Temples In Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh is an illustration of the diverse styles of temple building in the Indian subcontinent. The Chalukyan, Dravidian, Nagara and the Orissa idiom are seen in the construction of temples in this southern state. Tirupati is the best known of the temples of Andhra Pradesh, attracting millions of pilgrims throughout the year.

Tirupati - the most visited pilgrimage center in India. This ancient temple enshrining Balaji or Venkatachalapati is the most visited temple in India.

Sree Sailam - one of the Jyotirlingas of Shiva Sree Sailam near Kurnool enshrines Mallikarjuna in an ancient temple. Aadi Sankaracharya composed his Sivanandalahiri here.

Alampur Nava Bhramma Temples - Gateway to Sree Sailam Nine ancient temples built from the 7th century CE onwards, dedicated to Shiva constitute the Alampura Nava Bhramma temples.

Draksharama - one of the five Panchaarama temples. Legend has it that the Shivalingam held by the demon Taraka, splintered into five pieces and fell at the five Panchaaraama kshetrams one of which is Draksharama.

Sree Kalahasti - one of the Pancha Bhoota temples of Shiva Kalahasti enshrines the Vayu Lingam - representing the element wind - of the five elements of Agni, Vaayu, Aakasam, Jalam and Prithvi.

Simhachalam - hill of the lion. This temple on the Simhachalam hill represents the patronage of the Southern Cholas and the Gangas of Orissa.

Ahobilam - The Nava Narasimha shrine. Ahobilam is one of the most venerated Vaishnava shrines of Andhra Pradesh, enshrining nine forms of Narasimha.

Dharmapuri: near Karimnagar enshrines the Yoga Narasimha manifestation of Vishnu. Mangalagiri near Vijayawada houses a hill temple bearing a shrine to Pankala Narasimha and Lakshmi Narasimha.

Akiripalli near Vijayawada is home to a hill temple with a shrine to Narasimha.

Dharmapuri near Karimnagar enshrines the Ramalingeswara temple which alludes to legends from the Ramayana.

Yadagirigutta: near Bhongir is home to an ancient hill temple enshrining the Narasimha manifestation of Vishnu.

 Vijayawada is home to the Kanakadurga temple, the Malleswara temple and the Vijayeswara temple.

Palampet: The Ramappa temple dating back to the Kakatiya period is full of ornate sculpture. The thousand pillar temple at Hanumakonda, the ancient capital of the Kakatiyas of Warangal is one of great workmanship.

Bhadrachalam enshrines a temple to Rama at a spot believed to be where Rama crossed the Godavari as he proceded southwards in search of Sita.

The Rajeswara temple at Vemulawada goes back to the period fo the Vemulawada Chalukyas. The Modern Birla Mandir at Hyderabad The Birla Mandir hill temple, built entirely of marble is a prominent landmark in the city of Hyderabad.

Mukhalingam - the ancient capital of the Kalingas houses three exquisite temples built in the Orissa style of architecture.

The ancient city of Amaravati is home to the Amareswara Shiva temple. Legend has it that Rama offered worship to Shiva at Ksheerarama enshrining Ramalingeswara.

Kotipalli (Kumararama) in coastal Andhra Pradesh is an ancient pilgrimage center, housing a shrine to Someswara.

Bhimarama or Kumararama at Samalkota houses a temple to Bhimeswara with interesting sculptural work.

The Thousand Pillared Temple

Temple in Andhra PradeshThe Thousand Pillared temple is situated at Hanumakonda. The carvings on the temple are quite exquisite. The Hanumakonda was the ancient capital of Kakatiyas of Warangal.

 Tirupati Temple

The Tirupati temple at Tirupati is one of the most visited and richest temples in the world. It is a famous pilgrimage center for Hindus. This ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara and has a divine idol of the Lord Balaji or Venkatachalapati, also known as Lord Venkateshwara.

Kolanpuka

At Kolanpuka, there is a famous Jain temple of Mahavira, about 2000 years old. There is a 1.5 meters high image of Mahavira here. Besides the famous Jain temple, there are other temples like the Shri Veeranarayana temple and Shri Someshwara temple. The Kolanupaka site museum is yet another attraction of this place.

Bhadrachalam Temple

There is a temple at Bhadrachalam dedicated to lord Rama. This is the place where Lord Rama supposedly crossed the River Godavari to go southwards in search of Sita. It is an important pilgrimage for Hindus. The unique feature of this temple is an idol of Lord Rama, which is a blend of two avatars - Vishnu and Rama.

¤ Dwaraka Tirumala Temple

The Dwaraka Tirumala temple was built by the Myalavaram Zamindars between the years 1877 and 1902. This temple is named after the great saint, "Dwaraka" who located the self manifested idol of Lord Sri Venkateswara.

Kalahasti

Tirupati TempleThe Kalahasti temple is dedicated to Kalahasteswara, who was also worshiped as a Vayu Lingam. The Vayu Lingam, represents the element wind out of the five elements of Agni, Vaayu, Aakasam, Jalam and Prithvi. Shri Kalahasti Temple is renowned for performing Sarpadosha (RahuKetu) Nivaarana Pooja.

 Sree Sailam Temple

Sree Sailam temple is situated near Kurnool. It is one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Shiva. There is an idol of the Lord Mallikarjun present in this ancient temple. This ancient temple is worth visiting.

Pancharama Temples

At Drakashrama, one of the famous Pancharama temples is located. Legends say, that the Shivalingam held by demon Tarak broke into 5 pieces and fell at 5 Pancharama kshetram. It is one of the most beautiful temples of Andhra Pradesh.

 Dharmapuri Temple

Near Karimnagar, there is a temple called the Dharmapuri temple. It has the idol of the Yoga Narsimha, which is one of the avatars of the Vishnu and the Ramlingeshwara. They are related to the legend from the Ramayana.

 The Ramappa Temple

In Palampet, there is a temple called the Ramappa temple. This temple dates back to the Kakateya period. Here, one can find some beautiful stone carvings.

Vijayawada Temples

In Vijayawada, there are 3 important temples, namely the Kanakdurga, the Malleshwara and the Vijayeshwara.

Some of the other famous temples in Andhra Pradesh are the Rajeshwar temple at Vemulawada, the ancient temple of Someshwara temple at Kotipalli (Kumaravana) in coastal Andhra Pradesh and the Amreshwara Shiva temple at Amravati. Apart from these , there is also the Temple of Bhimeswara in Bhimarama or Kumararama at Simalkota and the modern Birla Mandir situated in Hyderabad.