Andhra Pradesh.
We are a bunch of non-flamboyant people. We ourselves do not promote the state which is so amazing and diverse. We are the eighth largest state with second largest coastline and yet all people know about Andhra Pradesh is the film industry and Hyderabadi Biryani!
Anyway, I am not writing this answer to release the frustration over people who think that all I do is watch telugu movies, talk jalebi language, eat idli in morning and biryani for dinner.
Here are a few things that are lesser known about Andhra:
Our beaches:
Vishakhapatnam, Machlipatnam, Kakinada, Bhimli. Yes the waters are a little rough but we love them anyway.
Our beauty spots:
Araku Valley: Through the mountains the trains take you to relatively unexplored Araku. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-p...
Borra caves:
Pulicat Lake: Breathtaking! Clear! Serene!
Our vegetation:
We are the "Rice bowl of India". Do not take offence at the image. This is an old image and hence, it includes Telangana.
Our chilli cultivation is grand.
Our summers are incomplete without Banganapally mangoes.
Our temples:
No, Tirupati is not the only temple we have.
We have a Buddhist Stupa at Amaravati
Simhachalam, Srisailam, Srikalahasti, Annavaram are all our favorite pilgrimages. Each with their own folklore and beliefs.here is the image of the iconic Nandi at Lepakshi temple.
Our food dishes:
With all due respect to Biryani, it is not the only thing in Andhra
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Our silk industry: Pochampalli, Uppada etc are our flag bearers.
Our other crafts:
Kondapalli, Etikoppaka toys:
Our culture:
Kuchipudi
Literature
From Thikanna, Pothana, Vemana to Sri Sri, Telugu Literature is a beautifully woven garland. Pick up the books of any lesser known authors and you can find many insightful things.
Music
We gave the world Tyagarajaswami, Annamacharya. We also contibuted to the modern Indian music with Balamuralikrishna, SP Balasubrahmanyam.
Our other contributions to the India and world
Pingali Venkayya: designer of the Indian flag
PV Narasimha Rao: designer of modern India
Mokshagundam Visweswarayya
Yellapragada Subbarow
Bharatratna S Radhakrishna
Bharatratna VV Giri
I must say that as I am writing I want to let people know and appreciate so many things about Andhra, but I would like to leave this as a teaser and request you guys to go .