, doorsteps are decorated with colourful
kolams
(rice-flour
designs) and men adorn cattle with bells and fresh horn paint.
»
Brahmotsavam
( Sep/Oct, Tirumala,
Click here
)
This nine-day festival sees the Ven-
kateshwara temple adorned in decorations. Special
pujas
and chariot processions are held,
and it's an auspicious time for
darshan
(deity-viewing).
»
Muharram
( Oct/Nov; Hyderabad,
Click here
)
Muharram commemorates the mar-
tyrdom of Mohammed's grandson. Shiites wear black in mourning, and throngs gather at
Badshahi Ashurkhana.
»
Visakha Utsav
( Dec/Jan, Visakhapatnam,
Click here
)
A celebration of all things Vi-
sakhapatnam, with classical and folk dance and music performances, some on the beach.
MAIN POINTS OF ENTRY
Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Nampally and Secunderabad train stations, and Mahatma
Gandhi Bus Station (Imlibun) are the main arrival points.
Visakhapatnam has monthly ferries to Port Blair in the Andaman Islands.
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Fast Facts
»
Population:
84.7 million
»
Area:
276,754 sq km
»
Capital:
Hyderabad
»
Main languages:
Telugu, Urdu, Hindi
»
Sleeping prices: $
below ?1000,
$$
?1000 to ?3000,
$$$
above ?3000
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