Andhra Pradesh is often referred to as the “Land of Temples,” making it essential to include its temples in your journey. Visiting these sacred sites will enhance your trip, adding both spiritual and cultural significance.
1.Kanaka Durga Temple, Vijayawada
Kanaka Durga Devi is a unique temple located in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. This is the place where Arjuna obtained the Pasupatha astra after his great penance for Lord Shiva. The temple was constructed for Goddess Durga by Arjuna. It is connected by steps and ghats to the road.
History of Kanaka Durga Temple
Vijayawada was a rocky place that was not suitable for any cultivation. Later, with the Pasupatha astra of Lord Shiva the River Krishna started flowing the tunnels or Bejjam. Thus, the place came to be known as ‘Bezawada’.
Also, the place is associated with the penance of Arjuna so after his victory place came to be known as ‘Vijayawada.’
Also, another history of menace of demons on people is associated. Sage Indrakeela penanced and asked Goddess Durga to reside there and end the rule of demons. Goddess Durga accepted his wish and made Indrakeela his abode. He later killed the demon Mahishasura.
Important Festivals of Kanaka Durga Temple
The festival of Dasara and Shakambhari is celebrated following ancient rituals and beliefs. During the Dasara festival the different forms of Durga known as Alankara are chosen according to the astrological star of the day. In Shakambhari the goddess Durga takes the form of Shakambhari in Asadh month. This is a three-day long festival where the Goddess is asked to bless vegetables, fruits and other crops.
2. Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam
Mallikarjuna is one of the twelve jyotirlingas. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati. Mallikarjuna is located on Nalla Mala hills in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh.
The temple is one of the eighteenth Shakti Peeths. In Mallikarjuna temple, the main deity is Shiva who is worshipped as Mallikarjuna in the form of Lingam and Parvati is worshipped as Brahmaramba. Mallikarjuna Temple is one of the holiest Temples of Andhra Pradesh.
History of Mallikarjuna Temple
Shiva and Parvati were confused about who would marry first Ganesha or Kartikeya. So, they decided one who would complete Pradakshina around the world first would be married. Kartikeya went on Pradakshina around the world and Ganesha went 7 round Shiva and Parvati resembling Pradakshina.
Thus, Ganesha was married to Riddhi, Siddhi and Buddhi. Kartikeya after returning was enraged and he thus went to Mt. Kraunja as Kumarabrahmachari. Shiva to pacify Kartikeya went after him but he was changing places and going far.
But, at the request of God, he stayed close by. Thus the place where Shiva stayed was known as Srisailam. The presiding deity is worshipped with Jasmine.
Important Festivals of Mallikarjuna Temple
Mahashivratri is the main festival celebrated at Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy temple.
3. Veerabhadra Temple, Lepakshi
Veerabhadra in Lepakshi in Andhra Pradesh is built in the Vijayanagara style of architecture. The temple is also known as Kurma Saila due to its lotus style of architecture. There is a wide profusion of carvings and paintings.
The fresco painting has a details structure of Rama and Sita from epics such as Rama, Mahabharata and Puranas. Veerabhadra is a temple of national importance.
There is a temple of Nandi just 200 metres from the Veerabhadra temple. The temple is located just 140 Kms from Bangalore city.
History of Veerabhadra Temple
Veerabhadra Temple was built by Virupanna Nayaka and Viranna who were the governors of the Vijayanagara Empire. The temple was built in 1530 during the reign of King Achutaraya.
According to Skanda Purana, Veerabhadra temple is one of the divyashetras. So, it’s an important pilgrimage place of Lord Shiva. If you are planning to visit the Famous Temples of Andhra Pradesh, then you must consider Lepakshi Temple in your list.
Importance of Veerbhadra Temple
The temple has a central pavilion, embracing all three shrines. This pavilion is further connected with an intermediary hall and a hall for ritual dance.
Lepakshi Temple perhaps houses the largest monolithic structure of Nagalinga in India. Another exquisite statue of Lord Ganesha captures the attention of everyone, especially when people enter the second interior court.
The interiors boast impressive sculptures in half-relief on the granite pillars. The carvings represent dancers, drummers and divine musicians. Here, you can see Lord Brahma playing drums, celestial nymph Rambha dancing and Lord Shiva engaged in ‘Ananda Tandava’.
In the intermediary hall, there is a frieze that depicts geese with lotus stalks in their beaks. The flawless carvings adorn the entire temple perpetually, all of them done with the minutest of details.
4.Venkateswara Temple, Tirupati
Venkateswara Temple is located in the hill town of Tirumala in Tirupati in the Chittoor district. The temple is popularly known as Tirupati Balaji among the people.
The temple holds the shrine of Lord Venkateswara, a form of Vishnu. He is believed to have come to save people from Kaliyug so he is also referred to as Kaliyuga Prathyaksha Daivam.
