22 Best Pilgrimage Sites & Temples in Andhra Pradesh (2024)

At a distance of 19 km from Nandyal, 93 km from Kurnool, 135 km from Kadapa, 306 km from Hyderabad, 316 km from Vijayawada and 360 km from Bangalore, Mahanandi is a holy Shivaite pilgrimage center located in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh. This is also one of the famous Andhra Pradesh places to visit.

Located to the east of Nallamala Hills, Mahanandi is a picturesque village surrounded by thick forest. Within 15 km radius from Mahanandi, there are nine Nandis (Bulls) known as Nava Nandis. Mahanandi is famous for the Mahanandiswara Temple and foremost shrines of Nava Nandis. The nine Nandi temples are Mahanandi, Shivanandi, Vinayakanandi, Somanandi, Prathamanandi, Garudanandi, Suryanandi, Krishnanandi and Naganandi.

The 7th century Mahanandiswara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is very famous and sacred place. Though the initial structure was built by Chalukyas in 7th century, several additions were done in 10th and 15th centuries. The gopuram over central sanctum is built in Badami Chalukyan style of architecture and other structures in the temple are in Vijayanagara style. According to the legend, the local kings known as Nandas ruled here in the 10th century AD and they built a number of temples and worshipped their ancestral deity the Nandi, hence the name Mahanandi.

The remarkable feature here is the crystal clear water in Pushkarini which flows throughout the year. ...

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At a distance of 71 km from Tirupati, 13 km from Chittoor, 175 km from Chennai, 181 km from Bangalore, 50 km from Vellore, 59 km from Sripuram, 420 km from Coimbatore and 575 km from Hyderabad, Kanipakam is a village and pilgrimage center located in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Famous for the Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple (Kanipakam Temple), Kanipakam is one of the top Andhra Pradesh places to visit. This is one of the ideal weekend getaways near Bangalore & Chennai for a day trip and a major pilgrimage site in Andhra Pradesh.

This village lies close to Karnataka & Tamil Nadu border on the banks of Bahuda River. The temple was constructed in the 11th century by Chola king Kulothunga Chola I and was expanded further in 1336 by Vijayanagara Kings. Kanipakam temple is a rare temple with a self-manifestation (swayambhu) idol of Lord Ganesha.

The striking feature of the idol is that it is still growing in size. According to a legend, there were three handicapped brothers, Dumb, Deaf and Blind. They were farmers and used to draw water for farming from a well nearby. One day the well got dried and they could no longer continue cultivation. One of them got into the well and started digging it up. He was shocked to see blood coming out of the well. Within in a few seconds the entire water turned red. All the three became normal getting rid ...

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At a distance of 12 kms from Kakinada, 40 kms from Annavaram, 52 km from Rajahmundry,199 km from Vijayawada, 172 km from Visakhapatnam & 447 km from Hyderabad, Samalkota is very famous for Pancharama Sri Kumararama Bheemeshwara Swamy temple. Situated just beside the Railway Station, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

This place was known as Purva Chalukya Bhimavaram as the Eastern Chalukyans ruled this place. The temple was built by Chalukya Kumara Rama during the end of 9th century as a celebration of his victories in more than 300 wars. A mantapam supported with one hundred pillars is built here along with Eka Shila Nandi (Single Stone Bull) at the temple entrance opposite to Shiva Lingam. Goddess Shri Bala Thripura Sundari is also worshipped in this temple. Pushkarni Lake is situated to the east of temple. The main entrance to the temple is called Surya Dwaram.

Kalyana Mahotsam & Mahashivratri are most celebrated festivals here.

Timings: 6 AM to 12 PM & 4 PM to 8 PM

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At a distance of 17 km from Kakinada, 42 km from Rajahmundry, 65 Kms from Annavaram, 197 km from Vijayawada, 198 km from Vizag & 466 Kms from Hyderabad, Draksharamam is famous for one of the pancharama temples called Draksharama Bheemeshwara Swamy temple. This temple is situated in a green belt of river Godavari. Draksharamam is among prime place to visit on a Vizag tour.

This temple was constructed by the East Chalukyan king during 9th century. The temple also consists one of the Shakti Peethas called Sri Manikyamba. The speciality of this Shiva Lingam in this temple is that, the early morning tender Sun light falls on the Linga. There are nearly 800 ancient scripts on the walls of the temple. The celebrations in this temple were started during 14th century in the period of Reddy Kings. Shiva Lingam is nearly 9 ft height and the top part is seen at the first floor.

There are other small temples inside the main temple premises. Once upon a time Draksharama was considered as a Buddhist complex.

It is easily accessible by Bus from Kakinada & Rajahmundry (40 Kms).

Timings: 6 AM to 12 PM & 3 to 8 PM

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At a distance of 2.5 km from Pithapuram Railway Station, 12 km from Samarlakota, 16 km from Kakinada, 61 km from Rajahmundry, 31 km from Annavaram, 208 km from Vijayawada and 152 km from Vizag, Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy temple is an ancient Siva temple in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. Pithapuram which was earlier known as Pithikapuram is one of the Ashta Dasha (Eighteen) Shakthi Peethas.

