Cuddapah to Ranchi Flights

  About Cuddapah

Cuddapah or Kadapa is a city nestled in the south-central part of Andhra Pradesh's Rayalseema region. With a district headquarters of Kadapa district, the city is famously known for holding the gateway to the sacred Tirumala Hills from the west. The popular route from Cuddapah leads straight to Tirumala Tirupathi Balaji Temple and hence, holds tremendous importance. The city also has some historical significance as it has been ruled by several dynasties including the Cholas, Khalji emperor Alla Uddin from the Mughal era, rulers from the Kingdom of Mysore and eventually, the British Raj. As per shreds of evidence extracted by the Archaeological Survey of India, it is also stated that the Mourya and Satavahana dynasty, Chalukya and Pallavas were also habitants of Cuddapah.

With so many various dynasties taking charge, the city's landscape does have some exciting architecture and cultural structures. Cuddapah's location between the Nallamala and Palkonda Hills on the Eastern and Western ghats have enabled the city to acquire some beautiful lush green landscapes. You will also find forts, mosques, dense forests and temples, which round off to be the top tourist attractions.

The city of Cuddapah has impeccable flight connectivity as well as rail and road transportation. Ahead of the trip, try to book flight tickets with some deals on Cuddapah. You can find a plethora of flight ticket options online. There are quite a handful of decent hotels in the city. Booking hotels in Cuddapah might be slightly challenging if you are looking at lavish accommodations. However, there are some modest hotels that you can choose from.

Best time to visit Cuddapah

Most of the cities in the South of India often face extreme summers. The temperatures range from 35 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius during peak season. Hence, it is recommended to avoid planning trips around this time. Cuddapah also falls under this category and has high temperatures during summer. Travelling during peak season between March to May would not be ideal for your itinerary as the scorching heat would tire you out. Plus, it is also quite unpleasant and should be avoided at all cost.

Winters though, are a treat. The city might not see frigid cold weather, but it would certainly have a charming appeal with all the greenery and cool breeze. The winter season starts from December and lasts till February. The lowest the temperatures would fall to is 25 degrees Celsius. This would enable you to step out during the day and explore more of the city without worrying about the consequences of excess heat.

Monsoons in Cuddapah begin in June and last up to October. The rains are quite moderate and don't wreak havoc in the city; the humidity following the rains could be annoying. You can always pack some extra cotton clothes to feel less hot if a trip to Cuddapah during monsoon is inevitable.

Places to visit in Cuddapah

Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary

Another important tourist attraction is the Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary. The green expanse boasts over 1500 motley of plants and trees that you've probably never heard or seen. The sanctuary is also home to a varied species of birds along with wildlife such as spotted deer, blackbuck, sambar, sloth bear, hyena and more. Established in 1989, the sanctuary is well-maintained and continues to see many visitors.

Ameen Peer Dargah

Constructed in 1683 by Sufi Saint Peerullah Hussaini, the Ameen Peer Dargah stands as a symbol of harmony in Cuddapah. The dargah's significance is how it brings forth a feeling of harmony among every individual that nullifies their religious descent. Made in good faith by the Sufi saint, the dargah continues to see a massive number of visitors who find the story and the structure, symbolic. Further, it is also believed that a person of faith's wishes is granted when asked from the Dargah premise.

Pushpagiri

For those heading to Cuddapah for a pilgrimage to Tirumala Hills, you can actually start your temple excursions from the city itself. Pushpagiri is one such famous location which has a handful of temples in the same vicinity. It is the largest temple region and is also known as the second Hampi of India. There are temples of Hindu faith ranging with shrines of Saiva and Vaishnava, to name a few. The temple complex also has Chennakesava Swamy temple which sees tremendous visitors all-year-round.

Sidhout Fort

Snuggled up on the banks of the Pennar River is the beautiful and artistic Sidhout Fort. The existence of the fort dates back to 1303 AD and covers a vast expanse of 30 acres of land. Right from the entrance of the fort with embellished pillars to intricate carvings on the wall, the fort promotes the flourishing architecture of the ancient era. You should definitely visit the place and take in all the astounding architecture.

Bhagvan Mahavir Government Museum

With a dynamic history, the Bhagvan Mahavir Government Museum has quite a lot of historical artefacts and scriptures from the ancient eras. Some of the artefacts exhibited are as old as 5th century. You will find some exciting stories from the antiques and displays. The museum came into existence in 1982, and the government has since then been preserving the institution by consistently adding more displays from their excavation endeavours. It will be quite an educational trip and ideal for travellers who are invested in the history and culture of Cuddapah.

