2 DAY TRIP FROM BANGALORE | TADIPATRI - MAHANANDI - AHOBILAM

At a distance of 4 km from Tadipatri Railway Station, 58 km from Anantapur, 107 km from Kadapa, 357 km from Hyderabad, 413 km from Vijayawada and 269 km Bangalore, Bugga Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple is located on the banks of Penna River at Tadipatri in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva in the form of Ramalingeswara Swamy.

The temple got this name by a perennial underground stream from which water always keeps flowing (Bugga in Telugu) into the sanctum sanctorum at the spot where the Lingam is consecrated. Sri Bugga Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple was built by Ramalinga Nayudu, a chieftain of the Vijayanagara Kings, in 16th century. The records indicate that a sculptor Yellanchari was brought from Benaras to construct the temple. According to legend, the temple has been established at the site, where sage Parasurama lived and performed meditation.

The architecture of the temple shows a mixture of Chalukyan, Chola and Vijayanagar .....

At a distance of 1 km from Bugga Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple, 3 km from Tadipatri Railway Station, 57 km from Anantapur, 106 km from Kadapa, 356 km from Hyderabad, 413 km from Vijayawada and 268 km Bangalore, Sri Chintala Venkataramana Swamy Temple is a famous temple located in Tadipatri town of Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is in the divine form of Venkataramana Swamy.

This temple is believed to have been built in 16th century by Timma Naidu, son of Ramalinga Naidu, a chieftain of Vijayanagar Kingdom. It was built during the same time as the Vittala Temple of Hampi in a similar manner. Most of the features of these two temples bear close resemblance to each other, being built on a similar ground plan. While the stone chariot here is compact and small in size when compared to the famous stone chariot at Hampi.

Originally the temple was called Chintala Tiruvengala Natha Swamy .....

Just opposite to Mahanandi Bus Station, Mahanandishwara Temple is one of the famous pilgrimage sites in Andhra Pradesh dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are nine Nandi shrines known as Nava Nandis and Mahanandishwara temple is the prime temple. The temple is said to have been built by Chalukyas in 7th century and was later enhanced by local Nanda Dynasty (10th century) and Vijayanagara Kings (15th century).

Located to the east of Nallamala forest range, the main attractions of the temple are Pushkarini and tower (Vimana) over the Garbha gruha built in Badami Chalukyan style. Other structures in the temple are in Vijayanagara style. The linga in the central sanctum is unique because it is like a rough uncut rock, with two cavities. 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, Nandi.

The holy tank (Pushkarini) inside .....

At a distance of less than 1 Kms from Mahanandi Bus Station, Kameshwari Devi Temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati is situated to the south of Mahanandiswara Temple. Pilgrims after finishing the holy bath in Pushkarini (Rudragundam) can have the blessings of Lord Shiva and Kameswari Devi.

King Nandana and his ancestors performed Pujas in this temple. Kameswari Devi Temple was reconstructed in 1939. In this premises of this temple, Sri Kodanda Ramalayam dedicated to Lord Rama was built in 1953. The temple has Sri Rama, Sita, Lakshmana Idols.

At a distance of 250 m from Ahobilam Bus Stand, The impressive and beautiful 800 years old Prahladavarada Narasimha Temple in the town of Lower Ahobilam is the abode of the Prahladavarada Narasimha, the form of Lord Narasimha blessing Prahlada. It is among the top places to visit in Ahobilam.

The Lower Ahobila Temple lies in the center of three Praakaras built in Vijayanagara style. The main temple at the lower Ahobilam consists of a Sanctum, a Mukhamantapam and a Rangamantapam all of which are decorated with excellent sculptures on the pillars. The massive composite pillars in the Rangamantapam are carved with figures of Yakshas riding on Yalis and horses with their rear legs mounted on the Makaras. Large figures of musicians, sensuous women, divine figures of Rama and Laxmana are in good shape. The Narasa Nayaka figure of Vijayanagara Empire in the temple is attractive.

In lower Ahobila, Narasimha Swami can be seen in a peaceful .....

At a distance of 8 km from Lower Ahobilam, Upper Ahobilam is the abode of main shrine called Ahobaleswar. This is the main temple and the earliest of all nine Narasimha temples in Ahobilam. It is the prime place to visit in Ahobilam.

According to history of Ahobilam, Lord Narasimha gave his darshan to Prahlada after killing Hiranyakashipa. His anger was so intense when he finished slaying Hiranyakashipu that none of the Gods including Lord Shiva could calm him down. So they went to Mahalakshmi to seek her help. She came down as a girl from the Chenchu tribes and married him after which his anger got reduced.

The Upper Ahobilam Temple consists of mukha mantapa, maha mantapa and faces east but whereas the garbha griha faces north because of the orientation and situation of the natural cave. Adjoining the mukha mantapa, a dwajasthamba and an ornate Bali pith are situated. The sides and eastern gate leads to Malola and Jwala Narasimha .....