Cuddapah (officially Kadapa) is a mid-sized city in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, sitting on the banks of the Papagni River at the foot of the Nallamala Hills. The city is a trading hub for the surrounding district, which produces cotton, tobacco, and the distinctive Cuddapah limestone slabs used across south Indian construction.
The old town is compact and easy to navigate on foot. The junction known locally as Seven Roads — where seven streets converge at a single point — anchors the commercial centre. YV Street and BKM Street (Badar Khan Masjid Street) are the main bazaar areas, while Madras Road is the newer shopping strip. The city has a quietly syncretic character: Sufi dargahs, a Gothic cathedral, and Hindu temples sit within a short walk of each other.