Kukkuteswara Swamy temple is the most famous temple of Lord Shiva at Pithapuram. The presiding Deity is Lord Shiva, who reveals himself in the form of a Spatika Linga. This is a Swayambhu Linga of white marble and is about two feet in height. The Linga resembles that of a cock; hence Lord Shiva is called Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy. There is a huge beautiful idol of Nandi (bull) made from a single stone in front of the temple. The shrine of Sri Rajarajeswari, consort of Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy, is present beside the Shiva temple.

There is the temple of Puruhutika Devi inside the campus of Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple. It is one of the Asta Dasha Shakti Peethas. After Daksha Yagna, Goddess Sati Devi's body part (back part) has fell down in this area, because of this place earlier people has called as Puruhoothika puram later it has changed as Peetika Puram. Finally it has changed Pithapuram. This temple is considered as the 10th Sakthi Peetham of the 18 Shakti Peethas.

This place ...

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At a distance of 1.7 km from Palakollu Railway Station, 85 km from Eluru, 67 km from Rajahmundry, 138 km from Vijayawada, 97 km from Kakinada, 22 km from Bhimavaram and 258 km from Visakhapatnam, Sri Ksheera Rama Temple is one of the Pancharama temples, situated in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. The other four are Amararama Temple in Amaravathi, Draksharama Temple in Draksharamam, Kumararama Temple in Samalkoti and Somarama Temple in Bhimavaram.

Lord Shiva is worshipped as Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy at this temple. The temple tower is one of the tallest among the temple towers in Andhra Pradesh. The height of the temple is 120 ft with 9 floors constructed during the reign of Chalukya Bheema in 9th century. The Prakara was designed by Sri Velupathi during 10th century. Gopuram was constructed by Sri Alladu Reddy during 14th Century. This ancient temple has been listed as a protected monument by the Archaeological Department.

The Shivlinga is a unique milky white in color and the tallest. According to legend, Upamanyu the son of sage Kaushik, requested Lord Shiva to grant him enough milk so that he can carry on the rituals in the temple. Lord Shiva filled the Ksheera Pushkarni Tank with the mythical milky ocean (Ksheera Sagaram). Hence this place is known with different names, Ksheerarama, Palakollu and Dugdhapovanam.

The Shiva Lingam inside the garabha griha can be seen from all the four sides through ...

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At a distance of 18 km from Vizag Railway Station & 128 km from Annavaram, 208 km from Rajahmundry, 359 from Vijayawada, 607 km from Hyderabad, Simhadri or Simhachalam is a Hindu temple located in the Visakhapatnam City suburb of Simhachalam in Andhra Pradesh. This 11th century temple is dedicated to Sri Varaha Narasimha Swamy, an incarnation of Vishnu and situated on top of the Simhachalam Hills.

The temple is believed to have been constructed in 1098 by the famous Chola king, Kulothunga Chola. The queen of Kalinga gifted golden armor to the statue. The Eastern Ganga King Narasimha Deva has constructed the central shrine in 1267. Krishna Deva Raya, the Vijayanagara Emperor visited this temple in the year 1516, as seen from inscriptions here. The temple activities are managed by the Pusapati Gajapatis, for last three centuries.

The architectural of the central shrine follows Kalinga style. Facing towards west, it is a square shrine surmounted by a high tower, a portico in front with a small tower, a carved 16 pillared Natya mantapa. The shrine has inscriptions dating back to 1098 AD on its walls. The deity is always kept covered with sandal paste. The actual form of the deity is in the tribhanga posture with two hands & head of a lion, which can be viewed only during the 'Chandanotsavam' in April/May. Legend has it that the Ugra form of ...

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At a distance of 1.5 km Kadiri Railway Station, 100 km from Anantapur, 113 km from Kadapa, 458 km from Hyderabad, 476 km from Vijayawada, and 174 km from Bangalore, Sri Kadiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is located in Kadiri town in Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is dedicated to Lord Narasimha, a Man-lion form and is one of the 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu.

Lord Narasimha in this temple is swayambhu emerging from the roots of Khadri tree (Indian mulberry). The specialty of this temple is that after the daily Abhishekam is performed, the idol of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha oozes sweat continuously even after repeatedly wiping off sweat by the temple priests.

The construction of this temple is said to have been commenced during the Western Chalukya rule but it was completed during the time of Vijayanagara rulers. The inscriptions in the temple relate mostly to the Vijayanagar period. One of them states that the temple was built by a Nayaka during the reign of Bukka I in 1332 AD. The raja gopuram was built by Harihararaya. The popular king of Vijayanagara Sri Krishna Devaraya and Maharashtra King Shivaji visited this famous temple and constructed sub temples and Mahishasuramardini Temple respectively.

