Temples of Andhra Pradesh

The oldest temples of Andhra Pradesh are Tirupati Venkateswara Temple and the Kalahasteeswara Temple that date back to the pre-Christian times. The Chalukyas of Badami built the 6th century Alampur Bhrama temples that are excellent examples of Chalukyan art and sculpture. The Kakatiyas ruling from Warangal succeeded the later Chalukyas and constructed several beautiful temples during their reign from 11th to 14th centuries. These temples show a opulent display of intricate and elaborate sculptural work. The northeastern region of Andhra Pradesh under the rule of the Ganga Kings, show distinct impressions of Orissan temple architectural style in its shrines. The Vijayanagar Empire contribute the fanours Sree Sailam temple and the richly-decorated Lepakshi temples that have flat stuccoed granite ceilings prevalent at those times and beautiful frescos. Thus, the Andhra Pradesh temples are a testimony to the twists and turns of the history of the state and the the patronage of various kingdoms that took it under its wing such as the Cholas and Pallavas of Tamilnadu, the Chalukyas of Deccan, the Eastern Gangas and the Vijayanagar Kings. The reference of some of the ancient temples can be found in the songs and compositions of great author-saints of Tamil Nadu including saints of both Alwar (Vaishnavite) and Nayanmar (Saivite) sects of Hinduism.

Sreesailam Temple:

Situated in the thick, deep forests of Nallamalai hills in the Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh, Sreesailam Temple is one of the most ancient and sacred places in South India. Standing on the shores of River Krishna known as 'Pataalganga' here on the Rishabhagiri hill, it is also known by the names of Sri Giri, Sriparvata, Rudra Parvata and Seshachalam. Its reference can be found in several texts and Puranas. The presiding deities of the temple are Sri Mallikarjuna Swami and his consort Bharamaramba (incarnations of Shiva and Parvati). The lingam here is said to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingams in the country.

Saneeshwara Temple:

Situated in a small village called Mandapalli, 38 km from Rajamundy, in the East Godavari District of Anshra Pradesh, this famous temple is one of the rare ones with Saneeshwara Bhagwan as its presiding deity. Also known as Sri Mandeswara Swami Temple and Someswara Temple, it is said that Saturn himself consecrated the linga representing Lord Shiva here. The other deities of the temple are Bhrameswara and Nageswara enshrined in the form of black stone Shiva Lingas. The small temple has some interesting legends attached to it.

Tirupati Temple:

Said to be the world's richest temple, the Tirumati Tirumala Balaji Temple is situated on the Tirumala hill on the outskirts of Tirupati in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Famous all over the world as a significant pilgrimage place, this ancient temple of Sri Venkateswara, the Lord of Seven Hills, is so called as Tirumala hill is a cluster of seven hills known as Seshachalam or Venkatachalam at an altitude of 2,800 ft above the sea level. The grand history of the temple spans over several centuries and it is the backbone of the pilgrimage and tourism industry of Andhra Pradesh.

The following is a list of temples in Andhra Pradesh:

Tirupati: Tirupati is the abode for the famous Hindu temple of Lord Venkateswara. It is the richest and the most visited religious place (of any faith) in the world[1]. It records an annual income of about 100 Billion Rupees (2.5 Billion US Dollars), mostly from offerings by the devotees. Located in Chittoor Dist.

Basara: A temple of Goddess Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge) located on the banks of the river Godavari in Adilabad Dist.

Yadagirigutta: Lord Vishnu (whose reincarnation is Lord Narasimha). The main deity is Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. Located in Nalgonda Dist.

Srisailam: Another part of Trilinga Desam and also one of the Jyotirlingams, an Abode of Lord Siva worshipped with the name of Mallikarjuna and Goddess Parvathi, worshipped with the name of Bhramaramba. Srisailam has a unique distinction amongst the Hindu temples of the world; it is the only place to be one of 18 Shaktipithas and one of 12 Jyothirlingas. Huge hydro-electric multi-purpose dam has also been constructed at this place on river Krishna. The sanctum sanctorium is covered with gold. Located in Kurnool Dist.

Draksharamam: The main deity is known as Lord Bheemeswara (Lord Siva) and is one of the three main temples of Telugus (Trilinga Desam). Located in East Godavari Dist.

Kaleswaram: Part of Trilinga Desam, this is a temple of Lord Siva known here as Kaleswara Mukteswara Swamy. Unlike other Siva Lingas, this deity has two Lingas on one base. The temple is located on the banks of the river Godavari in Karimnagar Dist.

Vemulavada: Notable for the Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple complex, a site of pilgrimage for both Hindu (particularly devotees of Vishnu and Shiva) and Muslim worshippers. Built by Chalukya Kings between AD 750 and 975, the complex is named for its presiding deity Sri Raja Rajeswara Swamy, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. It houses several temples dedicated to other deities including Sri Rama, Lakshmana, Lakshmi, Ganapathy, Lord Padmanabha Swamy and Lord Bhimeshwara. The complex also contains a 400 year old mosque. The temple is located in Karimnagar Dist.

Vijayawada: The City houses Goddess Kanaka Durga (Goddess Durga Malleswara Temple). The sanctum sanctorum is covered with gold. Located in Krishna Dist.

