20 Stunning Temples in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh is located in southern India and is home to the Telugu people. This area was ruled by many dynasties who built many temples that still stand today. These include temples built during the reigns of Sri Krishna Devaraya and Kakatiya dynasties, who brought construction techniques to their peak. These holy places are the embodiment of Indian tradition and culture. They showcase beautifully carved sculptures and structures that are popular all over the world and attract large numbers of tourists.
In ancient times, temples were seen not only as places of worship, but also as platforms to demonstrate a passion for art and architecture. Each structure has detailed carvings to help people understand Indian history and mythology. This article presents some of the best historical temples in Andhra Pradesh that are the pride of not only the Telugu people but the whole country. We hope you will definitely add them to your bucket list next time.
List and details of famous temples in Andhra Pradesh:
Check out these amazing Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh that are considered marvels of engineering!
Contents of the table:
- Veerabhadra Temple in Lepakshi.
- Tirupati Balaji Temple Andhra Pradesh.
- Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple in Srisailam.
- Lord Malleshwara Temple in Vijayawada.
- Karnaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada.
- Temple of Kurma in Sri Kakuran.
- Venugopala Swamy Temple in Ryali.
- Vinayaka Temple in Kanipakam.
- Arazavali Temple in Sri Kakuran.
- Sri Lanka Hastiswara Temple.
- Yaganti Temple.
- Anavaram Temple.
- Paritala Anjaneya Swami Temple.
- Temple of Ahobiram.
- Singha Chalam Temple.
- Mangalagiri Temple.
- Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Temple Antarvedi.
- Bhimeshwara Swamy Temple Draksharamam.
- Venkateswara Swami Temple Dwaraka Tirumala.
- Amaringeswara Swami Temple Amaravathi.
1. Veerabhadra Temple in Lepakshi:
This 16th century Vijayanagara style temple is located in Lepakshi, Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. The murals in bright clothes and colours depict the stories of Rama and Krishna of the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas. There is a big Nandi or bull in the temple, and Mount Shiva is about 200 meters away from the temple. The temple is built on a granite hill in the shape of a turtle. This is one of the most stunning structures in the ancient temples of Andhra Pradesh.
- address: Andhra Pradesh Lepakshi
- time: 5:00 am to 12:30 pm, 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm
- dress code: No dress code
- About. Visiting time: 2 hours
- how can I get there: The nearest railway station is Hindupur which is 14 km away and the nearest airport is Bangalore which is 100 km away. You can reach Lepakshi by renting a car or bus.
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: 10-day chariot festival in February
- Other attractions: Lepakshi Nandi and Veerabhadra Swamy Temple
2. Tirupati Balaji Temple Andhra Pradesh:
It is the richest temple in the world in terms of donations and wealth received, and the most visited place of worship. Located in a hill town called Tirumala in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, this temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, the incarnation of Vishnu. Known as the “Temple of the Seven Hills”, the temple was built in the Dravidian architectural style. About 500,000 pilgrims visit this place during the annual Brahmotsavam.
- address: Tirumala, Tirupati temple Andhra Pradesh
- time: 2:30am to 1:30am (between rest darshans)
- Dress Code: strict traditional dress
- About. Visiting time: 2-3 hours (may take longer depending on the queue)
- how can I get there: It connects buses from all states and cities. The junction of Renigon Tower and Tirupati is the nearest railway station. There is also an airport in Tirupati, from where you can rent a taxi and go up the seven hills.
- Temple website: www.tirumala.org/
- Best time to visit: Brahmostavams and other important festivals. However, it can get very crowded and the best season is March to April.
- Other attractions: Many famous temples like ISCKON, Padmavati Ammavari temple etc.