Things to do in Cuddapah

Explore India's Grand Canyon at Gandikota

Touted to be a replica of the famous Grand Canyon of the United States of America, the location of the Gandikota Fort is a little close to the Erramala Ranges in Andhra Pradesh. With the Penna River flowing through the natural wonder, experts have commented that the canyon is easily more than 1000 years old. What makes the place even more alluring is the fact that it has been untouched or exploited by excessive travellers. The area continues to maintain its natural serenity and blends with the rich heritage. As you reach the summit, you will find yourself in the Gandikota Fort. The structure was constructed in the 13-century with stunning red sandstone that continues to glisten to this day.

Some groups will take you through a tour of the canyon. You can take cycles and pedal up to the valley. You can also take up trekking as an option to reach the fort. Make sure that you take tour guide along with you for this trip though.

Aside from the Gandikota excursion, there are several hills around Cuddapah that you can explore by hiking or trekking. Although camping is not allowed due to safety reasons, one can always go on midnight treks to catch the sunrise or opt for a day trek to see the sunset.

Food and Restaurants in Cuddapah

Andhra food is known to be spicy. In fact, they love their colossal quantity of rice on the plate, bowl full of pickles and lip-smacking spicy food. Cuddapah is no different when it comes to the said cuisine. The city does have some variety in their food options, but the Nizam influence inspires much of it. Cuddapah's cuisine is a melange of various famous delicacies including Mughlai, South Indian and biryani binge. Some of the famous restaurants in the city are Mantra Family restaurant, Andhra Spice restaurant, Shahi Dharna and Chennur Dum Biryani, to name a few. These food joints have non-vegetarian food and are exceptionally good when it comes to biryani and Mughlai food. As for the vegetarians, Aaritaku restaurant, Rosayya Tiffin Centre, Aahar 2000 are some joints that only provide vegetarian food.

How to reach Cuddapah (Transportation)

By Air

Cuddapah Airport (also called Kadapa Airport) has decent flight connectivity from Hyderabad and Chennai. The only direct flights to Cuddapah are from these two cities, and hence, if you're travelling from different parts of India, you will have to change flights in Chennai or Hyderabad. There is one dedicated airline called TruJet that has regular flights to and from Cuddapah. There are a bunch of flight deals that you can acquire when looking for flights to and from Cuddapah. No specific international routes connect to Cuddapah as it is a small city in Andhra Pradesh. The presence of the airport simplifies travelling. There are some decent hotels in Cuddapah as well. The flight tickets to Cuddapah are quite cheap and affordable, even on peak season.

By Rail

The city has its railway station called Kadapa Railway Station. Interestingly, the busiest domestic routes that pass through Cuddapah is from Mumbai to Chennai. Often people who wish to reach Tirumala Hills get down either at the Kadapa station or the Guntakal station. The state is currently also working on constructing a Cuddapah-Bangalore line to make travelling convenient by train.

By Road

The road connectivity to Cuddapah from other cities is quite robust. There are buses and other forms of transport from major cities such as Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Nellore, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Kurnool and more, that pass through Cuddapah. Public and private buses take the domestic route from Cuddapah to reach other major cities.

  About Ranchi

Ranchi is not only the city of waterfalls but is also the summer capital of Jharkhand. It is easily one of the most beautiful cities and a popular tourist destination, too. It does complete justice to its title 'City of Waterfalls'. You will come across the most breathtaking views of the waterfalls, hills and lush greenery. The city is also popular for its golgappas that will be a treat to your taste buds. Since the city is a popular tourist destination for its natural beauty and cultural wonders, getting to Ranchi will not be that difficult for you. It's also a great spot for adventure lovers who love trekking.

Best Time to Visit Ranchi

November to February is considered to be the ideal months to visit Ranchi. The winter makes the weather pleasant and the nights cold. This is also the best time to go sightseeing or pursue any other activities. The temperature drops to 2 degree Celsius at nights and about 27 degree Celsius during the day. You won't have to worry a lot about sweating or getting drenched in the rain during this time. Don't miss out on the Makar Sankranti celebrations in the city during January. However, since it is peak season, getting cheap flight tickets to Ranchi or booking a hotel in Ranchi at cheaper rates might not be possible. You might come across decent flight deals to Ranchi though if you book way in advance. Since this season is also a peak season, you will see a lot of tourists in the city.

