Ananthapuram Temples

Anantpur is the largest district of Andhra Pradesh, with an economy based on partial industrialisation, but chiefly depending on agriculture. The major cities and villages of the district happen to have a place of pilgrim in almost every corner, evidence of temple architectures. Temples in Anantapur district therefore has become the logo of religiosity of the place. Some of the temple towns and their temples include- the Lepakshi Temple, Veerbhadra temple, the region of Tadipatri temples of Bugga Rama Lingeshwara Swami Temple, Aluru Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Chintala Venkata Ramana Swamy Temple. The famous Hanuman Temple, the 400-year old Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Temple constructed by Raja Krishna Deva Raya. Also the region of Puttaparthi is distinguished as the hometown of Bhagwan Sri Satya Sai Baba, regarded as the holy incarnation of the almighty. Then again the temples around Rayadurg, Dharmavaram, Hemavathi, Atmakur, Bhyravanithippa, Chitrachedu, Penna Ahobilam, Kadiri and Kasapur are worth mentionable too. Almost all of them were built in the pre-historic era (with extravagant handiwork), the structural pattern resembling each other. The temples of Anantapur has also attracted tourist all over the country whilst supporting the tourism industry.



Ramalingeswara Temple, Tadpatri

Location: Tadparti near Anantapur.
Deities: Ramalingeswara (Shiva).
Location: Tadpatri, Anantapur.



This temple dates back to the 15th Century Vijayanagar Empire and has elements of Chalukyan, Chola and Vijayanagar art. The gopuram although unfinished has the most elaborate sculpture, cut with richness and sharpness. There are two famous temples here - the Bugga Ramalingeswara temple and the Chintala Venkataramana temple. Here the entire Siva Purana is carved in stone on the walls.

Both these temples are situated on the banks of river Pinakini. The Siva temple faces west and is more ancient of the two. This area was originally called Bhaskara Kshetras a forest having plenty of palm trees. Hence it was called Tamlapalli (Tati Vanain). During the time of Pemmasani Ramalinga Naidu, a local chieftain this place was renamed as Tadpatri. According to legend the spot where Ramalingeswara temple stands, Lord Parashurama lived and performed penance here. There is an underground source from where water flows into the garbha griha. The idol is uncut and roughly formed and hence the popular tradition that the linga is Swayambu.

Ramalingeswara TempleThe Kaifiat record royal patronage of the Vijayanagar king, built the western, northern and southern gopurams of the temple and the Mahadwara gopurams on the south. To the east is the place where Lord Parasurama did his penance. The gopuram of Sri Ramalingeswara temple, is massive and built with great attention. It is chiseled and polished and creates a majestic appearance. The records name a sculptor by name of Yellanchari brought from Benaras to work here.

The other temple Chintala Venkataramana Murti temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The legend states Sri Timma Naidu built it under the orders of the Vijayanagar kings. The temple is built according to the Silpa Sastras. The garbha griha, the Madyaranga, the Astana Mantapa, the Antarala Gopura, the Prakara, the Yagnasala, and the Kalyana Mantapa etc contain sculptures from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Originally the temple was called Chintala Tiruvengala Nathaswami. Chintala describes the Lord as Moola Bhera discovered at the foot of a tamarind tree.

The main gopura faces the east and is a solid structure, built partly of stone and partly of brick. The stone part contains figures of Vidyadhara, apsaras and avatars in neat and well-arranged rows. Just above the threshold, there are two horizontal lines of carvings one showing an elephant procession, horse procession from one end to the other. Inside the temple, every wall is covered with beautiful and delicate pieces of sculpture. A stone chariot is also there. Two holes are carved in the chariot and twice a year the Sun`s rays touch the foot of the deity.

A Rangamantapa has forty pillars in the Vijayanagar style. Beyond the Rangamantapa is a Mukhamantapa, which has scenes of the Ramayana commencing from Putrakameshti Yagna of Dasharatha to the Pattabhisheka of Sri Ramachandra. There are rare sculptures of the incarnations of Vishnu. To the north of the main temple, there are shrines dedicated to the goddesses. Adjacent to the Paryanka Griha, is built in the shape of an octagon.

Festivals: The important festivals held here are Narakachaturthi and Brahmotsava that fall in the month of October. In the Siva temple, the Vijayadasami and the Brahmotsava are celebrated in September and February.



Venkataramana TempleVenkatramana Temple
Location: Tadpatri near Gooty (Anantapur)
Deity: Venkataramana

This temple also belongs to the Vijayanagar period. This 6th century temple has intricate work on the walls and pillars of the Mandapams.

