Question

Name two sites found in Andhra Pradesh.

Answer 1

Hint: Andhra Pradesh, state of India, located in the southeastern part of the subcontinent. It is bounded by the Indian states of Tamil Nadu to the south, Karnataka to the southwest and west, Telangana to the northwest and north, and Odisha to the northeast.

Complete answer:
The eastern boundary is a 600-mile (970-km) coastline along the Bay of Bengal. Telangana was a region within Andhra Pradesh for almost six decades, but in 2014 it was carved off to form a separate state. The capital of both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is in Hyderabad, in west-central Telangana.

The two sites found in Andhra Pradesh are:
i) Undavalli caves: It is estimated that these caves were sculpted sometime in 4-5th century CE during the reign of Vishnu Kundina kings; the main cave is one of the earliest examples of Gupta architecture, primarily primitive rock-cut monastery cells carved into the sandstone hills.

It's a remarkable result. Four-storey rock-cut temple with a 29-meter-long, 16-meter-wide East facing facade. Each floor is diverse in terms of depth. On the ground floor, there is an unfinished low pillared hall with eight pillars and seven door openings on the façade. The triple chapels at the back of the first level, each with a pillared hall in front, were originally dedicated to the Trinity (Siva, Vishnu, and Brahma). The Vaishnava deities are shown in the sculptures on the walls.

ii) Belum caves: Finally, in 1999, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation took over the task of beautifying and maintaining the caves. The APTDC who has since been in charge of management sanctioned Rs. 7,5 million to develop the caves.

The Belum Caves are in the Kolimigundla Mandal of Kurnool District in Andhra Pradesh, near Belum Village. Belum Caves are 3 kilometres (1.9 miles) away from Kolimigundla. Petnikota village is 8 kilometres (5.0 miles) away from the caves.

Caves are now mostly used for scientific study and pleasure. To assist prevent groundwater wells from becoming contaminated, researchers are studying the subsurface movement of water through caves. Animals discovered deep within caverns are researched to determine how they manage to survive in the absence of food and light.

Note:
i) The state draws its name from the Andhra people, who have inhabited the area since antiquity and developed their own language, Telugu.
ii) Andhra Pradesh came into existence in its present form in 1956 as a result of the demand of the Andhras for a separate state.
iii) Although it is primarily agricultural, the state has some mining activity and a significant amount of industry. Area 106,204 square miles (275,068 square km).
iv) It is good to note that a cave is a natural chamber or series of chambers in the soil or on the edge of a cliff or hill.