AP

Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit.
--Jawaharlal Nehru


CHURCH in Andhra Pradesh


Origin of Andhra Pradesh


మా తెలుగు తల్లికి మల్లెపూదండ, మా కన్నతల్లికి మంగళారతులు,
మా తెలుగు తల్లికి మల్లెపూదండ,
కడుపులో బంగారు కనుచూపులో కరుణ “2”
చిరునవ్వులో సిరులు దొరలించు మాతల్లి.
మా తెలుగు తల్లికి మల్లెపూదండ, మా కన్నతల్లికి మంగళారతులు,
మా తెలుగు తల్లికి మల్లెపూదండ,
1. గలగలా గోదారి కదలిపోతుంటేను “2”
బిరాబిరాక్రిష్ణమ్మ పరుగులిడుతుంటేను - బంగారు పంటలే పండుతాయీ “2”
మురిపాల ముత్యాలు దొరులుతాయి.
మా తెలుగు తల్లికి మల్లెపూదండ, మా కన్నతల్లికి మంగళారతులు,
మా తెలుగు తల్లికి మల్లెపూదండ,
2. అమరావతినగర అపురూప శిల్పాలు “2”
త్యాగయ్య గొంతులో తారాడు నాదాలు
తిక్కయ్య కలములొ తియ్యందనాలు “2”
నిత్యమై నిఖిలమై నిలచి వుండేదాకా
మా తెలుగు తల్లికి మల్లెపూదండ, మా కన్నతల్లికి మంగళారతులు,
మా తెలుగు తల్లికి మల్లెపూదండ,
3. రుద్రమ్మ భుజశక్తి మల్లమ్మ పతిభక్తి “2”
తిమ్మరసు ధీయుక్తి, కృష్ణరాయల కీర్తి -మా చెవులు రింగుమని మారుమ్రోగేదాక “2”
నీ ఆటలే ఆడుతాం, నీపాటలే పాడుతాం
మా తెలుగు తల్లికి మల్లెపూదండ, మా కన్నతల్లికి మంగళారతులు,
మా తెలుగు తల్లికి మల్లెపూదండ…

Andhra Pradesh has always been known for its rich culture. The wonderful Andhra (Telugu) state is famous for a wide range of performing arts, including dance, drama and music, ingenious arts and crafts, and glorious religions.Referred in the great Sanskrit epics, Andhra Pradesh traces its history and origin back to the 5th century BC. As stated by the inscriptions, Kuberaka had a kingdom in the coastal Andhra during that period. Perhaps, this kingdom is known to be oldest one in South India. In the 4th century BC, the Mauryans extended their kingdom to rule over Andhra Pradesh. The Mauryan Empire was declined when Andhra Satavahanas arrived on the scene in the 3rd century BC. With the fall of Satavahanas in 220 CE, Andhra was ruled by Ikshvakus, Pallavas, Vishnukundinas, Anandagotrikas and Cholas. During the rule of Renati Cholas, in 5th century CE, Telugu emerged as a popular medium of communication. In the reigning period of Vishnukundina Kings, Telugu was accredited to be the official language of the state. By the 12th and 13th centuries CE, Chalukyan influence was undermined with the incursion of Kakatiya dynasty. In 1323 CE, Ghiaz-ud-din Tughlaq captured Warangal, with the assistance of Ulugh Khan. Once again, Warangal came under the control of Musunuri Nayaks, who ruled it for over 50 years. Alla-ud-din Hasan Gangu established an independent Muslim state (Bahmani kingdom) in 1347 CE to revolt against the Delhi Sultanate. For about 200 years, the Qutb Shahi dynasty ruled over the Andhra kingdom. 
The Northern Circars became element of the British Madras Presidency in colonial India. Soon after the surrender of five territories to the British by the Nizam, a region emerged by the name of Rayalaseema. The Nizams still controlled the princely state of Hyderabad. In 1947, India became free from the clutches of the British. The Muslim Nizam of Hyderabad preferred to be independent from India; however Hyderabad was enforced to become part of the Republic of India in 1948. After much disagreement and civil unrest, the Government was forced to proclaim the configuration of a new state for Telugu speakers. In October 1953, Andhra managed to get the status of state. By November 1956, Andhra State was combined with the 'Telangana region' of Hyderabad State to shape Andhra Pradesh, the state of Telugu-speakers. Eventually, Hyderabad (the earlier capital of Hyderabad State) was declared to be capital of Andhra Pradesh.

Andhra Pradesh Facts and Figures

The fourth largest state of India, Andhra Pradesh offers historical monuments and rich culture to the tourists. Known as the "Rice Granary of India", Andhra Pradesh is the largest producer of rice in India. It embraces twenty-three districts and stands surrounded by Tamil Nadu in the south, Maharashtra & Chattisgarh in the north, Karnataka in the west and Orissa in the northeast. Here is presented important information in the form of fast facts and figures about Andhra Pradesh.
Name:Andhra Pradesh
Capital:Hyderabad
Area:275,068 sq km (approx.)
Coastline:1000 km (approx.)
Number of Districts:23
Population:76 million (approx.)
Major Religions:Hinduism, Islam and Christianity
Climate:Summer (March to June) - Warm
Monsoon (July to August) - Warm
Winter (November to February) - Cool and Pleasant
Clothing:Summer - Cottons
Winter - Cottons or light woolens
Languages Spoken:Telugu, Urdu and English
Best Time to Visit:October to February
State Language:Telugu
State Symbol:Poorna Kumbham
State Song:Maa Telugu Thalliki by Sankarambadi Sundarachari
State Animal:Blackbuck (Krishna Jinka)
State Bird:Indian Roller (Paala Pitta)
State Tree:Vepa (Neem)
State Sport:Kabaddi
State Dance:Kuchipudi
State Flower:Water lily
Major Festivals:Deepavali, Dussehra, Moharram, Shivratri, Sankranti, etc
Tourist Attractions:Tirupati Temple, Charminar, Golconda Fort, etc

