Guntur Travel Essentials

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"The Land of Chillies"

Guntur Tourism

Known as the Land of Chillies, Guntur is famous for its massive chilli market yard in Asia. It is the third most populous town in Andhra Pradesh located at a distance of 30kms from the newly coined capital Amaravathi.

With a busy industrial scenario, Guntur forms part of the prominent Vishakhapatnam-Guntur Industrial corridor. It is also renowned as a textile and transport hub in India. Once home to numerous great dynasties, the city also takes credit in housing the only Buddhist pilgrimage site in South India - the Nagarjunakonda, and the captivating relics of Amravati Caves. Today, it is more known for its industrial growth in exports of chilli products around the globe. An ideal weekend getaway from Hyderabad, Guntur is sure to entice the history buff and the industry expert in you.

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History of Guntur

The city of Guntur is one of the oldest municipalities constituted in the year 1866. During the middle of the 8th century, the French founded the city of Guntur. However, in 1788 Guntur was ceded permanently to the British. The old residential and commercial structures present here have hints of both French and British architectural styles.

Culture

Ask anyone who has lived or grown up in Guntur and they will have an entire list of things to say about Guntur and its culture. One trait peculiar to Guntur is its perfect blend of urban and rural culture. Guntur has a proud artistic culture and the famously witty and humorous Tenali Ramakrishna, known by the name of Tenali Raman in popular culture also hailed from Guntur. Well known poet Tikkana Somaayaji who translated the entire Mahabharata from Sanskrit to Telugu lived in Guntur as well. When it comes to Telugu, it is the most widely spoken language in Guntur. The version of Telugu spoken in Guntur is pure, without any slang and this is the version we hear in Telugu movies. Guntur is credited for being the Mother of Telugu Film Industry. Apart from movies and art, residents of Guntur love music and dancing. Carnatic music and Kuchipudi dance form is vastly popular here. Chindu, Dhimsa, and Lambadi are other popular forms of folk dance. Popular festivals like Diwali, Sankranti Eid, Ram Navami, Shiv Ratri, Vijaya Dasami, Ramadan and Gurpurab are celebrated with great fervour and local festivals like Ugaadi, Krishna-Ashtami, Vinayaka Chaviti, Ekadasi and Karthika Poornima bring about cycles of joy, music, enthusiasm, spelndour, and dance in lives of local residents. The 30th International Kalachakra festival was also concluded in Amravathi.

History

The second oldest evidence of human civilization is present in Guntur in the form of paleolithic tools and implements. The history of Guntur can be traced back to the time of Sala Kings who reigned during 5th Century BC. Gautam Buddha is said to have preached at Dharanikota/Dhanyakatakam, a place near Guntur. This is where he also conducted the Kalachakra ceremony and this is how Guntur achieved immense significance in Buddhist culture. Buddhists also established universities in the neighbouring regions of Amravati and Dhanyakatakam and this is where the rich academic atmosphere culture and history of Guntur finds its origin. The famous battle of Palnadu, commonly known as Palnati Yuddham was fought here in 1180 and various dynasties have ruled Guntur over the years including the Satavahanas, Andhra Ikshvakus, Pallavas, Ananda Gotrikas, Vishnukundina, Kota Vamsa, Chalukyas, Cholas, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagara and Qutb Shahis. Mughal emperor Aurangzeb conquered Golconda in 1687. Guntur was part of Golconda back then and this is how it was annexed to the Mughal Empire. It also witnessed French occupation for a brief period and in 1783, nearby regions were brought under the reign of Raja Vasireddy Venkatadri Nayudu between 1783-1816 who is credited for constructing multiple temples in the city. Guntur was later captured by the East India Company in 1788 and became part of the Madras Presidency. It formed part of the newly formed State of Andhra Pradesh in 1953 after 11 districts of Madras were combined to form a separate State.

Etymology

The earliest known reference to Guntur was made in the Idern Plates of Ammaraja I, a Vengi Chalukyan king who ruled from 922 to 929 CE. Historically, Guntur was referred as Garthapuri or Guntlapuri which means a city surrounded by ponds. Guntla is the Tamil name for ponds and the word Guntla Uru translates to the pond village. The present name is said to have been come about as a variation of these names referring to the city’s existence near water ponds. Another story relates the name of Guntur to Kunta, a measuring unit and it is said that the words Kunta Uru later got loosely translated to Guntur and that is how the city got its name.

Restaurants and Local Food in Guntur

Andhra Pradesh is the rice bowl of India and naturally, rice is the staple food in Guntur. Andhra cuisine is spicy in general and the food in Guntur is particularly known for its spicy flavour profile. The spiciness is inherent in Guntur cuisine considering the fact that Guntur Sannam, an extremely hot variety of Chili is grown here.

Guntur Kodi Dosa stays true to the spicy nature of cuisine here and is a fluffy, Ghee laden version of regular dosa. Another spicy staple is the Mirapakay Baji which is long green chilli stuffed full of lemon juice and spices, covered with gram flour and then deep fried.

The silken, melt in your mouth Idlis covered with Guntur chilli powder are another tourist favourite here. Sweet dishes also make ample use of rice and rice products. Payasam, Ariselu, and Pootharekelu are rice-based desserts. Bobbatalu is another popular dessert which makes use of sweetened lentil mixture stuffed inside a maida chapati.

Kaja, another commonly available sweet dish is a syrupy dessert made with flour and sugar. Mamidi Tandra is a popular variety of Aam Papad which is made layer by layer over the period of one month and has a unique chewy texture because of the way it is made.


