Andhra Pradesh : Pilgrimage

Ahobilam:
A shrine of Lord Narasimha, situated about 70 km from Nandyal in Kurnool district. It is only here that all nine forms of the deity or "Nava Narasimha" are worshipped. There is a lower Ahobilam and an upper Ahobilam. The shrine at upper Ahobilam is a nine-kilometre trek from the foothills and the path passes through dense forests and beautiful dales adorned by silvery cascades.

Alampur:
This quaint town is just over 200 km from Hyderabad but can be accessed from Kurnool too (27 km). It is well known for its temples of the Chalukyan era and two sets of temples with Brahmeswara and Papanatha as presiding deities stand on the banks of the River Tungabhadra with Alampur town in between.

Annavaram:
The Satyanarayana Swamy temple in Annavaram of East Godavari district is one of the most popular temples in north coastal Andhra and adjoining districts of Orissa State. Located atop the Ratnagiri Hill, the temple resembles a chariot on four wheels.

Antarvedi:
Located in East Godavari district, this is where the Vasishta, one of the seven branches of the Godavari river, joins the sea. A Lakshminarasimha temple is popular here.

Arasavalli:
In the northern-most district in north coastal Andhra is situated the only Sun temple in the State. Some 3 km from the district headquarters town of Srikakulam, the Sri Suryanarayana Swamy temple attracts pilgrims from all over the country. The temple is constructed in such a manner that the rays of the rising sun fall directly at the feet of the deity twice a year. And these two days attract lakhs of pilgrims from all around.

Armoor:
Located in Nizamabad district, it has a number of rock formations and on a hillock stands the Navanatha Siddeswara temple.

Bapatla:
A major town in Guntur district, it was an important centre close to the Motupalle sea-shore and known for its Narayana temple.

Basar:
A little known fact about this sleepy village on the banks of the mighty River Godavari is that it boasts the only Saraswati temple in the entire peninsula. The better-known and only other Saraswati temple in the country is in Kashmir. Located in Adilabad district that is on the northern tip of the State, it is easily accessible from the district headquarters town of neighbouring Nizamabad.

Bhadrachalam:
For the serious pilgrim, Bhadrachalam, another temple on banks of the Godavari, comes high on the priority list, as this ternplr Sitaramachandra Swamy is among the most famous temples in South India. Lakh devotees converge on the temple town during Srirama Navami, wher "Kalyanamahotsavam" is performed.

Bhimavaram:
The town in West Godavari district has a number of temples v the Bhimeswara and Someswara temples of Lord Siva being the most important.

Biccavolu:
35 km from Kakinada in East Godavari district, it is known for its S temple and a beautiful stone sculpture of Ganesha.

Dharmapuri:
There are several temples in this town of Karimnagar district v\ the Narasimhaswamy and Vinayaka temples vying with those belonging Pochamm a or Mahalakshmi in populari.

Dichpalli:
Just off I highgway from Hyderab in Nizamabad district, it r a Sri Rama temple built black stone.

Draksharamam:
It has a famous Siva temple and Bhimeswara temple in the area is another attractio Sivaratri is a spec i occasion. The temple is le than 20 km from Kakinac (East Godavari district head quarters) and about 40 km from the ancient city of Rajahmundry.

Dwaraka Tirumal :
The Lord Venkateswar temple in this place in We Godavari district stands o a hill. It is also known a 'Chinna (little) Tirupati'.

Gandikota:
Within thi fort in Cuddapah district an the famous Ranganatha anc Madhavaswamy temples. / Juma Mas]id is also locatec within the fort.

Govindapuram:
Located 20 km from thr district headquarters town of Vizianagararn, the temple here is based on the theme of the Bhagwad Gita and has an imposing image of Lord Krishna on his chariot.

Hemavati:
Located in Anantapur district, known tor its Doddeswara Swamy temple and black carved Nandi at the entrance

Jatprole:
Located in Mahboobnagardistrict, known for its Agastyeswara temple.

Kaleswaram:
Surrounded by forests at the confluence of the River Pranahita with the Godavari in Karimnagar district, this Mukteswaraswamy temple has two Sivalingas on a single pedestal.


