Temples in Andhra Pradesh – Finest Examples of Great Culture

Andhra Pradesh, the fourth largest state in India, is the most popular visiting place on the country’s south-eastern coast. The temples in Andhra Pradesh have magnificent architectural designs and robust beliefs. Andhra Pradesh is home to various temples. Here is a list of some of these temples which make Andhra vibrant and culturally rich.  

Sri Venkateswara Temple, Tirupati 

Sri Venkateswara Temple of Andhra Pradesh is one of the most famous temples in India. Dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, the temple dates back to the 12th century and is one of the wealthiest temples in the world. Many tourists visit the state of Andhra Pradesh only in the hoard of Sri Venkateswara Temple. The daily arti or the Vishesh Puja of the temple is very famous among both the locals and visitors. The Sri Venkateswara Temple is the focal point of the annual Brahmotsavam festival. The busiest months are September and October.  

Srikalahasti Temple, Chittoor  

The Srikalahasti Temple is the star of the Rayalaseema region in Andhra Pradesh, and Lord Shiva is the sole deity of the temple. Looking at the temple’s history, it was the king of the Vijayanagar empire, King Krishnadevraya, who constructed the temple in 1516. The most remarkable feature of the temple’s architecture is the intricate carvings and mythological illustrations on the temple walls.   

Ranganatha Temple, Nellore

The Ranganath temple lies on River Pennar, and it is one of the oldest temples in the region. The beautiful architecture and exquisite carvings in the temple are no joke. The temple houses seven gold pots, and these pots have huge mirrors and have a mesmerizing design. 

Kanaka Durga Temple, Vijaywada 

The Kanaka Durga Temple of Vijaywada is a famous shrine of Goddess Durga. The marvelous architecture in Dravidian fashion is breathtaking. The hills of Indrakeeladri surround the temple while the river Krishna flows beside it. The temple has various mentions in historical and religious texts. 

Siva Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam  

Siva Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple stands on the southern bank of the mighty river Krishna, Srisailam. King Harihara Raya built the temple way back in the 6th century. The idols of sage Bringi, Nandi, Sahasralinga, and Nataraja find a home in this temple. A legend surrounding the temple states the story of Goddess Parvati cursing sage Bringi for worshipping only Lord Shiva and Lord Shiva bestowing the sage with a third leg.  

Veerbhadra Temple, Lepakshi 

Veerbhadra Temple of the Lepakshi temple is one of the most famous and marvelous temples in the region. Maharaja Aliya Rama Raya of the Vijayanagara Empire founded the temple in 1535 AD. The temple holds not only religious significance but also historical affluence. It houses several archaeological sites. 

Yaganti Temple, Kurnool 

Yaganti Temple, or the temple of Yagantiswamy of Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, is a popular tourist place. Lord Shiva is the temple’s deity; Ardhanareeswara, the fusion of God Shiva and Goddess Parvati, is worshipped in the temple. The other name of the temple is Uma Maheshwara Temple. The ancient temple dates back to the 5th and 6th centuries. The idol in the temple is a single stone carving. 

Simhachalam Temple, Visakhapatnam 

Simhachalam Temple of Vishakhapatnam is an ornate shrine in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It is present on the top of a hill 800 meters above sea level. The temple is primarily a Lord Narsimha temple, and the detailed stone carvings and design steal the spotlight. The Simhachalam Temple is the only temple in India where you can find the third and fourth incarnations of Lord Vishnu together.  

Mangalagiri Temple, Guntur 

The temple is one of the eight auspicious and sacred destinations in India known as the Mahakshetrams. According to legends, Lord Vishnu himself manifested on the Mangalagiri soil, and Goddess Lakshmi performed penance in the peak of Guntur hills.  

Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple, Tirupati 

The Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple is a sacred temple where people pray and seek the blessings of Goddess Padmavathi. The temple stands solely dedicated to the legends of the life of Goddess Padmavathi  

Thousand Pillar Temple, Hanamkonda 

The Thousand pillar temple is an ancient temple in the small town of Andhra Pradesh, Hanamakonda. The pillars here are so tightly knit that they give the shape of a complete wall. The star shape construction of the temple is the best part.  

Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple, Chittoor

The Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple is a reason for pilgrims to visit the state. The small town of Kanapakam where we find this beautiful temple is an abode of the deity Vinayaka. Constructed in the 11th century by the Chola king KUlthunga Chola I, the temple beautifully depicts ancient architecture. It was rebuilt by the rulers of the Vijayanagara dynasty in 1336.  

Ahobilam Temple 

Ahobilam Temple is insanely popular among tourists, and many sources state it as one of the most visited temples in Andhra Pradesh. Sources and historical cum religious texts also elaborate on the point that the temple stands where Lord Narsimha kills Hiranyakasipu.  

Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple

The Amaralingeswara temple, located in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, is one of the panchakarma Kshetras of the region. Legends state that the Shiva Linga in the temple is the one which God Indra installed himself. There is also a belief that the Shiva Linga present in the temple grows each year.  

Ramappa Temple, Warangal 

The magnificent temple was built in the heart of the ancient capital Warangal of the Kakatiya Dynasty. General Recherla Rudra constructed the temple during the rule of Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva. The carvings on the temple walls depict ancient scenes.  

Conclusion 

Other than these 15 temples, other temples hold supreme importance and reverence in Andhra Pradesh. Many of these temples were built centuries back and qualify as ancient temples and even supported archaeological sites. Most of the temples stand dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temples of Andhra Pradesh are the pride of the whole nation