The temple is enclosed in large walled compound with 4 entrances having a gopura over each entrance. On the eastern entrance one can see the idol of Anjaneya. Garbgriha is decorated beautifully with four lions in corner. There is an idol of Prahalada ...

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At a distance of 1 km from Dwaraka Tirumala Bus Stand, 45.5 km from Eluru, 73 km from Rajahmundry, 101 km from Vijayawada, 135 km from Kakinada and 278 km from Visakhapatnam, Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple is located on the top of the Seshachala Hill at Dwaraka Tirumala in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. This temple is considered as sacred as the famous Sri Venakteswara Temple of Tirumala.

Lord Vishnu is presiding deity here in the form of Sri Venkateswara Swamy. The temple was constructed by the Mylavaram Zamindars in 19th century. The self-manifested idol of Sri Venkateswara Swamy was unearthed by a saint named Dwaraka and hence, the temple is called Dwaraka Tirumala. This place is also called Chinna Tirupati.

The statue of the lord is visible above the waist and the lower portion is imagined to be in the earth. The holy feet are said to be offered to Bali Chakravarthi in Patala loka for his daily worship. The full size idol of Lord Venkateswara standing at the back of the main idol is said to have been installed by the great social reformer Ramanujacharya in 11th century. These two idols are located in the same sanctum sanctorum which is a unique feature of this temple. The idols of Goddess Padmavathi and Nanchari are installed in the Arthamandapa.

This temple is a masterpiece of South Indian Architecture with its five-storied main Rajagopuram facing the ...

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At a distance of 1.2 km from Bhimavaram New Bus Station, 65 km from Eluru, 76 km from Rajahmundry, 117 km from Vijayawada, 116 km from Kakinada, 22 km from Palakollu and 277 km from Visakhapatnam, Sri Someswara Temple is one of the Pancharama Kshetras of Lord Shiva known as Somaramam and is situated at Bhimavaram town in West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. The other four are Amararama Temple in Amaravathi, Draksharama Temple in Draksharamam, Kumararama Temple in Samalkoti and Ksheera Rama Temple in Palakollu.

The main contribution for temple construction was made by the King Chalukya Bheema I during 10th century. The Shiva lingam is called Someshwara as it is believed that this lingam has been installed by Lord Chandra. The color of the linga is believed to change according to the Lunar rays. In Full Moon days it changes into white and during Amavasya day, it turns into black in form.

According to legend, Tharakasura worships Lord Shiva and gets his Atma Linga. Then, Tharakasura starts troubling people and Devatas. The Devathas then got frightened and went to Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu told them that Tarakasura was a great Shiva bhaktha and a devoted worshipper of Lord Shiva. Lord Vishnu advised the devathas to go and pray to Lord Shiva. As per blessings, Tharakasura dies only by a boy. Lord Kumara Swamy Avatar thus happens and boy kills Tharakasura. After Tharakasura is destroyed, the Athmalinga gets divided ...

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At a distance of 95 km from Rajahmundry, 111 km from Kakinada, 15 Kms from Narasapur, 35 km from Palakollu, 171 km from Vijayawada & 430 Kms from Hyderabad, Antharvedi is the place where Godavari confluences with Bay of Bengal. This place is also famous for Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple situated on the banks of River Godavari.

In this temple, the deity is faced towards West instead of East as in other temples. Vashishta Sevashram is situated on a small island near River Godavari and can be reached by a boat from the bank near temple. There is a small Shiva Temple near the main temple.

Bramhotsavams celebrated here are very famous and attract lakhs of devotees from the whole state. Other festivals celebrated here include Sri Swamy Vari Kalyanam, Rathayatra ,Sri Venkateswara Swamy kalyanam, Sri Narasimha Jayanthi.

There is a small light house near the temple, from where the whole surroundings of the temple, the confluence of River Godavari can be seen clearly. It is accessible by frequent buses from Narasapur town (150 Kms from Annavaram)

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At a distance of 12 Kms from Vijayawada Railway Station & 287 Kms from Hyderabad, Mangalagiri in Guntur district is famous for Panakala Narasimha Swamy Temple on the hill and Laxmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at foot of the hill.

Panakala Narasimha Swamy Temple - The idol is said to be Swambhu. The idol is covered by metal face and only the mouth is visible & it's widely opened. The God takes jaggery water (Panakam) as offering. The water is poured into the mouth, only half of the water is consumed and remaining is thrown out.

Panakala Swamy temple is opened only till 3 PM.

Laxmi Narasimha Swamy Temple ' Yudhishtira, the eldest of the pandavas is said to be the founder of the chief image of this temple and the deity here is called Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. The temple has a very tall 153 feet tower with beautiful sculpture which has 11 stairs. It was constructed by Raja Vasireddi Venkatadri Naidu, during the years 1807-09.

The Brahmothsavams held in feb/march attract lakhs of devotees.

Timings: Panakala Swamy Temple - 7 AM to 3 PM
Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple - 5 AM to 12.30 PM & 4 PM to 8.30 PM

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