[Read: Famous Temples in Tirupati You Must Visit on Your Trip]
3. Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple in Srisailam:
Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is located on the flat top of Nallamalai Hill in Srisailam. The shrine of Lord Mallikarjuna is there. It has been a popular center of Savit pilgrimage for centuries. Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy is one of the twelve Jyothirlingas and Goddess Brahmarambha Devi is one of the eighteen Mahashaktis, one of the ancient temples of Andhra Pradesh.
- address: Srisaila Devasthanam, Kurnool Dist, Atmakur Mandal, Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh 518101
- time: 4:30am to 10:00pm
- Dress Code: strict traditional dress
- About. Visiting time: 2 hours (may take longer depending on the queue)
- how can I get there: From Hyderabad, the distance is 213 km. You can go to the temple by bus or car.
- Temple website: www.srisailamonline.com/
- Best time to visit: September to October is considered the best time
- Other attractions: Patala Ganga, Srisailam Dam, Tiger Reserve and more
4. Malleshwara Temple in Vijayawada:
The Lord Malleshwara temple in Vijayawada has a Shiva linga as the main deity of the temple. Bramhrambika sculptures carved on the temple walls depict various events in the Mahabharata. The temple was built around the 10th century by a Charuk dynasty ruler. Naturally, Shiva Ratri is popular here.
- address: Malleswaraswamy Temple, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
- time: 5:30am to 9:00pm
- Dress Code: Traditional clothing
- About. Visiting time: 1 hour
- how can I get there: You can take a taxi from Vijayawada Railway Station
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: Maharashvarati
- Other attractions: Indrakeeladri Temple
5. Karnaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada:
The Karnaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada is located on the hill of Indrakeeladri on the banks of the Krishna River. The deity here is described as Swayambhu or manifested in Triteeyakalpa. Durga puja or Navaratri is widely celebrated here and many devotees from all over visit the temple to pray. In addition to this, Saraswati puja and Theppotsavam are also celebrated.
- address: Indrakeeladri, Arjuna Street, Mallikarjunapeta, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh 520001
- time: 4:00 am to 6:00 am, 7:00 am to 11:00 am, 12:15 pm to 04:00 pm, 6:15 pm to 10:00 pm
- Dress Code: Traditional clothing
- About. Visiting time: 1-2 hours
- how can I get there: 1.5 km from Vijayawada Railway Station and 20.4 km from Gannavaram Airport
- Temple website: http://kanakadurgamma.org
- Best time to visit: Navarathri, Dusshera, Shakambari Festivals
- Other attractions: Beautiful view of Malleswara Swamy Shrine and Krishna River on the hill.
[Read: Beautiful Hindu Temples in Vijayawada]
6. Kurma Temple in Sri Kakuran:
Kurma Temple is the only temple dedicated to Kurma in the form of Vishnu’s tortoise. It is located in Sri Kakuran and the present temple is about 700 years old. Originally it was built in AD 200. The temple also houses the idols of Lord Rama, Laxman and Devi Sita, as well as Govinda Deva and his sakhis. The main god Kumadwa faces in the opposite direction from the shore of Lake Swatapskarini.
- address: Srikuram Rd, Ampolu, Andhra Pradesh 532404
- time: 5:00am – 12:00pm, 4:00pm – 9:00pm
- Dress Code: Traditional clothing
- About. Visiting time: 1 hour
- how can I get there: Nearby the airport is in Visakhapatnam, 106 km from the temple and 30 km from Sri Kakuran railway station.You can rent a car or taxi
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: Festival in February
- Other attractions: swasa pushkarini lake
7. Jaganmohini Kesava Venugopala Swamy Temple in Ryali:
The Jaganmohini Kesava Swamy temple in Ryali, East Godavari district, was built around the 11th century. The temple has a Sri Jaganmohini Keshava Swamy shrine carved from a single stone. The idol hosted here looks like Lord Vishnu from the front and Goddess Mohini from the back. The uniqueness of the temple is that the sacred Ganges flows from the feet of Lord Vishnu. Hence, it is the origin of the Akasa Ganges.