Andhra Pradesh Photo Gallery

Andhra Pradesh is a wonderful state that certainly has many wonderful reasons to visit it, atleast once. Whether it is the serene beaches or the lofty hills, divine temples or historical monuments, dynamic people or delectable cuisine, wildlife sanctuaries or numerous water sources, this magnificent state has all the appeal to keep people engaged in its charms. The fairs and festivals further add to the alluring charisma of Andhra Pradesh. This 'Nawabi' state actually reminds one of the royalty of the erstwhile era. The natural beauty and elevated concrete structures bring an excellent fusion of science and serenity in the state. Have a glimpse of the royal state of Andhra Pradesh in the photo gallery comprising its pictures and photographs.
Charminar, Hyderabad
Golconda Fort, Hyderabad
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, Nalgonda
Tirupati Temple
Kanaka Durga Temple, Vijayawada
Rishikonda Beach, Visakhapatnam
Warangal Fort
Amaravati

Catholic Churches in Andhra Pradesh
01. Gundala Church, Vijayawada is a famous place of worship for the Christians. The church is also a notable tourist spot in the Vijayawada region of the state of Andhra Pradesh. Gundala Church is situated on a hillock on the eastern side of the town, at Gundala. It attracts a large number of devotees. A fair is held annually in the month of February, in which thousands of devotees participate.

02. St Mary's Church, Hyderabad is a renowned church in the twin city of Hyderabad. It is situated in S. D. road of Hyderabad city in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the very important and respected churches in the South India. The type of construction of the St Mary's Church is of the medieval style. The term medieval architecture is referred to represent the different forms of architecture that were in use in the Middle Ages. The form was very popular in the Middle Ages. The Virgin Mother, Mother Mary is worshipped in the St. Mary’s Church of Hyderabad. Hundreds of worshipers come to offer their prayers to Mother Mary.

03. Mother Mary's Church ( Rose Hill), Visakhapatnam:  Among the line of three hills, the central and the highest mount Ross Hill is named after Monsieur Ross. He has built a house on it in 1864 which was later converted into a Roman Catholic Chapel 'Mother Mary's Church'. The pathway to the church is lined with shrines of the stages of the cross. There were excellent views of the ship building yard from here.


04. Br. Joseph Thamby, Servant of God, Shrine, Pedavutapalli, Vijayawada Diocese:  Br. Joseph Thamby, a perpetual Franciscan tertiary born in Pondichery to Savary Muthu and Annamalai made his home Pedavutapally in 1939.  He was doing the work of evangelization through preaching and healing ministry.  He built a hut clsoe to the Church and lived there till the end of his life in prayer and austerity.  He converted a good many people to Christianity.  His simplicity and piety was so outstanding that he attracted much attention.  He seemed to have possessed the power of healing and extra-ordianry gifts of bi-location and the stigmata.  Since his death in 1945, he is venerated as a holy man and people irrespective of caste, creed and status, flock to his tomb especially on the commemoration of his death from 13-15 January.Taking into account, the steady growth in the number of pilgrims in these years to the shrine of Br. Joseph Thamby, and the great desire of his devotees to see him raised to the veneration at the altar, Marymatha Capuchin Province, with the advice and support of the local Ordinary and the encouragement of the APBC, has taken up the initiative to introduce the Cause of Beatification/Canonization of Br. Joseph Thamby.  Hence, he is declared 'Servant of God' on 24 June 2007 and thus Br. Joseph Thamby's Cause of the Beatification is inaugurated.

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Parish church at Pedavutapalli
Tomb of Br. Joseph Thamby











House of Br. Joseph Thamby
05. Medak Church one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in India: The Medak church, the single largest diocese in Asia and second largest in the world after the Vatican, is a priceless heritage. The main tower of the cathedral is 173 feet high and the structure is believed to be one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in India. This famous Cathedral was built with love and crafted to perfection. As the legend goes this church was born out of a famine that struck Medak during world War I. Reverend Charles Walker Posnett was posted as Reverend at Medak during that time. Moved by the plight of the people due to the unprecedented famine that lasted for three years, he proposed to build a great church at Medak in the year 1914. It took ten continuous years to complete this beautiful piece of architecture. With its massive dimensions the church can accommodate as many as 5000 people at a time.

06. Nirmalagiri Mary Matha Shrine: Nirmalagiri is situated near the village called Gowripatnam in the diocese of Eluru.  The shrine came into existence in 1984.  In 1987, Nirmalagiri was declared as an independent parish.  Magnanimous edifice millannium jubilee church 2000: The foundation was laid on 3, 1992.  The church was designed by Br. Emmanuel Kallakulam OFM Cap.  It was blessed on 25 March 2000 on the feast day of Mary's Annunciation.

07. St Joseph's Cathedral, Hyderabad: Established in 1820, the construction of the present structure began in 1869, laid its foundation on 18 March 1870, the eve of the Solemnity of St. Joseph, was consecrated and opened for divine worship on  Christmas Eve of 1875. The facade and the bell towers were completed in 1891, and the bells, imported from Italy, were installed in 1892. The bells are tuned in such a fashion that many hymns can be played on them.

Dioceses in Andhra Pradesh

There are 13 Catholic Dioceses in Andhra Pradesh including the Syrian Diocese of Adilabad. They are under the two ecclesiastical provinces of Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam as listed below.  (Click on the names of the diocese for more details)

Ecclesiastical Province of Hyderabad
Ecclesiastical Province of Visakhapatnam

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