Temples in Andhra Pradesh

The foremost shrine of Lord Narasimha in India, where Vishnu is said to have slain the demon Hiranyakashipu to save Prahlada. Nine different forms of Lord Narasimha (Nava Narasimha) are worshipped in nine separate shrines spread across Lower and Upper Ahobilam in the Nallamala forest.

A major Shiva temple on the banks of the Vasistha Godavari where the Shivalingam is white as milk (ksheera = milk). One of the Pancharama Kshetras cluster temples; receives lakhs on Mahashivaratri. The temple's location amid paddy fields and river delta is serene.

The ancient Amaravathi site on the Krishna river is both a Buddhist Maha Stupa (2nd century BCE) and the location of the Amareswara (Shiva) Pancharama Kshetra. The Archaeological Museum here houses some of the finest Buddhist sculptures in Asia. A dual heritage of Buddhist and Hindu significance.

The principal Pancharama shrine, dedicated to Lord Amareswara (Shiva), in the historic city of Amaravati on the banks of the Krishna River. Amaravati was once the capital of the ancient Satavahana dynasty and a major Buddhist centre, and the temple today stands beside the ruins of the Amaravati Stupa.

One of the most visited temples in Andhra Pradesh — Lord Veeravenkata Satyanarayana (Vishnu as the 'eternal truth') is enshrined on the Ratnagiri hill. Famous for the Satyanarayana Swamy Vrata performed here by thousands of devotees daily. Located near the Pampa river.

A Vishnu temple at the confluence of the Vasishta Godavari with the Bay of Bengal — one of the most auspicious sea-river confluences in Andhra Pradesh. The annual Karthika Masam festival draws lakhs of pilgrims. Antarvedi is known as the 'Prayag of the South'.

A famous Murugan (Subrahmanya) temple 20 km from Tirupati where the deity is worshipped as Appalanna Swamy. Especially popular with devotees seeking blessings for serpent-related issues (Sarpa Dosha). Part of the Tirupati temple circuit.

A hilltop Vishnu temple near Tirupati where Lord Venkateswara is in a unique 'leaning' posture (appikonda = leaning). One of the lesser-known but significant temples in the Tirupati cluster. Managed by TTD.

One of only three major Surya (Sun god) temples in India, built by the Kalinga king Devendra Varma in the 7th century CE. Designed so that sunlight falls directly on the deity's feet on the equinoxes. The Sun god here is worshipped as Surya Narayana (a combined form of Surya and Vishnu).

The Bhramaramba (Devi as the bee goddess) shrine within the Srisailam complex is one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas. Together, Mallikarjuna (Shiva) and Bhramaramba (Shakti) make Srisailam the only site in India that is simultaneously a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha.

A Shiva temple at Tadipatri famous for its remarkable 15th-century Vijayanagara architecture — particularly the Gopura (entrance tower) with extraordinary miniature carvings. The 'bugga' (natural spring) within the temple premises is considered sacred. The temple's Alankara Mantapa has some of the finest stone carvings in Andhra.

One of the ancient Vishnu temples in Andhra, dedicated to Bhavanarayana (Vishnu in a unique four-armed standing posture). Built during the Chalukya period (7th–8th century CE). The temple is known for its intricately carved Dwajasthambha (flag post) and the beautiful Garuda shrine.

One of the Pancharama Kshetras, dedicated to Lord Bhimeshwara (Shiva), renowned for its intricate Chalukya-style stone carvings and towering gopuram. It also enshrines the goddess Manikyamba, one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas, giving it dual Shaiva and Shakta significance.

Called 'Chinna Tirupati' (Small Tirupati), this hilltop Vishnu temple near Eluru is believed to be the spot where Veeravenkata Satyanarayana himself appeared to a devotee. Receives 50,000+ pilgrims on weekends. The climb of 600 steps or the ropeway are both popular.

The largest temple in Tirupati town (not on Tirumala hill), dedicated to Lord Govindaraja (Vishnu reclining). The Chola king Kulottunga II is credited with building this magnificent 12th-century temple. The idol of Govindaraja reclining on Adishesha is one of the finest Vishnu sculptures in the Deccan.

One of the oldest Shiva temples in India, housing an extraordinarily ancient Shivalinga (estimated 3rd century BCE to 1st century CE) — carved from solid granite with Shiva standing atop the water demon Apasmarapurusha. The lingam's artistry is considered the highest point of early Indian sculpture.

A major Narasimha temple in Anantapur district where Lord Lakshmi Narasimha is in a unique 'sitting on serpent' posture. One of the most visited temples in the Rayalaseema region; receives 50,000+ pilgrims on major festival days. The annual Brahmotsavam (December–January) is spectacular.