- address: Sri Jaganmohini Keshava Venugopala Swamy Temple, Ryali, Andhra Pradesh 533236
- time: 6am to 12pm and 3pm to 8pm
- Dress Code: Traditional clothing
- About. Visiting time: 1 hour
- how can I get there: It is located approx. It is 40 km from Rajahmundry, which is also the nearest airport.
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: Sri Jaganmohini Kesava Swamy kalyanam takes place between March and April
- Other attractions: There are many smaller temples nearby
8. Vinayaka Temple in Kanipakam:
Shri Varasidhi Vinayaka Swamy Temple or Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and is located in Kanipakam, Chittoor district. It was built in the 11th century by King Kulotonga Chora I of the Chora Dynasty. The idol in the temple is the swayambhu idol of Kanipakam town, the advocate of truth. Vinayaka Chavithi and the annual Brahmotsavam are the most widely celebrated festivals in the temple.
- address: Main Road, Chittoor, Kanipakam, Andhra Pradesh 517131
- time: 4:00am to 9:30pm
- Dress Code: Traditional clothing
- About. Visiting time: 1 hour
- how can I get there: The nearest airport is Renigon Tower Airport, 83 km from the temple. Many buses connect to Kanipakam bus station within walking distance.
- Temple website: http://www.kanipakam.com/
- Best time to visit: Ganesh Chathurthi and the annual temple fair.
- Other attractions: Nearby Manikanta Temple and Varadaraja swami Temple
9. Arasavalli Temple in Srikakulam:
The Arasavalli Temple in Sri Kakuran Town is an ancient sun temple dedicated to the sun god Surya. The main deity of the temple is Suryanarayana Swamy. The temple is said to have been built in the 7th century by a Kalinga ruler. This is a panchayatana temple with Aditya in the center and Ganesha, Parvati, Shiva and Vishnu in the four corners of the quadrangle. There is also an image of Indra. The most important festival celebrated here is Ratha Saptami.
- address: Arasaveli, Sri Kauran, Andhra Pradesh 532001
- time: 6am – 12.30pm and 3:30pm – 8pm
- Dress Code: Traditional clothing
- About. Visiting time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
- how can I get there: 1 kilometer from Arazavali Village
- Temple website: https://www.arasavallisungod.org/
- Best time to visit: Rath Saptami, Kalyanotsavam and all important festivals
- Other attractions: Temple provides free food all year round for worshippers to enjoy
10. Srikalahasteeswara Temple:
Srikalahasteeshwara Temple was originally built by the Pallavas in the 5th century and is one of the famous Shiva temples in Andhra Pradesh. It is located 36 kilometers from Tirupati, where according to mythology Bhakta Kannapa offered his eyes to Shiva for salvation. The linga in this temple is worshipped as Wayulinga and is one of the famous Pachaboothalasthalams. Renovated by Choras in the 10th century, this temple is famous for its Hundred Pillars Hall.
- address: Sri Karahasti, Andhra Pradesh 517644
- time: 6:00am to 9:00pm
- Dress Code: Traditional clothing
- About. Visiting time: 1 hour
- how can I get there: The nearest airport is the airport at 26 km from Renigon Tower. There are also trains to Sri Karahasti Railway Station.You can also choose the road as there are many buses connecting to this place
- Temple website: not applicable
- Best time to visit: Sivarathri and the annual festival from February to March
- Other attractions: There are many temples nearby. A shopping mall is also near the temple.
11. Yaganti Temple:
The temple was built in the 15th century by a king named Hariharaya Bukkaraya. It is located in Kurnool district and was originally built for Lord Venkateshwara. However, just before the installation, the toe of this idol was broken and thus replaced by Shiva Linga. Nestled among the beautiful mountains, this temple houses the stunning Pushkarini whose water flows from the mouth of Nandi. The highlight of this temple is the Yaganti Nandi, which is expanding every year. It is said that the idol will be resurrected and…