Andhra Pradesh

After Independence , Andhra Pradesh was the first state to be demarcated on linguistic lines. In 1956, on the recommendations of the State Reorganization Commission nine more districts were added and the capital shifted to Hyderabad .Once these natural pre-historic creations were found in abundance inn the city, especially in and around Banjara Hills. Over the year Banjara Hills developed in to the most up market address in the city . And the rocks were quarried to be used as construction material. Northen Andhra Pradesh, Known as Telengana, was once a part of the vast Chalukyan empire until it became the independent kakatiya. Characterstic of the golden age of kakatiya art and architecture , the heavy and robust black basalt columns supporting the manadapam are all highly polished with mirror - like gloss and elaborately carved with ornamental bands of dancing figures, musicians and pleasing floral designs. Except for the sculpted elements the temple is made of pink sandstone and is encircled at the base with a frieze of marching soldiers, elephants, leonine figures and floral motifs. The Telugu people have an ancient and unique culture which is reflected in their literature, poetry and most of all in their festivals. Sankrati is basically a harvest festival, which falls on the 13th and 14th of January every year. Ugadi is a New Year's day for Telugus. It resembles the spring festivals of the world. Ugadi comes around the end of march or beginning of April. Dusshera celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura. Deepavali , Shivarathri, Vinyaka Chathurthi, are celebrate as in other part of India with a few variation.