About Yaganti

Country: India | State: Andhra

Ideal Trip Duration: 4 Hours/Half Day

Nearest City to Yaganti: Kurnool (80 Kms), Hyderabad (308 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Yaganti: October to March

Peak Season: February to March

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 of Shiva Linga. It is believed that Sage Agastya performed penance for Lord Shiva at this place and requested Shiva to appear in Ardhanareeswara form which is worshipped here. Another unique feature of the temple is Nandi statue which has been growing in the size.

Yaganti is located in Yerramala hills that offer immense natural beauty and unique setting to the locality. There are a several natural caves in the hills around the temple which were home for several saints throughout the ages, including that of Great Telugu saint and astrologer Potuluri Veera Brahmam Garu.

An amazing feature of this temple is its Pushkarini with very pure water. No one knows how the water flows into Pushkarini in all the seasons. Devotees consider that a bath in the holy Pushkarini before visiting Shiva is highly beneficial.

As per legend, crows do not fly in Yaganti. When Sage Agastya was meditating here, Kakasura, king of crows disturbed him from his meditation so, he cursed the crows not to enter the premises. Thus, Shani also can't enter this place as crow is the vehicle of Shani.

Private accommodation is also available for those who want to stay here. There are several shops available that sell water & snacks, but there are no restaurants available here. Shivarathri is celebrated and a large number of devotees from all over the state. Free lunch and dinner are provided by the temple in a large dining hall and the food quality is good.

Hyderabad Airport is the nearest airport, 290 km from Yaganti. Nandyal Railway Station, 55 km away is the nearest railway station which is connected to major cities like Howrah, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Goa, Machilipatnam, Vijayawada, Hubli, Puri, Vizag and Bhubaneswar. Buses are available to Yaganti from Banaganapalli twice a day at 7 AM & 3:30 PM. Banaganapalli has several buses from Cuddapah, Hyderabad, Nandyal and Kurnool.

The best time to visit Yaganti is from October to March while the Peak Season is from February to March. Usually it takes half day to visit Yaganti.

Temple Timings: 6 AM - 1 PM and 3 PM - 8 PM

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Internet Not Available
STD Code: 08515
Languages Spoken: Telugu
Major Festivals: Maha Shivratri (Feb/Mar)
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Yaganti

By Air

Nearest Airport: Hyderabad - Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (290 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Nandyal Railway Station (55 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Yaganti Bus Stand (0 Kms)
Banaganapalle (11 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Yaganti

Pilgrimage

#1 of 9 Places to Visit in Yaganti

At a distance of 400 meters from Yaganti Bus Stand, Uma Maheshwara Swamy (also called Yagantiswamy) Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Yaganti is one of the most famous Shiva Temple is Andhra Pradesh state. 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.

Built in Dravida style, the temple boasts a large five-story tower built by Vijayanagara rulers. The tower is followed by the main temple structure built with stone which has a large pillared hall followed by the sanctum which houses the deity. The pillars in front of the sanctum have wonderful carvings of Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma along with several other gods.

The sancutm houses the idol of Shiva & Parvathi .....

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Nature | Pilgrimage

#3 of 9 Places to Visit in Yaganti

At a distance of 400 meters from Yaganti Bus Stand and 100 meters from Uma Maheshwara Temple, Venkateswara Guha (cave) has a damaged idol of Lord Venkateswara. This is said to be the idol made by Sage Agastya in order to build Venkateswara temple at this place.

Another story says that, first lord Venkateswara is placed in this cave instead of Tirupati. But as the idol has damaged feet, it could not be worshipped. As per Veera Brahmam Kala Gynanam, whenever people cannot worship god in Tirupati, then this place is going to be alternative instead of Tirupati. Lord Venkateswara is worshipped here and the original idol of the deity can also be seen. This place gets crowded in peak season, Saturdays and Shivaratri season.

This cave can be reached by climbing very steep steps from the gopura of Uma Maheshwara Temple. The cave also boasts enormous natural beauty.

Timings: 6 AM - 1 PM and 3 PM - 6:30 PM

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Pilgrimage

#2 of 9 Places to Visit in Yaganti

At a distance of 300 meters from Yaganti Bus Stand, Pushkarini is the famous temple pond of Yaganti situated about 100 meters before the main temple entrance.

