Anantapur is the largest district of Andhra Pradesh with 64 mandals. It is known for being the district with second lowest rain fall in India after Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan State.
Climate: The District of Anantapur has a fairly good elevation which provides the District with tolerable climate throughout the year.
To Reach: Anantapur City is very well connected to most major cities in India by the National Highways NH7 and NH 205(Chennai-Anantapur). Anantapur also has direct train connection to Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hindupuram Adoni, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Pune, Vishakapatnam, etc. Puttaparthi which is 80 km south of Anantapur is the nearest airport with scheduled air services while Bangalore, 168 km away (Devana Halli) has an international airport and is well connected to rest of India.
Accommodation: Anantapur District has several lodges and hotels which are near to the tourist attractions.
Places to Visit:
- Dharmavaram
- Hemavathi
- Puttaparthi
- Penukonda
- Lepakshi
- Pennahobilam
- Kadiri
- Yadiki Caves
- Timmamma Marrimanu
- Gooty Fort
- Tadipatri
Dharmavaram:
- How to Reach: Dharmavaram is located at a distance of 46 km from Anantapur and 200 KM from Bangalore . This place is well connected by rail and road. Private transport facility is available from Anantapur.
- Historical Significance : There is historical evidence to prove that it was ruled by Bijayanagar Vidya kings for nearly 500 years from 1075 Satavahana Saka. Dharmavaram tank is one of the large tanks in Anantapur district. Sri Kriyasakhti Wadiyar, who constructed the tank, built a village in memory of his late mother Dharmamba and named it Dharmavaram.
- Temples: Dharmavaram is famous for the temple of Sri Lakshmi Chennakesava Swamy . Temple is renowned for its architectural brilliance and for the perennial waterspout and pillars The temple has a multi-storied tower, extensive enclosures and an entrance carved in the Vijayanagar style. The architecturally exquisite Ramalingeswara Temple has a perennial water spout and seven independent pillars which produce seven different musical notes when struck.
- Silk Sarees: Dharmavaram is also known for its cotton and silk weaving industry. Dharmavaram silk sarees are well known all over the country. Leather puppets are also made in the vicinity. It is famous for silk sarees and has a great past. Thousands of families depend on the silk industry, for which Dharmavaram attained fame. there are more than a thousand shops in the town, which sell silk sarees.
Gooty:
- How to Reach: Gooty is located at a distance of 52 km from Anantapur on the Kurnool-Bangalore trunk road. It is one of the oldest hill forts of Andhra Pradesh. This place is well connected by rail and road from Anantapur.
- Significance: The fort was built in the shape of a shell and has 15 forts with 15 main doors inside the structure. There is a small pavilion made of polished lime stone called Murari Rao's seat. This pavilion is on the edge of a cliff from where one can have a panoramic view of the surroundings. The unique feature of the fort is the availability of water resources at such a height.
Hemavathi:
- How to Reach: Hemavathi is situated at a distance of 37 km from Madakasiri and 148 km from Anantapur. Hemavathi is well connected by road with frequent bus and private transport facilities from Madakasiri. The nearest rail head is at Hindupur.
- Significance: Hemavathi is famous for the temple of Doddeswara Swamy . A Nandi made of black basalt granite 8 feet in length and 4 feet in height, sits at the entrance. There is a 6 feet tall Lingam installed inside the sanctum sanctorum.Jain devotees from all over India converge annually on teh Jain temple located in hemavathi.
Penukonda:
- How to Reach: Penukonda is 50 km from Anantapur and is located on the way to Bangalore. It is well connected by road with frequent buses and private transportation from Anantapur.
- Significance: Penukonda is mentioned as Ghangari in the local inscriptions. The structure of the fort shows the splendid plan and strategic view of the medieval period. There are a good number of temples in the Fort.A big Kumbakarna statue, 65 km from Anantapur City is famous.
- Now, there are two Important Sights here. One is the "Gagan Mahal" which was used as a summer resort by the Vijayanagar Kings. The Gagan Mahal witnessed the majesty and aristocracy of the Royal times and was built in 1575 AD. The other is "Babayya Darga" which is the symbol of communal harmony between Hindus and Muslims.
Lepakshi:
- It is the most important place in the Anantapur District from the historical and archaeological point of view.
- How to Reach: Lepakshi is situated at a distance of 110 km from Anantapur.Lepakshi is well connected by road with frequent bus and private transport facilities from Hindupur at the distance of 15 KM. The nearest rail head is at Hindupur.
- The Natyamandapa or Dance Hall is supported by 100 pillars finely sculpted with figurines of a dancing Siva, Nandi, Tumbura, Rambha and other celestial beings playing the drum, veena and other instruments in accompaniment.
- The unfinished Kalyanamandapa on the other side contains sculptures of dikapalakas on the pillar.From the centre of the mantapa emerges a dome, twenty-one feet high, like a great lotus of heaven. In this huge mantapa, the ceiling is divided into different panels by beams that are painted with some of the most exquisite murals of the Deccan.
Tadipatri:
- How to reach: Tadipatri is Located at a distance of 90kms, from Anantapur.
- Chintala Venkataramana Temple: Tadipatri has many religious monuments of interest located in and around the town. In the heart of the town is the Chintala Venkataramana Temple with its lofty gopura.
- At a distance of 1km, from the town, overlooking the Penna river is the Bugga Ramalingeshwara Temple, remarkable for a lingam on a pedestal, constantly filled with water from a small spring.
- Belum caves: famous tourist attraction near Tadipatri.
- Aluru Kona: This village is at a distance of 5 Km. from Tadipatri Town.One can find a small water falls in an area in the valley, where water is ever-present. The valley with its natural beauty attracts toursts. Apart from that, thousands of tourists and devotees visit it throughout the year.