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Suggested Itinerary for Guntur

Guntur is the city which offers several places of interest when it comes to the historic monument and religious places. To begin your trip in Guntur, get up early with a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Next, make a list of all the important places you can visit in a day. Amaravathi, Mangalagiri, Krishna Barrage, Uppalapadu Nature Conservation, Kondaveedu and Downtown are the most popular places you will love to explore. Make sure you do take a break and try out the delicious Mirchi bhaji and other local delicacies of the city. One day in this beautiful city is enough to fascinate you and charm you with its relics.

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How to Reach Guntur

How to Reach Overview

Guntur city can be a little difficult to access. It can be reached via rail and road only. The nearest airport is in Hyderabad and Vijayawada. Thus, the most convenient way of travelling to Guntur is by train.

How to reach Guntur by flight

Guntur does not have an airport of its own. Vijayawada serves as the nearest domestic airport situated at a distance of around 50 km while Hyderabad serves as the site of international airport lying about 250 km away. Taxi is easily available outside both the airports till the required destination.

How to reach Guntur by road

Guntur is afforded with a well maintained network of roads that ensures a very comfortable road journey to the city. There are many buses that plies to the city both state owned as well as private.

How to reach Guntur by train

Guntur houses a railway station that is well connected to many major cities of India via good network of regular trains. The network helps connect the city to several metropolitan cities as well including Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Delhi and Kolkata.

Local transport in Guntur

A best way for a tourist who is looking for some adventure and unusual trip should go for a bus ride in the Guntur which is quite cheap and convenient mode of transportation. Other than that taxi is best way of commutation for those who came planned with the itinerary of the city. Taxi, although a bit expensive than bus but is much smoother and faster ride. However, make sure you plan your trip to this culturally rich city keeping weather conditions in mind to avoid scorching heat of the sun. Apart from that, the city is bound to give an unforgettable experience of your life.

Most frequently searched routes to Guntur

Route Name Distance Time
Hyderabad to Guntur 273 km 5 hours 16 mins
Chennai to Guntur 417 km 6 hours 38 mins
Bangalore to Guntur 624 km 10 hours 33 mins
Delhi to Guntur 1,847 km 1 day 4 hours
Pune to Guntur 860 km 14 hours 47 mins
Mumbai to Guntur 1,007 km 17 hours 19 mins

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Guntur Photos

Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and Ethipothala Falls
Amaravathi
Mangalagiri

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FAQs on Guntur

What is famous about Guntur?

Amazing ambience. Beautiful architectural and historic structures.

What are the places near Guntur?

The top places near to Guntur are Vijayawada which is 31 km from Guntur, Amaravathi which is located 30 km from Guntur, Machelipatnam which is located 75 km from Guntur, Papi kondalu which is located 158 km from Guntur, Hyderabad which is located 239 km from Guntur

What are the things to do in Guntur?

The top things to do in Guntur are Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and Ethipothala Falls, Kondaveedu, Uppalapadu Nature Conservation, Kotappakonda Trikutaparvattam, Mangalagiri, Downtown, Guntur. You can see all the places to visit in Guntur here

What is the best way to reach Guntur?

Guntur city can be a little difficult to access. It can be reached via rail and road only. The nearest airport is in Hyderabad and Vijayawada. Thus, the most convenient way of travelling to Guntur is by train.
Read More

What is the local food in Guntur?

Andhra Pradesh is the rice bowl of India and naturally, rice is the staple food in Guntur. Andhra cuisine is spicy in general and the food in Guntur is particularly known for its spicy flavour profile. The spiciness is inherent in Guntur cuisine considering the fact that Guntur Sannam, an extremely hot variety of Chili is grown here.

Guntur Kodi Dosa stays true to the spicy nature of cuisine here and is a fluffy, Ghee laden version of regular dosa. Another spicy staple is the Mirapakay Baji which is long green chilli stuffed full of lemon juice and spices, covered with gram flour and then deep fried.

The silken, melt in your mouth Idlis covered with Guntur chilli powder are another tourist favourite here. Sweet dishes also make ample use of rice and rice products. Payasam, Ariselu, and Pootharekelu are rice-based desserts. Bobbatalu is another popular dessert which makes use of sweetened lentil mixture stuffed inside a maida chapati.

Kaja, another commonly available sweet dish is a syrupy dessert made with flour and sugar. Mamidi Tandra is a popular variety of Aam Papad which is made layer by layer over the period of one month and has a unique chewy texture because of the way it is made.


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What is the best time to visit Guntur?

Guntur lying around 60 km from Bay of Bengal experiences hot and humid summers which get quite stuffy after the rain. It is not recommended as the best time to visit the city. Winters in the area are mildly cool and pleasant enough to explore its hidden treasures. Thus, the time period between October and March is recommended as the ideal time to visit Guntur.
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Who should visit Guntur?

Guntur is for the architecture enthusiasts and history buffs. Also perfect for people living in the nearby places in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

What is not so good about Guntur?

Narrow and crowded roads. Poor infrastructure.

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Guntur Reviews

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Preethi C

5 years ago
Viswa Nagar, Guntur, This place is not available for visitors and is closed all the time. its a waste of time travelling that far to visit this place.

Devyani Chandra

6 years ago
- Make sure you carry a camera to capture the essence of natures bounty oozing out of the city.
- Avoid travelling the city during summers owing to hot and dry weather and heat.
- Carry a pair (Read More)of sport shoes for there is lot of walking and trekking around the town.
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