The city experiences summer from March to June and the temperature ranges from 18 to 36 degree Celsius. You can plan a trip or a trek to the hills and the waterfalls to beat the heat. It's not the most popular time to plan a visit to Ranchi, and you will see lesser tourists in the city. This will be a great time to travel to Ranchi if you don't like a lot of crowds and want to enjoy your solitude. In fact, you can also visit all of the tourist attractions without getting caught in the hustle and bustle of a lot of tourists.

July to September is when Ranchi experiences monsoon, and it only makes the city look spectacular. The lush greenery, the waterfalls, the hills look enchantingly beautiful. This is also the perfect time for you to go on a hike. You can even catch the Jagannathpur mela or the Rath mela that is organised in the city. This is a 10-day event and is organised on a grand scale. You can buy souvenirs from the different stalls, go on a food tasting tour at the different food stalls and you can also watch the performances put up by artists during the mela.

Places to Visit in Ranchi

Ranchi is a city of waterfalls, and you must definitely visit each and every one of them. The Panch Gagh falls, in the village of Khunti, is quite special. It has five waterfalls cascading through the steep hills, which is why it is called the Panch Gagh falls. Visiting this place will only make your trip ideal and memorable. The Patratu Valley, about 40 km away from Ranchi is another popular tourist destination in Ranchi. The drive along the Patratu valley ghat is magnificent, and you can soak in the scenic landscape on your drive. The valley has lush greenery on one side and the waters of the Patratu dam on the other. However, it is advisable to not travel to the valley after dark. The Johna Falls in Ranchi is also worth visiting. River Ganga and Raru merge to form these falls that fall from a height of about 45 meters. It is also called the Gautamdhara Falls, courtesy a Buddhist shrine that is near the falls. The Dasham Falls near the Taimara village in Ranchi is another destination that you should add to your itinerary. Sita Falls, Hudru falls, Hirni falls, Lodh falls, and Murga Mahadev falls are few other waterfalls that will leave you awestruck.

Apart from these, you can also visit the different lakes in the city. The Ranchi lake and Topchanchi lake are buzzing with tourists, especially during the peak season. The Tagore Hill is one of the most popular spots in the city and an apt place to enjoy some peace and quiet. The Pahari Mandir in Ranchi that is at an altitude of 2140 feet promises one of the most stunning views of the city. You will have to climb approximately 300 steps. The temple sees a lot of devotees climb all of those steps to offer their prayers during the Shravan season. The city is also popular for the Jagannath temple, which is a smaller replica of the one in Puri. It is a popular landmark in Ranchi. The Rock Garden in Ranchi offers you a blend of waterfalls, beautiful sculptures, art and a scenic beauty that makes for the best pictures. The garden is located on a hillock near the Kanke Dam. This is the perfect place for you to spend some quality time with your family amidst a beautiful view of the city.

Things to do in Ranchi

Ranchi is like paradise for everyone who loves adventures and nature. Pack your bathing suits, an extra pair of clothes, a picnic and head over to the Johna Falls. You will see River Ganga and River Raru combine and fall from a height of about 140 feet. You will have to climb about 700 steps, and this will prove to be quite the tedious hike but completely worth it. You can also try the jalebis and other delicacies from the local shops on your way or from the fair. You must also try the local food in Ranchi that promise you a gastronomic experience. Hit the local Golgappa stalls, kulfi parlours and do try the Litti Chokha, a popular dish in Ranchi. The Birsa Zoological Park is one of the most beautiful zoos in the country and is a delight to wildlife photographers and animal lovers. Taking a tour of the zoo will make your day!

Head over to Tagore Hill and plan a picnic with your family. Make sure you also stay till sunset or reach the hill right in time to combine your picnic with a breathtaking sunset. The Rock Gardens is a popular destination in Ranchi, and you will surely have a great time here. You can also visit the Kanke Dam, which is closer to the gardens. The whole vibe of the place will leave a smile on your face, and it also makes for a great place to take pictures. If you are feeling spiritual, you can head over to any one of the temples and offer your prayers or meditate over there. If you are in Ranchi during festival season, make sure you attend as much as you can. A morning trek to the Panch Gagh falls is yet another activity you must add to your trip itinerary.

