Guntur గుంటూరు
The chilli capital of India and the district of the state's capital region, Amaravati. Guntur city's mirchi yard sets prices for the country; Mangalagiri weaves cotton and hosts AIIMS; Tenali is a town of theatre and poets; and the rock-cut Undavalli caves overlook the Krishna.
Places in Guntur
Undavalli Caves
A four-storey rock-cut monastery with a giant reclining Vishnu
Mangalagiri Panakala Narasimha Temple
The Narasimha who drinks jaggery water
Uppalapadu Bird Sanctuary
Pelicans and painted storks in a village tank near Guntur
Amaravati Capital Region
The capital city taking shape on the Krishna's south bank
Cities & towns
Guntur
Guntur district
Chilli capital, college town and the door to Amaravati
Amaravati
Guntur district
The capital city rising on the south bank of the Krishna
Tenali
Guntur district
The 'Andhra Paris' of theatre, poets and rice
Mangalagiri
Guntur district
Handloom town with a hill temple and AIIMS
Ponnur
Guntur district
Old town on the Guntur–Bapatla road
Born in Guntur
Gongura Pachadi
The sour red sorrel leaf — Andhra's signature green — pounded with red chillies, garlic and tempered spices into a chutney that defines the state's palate. Gongura mutton and gongura chicken are the same leaf's non-vegetarian afterlife.
Guntur Sannam Chilli
Not a dish but the reason for all of them: the GI-tagged Guntur Sannam chilli, traded at the Guntur Mirchi Yard, one of the largest chilli markets in Asia. It appears as mirapakaya bajji at every beach and bus stand, and as the red heat in every curry.
Mangalagiri Cotton
Fine, crisp cotton sarees and dress material woven on pit looms in Mangalagiri, recognisable by their plain body, zari or coloured 'Nizam' border and absence of motifs. GI-tagged and a staple of Telugu wardrobes.
Getting to Guntur
Guntur Junction connects to Vijayawada, Hyderabad and Chennai; Vijayawada airport is 45 km; NH16 skirts the district.