(Last Updated on : 24/07/2013)
Temples of Andhra Pradesh
attract a sea of pilgrims and tourists from all over the country. Many of these exuberant temples depict various religious tales from the epics of the country. Diversity in terms of beliefs, customs and traditions are well depicted through the rituals followed in these temples.
Gnana Saraswati Temple
Gnana Saraswati Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati
. The temple is situated at Basar
in Adilabad district
, along the Godavari River
. The temple is a centre for "Akshara abhyasam" ceremony of children which is performed before the start of formal education. The temple also houses idols of Goddess Lakshmi
and Goddess Kali
for which it is also known as the abode of the divine trinity.
Veerabhadra Temple is another famous temple located in Anantapur
district. Beautiful Vijayanagara architecture
adorns this ancient temple which was built in 16th century. The temple houses beautiful sculptures of musicians and dancers carved out by adept artisans. Spectacular mural paintings
are also an interesting feature of this temple.
Boiyakonda Gangamma Temple
Boiyakonda Gangamma Temple is a Hindu temple located in Chittoor district
. Goddess Gangamma is the presiding deity of this temple. It stands on the top of a hill and it is believed that the Goddess eradicate all evils and blesses her true devotees.
Another temple in the state of Andhra Pradesh is Neelakanteswara Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva
, also known as Neelakanta. The temple is highly popular among Hindu pilgrims as according to Puranas
, Lord Brahma
had worshipped the statue of Lord Shiva at this very temple. The festival of Mahashivratri
is celebrated in this ancient temple with great religious fervour.
Akkanna Madanna Temple
Situated in Hyderabad
, Akkanna Madanna Temple is another famous temple visited by a sea of devotees. It was established by Madanna and Akkanna, two brothers, during the period of Tana Shah of Golconda. Grand celebration of Bonalu
takes place in this temple which is also accompanied by ghatam
Koulutla Chenna Kesava Temple
Koulutla Chenna Kesava Temple stands in the reserved forest of Kappatralla, near Kurnool district
. It was built by Sri Krishna Deva Raya, a Vijayanagara
King. It is a Shiva temple.
Maruthi Mandir is another Hindu temple situated in Nalgonda district
. Lord Hanuman
is the presiding deity of this temple.
Sri Ranganthaswami Temple
Sri Ranganthaswami Temple is one of the most ancient temples of Nellore district
. It is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha, a resting avatar of Lord Vishnu
. This ancient temple was constructed in 12th century along the Penna River. Brahmotsavam is a grand festival which is celebrated every year in this temple in the month of March-April.
Keesaragutta Temple is a Shiva temple located in Ranga Reddy district
. Shivratri is a significant festival of this temple which is celebrated with great pomp and show attracting numerous devotees from all over the country.
Devipuram, in Visakhapatnam
is dedicated to Goddess Sahasrakshi. The temple belongs to the Shakta school of Hinduism
. It follows an unconventional tradition of allowing the devotees to worship the Goddess irrespective of gender, caste and creed.
Bhadrakali Temple, in Warangal
, enlists itself among the oldest temples of the state. It stands amidst the picturesque natural beauty along the Bhadrakali Lake. Archeological evidences state that the temple was built around 625 A.D by King Pulakesi II of Chalukya dynasty
. Goddess Bhadrakali
is the main deity of this temple.
Other Temples of Andhra Pradesh
Other temples of Andhra Pradesh includes Bhadrachalam Temple
, Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple, Kulandeshwara Swamy Temple, Palli Kondeswarar Temple
, Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple, Srikalahasti Temple
, Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Ananthagiri Temple, Ashtalakshmi Temple
, Chilkur Balaji Temple, Jagannath Temple
, Karmanghat Hanuman Temple
, Katta Maisamma temple, Nanakramguda temple, Peddamma temple, Ujjaini Mahakali Temple and many more.
Andhra Pradesh houses a plethora of temples which are famous for their popular religious myths, beliefs as well as excellent architecture. They also serve as great attraction points for tourists from different parts of the world who visit them to explore the rich cultural heritage of India.