Food and Restaurants in Ranchi

Ranchi is popular for its Golgappas and the unique chaats. You will find delicacies like Pua, Litti Chokha, Handia, Aloo Chokham Dubhni Roti and so on. You can even try the kebabs and the various tribal food in the city. Ajam Emba is a very popular place and unique, too. The restaurant serves authentic Adivasi food and delicacies that you might not get elsewhere. The restaurant has a very rustic decor and very different from other places. They also only use locally-produced raw ingredients in their food. The Waterfront Restaurant inside the Radisson Blu hotel combines a wonderful ambience with great food for its customers. While you are there, you can also head to The Great Kebab Factory. If you are attending any of the fairs in the city during your visit, you can also try the desserts from the local stalls.

How to reach Ranchi

By Air

The Birsa Munda Airport connects Ranchi to major domestic cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Patna, Delhi and Bangalore. The flight connectivity from Ranchi is quite limited to a few cities in the country, but you will also find direct flights to Ranchi from certain cities. However, connecting flights from Delhi is a popular route to Ranchi by air. The nearest international airport is the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata. You can also change flights from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. If you are travelling during the offseason, you might get great flight deals to Ranchi or even cheap flight tickets to Ranchi.

By Rail

Ranchi Junction is well-connected to other cities. You can pick a regular express train or superfast trains, too. Boarding a train or getting a train ticket from or to Ranchi is not very difficult. Travelling by train is also a very convenient way to reach the city.

By Road

There are frequent bus services that run from Jamshedpur, Patna and Kolkata to Ranchi. You can also take a taxi from nearby cities.

  About Ranchi Airport

Birsa Munda Airport or popularly known as Ranchi airport, is the primary airport that serves the city of Ranchi, which is the state capital of Jharkhand. The airport has been named after the freedom fighter Birsa Munda, who strived for the freedom of tribal living in the state of Jharkhand. Belonging to the Munda tribe, he spearheaded the religious Millenarian movement in the late 19th century. He has been recognised for his extensive contribution to the history of Jharkhand. Currently, Birsa Munda Airport is being managed by the Airports Authority of India. It is situated in Hindoo, which is approximately 5 km from the main city. Hence, in terms of connectivity, it is easy to reach Birsa Munda Airport. The airport is sprawled across an area of 1568 acres of land. The airport has a capacity to accommodate approximately 2.4 million passengers in a year. Birsa Munda Airport is also recognised as the 25th busiest airport in the country. Expansions plans are to help the airport accommodate more flights and passenger traffic.

About Ranchi Airport Terminal

Birsa Munda Airport currently has one integrated passenger terminal that caters to all domestic flight operations. The airport only has domestic flights and airlines function from its premise. The new passenger terminal was built in 2013 and inaugurated by Ajit Singh, the then civil aviation minister. The new integrated terminal building is spread across 19,600 square metres. It was constructed at a whopping cost of INR 1.38 billion. The upgraded building accommodates two aero-bridges and six escalators with equipment imported from countries such as Singapore, China and Germany. The new terminal's facilities have enabled a smooth transit for passengers travelling to Ranchi. Thanks to the expansion and installation of the new terminal building, Birsa Munda Airport's capacity to accommodate passengers has increased to 500 at a time. Further, to attract more domestic airlines to Birsa Munda Airport, the airport reduced the tax on aviation turbine fuel from 20 per cent to 4 per cent. Adding to the attractive offers, the airport also announced that they would allow free overnight parking of aircraft in the vicinity free-of-charge. Plans to expand the runway are currently in talks.

About airport authority

Birsa Munda Airport is owned and operated by the Airports Authority of India. The statutory body has been responsible for conducting management operations of the airport. It works under the Ministry of Civil Aviation which is part of the Government of India. Since the genesis of the airport, AAI has been working on constantly upgrading and expanding the facility.

In 2019, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced that they would be working on expanding the Birsa Munda Airport further to accommodate newer facilities. They are rooting to add six parking bays to the airport to allow more flights to park. The main idea behind the expansion of the parking bays is to enable flight operations of about 11 aircraft at a time. Due to the increase in the air traffic witnessed by Ranchi Airport in the last four years, the Airports Authority of India has proposed the upgradation plan. Along with this, the airport also plans to utilise two aerobridges to enable passengers to board the aircraft from the terminal's departure area directly.

As of 2020, Birsa Munda Airport has the space to accommodate three Airbus A320 and two 19-seater ATRs. The new apron is set to accommodate five Airbus aircraft and one ATR plane at one moment. The airport would expand to accommodate about eight Airbus and three ATR plans in total to be parked at a time. A senior official of the Ranchi Airport has further stated that the new apron would be able to accommodate operations of 80 flights in a day.

