Top Pilgrimage Places in Andhra

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 of the temple are not available, the Satavahanas of the 2nd century AD have referred to it. The Kakatiyas and the Vijayanagara kings have made several endowments here.

The unique feature of this kshetram is the combination of Jyothirlingam and Mahasakthi (in the form of Bhramarambika) in one campus, which is very rare and only one of its kind. The great religious leader Aadi Sankara is said to have visited this shrine and composed his immortal Sivananda Lahiri here.

Srisailam is ...

Distance from Vijayawada: 263 Kms

At a distance of 84 km from Rajahmundry, 123 km from Vizag, 234 km from Vijayawada and 483 km from Hyderabad, Annavaram is a village situated on the banks of river Pampa in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Annavaram is famous for Sri Satyanarayana Swamy temple and is one of the famous Places to visit in Andhra Pradesh. It is believed that all the wishes of devotees will be fulfilled when Satyanarayana Vratam is performed here.

It is believed that the presiding deity of the place blesses the devotees with anina varam (pronounced or wanted boon), the place is called Annavaram. According to history, Sri Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar used the secret underground passages in the hills to attack the enemy from both sides during his invasion of Kalinga. The Andhra revolutionary late Alluri Seetharama Raju used the secret quarters in these hill ranges, when he rebelled against the British Rule.

The shrine of Lord Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy is situated on Ratnagiri hill top. The name of the Goddess is Ananta Lakshmi Satyavathi Devi. Meruvu the Lord of the hills and his consort Menaka did great penance and got two sons by the grace of Lord Vishnu. One was Bhadra and the other Ratnakara. Bhadra pleased Lord Vishnu with his devotion and penance, became Bhadrachalam on which Lord Sri Rama had permanently settled. Ratnakara ...

Distance from Vijayawada: 230 Kms

At a distance of 39 km from Kothagudem, 115 km from Khammam, 178 km from Rajahmundry, 182 km from Vijayawada, 352 km from Vizag and 312 km from Hyderabad, Bhadrachalam is a pilgrimage town in Khammam district of Telangana State, situated on the banks of the River Godavari. Bhadrachalam is renowned for the famous Sri Rama Temple built in 17th century and is one of the best tourist places near Hyderabad.

The temple for Lord Rama was built by a devotee called Kancherla Gopanna popularly known as Bhakta Ramadasu in the 17th century. Gopanna was the Tasildar of Bhadrachalam and constructed the temple using public donations. But the Golconda Sultans were misled and felt that Gopanna had misused the government funds to build the temple. He was imprisoned in a dungeon at Golconda Fort. Lord Rama is said to have miraculously appeared before the Sultan and paid the money spent by Gopanna, after which he was released. Gopanna then became Bhadrachala Ramadasu and went on composing several songs in Telugu in praise of Rama. Kabirdas, the famous Muslim saint and poet, was also closely associated with this temple. This is another popular attraction to visit as part of Hyderabad tour packages.

This holy town with beautiful landscapes provided by River Godavari attracts several devotees throughout the year ...

Distance from Vijayawada: 173 Kms

At a distance of 66 km from Hyderabad, 85 km from Nalgonda & 91 km from Warangal, Yadagiri Gutta is a popular pilgrimage town in Nalgonda district in the state of Telangana situated close to Warangal highway. It is famous for Yadagirigutta Temple, abode of Narasimha Swamy, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This cave temple is situated at an altitude of 300 feet on a large hillock. Yadagirigutta was earlier known as Vedagiri because it is believed that Lord Vishnu kept all the Vedas at this sacred place. This is one of the top tourist places to visit near Hyderabad and also one of the popular one day trip from Hyderabad. The official name of this place was recently changed to Yadadri by Telangana government.

This temple has five forms of Narasimha. According to the legend, Sri Yadava Maharishi son of Sri Rushyashrunga Maharishi had performed great penance for Lord Narasimha Swamy. Impressed with his penance, Lord Narasimha appeared before the sage and took five Avatars known as Jwala Narasimha, Yogananda Narasimha, Ugra Narasimha, Gandaberunda Narasimha and Lakshmi Narasimha. They later manifested themselves into finely sculpted forms that later came to be worshiped as Pancha Narasimha Kshetram.

In the sanctum of this hill temple Jwala ...

Distance from Vijayawada: 252 Kms

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

Distance from Vijayawada: 197 Kms

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

Distance from Vijayawada: 191 Kms

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 ...

Distance from Vijayawada: 208 Kms

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 ...

Distance from Vijayawada: 138 Kms

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 ...

Distance from Vijayawada: 101 Kms

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 ...

Distance from Vijayawada: 117 Kms