About Kurnool

Country: India | State: Andhra

Ideal Trip Duration: 2-3 Days

Nearest City to Kurnool: Kurnool, Hyderabad (215 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Kurnool: October to March

Peak Season: October to March

At a distance of 215 km from Hyderabad, 360 km from Bangalore & 344 km from Vijayawada, Kurnool is one of the major towns in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It was the first capital of united Andhra Pradesh between 1 October 1953 and 31 October 1956. The town is built on the banks of Tungabhadra River.

Kurnool is known as the gateway to the Rayalaseema region. It was earlier known as Kandenavolu, as it was a transit place on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra River and acted as a greasing place for the carts. It was ruled by Cholas and later by Kakatiya kings in the 12th and 13th Centuries. Later it came under the influence of Vijayanagar Kings and Achyuta Raya built the Kurnool Fort in 16th Century. It was briefly ruled by local rulers in 16th - 17th century. The town came under the control of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1686. Later the town was ruled by Nawabs from Dawood Khan to Gulam Rasool Khan. In 1839 the British Government took control of the region.

The popular places to visit in the city are the ruins of the fort built by the Vijayanagar Kings, Konda Reddy Buruju and the tomb of Abdul Wahab. Kurnool district is home for the most important pilgrim sites in Andhra Pradesh, including Srisailam, Ahobilam, Yaganti, Mahanndi and Mantralayam, making it one of the top tourist places in the state. Other places of interest in Kurnool include Orvakal Rock Garden, Rollapadu Sanctuary and Belum Caves.

Hyderabad airport is the nearest airport, about 199 km away from Kurnool. Kurnool lies between Hyderabad and Bangalore cities and it has excellent road and rail connectivity from both the cities. It has trains from Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Goa, Hubli, Chittoor, Indore, Gorakhpur, Jaipur, Mysore, Guntur, New Delhi, Tirupati, Mangalore, Madurai, Luknow, Chhattisgarh, Jabalpur, Coimbatore, Gujarat and Rameswaram. Kurnool is also well connected by bus with Hyderabad, Bangalore, Vijayawada, Tirupati, Chennai, Mysore, Coimbatore, Pondicherry and Vizag.

The best season to visit Kurnool is from October to March. It usually takes 2-3 days to visit all places in Kurnool.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Very Good
STD Code: 08518
Languages Spoken: Telugu, Hindi, English
Major Festivals: Details Not Available
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Kurnool

By Air

Nearest Airport: Hyderabad - Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (200 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Kurnool Railway Station (0 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Kurnool Bus Station (1 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Kurnool

Heritage

#1 of 11 Places to Visit in Kurnool

At a distance of 2 kms from Kurnool Railway Station & 24 kms from Alampur, Konda Reddy Buruju, also known as Konda Reddy Fort, is an imposing structure situated in the heart of Kurnool City.

The construction of the fort dates back to 12th century when the city of Kurnool was used as a base for halting before crossing Tungabhadra River. Kurnool was occupied by Vijayanagar ruler Devaraya II and Achyutaraya who suceeded Krishnadevaraya built the initial fort between 1530 to 1542.

The fort has different gateways and bastions. The gateways of the fort were constructed by Gopal Raja, the grandson of Rama Raja of Talikota Vijayanagara kings in 17th century. The fort has three levels and it was used as watch tower in 17th and 18th centuries. The ground level is closed for visitors, while the visitors can climb to the first and second floors and get a glimpse of the history. First level has few enclosures with large portico. Second level .....

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Nature

#2 of 11 Places to Visit in Kurnool

At a distance of 23 km from Kurnool, 53 km from Nandyal, 45 km from Alampur, 56 km from Yaganti, 70 km from Mahanandi & 237 km from Hyderabad, Orvakal Rock Garden (also known as Orvakallu) is a wonderful site with abundant natural beauty of rock formations. It is situated on Kurnool - Nandyal highway at a distance of 3 km from Orvakal village.

Orvakal Rock Garden is a rare silica and quartz rock formation site with beautiful surroundings. The rocks are formed around a natural lake in the middle of the site that enhances the beauty of the place. This is one of the must visit places in the surrounding of Kurnool. The rocks are spread across an area of 50 acres adjacent to Kurnool - Nandyal highway.

The garden is well developed by AP Tourism with a restaurant at the entrance and cottages spread across the garden. There is a walkway built .....

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Wildlife

#3 of 11 Places to Visit in Kurnool

At a distance of 40 km from Kurnool, 43 km from Nandyal, 63 km from Alampur, 59 km from Mahanandi, 71 km from Yaganti & 255 km from Hyderabad, Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best sanctuaries in the state. It is primarily known as a habitat of the Great Indian Bustard, a rare species of bird. The sanctuary also attracts large number of migratory birds and it is often called as Rollapadu Bird Sanctuary. It is situated at a distance of 4.5 km from Rollapadu village.

Covering an area of 6.14 sq. km, it was established in 1988 to protect the Great Indian Bustard. It is the only habitat for the Bustard in Andhra Pradesh which is a critically endangered species. Rollapadu sanctuary is a dry grassland area that provides unique setting to the location. There is also a large lake called Alaganuru Reservoir at a distance of 3 km from the Rollapadu .....

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Heritage | Pilgrimage

#4 of 11 Places to Visit in Kurnool

At a distance of 218 kms from Hyderabad, 22 Kms from Kurnool, 126 Kms from Mahbubnagar & 200 kms from Srisailam, Alampur is a historical place located in Mahbubnagar district of Telangana. Alampur is famous for Jogulamba Temple (a Shakti Peetha), Navabrahma temples and Sangameswara Temple built in 7th century. Alampur is considered as the western gateway to the famous pilgrimage town Srisailam. The temple consists of several inscriptions dated between 7th and 16th centuries. Alampur is one of the famous places to visit near Hyderabad.