Facilities at the Ranchi Airport

Baggage – Baggage facilities such as wrapping services, free trolleys and porter systems are available at the Ranchi Airport.

Food court – At the departure section of the airport, a food court has been installed with various small establishments and food joints. One can pass their time by availing the food services that the food joints provide.

ATMs – In case of last-minute cash withdrawals, the airport has enabled ATM services too. There are kiosks available at the departure as well as arrival section of the airport.

Smoking Zones – There are dedicated rooms for smoking. Passengers are not allowed to smoke in public lounge spaces as it would cause discomfort to fellow passengers. The smoking zones are kept clean and are perfectly sanitised.

Medical services – The airport has reserved some medical services for passengers. There are first aid kits that are available across the airport's terminal. You can visit the information desk to get more details on their medical assistance. Simultaneously, you can also avail the services of the pharmacies that are present at the airport. Any last-minute medical purchases can be made at the airport. Or, if you are feeling under the weather, ahead of the flight, you can visit the pharmacies. The staff are quite friendly and would help you through your purchase.

Special assistance – You will need to request for special assistance services from your airlines before travelling to the airport. They do have facilities to help the elderly and dedicate staff to take passengers through the procedures. If need be, the staff will escort the passenger to the aircraft as well. Special assistance services are usually reserved for passengers who fall under certain categories such as senior citizens, expecting mothers, disabled individuals, children travelling alone and more. Depending on the situation, the airport allows for special assistance services.

Duty-free shops – Despite offering fewer facilities, Ranchi Airport does have a duty-free shop that is cheap and affordable. You can find some of the interesting artefacts and items that reflect the cultural heritage of Ranchi and Jharkhand at these shops. From ethnic jewellery to intricate showpieces, you will find some interesting purchases at the airport's duty-free shops.

Top airlines flying from the Ranchi Airport

There are a handful of domestic airlines that operate from Birsa Munda Airport. Despite catering to international airlines, the airport doesn't witness many flights flying out of the country or operating from the city's airport. Much of the connectivity within India from Ranchi Airport is also minimal. Presently, airlines that operate from Birsa Munda Airport include AirAsia India, Alliance Air, GoAir, Vistara and IndiGo. These airlines mostly cater to Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Patna, Hyderabad, Indore, Raipur, Jharsuguda and Bhubaneswar. The airport is striving to make some massive upgradations and expansions to attract more flight activities. Although there are no international activities that take place from Birsa Munda Airport, the management is trying to get hold of some airlines that would cater to international cities that are in the proximity of the country. The aircraft movement has seen a significant rise as in 2020 as it has increased to 19,137, which is quite good considering how the airport is quite limited with its flight and airlines options.

How to reach Ranchi Airport

Birsa Munda Airport is about 7 km away from the city centre. Hence, the best way to reach Birsa Munda Airport is by prepaid taxis. The facilities are available within the city of Ranchi. In fact, there are bus services also available in the city that would reach you to Birsa Munda Airport. However, hailing a taxi cab is considered to be the best way to reach Ranchi Airport. Not to mention how airport shuttle services can also be availed at the hotel. You will need to ask them ahead of the journey if there are any such airport shuttle services that the hotel provides. Further, you can also approach a travel agent to book a ride for you so you can travel within Ranchi as well as reach Birsa Munda Airport.

About Ranchi

Ranchi is the capital of the state of Jharkhand and is located in the centre of the state. It became the centre of the Jharkhand movement which announced or rather fought for a separate state that would be reserved to the tribal regions of South Bihar, western West Bengal, northern Orissa and eastern Chattisgarh. A portion of Bihar's Chota Nagpur and Santhal Parganas was divided to form the state of Jharkhand. Ranchi's proximity to the Tropic of Cancer gives it a tropical climate. While Hindi is the official language of the city, there are many tribes that reside in the area, making diverse dialects such as Kurmali and Khortha, just as famous. Nagpuri, Mundari are also spoken. Over the years, it has turned into a major industrial city in Eastern India with an abundance of mineral-based industries. Ranchi has also managed to attract a lot of tourism over the years with the installation and upgradation of its airport, Birsa Munda Airport. Many tourists have started visiting the city to learn more about their tribal culture and various other dimensions of touristy activities that can or rather should be explored in the city.