We begin our journey through India in the southeast — on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, in a state that will feed you, surprise you, and leave a mark you weren't expecting.

Andhra Pradesh is the rice bowl of South India. Two of the subcontinent's mightiest rivers — the Godavari and the Krishna — pour through its fertile delta plains before meeting the sea. It is also home to the spiciest cuisine in India, a classical dance form celebrated worldwide, a literary tradition over a thousand years old, and a single temple that receives more human visitors every day than any other religious site on the planet.

Ray takes you through the history — from the Satavahana empire and ancient Buddhist Amaravati to the golden age of Vijayanagara. We meet the man who designed India's national flag, the singer who recorded 40,000 songs, the philosopher who became President, and the badminton champion who made a nation stand up.

We eat gongura pachadi, pesarattu, avakaya, and the legendary Tirupati Laddu. We visit the hanging pillar of Lepakshi, the Papikondalu gorge, the coffee hills of Araku, and the most visited temple on Earth.

Andhra Pradesh is more than its greatest hits. Come hungry. Come curious.

New episodes every Tuesday at 7pm. Next week — Arunachal Pradesh.