Situated on the banks of River Tungabhadra close to the place where the mighty rivers of Krishna and Tungabhadra merge, Alampur has rich historical and pilgrimage importance. Several dynasties ruled this place including Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, .....

Distance (From Kurnool Railway Station): 22 Kms
Trip Duration (From Kurnool Railway Station - Including Travel): Half Day to Full Day
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Pilgrimage

#5 of 11 Places to Visit in Kurnool

At a distance of 55 km from Nandyal, 80 km from Kurnool, 308 km from Hyderabad, 359 km from Vijayawada & 11 km from Banaganapalle, Yaganti in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh is famous for Sri Yagantiswamy Temple (also called Uma Maheshwara Temple) dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Yaganti is one of the most famous Shiva Temple is Andhra Pradesh and also one of the popular places to experince AP Tourism. The temple dates back to 5th and 6th centuries with contributions from Pallavas, Cholas, Chalukyas and Vijayanagara rulers. The temple received significant contribution from Vijayanagara Kings Harihara & Bukka Rayalu, who finished the construction of several structures in and around the temple.

The Uma Maheshwara Temple at Yaganti houses the idol of Shiva & Parvathi (Ardhanareeswara) carved out of a single stone. This is probably the only place where Lord Shiva is worshipped in an idol form instead .....

Distance (From Kurnool): 80 Kms
Trip Duration (From Kurnool - Including Travel): Full Day
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Pilgrimage | Adventure

#6 of 11 Places to Visit in Kurnool

At a distance of 66 km from Nandyal, 137 km from Kurnool, 114 km from Kadapa, 348 km from Vijayawada, 350 km from Hyderabad and 407 km from Bangalore, Ahobilam or Ahobalam is an important pilgrimage center located in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. Ahobilam is one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in Andhra Pradesh and also one of the best Places to visit in Andhra Pradesh.

Ahobilam is the holy abode of Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu in man-lion form. According to legend, this is the place where Lord Narasimha killed Hiranyakasipu and saved Prahalada. Though the initial temples were built by Chalukyas in 8th century, most of the current structures were rebuilt by Vijayanagara kings around 15th century.

Situated amidst dense Nallamala Forest, Ahobilam is one of the 108 Divya Desams. This place is also called as Nava Narasimha Kshetra since Lord Narasimha is worshipped .....

Distance (From Kurnool): 120 Kms
Trip Duration (From Kurnool - Including Travel): Full Day
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Pilgrimage

#7 of 11 Places to Visit in Kurnool

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 .....

Distance (From Kurnool): 93 Kms
Trip Duration (From Kurnool - Including Travel): Full Day
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Pilgrimage

#8 of 11 Places to Visit in Kurnool

At a distance of 74 km from Kurnool, 148 km from Nandyal, 49 km from Adoni, 43 km from Raichur, 253 km from Hyderabad, 301 km from Hubli, 402 km from Bangalore and 416 km from Vijayawada, Mantralayam, also known as Manchale or Mantralaya is situated in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. This is the place where the Vaishnava saint Sri Guru Raghavendra took Jeeva Samadhi (tomb) and is also one of the popular Places to visit in Andhra. Mantralayam is situated near the border of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh along the banks of River Tungabhadra, a chief tributary of River Krishna.

Mantralayam is associated with the famous saint Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy, renowned Hindu saint and philosopher. Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy, lived between 1595 and 1671 was an influential saint in Hinduism. Followers of the saint consider him to be an incarnation of Bhakta Prahallada, .....

Distance (From Kurnool): 73 Kms
Trip Duration (From Kurnool - Including Travel): Full Day
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Backwaters | Nature | Pilgrimage

#9 of 11 Places to Visit in Kurnool

At a distance of 160 km from Nandyal, 181 km from Kurnool, 229 km from Hyderabad, 263 km from Vijayawada and 527 km from Bangalore, Srisailam is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva situated on the banks of River Krishna in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the most important pilgrimage centers of Lord Shiva in India and also one of the top Places to visit in Andhra. Srisailam is also one of the most popular weekend getaways from Hyderabad.

Srisailam is famous for Srisailam Dam & Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The sanctum enshrines Lord Mallikarjuna in the form of a linga protected by a three-hooded cobra. This ancient temple built in the Dravidian style with lofty towers and sprawling courtyards is one of the finest specimens of Vijayanagara architecture. Though the exact origins .....

Distance (From Kurnool): 180 Kms
Trip Duration (From Kurnool - Including Travel): 1-2 Days
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Heritage

#10 of 11 Places to Visit in Kurnool

At a distance of 45 Kms from Yaganti, 70 Kms from Nandyal, 82 Kms from Ahobilam, 95 from Mahanandi, 109 Kms from Kurnool & 318 Kms from Hyderabad, Belum Caves are the second largest caves in India and the longest caves in India.

Situated between Nandyal and Tadipatri in Kurnool district, the caves are 3229 meters long. These caves have long passages, spacious chambers, fresh water galleries and siphons. The deepest point of caves is at 120 feet from entrance level. The caves were formed due to erosion in limestone deposit in the area by Chitravati River, millions of years ago. Now Chitravati River flows almost 30 km south of caves.

There is a big Buddha statue near the caves. This place was used as Meditation Hall by Buddhist monks in ancient days. AP Tourism has developed pathways and bridges for easy access of the caves. A resort is run by AP Tourism near the entrance of the caves. .....

Distance (From Kurnool): 109 Kms
Trip Duration (From Yaganti (45 km) - Including Travel): Half Day to Full Day
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