A hilltop shrine on Indrakeeladri hill overlooking the Krishna River in Vijayawada, dedicated to Goddess Durga in her Kanakadurga form. Legend holds that the sage Indrakeeladri performed penance here for the goddess to reside on the hill, and its annual Dasara festivities draw enormous crowds.

A renowned Ganesha temple in Andhra Pradesh where the self-manifested (swayambhu) idol, found in a well, is believed to grow gradually in size over time. Devotees traditionally take oaths and settle disputes by dipping their hands into the temple's sacred well, said to reveal the truth.

A Shiva temple at the base of the Tirumala Hills where a natural waterfall (the only waterfall on the Tirumala range) cascades into a sacred tank. Sage Kapila is said to have worshipped Shiva here. Many Tirupati pilgrims bathe here before ascending Tirumala.

An ancient Shiva temple near Kurnool on the Tungabhadra river bank, where a sacred waterfall (Kapila Theertham) flows alongside the sanctum. Pilgrims bathe in the waterfall before worshipping. Important on the Kurnool–Mantralayam pilgrim circuit.

A dramatic hilltop Shiva temple on three rocky peaks (Trikuta hills) near Narasaraopet. Lord Trikoteswara (Shiva of three peaks) is enshrined here. The three hills represent the three eyes of Shiva. Famous for the Shivaratri festival when lakhs of pilgrims climb the 700 steps to seek blessings.

A historic Shiva temple near the Godavari river, associated with one of the Pancharama cluster. Lord Bhimeshwara is enshrined here on the scenic banks. During the Godavari Pushkaralu (once in 12 years), Kotipalli receives millions of pilgrims.

The Pancharama Ksheerarama shrine, where the Shiva lingam is believed to have emerged from a pot of milk (ksheera) during the splitting of a cosmic lingam by Vishnu's discus. Set amid the paddy fields of the Godavari delta, it also houses a shrine to Parvati as Ksheera Rameswari.

A Pancharama shrine dedicated to Lord Bhimeshwara, one of five temples enshrining a single Shiva lingam said to have been split by Lord Vishnu's discus. It features a 30-metre gopuram and a sacred pond, Kumara Pushkarini, whose waters are believed to have healing properties.

A 16th-century Vijayanagara-era temple famous for its extraordinary murals (the largest Vijayanagara fresco in existence), the mysterious 'hanging pillar' (one of 70 pillars that doesn't touch the floor), and the world's largest Nandi (bull) statue carved from a single rock. A spectacular piece of Indian art and architecture.

A major Shiva temple famous for its natural 'Navakundam' — nine sacred springs that flow perpetually around the sanctum and are never known to dry up. Lord Mahanandiswara (Shiva as the great Nandi/bull lord) is the presiding deity. The tank around the temple is fed by these springs.

A Jyotirlinga shrine of Lord Shiva that is also one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas — a rare dual distinction — set on the Nallamala hills overlooking the Krishna River. Its fortified stone walls and sculpted gopuram reflect centuries of patronage from South Indian dynasties, including the Vijayanagara and Reddy kings.

An ancient Shiva temple in the Godavari delta region where Rama is said to have worshipped Shiva (hence Ramalingeswara). Part of the sacred Godavari pilgrimage circuit. The local tradition holds that Rama installed the lingam here during his search for Sita.

One of the six sacred Murugan (Subrahmanya) temples in Andhra Pradesh, where the deity stands on a peacock in battle posture. Famous for the Skanda Sashti festival. Located near the Krishna river delta region.

Known as 'Turpu Tirupati' (Eastern Tirupati), this Goddess Nookambika (Bhavani) temple on a hill near Ongole draws massive crowds on festival days. The hilltop view of the surrounding plains is spectacular. One of the most visited Shakti shrines in Prakasam district.

One of the most important Rama temples in Andhra Pradesh, where Lord Rama is worshipped as Kodandarama (Rama with bow). The temple has an unusual tradition — no chariot festival; instead the deity is carried on a decorated boat on the Suvarnamukhi river. The 16th-century temple has exquisite Vijayanagara-era sculpture.

The principal shrine of Goddess Padmavathi (Lakshmi), consort of Lord Venkateswara. Almost every pilgrim to Tirupati visits this temple first. The 3rd-century CE idol of the Goddess in golden splendour is extraordinarily beautiful. Managed by TTD.

A unique hilltop Narasimha temple where the deity is offered jaggery water (panaka/panakam) instead of milk — the Lord is said to drink the panaka directly and the quantity offered is always consumed. The temple sits atop a conical hill with 1,200 steps; a ropeway is also available.