- "Brahmotsavam" of Lord Ranganathaswami is celebrated on Chaitra Sudha Paurnami Day.
Penna Ahobilam:
- How to Reach: Located at a distance of 12kms, from Uravakonda and 36kms, from Anantapur, it is well-linked by road with frequent bus service.
- Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple: This Temple is located amidst lush greenery, on the banks of a rivulet of Pennar. Myth has it that this temple was built on the footprint of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy measuring 5 feet 3 inches . And it is said that another footprint of the Lord is at the Ahobilam temple in Kurnool district. According to the sources available, Most of the people visit this place to perform marriage ceremonies of their children and relatives. A grand car festival is conducted in the month of April.
Thimmamma Marrimanu (Banayan Tree):
- How to Reach: Located about 35 kms from Kadiri, and 100 kms from Anantapur.
- Significance: It is famous as it has a banyan tree, which is locally called as "Thimmamma Marrimanu''. It is regarded as the biggest of its kind in South India. It's branches spreads over nearly 5 acres. It is named after 'Thimmamma' who was considered to be the representative of the Almighty. To the pride of India, the "Marrimanu" was recorded as the biggest tree in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1989.
- A Small Temple dedicated to Thimmamma lies under the tree.The people of this area strongly believe that if a childless couple worship "Thimmamma" they will have a child the very next year. A big 'Jatara' is conducted here on the day of "Shivaratri" when thousands and thousands of people flock here to worship 'Thimmamma' on this occasion.
Kadiri:
- Sri Lakshmi Narashimha Swami Temple: is located to the west of the town and is a popular place of pilgrimage attracting devotees even from neighbouring districts.
- Several scenes from 'Ramayana' are painted on the ceiling of the 'Rangamantapa' and several frescos on that of the Lakshmi mantapa depicting scenes from the 'Bhagavata'. Unfortunately the murals have lost their freshness and are fading.
- The legendary significance of this sacred shrine dates back to Trethayuga, and according to local version, the presiding deity - Narasimhaswami in His terrific aspect - 'Vugrarupa' chose to settle down here after killing Hiranyakasipu.
Puttaparthi:
- Puttaparthi, now popularly known as Prasanthi Nilayam, the abode of Supreme Peace, is the home town of Late Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba and it is about 40 km away from Dharmavaram, 80 km from Anantapur and 200 km from Bangalore .
- World renowned and worshipped by His devotees all over the globe as God Incarnate, Late Sri Sathya Sai Baba has shown humanity a new way of life and through His simple teachings transformed millions of His devotees' lives. It indeed needs a divine intervention for anyone to achieve the accomplishments of him. Prasanthi Nilayam, the abode of supreme peace, is a place every human being should visit in his lifetime to experience for oneself what selfless and pure love can achieve.
- He is comsidered the incarnation of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba.
- Places of importance here are Prashanti Nilayam, Purnachandra auditorium, Planetarium, Superspeciality hospital,museum and Satya Sai Deemed University .
- For Details about Puttaparthi n Satya Sai Visit : http://www.sathyasai.org/
Yadiki Caves:
- Yadiki is midway between Gooty and Tadipatri. The cave system is in the picturesque village of Konapulappadu which is 18 kms.
- From Yadiki,The magnificent view of the hillocks, gorges, spring, paddy fields, lake and winding roads enthralls every visitor.
- Geemanugavi cave is 5kms. In length and one can go up to 2kms. Inside. The intricate designs of stalactite and stalagmite formations takes shape of chandeliers, bridges, globes, snakes etc. The sight of some, which glitters like diamonds is amazing.
- Uudamanugavi, another cave can accommodate 100 people . Kona Ramalingeswara temple adjacent to the spring adds to the beauty.
- For those who are young in mind and body there is scope for trekking and rock climbing.
Other Places to Visit:
- Yogi Vemana Samadhi:
Yogi Vemana Samadhi, Kattarupally attracts a lot of pilgrims. Situated 25 kms. from Kadiri enroute Thimmamamarimanu, the journey offers spectacular views of rock formations of various shapes.
Yogi Vemana is widely known as peoples' poet.
- Rayadurg Fort: It is located at a distance of 130kms from Anantapur. The fort was built by the Vijayanagara Kings and has inscriptions indicative of the period, on its walls. Located with in the fort is the RasaSidda Temple. Carved out of a single stone, the temple is embellished with the fine sculptures depicting Jain gurus and their disciples. In the proximity are other sites like Rama Temple, Narasimha Swamy Temple, Neelakanteswara Temple and Jambukeswara Temple.
Famous Spots for Food:
Note:Not guaranteed for existence at the same spot.
Biryani---Naveed residency (icici bank building).
IDLY----is famous in oldtown near to krishna theatre&chutnees.
LASSI---is famous back to Medinova hospital.
Dosa----is famous in I-ROAD Gurukrupa hotel,Sujatha hotel,Indira priyadarshini hotel-near,chutnees clock tower.
Bajjis ---is famous in 1st road near to over bridge
Poori---is famous opp.Emrald restaurant.
Oaligalu----yummy sweet dish in old town.
For non-veg.......Swathi daba is famous at gooty road.
Gongooras......at national highway towards b'lore.
Spice Touch near hotel Sapthagiri balla is also good.
For vegies.....Manogna restaurant opp.to SBI Srisagar restaurant at Subhash road.
Adi Murthi Tiffin center Opposite to Jain Mandir in Old town Famous for verities of Dosa's.
Madhu Restaurant is famous for north indian dishes as per quality and price. It is beside Bank of baroda cross, subhash road.