Bhadrachalam: Abode for Lord Rama. The legend goes back a few hundred years. There was a devotee by name Bhakta Ramadas, who was a tax collector in Taneesha (a Muslim ruler of Golkonda)'s government. Apparently he spent all the tax collection money on building a temple for lord Rama, eventually was put in prison by the Taneesha. Bhakta Ramdas has offered his prayers to lord Rama in the form of Kirtanas, and one fine day, lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana come in disguise to re-pay the money to Taneesha. Taneesha finally realized his mistake and from that day, not only freed Bhakta Ramadas, but also agreed to supply the required alms for the temple at Bhadrachalam. Till date, in independent India, the state administration maintains the ritual. Located in Khammam Dist.

Ahobilam: Ahobilam or Ahobala is a complex of 9 temples of Lord Narasimha.Located in Kurnool Dist.

Mahanandi: A temple town located in Kurnool Dist. housing Lord Siva, famous for its pushkarini (water pond) in the temple complex where water comes out of Nandi's mouth throughout the year.

Tandur : Sri Bhavigi Bhadreswara (Lord Veerabhadra) Temple in Tandur Rangareddy Dist of Andhra Pradesh.

Mangalagiri: A temple town between Vijayawada and Guntur. Adobe of Lord Narasimha. The unique distinction at this shrine is that, the deity is offered payers in the form of 'Panakam' or Jaggery Water. Located in Guntur Dist.

Annavaram: The holy shrine is the abode of Lord "Satyadeva" or "Satyanarayana Swamy". Located in East Godavari Dist.

Simhachalam:This holy shrine is the abode of Lord Narasimha, worshipped in the name of "Narasimha". Located in Visakhapatnam Dist.

Arasavalli: This holy shrine is the adobe of sun god, worshipped in the name of "Surya Deva". This is the only sun god temple in Asia where rituals are taking place every day. This is very nearer to Srikakulam town (2 km).

Pechalakona: It is the place of Penchala Narasimha Swamy Temple. It is located in Rapur mandal of Nellore Dist.

Achanta:Famous Rameswara Swamy Temple is in Achanta,West Godavari District. The Lingam (Lord Shiva-Lingam) in this temple is Swayambhoo Lingam (Self Formed). This is also known as Achannuteswarudu (Aa-Channu-ta-Eeswarrudu) means the linga is in the form of female breast.

Srikakulam: There are two places with the same name in the state. A district and town by the same name on the north east corner of the state as well as a small village on the bank of river Krishna in Krishna district. The village Srikakulam houses the Andhra Maha Vishnu temple. Legend says that this temple was constructed by the great Krishna Deva Raya of the Vijayanagara Kingdom.

Ramappa Temple: A Shiva temple located in the temple town of Palampet, near Warangal.

Thousand Pillars Temple: A Shiva temple at Hanmakonda, in Warangal.Veerabhadra temple in the temple town of Lepakshi is an example of the Vijayanagar architectural style and art. Located in Anantapur Dist.

Kadiri: A temple of Lord Narasimha Swamy built by Vijayanagara Dynasty. Located in Anantapur Dist.

Kanipakam: A temple of Lord Vinayaka located in Chittoor Dist on the banks of river Bahuda. The temple's specialty is that the deity emerged from a well and continues to grow in size.

Ranganatha Swamy: The temple is the abode of Lord Ranganatha Swamy (Lord Vishnu) located on the banks of river Pennar in Nellore Dist.

Sri Mogileeswara Temple: The temple is located at a small village known as Mogili which is by the side of NH4, which is 10 km far from Palamaneru. The temple is abode for the Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi.In this temple water is coming from the mouth of Nandi (Ox) but it is stopped due to some natural changes. From this 3 km away a hill called as Devara Konda is abode for Goddess Parvathi. Located in Chittoor Dist.

Chennakesawa Swamy: The temple at Markapuram houses Lord Chennakesawa Swamy (Lord Vishnu). The temple is famous for its Rajagopuram. Located in Prakasam Dist.

Yaganti: This is the holy place of Lord Venkateshwara Swamy, also known for, Veera-bhramendra Swamy's writing of Kalagnanam at this place. There is a Nandi which grows in size every year (According to archaeological dept. the Nandi statue has grown 20 inches more when compared with 20 years back.) Located in Kurnool Dt.

KonetiRayala Swamy Temple Famous for the temple of Lord Venkateshwara in Keelapatla Village,Chittoor Dt.

Srikalahasti: Located in Chittoor District, Sri Kalahasti is one of the Pancha-bhoota Sthalams signifying the 5 elements:

Wind (Kalahasti)
Water (Thiru-vanai-kaval)
Fire (Tiru-vanna-malai)
Earth (Kanchipuram)
Space (Chidambaram) that Siva embodies.

.Dwarapudi: Located in East Godavari District, This is the holy place of Lord Ayyappa Swamy, well renowned as Andhra sabarimala, Also there is temple of Lord Shiva . 33.Kotappakonda : Located in Guntur District, is a temple dedicated for lord Shiva. The temple is constructed over hill. Every year lakhs of pilgrims gather here to celebrate Mahashivaratri