- Best time
- October to February
- Nearest airport
- Vijayawada, about 50 km
- Nearest railway station
- Guntur Junction
- Known for
- Chillies, cotton, tobacco
History
Written records of Guntur go back to the 10th century, when the town appears in an inscription of the Eastern Chalukya king Ammaraja. The Chalukyas held the region for long periods. Later, under British rule, Guntur grew into an important centre for exporting farm produce, a role it still plays today, especially for chillies sent to markets abroad. Many of the older public buildings in the city date from the colonial period.
Places to visit
The Agasthyeswara Sivalayam in the city is a Shiva temple thought to date from the 12th century, with old inscriptions on its walls; tradition credits its founding to the sage Agastya. The other main sights lie a short drive away, and together they make a comfortable one- or two-day itinerary.
- Agasthyeswara Sivalayam, the old Shiva temple in the city
- Kondaveedu Fort, with wide views from the hilltop
- Undavalli Caves, carved into the rock face above the Krishna
- Amaravathi, with its ancient Buddhist remains
- Sitanagaram, a quiet riverside spot
Best time to visit
Winter, roughly October to February, is the most pleasant season and also the busiest, so hotel rates rise. Summer, from April to June, is very hot and not ideal for sightseeing. The monsoon months of July to September are humid but cooler than summer, and rooms are usually cheaper.
How to reach
Guntur Junction is a major railway station with trains from Chennai, Hyderabad and other big cities. The nearest airport is at Vijayawada, about 50 km away. Good roads connect Guntur with the rest of Andhra Pradesh, and Vijayawada is close enough to combine in the same trip, and we can arrange a car for a circuit covering Amaravathi, Undavalli and Kondaveedu.
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