Doddeswara Swamy Aalayam Temples
Location: Hemavati near Madakasira, Anantapur
Deity: Lord Shiva

The village has four famous Sivalayas built and patronised by Pallavas here, where the Nolamba artists made the sculptures. Among the four Siddheswara, Virupaksheswara, Malleswara and Doddeswara temples, the last one is famous for its six-foot-high Sivalinga. The walls are covered with images sculptured that narrate stories from the great epics Mahabharata and Ramayana. This temple was constructed during the eighth century.

Bhogeswaraswamy Aalayam Temple
Location: Pamidi near Gooty-Anantapur
Deity: Lord Shiva

Lord Parasurama built this aalaya at the foot of Simhagiri hill. He installed the idols of Gauri and Shankar along with Kesavaswami. Agasthya, Rishyasringa and Simhagiri Bhat performed penance here. The Shivalinga is about five feet in high and swyambhu. As the serpent entwines the Sivalinga, it was appropriately called Bhogeswaralinga. The temple is adorned with beautiful sculptures representing Nandi, Navagrahas, and Vinayaka etc.

Legend: A cowherd observed one of his cows standing over an anthill and allowing its milk to flow down into it. He tried to break it with an axe - a voice informed him to leave it and to build an aalaya for Lord Bhogeswaraswamy. The next day he removed the anthill and found a big Sivalinga encircled by a serpent. He built an aalaya over it and another one for Goddess Parvati. He was instructed in his dream by Adisesha to build a small hamlet around, and name it Seshagrandhipuram.

Bugga Ramalingeswara TempleBugga Ramalingeswara Temple
Location: Tadparti near Anantapur
Deity: Lord Shiva


There are two temples here the Bugga Ramalingeswara Temple and the Chintala Venkataramana Temple. Both are situated on the banks of river Pinakini, which becomes Uttara Vahini, and is considered as a sacred spot.

The Siva temple faces the west and is more ancient. This place was called Bhaskara Kshetras and had plenty of palm trees hence was called Tamlapalli (Tati Vanain) and was renamed as Tadpatri. The icon of the Lord is uncut and roughly formed and hence the popular tradition is that the Linga is Swayambu or self manifested.

Legend: Lord Parashurama lived and performed penance here worshipping Lord Siva. There is an underground water stream that trickles into the Garbha Griha, where the Siva Linga was consecrated.

Ramalingeswara Temple
This temple dates back to the 15th Century Vijayanagar Empire and has elements of Chalukyan, Chola and Vijayanagar art. According to legend the spot where Ramalingeswara temple stands, Lord Parashurama lived and performed penance here. The idol is uncut and roughly formed and hence the popular tradition that the linga is Swayambu.

Veerabhadra Temple (Lepakshi)

Location: Anantpur
Deity: Veerabhadra- Vishnu



The Veerabhadra Temple , Lepakshi is an example of Vijayanagar architecture and was built in the 16th century and is situated on a mound. There is a wealth of sculptures in the mantapas and pillars with life-sized images of dancers, musicians, etc. A huge granite nandi bull stands outside and is carved out of single rock. The ceilings are covered in mural paintings. It is constructed on low rocky hill, which the locals call as Kurmasaila, because it resembles a tortoise.

History states two brothers Viranna and Virupanna, the governors of Penukonda, constructed the temple. Veerabhadra Temple (Lepakshi)The temple sanctum stands in the middle of two irregular enclosures and the entrance is through a huge hall. Every vacant spot on the walls, pillars, is filled with sculptures. The north-east columns in the centre of the hall has the figure of Natesha between Brahma and a drummer, while in the adjacent corner a maiden cavorts between another drummer and cymbalist. On the southwest, there is Parvati, while a three-legged divinity dances all by himself in the northwest corner.

Close to the main hall is a pillar, where locals kneel on all fours. This is the `suspended pillar` of the olden days. This pillar did not touch the floor and it was possible to pass a piece of cloth through the gap. Today it touches the ground, but only just in one corner, this happened when a British Engineer disturbed the balance while examining it.

The ceiling has frescos and these narrate the life of the patrons as well as episodes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. The sculptures and painting continue right into the temple sanctum. The main deity is a life-size image of Veerabhadra carrying weapons. In the compound is a multi-hooded Naga shielding a granite linga shaped from a natural boulder. A little ahead is a large unfinished hall with intricate carvings of sages and holy men on the columns. The big granite bull is on the main road, 200 metres from the temple. It is positioned such that it faces the huge serpent inside the temple.

Getting at Veerabhadra Temple , Lepakshi
Air: The nearest airport is at Bangalore, 152 km away.
Rail: The nearest railhead is Anantapur. Nandyal and Kurnool, are also convenient railheads.
Road: Ananthpur is well connected by Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport.