Anantapur, a city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, doesn’t often feature in your average tourist guides. But, a visit to Anantapur is in order if you love history and intriguing places of worship. The city had a position of strategic importance to the British Indian Army during the Second World War. Hence, there are several forts of tremendous historical significance waiting to be explored in Anantapur.
Here’s a list of destinations in Anantapur that will make your stay a memorable one.
The Veerabhadra Temple is located in a village called Lepakshi. The temple was built during the 16th century in the typical architectural styles of the Vijayanagara kingdom.
The presiding deity in the temple is Lord Veerabhadra. Its beautiful mandapams contain pillars with life-sized images of dancers and musicians crafted intricately on them. A granite statue of the Nandi Bull is the prime attraction in the temple. The statue carved out of a single granite stone draws tourists from across the state and is among the most popular places to visit in Anantapur.
Thimmamma Marrimanu is a legendary Banyan Tree in Anantapur. According to local myths, this enormous tree was named after Thimmamma Marrimanu, a woman who committed Sati following her husband’s death. A small tree reportedly grew from one of the poles used to erect the funeral pyre, transforming into the wondrous Banyan tree that stands there today. A small temple dedicated to Thimmamma stands below the tree.
The tree’s branches are spread across a whopping five acres, earning it the distinction of being the biggest tree in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1989.
Thimmamma’s blessings are known to be especially bountiful for couples who are childless. People believe that couples who offer prayers to Thimmamma will be blessed with children soon after.
Nervous about an impending wedding and your life thereafter? Consider taking your wedding entourage to Penna Ahobilam and its renowned Lord Narasimha Swamy Temple. Marriage ceremonies performed at the temple are considered to be doubly blessed.
The temple was constructed alongside the footprints of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy which measured an area of 5 ft 3 inches. Lord Narasimha is a half-man and half-lion avatar of Lord Krishna. The temple complex also houses temples to Adi Lakshmi Devi Temple and Chenchu Lakshmi Devi.
The Gooty fort is one of the oldest hill forts in Andhra Pradesh. This historical marvel is perched 300 meters above the Gooty plains. The fort was built by the rulers of the Vijayanagara Kingdom but eventually fell into the hands of the Marathas. It was occupied by Haider Ali in 1773 and later fell to the British after the defeat of Tipu Sultan in 1799.
What makes this fort unique is its shell-like structure that contains 15 forts and 15 main doors. The compounds of the fort comprise a series of walls linked by 14 gates. The fort also features two edifices, one of which is a gymnasium while the other is a powder magazine. Another special feature of the fort is the availability of water in a structure located at such an incredible height. Some of the inscriptions on the walls of this fort go back to the 7th century.
Inside the fort also stands a small pavilion built of polished limestone called Murari Rao’s seat. Truly a seat with a view, it is located on the edge of a cliff offering stunning views of the valley below. Gooty is located at a distance of 52 km from Anantapur on the Kurnool-Bangalore trunk road. Bookmark this fort and put it on top of your list of places to visit in Anantapur.
Known as ‘Ghangari’ in local inscriptions, the Penukonda Fort was a strategic capital of the Vijayanagara empire for a short duration. The fort’s defenses were impeccable and never saw defeat! It is one of the best places to visit in Anantapur – with smaller palaces, temples, and other fascinating structures housed within the complex.
The fort comprises of two particularly fascinating sites. The first is the Gagan Mahal which was used as a summer resort by the Vijayanagar Emperors. The Gagan Mahal was built in 1575 AD and served as the center of opulence, reserved exclusively for royalty during the period. The second integral site housed within the fort complex is the Babayya Darga – a structure symbolizing communal harmony between Hindus and Muslims.
Penukonda is located at a distance of 50 km from Anantapur on the NH7 highway to Bangalore.
Raidurgam Fort played a crucial role in the history of the Vijayanagara Empire. For starters, the fort was built at a height of 2727 ft above sea level. Its numerous forts within a fort were built deliberately to keep enemies at bay and were hugely successful at doing so. The fort exudes an aura of grandeur even though most of it is now crumbling and in ruins. The views from the top of the fort are spectacular!
Numerous temples and shrines are located within the fort complex. Some of the more prominent of which are the ones dedicated to Narashimhaswamy, Hanuman, Jambukeswara, Prasanna, Venkateswara Kanyakaparameswari, and Elamma.
Anantasagaram is a reservoir so integral that the city of Anantapur was named after it. It is one of the biggest reservoirs in the district spread across a sprawling area of 2,511 acres in Anantapur and Bukkarayasamudram. According to folklore, a woman named Musalamma sacrificed herself in the waters of Anantasagaram to stop a breach forming in the tank. A portion of the tank was then called ‘Musalammakatta’ as a tribute to her bravery and sacrifice. The crystal waters of the reservoir are immensely soothing to the eyes. It is a great spot for a short break from the trials of everyday routine.
In every city lies a structure central to its identity and history. The iconic Clock Tower is one such landmark in the city of Anantapur. It was built in memory of the people who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for India’s Independence. The Clock Tower contains eight faces to signify the eighth month in the year – August. Additionally, the clock’s radius is 15 ft to commemorate 15th August, India’s Independence Day. This beautiful tower stands tall even today and is especially resplendent when lit up at night.
Some of the popular restaurants in Anantapur are Blue Moon Highway Restaurant, SS Paradise, Hyderabad Chefs, Food Devils, Sri Sagar, and Sujatha. The restaurants in Anantapur serve a variety of cuisines such as Indian, Chinese, and Asian with plenty of vegetarian options.
Plan a visit to Dharmavaram if you’re a fan of textiles and sarees. This is the birthplace of the famous Dharmavaram silk sarees and a hub for the cotton and silk weaving industry. The residents of Dharmavaram have been weaving these gorgeous sarees since time immemorial with around 30 silk Cooperative Societies helping people engaged in the trade. This fine silk wear is also exported to countries such as Germany and France. Picture a city with over a thousand shops selling the most beautiful silk sarees! And if you can’t, just visit it instead. Visit the city to collect stories of a community’s history and tradition along with a dazzling new saree or two to add to your collection. Now that’s a shopping trip worth making!
Hemavathi is located at a distance of 148 km from Anantapur. It was the capital of the Pallavas during the 9th and 10th centuries. The village is home to some of the most fascinating remnants of Pallava and Chola architecture. Hemavathi played a significant role in the 9th and 10th centuries AD when it was known as Henjeri under the Nolamba Pallavas. Hemavathi is widely known for the temple of Doddeswara Swamy. At the temple’s entrance is an 8 feet tall Nandi made of black basalt granite. Inside the temple’s sanctum sanctorum is a Lingam that is 6 feet tall.
The weather in Anantapur is arid throughout the year since it receives little to no rainfall. The winter months from November to January are ideal to plan a visit to Anantapur.
By Train: Anantapur is connected to major cities of the country through a regular network of trains. Some of the railway stations that will get you to Anantapur are Anantapur (ATP), Basampalle (BSL), Narayanapuram (NRYP), and Somalapuram (SLM).
By Road: The Anantapur bypass connects the city to major destinations across the country.
By Air: Anantapur does not have an airport of its own. The nearest airport is Hindustan Airport in Bangalore located at a distance of 184 km. The Tirupati airport in Andhra Pradesh is located at a distance of 235 km.
Anantapur is a lesser-known but fascinating tourist destination in the state of Andhra Pradesh. If you’re a history buff or a temple-hopper, Anantapur is a good place to explore beyond the traditional tourist map.
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