A famous hilltop temple in the Nellore forest, dedicated to Siddha Narasimha Swamy (Narasimha in a meditative/perfected form). The 5 km forest trek and final steep rock climb add to the spiritual experience. During the annual Brahmotsavam, tens of thousands of pilgrims camp in the forest.

A major Devi temple in coastal Srikakulam dedicated to Nagalapuri Ammavaru — the presiding goddess of the region. One of the most important Shakti shrines in north Andhra Pradesh. Receives large gatherings during Dussehra/Navratri.

One of the most sacred sites in Andhra Pradesh — the birthplace of Dattatreya, the divine incarnation of the Trimurti (Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva combined). The Pada Gaya Kshetra here is considered equivalent to Gaya in Bihar for performing ancestral rites. The Kumaradhara (local stream) is sacred.

An ancient Rama temple in the hills of Vizianagaram where Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana are said to have rested during the exile. A sacred pond (Ramatheertham tank) is associated with Rama's footprints. Pilgrims perform the Ramanavami festival with great devotion here.

A famous Vishnu temple where Lord Jagannathaswamy (a form of Krishna/Vishnu) is worshipped with a unique annual tradition — the deity is 'bathed' in the waters of the Godavari river during the Chariot Festival. Pilgrims take a sacred dip at the Ryali Sangamam (river confluence).

An ancient hilltop temple dedicated to Varaha Narasimha, a combined boar-and-lion form of Lord Vishnu, on Simhachalam hill near Visakhapatnam. The deity is kept covered in sandalwood paste year-round and revealed in its true form only once a year, on Akshaya Tritiya, during the Chandanotsavam festival.

A Pancharama Kshetra where Lord Shiva is worshipped as Somarama, associated with the moon god Chandra, who legend says worshipped here to regain his lost lustre after a curse. The temple is known for its twin Shiva lingams, installed side by side in the sanctum, said to grow slightly larger over time.

The brindavana (sacred burial shrine) of Sri Raghavendra Swamy — the 17th-century saint-philosopher of the Dvaita Vedanta tradition — at Mantralayam on the Tungabhadra. One of the most visited religious sites in South India, drawing over 1 crore pilgrims annually. The saint is believed to be in a state of living samadhi within the brindavana.

A historic Shiva temple revered as the 'Vayu' (air) shrine among the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, where the sanctum's lamp flame is said to flicker constantly despite no perceptible breeze. It is also a major centre for Rahu-Ketu poojas, drawing pilgrims from across South India seeking relief from serpent-related doshas.

One of the oldest and most important Vishnu temples in India, where Vishnu is worshipped in his Kurma (tortoise) avatar — one of only two major Kurma temples in India. The presiding deity Kurmanadha Swamy is in a unique tortoise form. The temple dates to the 10th century CE and has associations with Ramanuja.

A masterpiece of Kalinga architecture — three 9th–10th century CE Shiva temples built by the Eastern Ganga kings on the banks of the Vamsadhara river. The Mukhalingeswara, Somesvara, and Bhimeswara temples have extraordinary sculptural detail. Often called the 'Konark of Andhra Pradesh'.

A famous Venkateswara temple 20 km from Tirupati, where the deity is in the same pose as the Tirumala idol. Lord Srinivasa Mangadeeswara (Venkateswara as 'Lord of Mangoes') is enshrined here. Many pilgrims visit this temple along with Tirupati.

A major Narasimha temple in Krishna district where the deity is worshipped as a swayambhu (self-manifested) form in a cave. One of the 108 Narasimha Kshetras in Andhra Pradesh. The annual Brahmotsavam draws pilgrims from across coastal Andhra.

A prominent Devi (Goddess) temple in East Godavari district dedicated to Goddess Talupulamma — a locally revered form of the divine mother. The annual jatara (village fair-festival) draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from the Godavari delta region.

One of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, atop the Tirumala hills. Millions of devotees offer their hair here in the ritual of tonsure, and the temple's laddu prasadam, made under a Geographical Indication-protected recipe, is among India's most famous temple offerings.

A spectacular Vishnu temple built by the Vijayanagara kings (16th century CE) with extraordinary architectural detail. The temple has 32 varieties of pillars and a beautiful stepwell. Located 90 km from Tirupati near the Tamil Nadu border, often combined with Pulicat Lake.

A cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, set in a dramatic rocky landscape in Kurnool district. Famous for a naturally growing Nandi (Shiva's bull) statue and a perpetually flowing underground spring. Believed to be 5,000 years old.