Tirupati Balaji is the most visited temple by hundreds of people every day. The temple is constructed in a Dravidian style of architecture.
Also Read:
- Top Places to Visit in Tirupati
- Tirupati – The Richest Temple
- Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple
- 10 interesting facts about Tirupati Tirumala Temple
History of Tirupati Balaji
The first temple at Tirumala Tirupati was built by King Thondaiman, Tamil ruler of the ancient Thondaimandalam after he had a dream of Lord Vishnu. He is said to have built the original Gopuram (tower) and the Prakhara in the 8th century.
The temple’s first extreme donations were from the Pallava queen. Later, the rulers of the Chola dynasty, Pallava dynasty and Vijayanagara kingdom all were devotees of Lord Venkateshwara.
The administration of the temple then went into the hands of the French and British. But then, the temple responsibility was given to the Mahant of Hathiramji.
Then, again in 1996, Tirupati Balaji was administered by the Andhra Pradesh government. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is entitled body managing Tirupati Balaji.
Tirupati Balaji is one of the famous Temples of Andhra Pradesh to visit.
Important Festivals of Tirupati Balaji
For Tirupati Balaji, every day is a festival as a large number of people visit every day. The important festivals of the temple are Vijayanagar festival, Kalyanotsavam, Gangamma Jathara, Gangamma, Rathasapthami, Arjita Brahmotsavam, Vasanthotsavam and English New Year Day.
The Brahmotsavam is the most important temple festival celebrated at Tirupati-Balaji. The festival is celebrated annually in September.
The festival is grand every third year and is called Navratri Brahmotsavam. On the third day of the Brahmotsavam, the temple car festival called Rathotsavam is held.
5. Yaganti Temple, Kurnool
Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple or Yaganti is a temple of Lord Shiva in Kurnool District in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It was built according to Vaishnavaite traditions.
Also Read: Famous Temples in Kurnool District
History of Yaganti Temple
This temple was constructed by King Harihara Bukka Raya of the Sangama Dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th century. It was built according to Vaishnavaite traditions.
The temple is associated with two histories. One is connected with Agatsya who wanted to build a temple for Lord Ventakeshwara. But she installed an idol and the toe broke so she penanced and Shiva appeared. Shiva blessed Agatsya with goddess Parvati as Lord Uma Maheshwara.
Another history includes Chitteppa a devotee of Shiva. Shiva once appeared in tiger form and Chitteppa knew about knew about this. So, he shouted I saw Shiva, I saw Shiva and danced merrily. So, there is a cave of Chitteppa nearby.
Important Festival of Yaganti Temple
Mahashivratri is the important festival of Yaganti as it is related to Lord Shiva.
6. Ahobilam Temple, Kurnool
Ahobilam Temple is the only place where all the nine forms of the Lord Narasimha Swamy are worshipped. It is said that the entire Nalmalla Hills from Kurnool to Chittoor is a personification of Lord Adisesha himself whose tail end is Srisailam, whose middle is Ahobilam and whose head is Tirupati. Ahobilam temple is one of the famous Temples of Andhra Pradesh to visit.
History of Ahobilam Temple
The popular Legend about Prataparudra is that the King wanted to cast a gold Siva Linga but whatever the cast, the final figure that emerged was the figure of Lord Narasimha.
The king was deeply perturbed at this experience and during his meditation, the Lord appeared and told him that it was futile to make a distinction between Siva and Vishnu and asked him to worship the Lord in upper Ahobilam, as the Lord was the same in whatever shape he was worshipped.
Importance of the Ahobilam Festival
The most important festival of the Ahobilam temple is Parveta Utsavam. In this festival, people are invited to the marriage of Lord Narasimha Swamy. The temple lasts for 45 days.
7. Vinayaka Temple, Kanikapakam
Vinayaka Temple or Sri Varasidhi Vinayaka Swamy Temple is a Hindu temple of Ganesha. It is located at Kanipakam in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is about 11 km from Chittoor and 68 km from Tirupati.
History of Vinayaka Temple
The temple was constructed in the early 11th century CE by the Chola king Kulothunga Chola I and was expanded further in 1336 by the Emperors of the Vijayanagara dynasty.
According to legend, three brothers were mute, deaf and blind. They were digging a well to fetch water to their field. The device they were using fell into the well hitting a hard object. When they dug further blood started to gush out of the well and the three got rid of their disabilities.
The villagers rushed to the spot and found the deity of Ganesha. Villagers dug further, but they were not able to find the base of the deity. The deity sits in the well which is always full of water.
Important Festivals of Vinayaka Temple
The temple was constructed in the early 11th century CE by the Chola king Kulothunga Chola I and was expanded further in 1336 by the Emperors of the Vijayanagara dynasty.
I hope you got all the required information with this content and you can easily plan your journey to most religious Temples of Andhra Pradesh state. Don’t forget to book your stay with Yatradham.Org for a convenient and hassle-free booking experience.
