Temples can be found in every corner of Andhra Pradesh. These holy temples in Andhra Pradesh not only have religious significance but also centuries old architecture.
1. Sri Venkateshwara Temple, Tirupati
Sri Venkateswara Temple is the most revered and famous temple in Tirupati temple which is thronged by tourists and pilgrims throughout the year. Consisting of various complexes within the premises, the temple is known for its special pujas held daily from 5:30 am to 6:30 am. With September-October being the busiest months due to the Brahmostava festival, the temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara and dates back to the 12th century. It is one of the holiest and richest temples in the world and millions of devotees come here to pay their respects.
2. Srikalahasti Temple, Chittoor
Srikalahasti temple is located in Chittoor district of Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. The temple town of Srikalahasti is popular among devotees visiting the temple with the highly revered Tirupati Temple just 36 km away. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is of great religious importance to Hindus and was built in 1516 by King Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire. The elaborate structure of the temple complex is a breathtaking sight right from the entrance and has intricate carvings of many mythological images that one can trace into the divine atmosphere.
3. Ranganatha Temple, Nellore
Situated on the banks of river Pennar, Ranganath Temple is one of the most revered temples of Nellore. The temple is of great religious importance and is considered to be the oldest temple in the area which attracts a large number of devotees. The temple is also known for its beautiful architecture and exquisite carvings. There are seven golden vessels decorated with large mirrors in the temple premises. The Addala Mandapam or retail hall located in the complex is famous for its intricate inlay work.
4. Kanaka Durga Temple, Vijayawada
Kanak Durga Temple is a famous temple dedicated to Goddess Durga. Located in the Vijayawada district of Andhra Pradesh, this stunning structure is built in the Dravidian style. The temple is surrounded by the hills of Inrakiladri, on the banks of the river Krishna. The temple is mentioned in many sacred texts and Vedic literature and is a revered temple among devotees and followers. People visit this temple every year to show their respect and devotion to the Supreme Goddess and seek her blessings. The temple has detailed timings and rules for darshan and service opportunities which can be booked online on their website.
5. Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Srisailam
There is a temple south of the river Krishna, famous for the town of Srisailam. Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, is the most famous temple in the city and dates back 6 centuries, when it was built by King Harihara Rai of Vijayanagara. According to the legend that the temple houses, Goddess Parvati cursed Bringi Rishi to stand, as they only worshiped Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva, after consoling the goddess, gave him a third leg, so that he could stand more comfortably. See the three-legged idol of Sage Bringi as well as idols of Nandi, Sahasralinga and Nataraja.
6. Ahobilam Temple, Anantapur
Penna Ahobilam is famous for Lord Narasimha Swamy temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. There are Adi Lakshmi Devi Temple and Chenchu Lakshmi Devi Temple in the temple premises. This temple was built on the footprints of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy measuring 5 feet 3 inches. It is believed that the marriage ceremony performed here makes married life happy and fulfilling. Lord Narasimha is the half-man, half-lion form of Lord Krishna when he came to save his devotee Prahlada from his own father.
7. Yaganti, Kurnool
Yaganti in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, India is a popular tourist destination famous for the temple of Sri Yagantiswamy, dedicated to Lord Shiva and a perfect way to experience Andhra Pradesh tourism. Also known as Uma Maheshwara Temple, the ancient Sri Yagantiswamy Temple dates back to the 5th and 6th centuries. The temple has a conjoined idol of Shiva and Parvati, called Ardhanarishwar. This attractive idol is carved out of a single stone and is a wonderful idol of deities to behold. Every year around October or November, the festival of Maha Shivratri is celebrated in the temple with great pomp.
8. Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh
Lepakshi is a small quaint village that is home to many of the great kingdoms that once ruled the region. Located in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, Lepakshi is 120 km from Bangalore and is a great option for a day trip. Founded in 1535 by Maharaja Alia Ramaraya of the Vijayanagar Empire, Lepakshi is a treasure trove of fascinating archaeological sites, beautiful ancient temples and a rich culture. With each structure telling its own story, this enchanting village also derives its name from the Sanskrit word meaning ‘rising bird’ and has a folklore attached to it.
Best time: September to February
9. Simhachalam Temple, Visakhapatnam
Located in the city of Visakhapatnam, Simhachalam Temple is an ornate temple that is considered one of the most important temples in the region. The building is situated on a hill 800 meters above sea level and is dedicated to Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu himself. The Simhachalam temple is adorned with highly detailed stone carvings and designs and can be seen from afar. This is the only temple in the country where Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy—who is a combination of the third and fourth avatars of Lord Vishnu—is manifested.
10. Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple, Chittoor
Chittoor is a district full of important temples, one of which is Kanipakkam Vinayaka Temple. Apart from Tirupati, Tirumala and Srikalahasti, the Vinayaka temple in Kanipakkam is another reason why pilgrims visit Chittoor district. Kanapakam, a small town 56 km from Tirupati, is the abode of Vinayaka. The temple was conceived and built by the revered Chola king Kulothunga Chola I in the 11th century. It was then rebuilt in 1336 by the rulers of the Vijayanagar dynasty.
11. Mangalagiri, Guntur
Guntur, a temple town located in Seemandhra (Andhra Pradesh). Literally translated as ‘inauspicious hill’, this place is one of the 8 important Mahakshetras or holy places of India. Mangalagiri holds great importance in Indian culture as it is believed that Lord Vishnu manifested himself on the soil of Mangalagiri and Goddess Lakshmi also performed penance on the hilltop. Due to the legends related to the divine, there is a huge influx of devotees throughout the year.
12. Bhadrakali Temple, Warangal
Goddess Bhadrakali is one of the ten great manifestations of the Supreme Goddess of Hindu cosmic mythology, and the Bhadrakali Temple in Warangal is dedicated to the goddess of wrath and anger and protects goodness from darkness. The temple is truly an ancient one – dating back to 625 AD during the reign of the Chalukya kings, or so the inscriptions in the house depict. Not only the history and mysticism, the grand temple is the attraction because of the picturesque beauty of its natural rock formations and the vast lake that creates an undeniable spiritual serenity about the place.