Pushkarini, filled with pure water throughout the year, is a wonderful structure with beautiful gopuras, pillared corridor and wonderfully built a mandapa at the center of the pond. No one knows how the water flows into Pushkarini in all the seasons. The water flows continuously keeping the water in the pond clean all the time. The water flows through a rock entrance with carved figures of Nandi. Devotees usually take bath in the pushkarini before visiting the main temple.

There are wonderful carvings of Lord Shiva, Lingodbhava, Lord Vishnu, Shiva & Parvathi and several other gods below the first step of the temple pond.

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Nature | Pilgrimage

#4 of 9 Places to Visit in Yaganti

At a distance of 300 meters from Yaganti Bus Stand and 100 meters from Pushkarini, Sankara Guha is wonderful site on the hillock of Yerramala. With a small shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, the entrance to Sankara Guha can be seen towards the northern side of Pushkarni.

This place is associated with several saints who performance meditation here. The great Telugu saint and astrologer Potuluri Veera Brahmam Garu meditated here for several years. The cave has a narrow entrance following by a small enclosure which houses a Shivalinga. The height of the inner cave is very low and pilgrims have to be careful entering the cave.

Sanakra Guha has a well laid steps (about 100 steps) from the bottom with a wonderfully built Mandapa on the edge of the hill that offers panoramic view of Yaganti and Yerramala Hills. There is also a stone arch welcoming the piligrims.

You find several monkeys in this area and they often grab food and water bottles from the pilgrims. It is advised .....

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Heritage

#5 of 9 Places to Visit in Yaganti

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. .....

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Pilgrimage

#6 of 9 Places to Visit in Yaganti

At a distance of 140 Kms from Yaganti and 135 Kms from Nandyal, Brahmam Gari Matham is located in Kandimallayapalli village in Cuddapah District at a distance of 60 Kms from Cuddapah.

This is the place where Sri Potuluri Veerabrahmam stayed, who was famous for his remarks on future of the world, also call Kala Gnyanam. Veerabrahmam is the only Prophet that the East has produced. He entered Jeeva Samadhi at this place in the year 1693. The Bramhamgari Matham was built in Kandimallayapalli at the place of Jeeva Samadhi. The walls of Matham are full of Prophet's preaching and predictions. Most of preaching were written in Veera Brahmam Guha near Yaganti.

This place can be reached from Yaganti or Nandyal via Allagadda & Mydukuru.

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Pilgrimage

#7 of 9 Places to Visit in Yaganti

At a distance of 400 meters from Yaganti Bus Stand, Agastya Pushkarini is a small pond situated towards northern side of the sanctum of Uma Maheshwara Temple.

The water is accumulated in Agastya Pushkarini from the surrounding hills before it flows into the main temple Pushkarini. The water source is originated at a place called Mucherla which is about 15 kms from Yagati. The water flows through the hills of Yerramala and reach the Pushkarini here. Sage Agastya wanted to check the source of water and he mixed turmeric and saffron powder at Mucherla and identified that the same water flows into the stream here in Yaganti, this the pond is named after sage Agastya.

The water in the pond are considered sacred and pilgrims should not keep the feet in the pond. There is a small stone mandapa with a gopura at the pond which has nice carvings on the pillars.

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Nature | Pilgrimage

#8 of 9 Places to Visit in Yaganti

At a distance of 500 meters from Yaganti Bus Stand and 200 meters from Uma Maheshwara Temple, Agasthya Guha (cave), also known as Rokalla Guha is the cave where Sage Agastya performed the Penance for Lord Shiva. It is situated on eastern side of Venkateswara Guha.

While travelling in South India, Sage Agastya came across this place and he wanted to build a temple for Lord Venkateswara. However, the statue that was made could not be installed as the toe nail of the deity got broken. Sage Agastya was upset over this and he performed a penance for Lord Shiva. When Lord Shiva appeared, he asked the Lord the reason why he could not install Lord Venkateswara statue. Lord Shiva replied that the place suits Shiva better as the hills resemble Kailasha. Agastya then requested Lord Shiva to give the darshan to devotees along with Goddess Parvathi as Uma Maheswara in a single stone, which Lord Shiva obliged.

This cave can be reached by climbing very steep steps. There is a Shivalinga at .....

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Pilgrimage

#9 of 9 Places to Visit in Yaganti

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 Yaganti): 70 Kms
Trip Duration (From Yaganti - Including Travel): 4 Hours/Half Day
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