Temple Tourism

Srisailam:

It is located at 158 Kms from Nandyal, 180Kms from Kurnool and 210 Kms from Hyderabad an attitude of over 1500 ft. above the Sea level in the picturesque natural environment in the Northern most part of the Nallamalas hill range.  The temple at Srisailam is the ancient and sacred place of South India.  The presiding deity of the place is Brahmaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy in natural stone formations in the shape of Lingam and is listed as one of the twelve Jyotirlingams existing in the country. The Temple built in 14 th Century and the walls are carved with depictions of elephants hunting scenes and Lord Shiva in different manifestations. Apart from the main temple there are other places like Sikhareswaram, the gates of Heaven, Hatakeswaram and PalaDhara – PanchaDhara, Sakshi Ganapathi, Sivaji spurthikendra, Pathala Ganga, Chenchu Lakshmi Tribal Museum & Rajeev Gandhi Wild life sanctuary etc. are well worth for visit.

Mahanandi:

Mahanandiswara temple in Mahanandi mandal is a reputed pilgrim center and that dates back to the 7th century A.D.  It is Located at a distance of 14 Kms from Nandyal and 80 Kms from Kurnool.  It is a scenic spot having its location to the east of the Nallamalas hill range in a natural set up of ravishing beauty surrounded by thick forest.   The remarkable feature here is the crystal clear water which flows throughout the year from perennial springs. The festival of Mahanandiswara is celebrated during February- March. Pilgrims and Tourists from all parts of India particularly South Indians visit this place throughout the year. Apart from the above there are other places like Pushkarani, a pond with water so clear and pure that even a pin at the bottom can be seen, KodandaRamalayam and Kameswari Devi temple are the visiting places.

Ahobilam:

It is a great religious center of antiquity and is situated at a distance of 68 Kms. from Nandyal, 28 Kms.  From Allagadda and 160 Kms from Kurnool.

At upper Ahobilam worship is offered to Navanarasimha (Nine Forms of Lord Narasimha) where as at lower Ahobilam down the hill the temple of Prahladavarada is located.  The Brahmotsavam is celebrated in the month of February – March attracting large number of devotees. Other sites worth seeing are Amruthavalli tavar temple, Sannidhi Pushkarini, Bhashyakara Sannindi.

Yaganti:

Yaganti lies at a distance of 11 Kms.  From Banganapally and 58 Kms from Nandyal situated admists natural scenery with caves and water falls around.  The   presiding deity is Uma Maheswara Swamy popularly known as Yaganti Swamy. This deity is in the form of Statue and its tower posses beautiful sculptures.   The most striking scenic at this temple is huge Nandi of size of   15x10x8. Mahasivaratri Festival celebrated here and attracts large gathering of Hindus.

Sri Chowdeshwari Devi Temple:

The famous temple of Chowdeswari Devi at Nandavaram near Nandyal is one of the many treasures which Andhra Pradesh holds. It is said that the actual deity that was present in the temple was so fearful to watch with the human eye and the powerful aura it carried made many a heart fail on seeing it. Therefore, the doors of the sanctum were permanently closed and then another deity was made, which resembled posture of the actual deity. There is a Srichakra in front of the deity and devotees can worship with vermilion (Kumkum Archana). The annual Brahmostav celebrations are held for 15 days from Devi Navaratrulu to Pournami, when there is a devotional night celebrations for people within and outside the village. 53 km from Orvakal

Saraswati Devi Temple (Kolanubharati):

Kollam Bharathi Temple locally known as Kollanubharathi is well known for Saraswathi Devi Temple, the Goddess of learning in this region. So far separate shrines for this Goddess Saraswathi are existing one at Jammu and Kashmir region, another one at Basara in Adilabad District of A.P. This Kolanu Bharathi Temple is said to be the third one of its kind in all over India and naturally gains its importance. On throughout exploration in this area. It is observed, this area was once dominated by Chalukyas of Kalyana of 11-12th CAD period. Few inscriptions in this region of Kothapalli, Sivapuram near by places of Kolanu Bharathi belongs to the Chalukyan kings. Particularly one inscription that exist on a stone planted in front of the Malleswara Temple, a old sivite temple at Sivapuram village 5 kms distance from Kolanu Bharathi Temple in Kothapalli (M) of Nandyal District. The present Saraswathi Temple at Kolanu Bharathi is seems to made probably by making much alternations to the original structure. The temple is facing to north and it consists of Garbargriha and pillared Mukhamantapa. The Saraswathi Devi is sitting in padmasana posture with four arms. She is carrying ‘Pasam and ‘Parasu’ with her upper arms, the lower left arm is holding the ‘Pusthaka’ and right arm is in ‘Abayahastha’.

