nellore

Nellore is a city located on the banks of Penna River, in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh . It is the fourth most populous city in the state.

Nellore has many interesting places to see and spend time at, such as:

• Penchalakona – A sacred temple situated on top of Vedagiri Hills.
• Nellapattu Sanctuary – A bird sanctuary in the city; also known to be an important breeding site for spot-billed pelicans. 
• Mypadu Beach – A lovely beach lined with pristine sands and greenery (palm trees); a popular beach in Nellore.
• Pulicat lake – A scenic and popular lake with lots of birds around the area (many local ones and migratory ones as well); a lovely spot for birdwatchers; while a major part of this lake is within Nellore, a part of it is inside Tamil Nadu state’s area.

Some of the city’s best tourist attractions include:

• Udayagiri Fort – A 14th century fort located on the hill ranges, at an altitude of 3079 feet above sea level.
• Venkatagiri Fort – A fort constructed by Recherla rulers in mid-1770s; surrounded by dense forests.
• Jonnawada – A place frequented by pilgrims; it has 2 temples dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi, who is worshipped by a majority of south Indians.
• Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple – A 7th century (Hindu) temple; built by rulers of the Pallava dynasty.

Best museum to visit in the city is:

• District Archaeological Museum Nellore – An Archaeology Museum established in the year 2004; has a display of various archaeological artefacts related to the region.

The major festivals celebrated by people in Nellore include the following:

• Maha Shivaratri – A festival dedicated to Lord Shiva)
• Navratri – A 10-day Hindu festival, where Goddess Durga is worshipped)
• Deepavali – The festival of Lights; India’s most popular and widely celebrated festival
• Rottela Pandaga – Also called Rotiyan ki Eid; this is an annual three-day Muslim festival held at Bara Shaheed Dargah in Nellore each year in the month of Muharram
• Ugadi – A harvest festival that also marks the beginning of a new year according to the Telugu calendar; this is celebrated all over the south Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
• Christmas – A Christian festival commemorating birth of Jesus; most Christians and Hindus also celebrate this famous festival here

Nellore, being a developing metropolitan city and also a commercial center, has a fascinating shopping scene, with many markets, large shopping complexes and malls. People can shop for clothes, accessories, furniture (wooden), fancy jewellery, Fruits and vegetables, cosmetics and a lot more in the following markets and shopping spots in Nellore:

• Chinna Bazaar (meaning “small market”)
• Peddha Bazaar (meaning “big market”)
• Trunk Road Sunday Market
• Rebela Street
• Pappula Veedhi
• Nartaki Center
• RR Street
• Subedarpet

• MGB Felicity Mall
• CMR Shopping Mall
• KLM Fashion Mall
• South India Shopping Mall Nellore
• MVR Mall

Andhra cuisine is predominant in Nellore; and this cuisine consists of many spicy dishes, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. The staple grain is rice, and steamed rice is the main item in every major meal; served along with spicy curries, stews and fryums or fritters. Some popular dishes to try in Nellore include:

• Chepala Pulusu – A local fish curry.
• Andhra Prawn Curry.
• Pulibongaralu – A fritter made with fermented Dosa batter (mix of soaked rice and white lentils) with an addition of curry leaves, onion, chillies, and ginger.
• Kodigudla Miriyam – Boiled eggs sliced into halves, coated with a mixture garlic paste and red chilli powder and deep-fried.
• Punugulu – Deep fried balls of rice and white lentil batter, served with coconut and ginger chutneys (a breakfast/snack item).
• Pesarattu – Green Moong lentil batter crepes, topped with chopped onions and served with ginger chutney.

Some of the best restaurants and bars in Nellore are the following:

• Sree Venkataramana Vilas
• Celebrations Tiffins
• Komala Vilas
• Murali Krishna Restaurants
• Amaravathi Family Restaurant
• Chandoos
• Sindhura Bar & Restaurant
• Mahadev Bhojanalaya
• Simhapuri Bar & Restaurant

Here are some of the best hotels to stay at in Nellore:

• Minerva Grand Nellore
• Nandas Grand Hotel
• Hotel Yesh Park
• Hotel Shivam International
• Bergamont Hotels
• Hotel Athidhi Grand
• Hotel Pavani Residency
• SR Grand
• RK Residency

• Nellore STD Code – 0861 (to be used before dialling numbers from a device that is not locally registered)
• Police Control Room – 100
• Police Control Room – 100
• Fire Emergency – 101
• Child Helpline – 1098
• Women Helpline – 181
• Ambulance/Medical help – 102, 108

Telugu is the official languages of Nellore.

Telugu:

• Welcome - Susvaagatam
• How are you? - Meeru aelaa unnaaru?
• What's your name? - Mee paeraemandi?
• Where are you from? - Meeday vooru?
• Good morning - Shubhodayam
• Good afternoon - Shubha dhinaá¹…