Keesaragutta:
This small village 35 km northeast ol Hydeiabad have very interesting past. Though it is today an attraction for the Rdrndlingeswaia -md Lakshminarasimha shrines, Keesara was originally called Kesdri, after Hanuman.

Lepakshi:
The monolith Nandi seated right across the1 Veerabhadra Swarny temple in this small town some 100 km from Bangalore has today come to be c symbol used to depict the pride of Andhra Pradesh. In fact, the Nandi has earn* more popularity than the temple as it is some 20 feet high and 30 feet in length

Mahanandi:
Amidst the thickly wooded Nallarnalai Hills in Kurnool district Mahanandi. The presiding deity is Mahanandiswaraswamy in the form of a Lir Mahanandi is one of the Nava Nandis in the country.

Mantralayam:
A road journey of about two hours from Kurnooi brings one Mantrayalam on the banks of the River Tungabhadra. It was here that the Madh saint Sri Raghavendra attained "samadhi" some three centuries ago.

Medak:
Lord those out to sen1 places of worship, Medak is a necessity in itinerary. An awe-inspiring Church that can accommodate about 5,000 people considered among the1 bejst in the1 world, just about 100 km from Hyderabad is t famous shrine with stained glass windows, that have won acclaim the world over.

Nandalur:
45 km trom Cuddapah, it has a Soumyanathaswamy temple an< Buddhist zsite nearby.

Panagal:
Panagal, in Nalgonda district, is famous for the1 shrines of Pachch, Sorneswara, Chhaya Sorneswara and Chennakesava built by the Kakatiyas, which < noted for the'ir architectural beauty. Sivaratri celebrated here attracts thousands Hindu devotees. Panagal with its antiquity and sanctity attracts tourists from all pa of the State. Making brass ve'sse'ls is an important cottage industry in this place.

Parnasala:
In Khammam district, it is 35 km from the famous Bhadrachalc temple and has a Rama temple too.

Pithapuram:
Some 20 km from Kakinada of Last Godavari district, it has number of temples including those of Kukkuteswar and Kuntimadhava.

Punyagiri:
I5 km from Cuddapah, it is on the banks of the Pennar river and ha? Chennakesava Swamy temple atop a hill.

Pushapagiri:
25 km from the1 district headquarters town of Vi/ianagaram, it h one of the oldest Siva temples.

Uttaparti:
Bhagwan Satya Sat Baba and his popularity have transformed nondescript village into an international centre for learning. Puttaparti in Anantapi district can be* reached from Tirupati, Hyderabad or even Bangalore.

Ramatirtham:
The1 small village some 13 km from the district headquarters tow ol Vi/ianagaram in north coastal Andhra is little1 known. But even in that region of th State, there exists a Jain shrine1, one1 of the very fesw in the State. The Bodikonda Hi near the village1 has several lain sculptures and the ruins of a shrine.

Ramagiri:
Located 30 km from Suryapet in Nalgonda district, is is known for i Rfimachandraswamy temple.

Ryali:
In Last (iodavari district, 35 km from Rajahmundry, the jaganmohir Kesavaswamy temple here1 is very famous, particularly for its black stone idol.

Sangam:
Located 30 km trom the district headquarters town of Nellore, this Siv temple is situated at the confluence of three rivers.

Singarayakonda:
This place in Prakasam district is close to the -%ea and is knowi for its Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy temple. Srikalahasti (sen1 under Tirupati)

Srikurmam:
The town near Srikakulam derives its name from the1 Srikurma Avata of Lord Vishnu, the presiding deity.

Srisailam:
The Nallamalai range of hills and forests extends all the way inu Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. Amidst the thick forests lies one1 of the mos famous temples in South India, the Bhramaramba Mallikarjunaswamy temple1 a Srisailam, 2'35 km from Hyderabad. Fhe approach to the temple is through thick forests. On the1 Rishabgiri hill on the1 south bank of the River Krishna is the temple housing one of the 12 'jyotirlingas' in the country.