Just opposite to the Saraswathi Devi Temple group of temples that is seven shrines in good condition is existing. The seven shrines group of temples indicates the ‘Sapthakuta’ concept of Chalukyan architecture one shrine is facing to eastern side and three temples are existing very close to the another one in a row facing towards south and north directions with common platform. At a distance from this group of temples except a small perennial water spring from the Nallamala hill ranges, to meet the drinking water problems, no other water sources are available to the pilgrims in this region.

It is observed that present nearby village are used to attending this temple with their families mostly on bullock carts, particularly on Fridays and Mondays taking their bath preparing food, worshipping the Goddess even for ‘Akshrabhyasa’ occasion for their children spending in this premises enjoying the forest greenery, natural water springs, pictures que sceneries, climbing up to the natural cave in the premises spending their time up to the evening.

Sangameswaram Temple:

Sangameswaram is a place where seven rivers joints and known on Saptanadi Sangameswaram. The river Veni, Tunga, Bhadra, Bheeravathi, Malyaprabha, Bhavanasi joins Krishna. It was known that Darmaraja of Pandawas established sivalingam at the junction of the rivers. Normally most of the time this temples is submerged in Srisailam back water. It appears in Summer Season, this is situated 81 km from the Kurnool.

Sri Lakshmi Maddileti Narasimha Swamy Temple, R.S.Rangapuram Village:

Sri Maddileti Narasimha Swamy Temple is located Huge of Rock area about 8 km from R.S.Rangapuram Village. The temple has maintained by Endowment Department. They are performing 9 days Mukkoti Ekadasi Bramhostavam festival as main festival. This festival attracts thousands of pilgrims from the surrounding villages with grand manner. Almost of the pilgrims visits this destination for devotional purpose. They visit the temple to perform abishekhams, pujas & vrathams. Some of the devotees perform marriages, tonsure ceremonies etc at this destination. This location is very beautiful and natural rock scenario. It is attracting more devotees and also there was beautiful water falls in the name of “Kothula Gundam” and “Thirugudu Gundam”. Every Saturday lacks of people attending for devotional purpose. The temple situated on the banks of Madduleru Vagu. Therefore the God name is Maddileti Swamy calling. That continues devotees Sri Maddileti Narasimha Swamy Devotees celebrate Mukkoti Ekadasi Bramhostav every year in the months of May, June and July.

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Kolimigundla Village:

The temple was constructed during the period of Sri Krishnadevaraya. There is an idol of Sri Krishnadevaraya. In this temple with two wife’s of Sri Krishnadevaraya idols of Chinnadevi and Thirumaladevi. The shrine of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha is piece of excellent architecture workmanship depicting the Vijayanagara style of art. It is situated on the 750 feets height on hillock. There is wonderful sculptural representation on the walls of the temple.

Sri Chennakesava Swamy Temple, Owk Village:

In Nandyal District Owk Village Sri Bhulakshmi and Sri Chennakeshava Swamy are associate God name and fame as fulfilling the wishes of the peoples. The Owk Tirunala is prominent stage of other Tirunalas among the surrounding in Rayalaseema Region. With the willingness of Sri Krishnadevaraya this temple was constructed. As per the historical witness of that period this temple was constructed by the Jagirdar Nandyala Krishnama Raju in 16th century. As per the instructions of Sri Chennakeshava Swamy after his completion of yagnam performance dreamed that to fix the black statue of Talamanchi Patnam Village, Jammalamadugu Mandal, Cuddapah District must be erected in newly constructed temple. For the purpose of public facilities the Krishnama Raju has constructed a fort surrounding the temple and number of wells and canals. In the Chitramasam the Chennakeshava Swamy Tirunala celebrates grandly once in a year. The people massively participate all castes and creeds in this great Tirunala with there atmost their hearts willing. And the possession of the Chennakeshava Swamy proceeds main streets of the Village and spread Bhakthi and Shanthi in peaceful manner.

Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple (Sun Temple), Nandikotkur:

Nandikotkur is a small town situated in between Kurnool – Guntur state highway and at a distance of 58 kms from nANDYAL. A sun temple was constructed by Chanikyas in the year 1080 A.D. During the Chanikyas dynasty Shivamatham. Thousands pillars temple in Warangal and Ramappa Temple are examples from Chanikya constructions. During the reign of Prataparudra of Kakatiya dynasty Nandikotkur was a place in Navanandi circle. There are Navanandi steps in the village. Sirisinga deva, a governor of Prataparudra believed to have constructed the Surya Narayana Swamy Temple.

Sri Omkareswara Swamy Temple, Bandiatmakur (V)

Sri Siddeswara Swamy Temple is a Shiva temple located at Omkaram, Andhra Pradesh in India. Sri Omkareshwaram Temple is located 14 km from Nandyal, it amidst the thick Nallamalai Forests. The other major sights are Nava Nandi Temples i.e. Surya Nandi, Krishna Nandi and Garuda Nandi. Adding to the serene surroundings is the perennial flow of crystal clear water from perennial springs, the water from which also feeds the temple tank. Devotees from afar do not leave without taking a holy dip.