19 monuments found
An amazing testimony for many important events of Ramayana, the holy temple town of Bhadrachalam is located near to River Godavari and blessed with abundant natural beauty. The place is a popular pilgrimage town for housing Sri Sitaramachandra Swamy Temple where Lord Rama is worshipped along with his consort Devi Sita and sibling Lakshmana. It is believed that Lord Rama spent some important days of his 14-year exile in the town. The temple, located on a small hillock, is exquisitely decorated and has beautiful idols of the deities. Other attractions in and around the temple include Narasimha Swamy Temple and Lord Shiva Temple. The meditation hall called Ramadasu Dhyanamandiram is popular for offering breathtaking views of unbound nature around. One can also visit Parnashala (where Rama built a hut) and other holy places located nearby. Boat cruises and camping alongside river banks are some wonderful activities to enjoy here.
Located at the mouth of the Bay of Bengal where River Gosthani joins the vast ocean, Bheemunipatnam is popular tourist town with historic and religious significance. It was the second municipality established in British India some 150 years ago. Believed to have links with Mahabharata, the town is also considered as a popular Buddhist centre. Bheemunipatnam gets its name from Bheema, one of the five Pandava brothers, who spent time here during their exile. It is believed that Bheema killed demon Bakasur here and the town was named after him. A temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha and two other temples named Bheemeswaralayam and Choleswaralayam are among the prime attractions here. With its silver beaches dotted with coconut groves, the town offers wonderful opportunities to sunbathe and swim. The town once served as an important trade port and as a Dutch colony. Ruins of Dutch forts and other establishments can be visited here. In addition, many Buddhist remains have been excavated from various sites in and around the town.
Picturesque landscapes featuring lavishly forested hills that stay engulfed in mist present Horsley Hills as an outstanding holiday resort for nature lovers and honeymoon couples. However, the place is not limited to any particular category of tourists, as it is equally charming for adventurers, wildlife lovers and religious travellers. The spectacular covers of trees like sandalwood, gulmohar, eucalyptus (including a 150-year old eucalyptus tree called Kalyani), allamanda and jacaranda and fabulous expanse of flowering plants like blue gum, sampangi, reeta and red sanders add multiple hues to the place. It is not rare to sight animals like bear, sambar, panther and wild dog and some gorgeous birds at Horsley. Lake Gangotri, Horsley Bungalow (also called Governor’s Bungalow) and Horsley Hills Museum and numerous vantage points add to the place’s worth. Adventurers can have their share of delightful experiences like zorbing, rappelling and trekking. The nearby Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary can be included in the adventure list. Spiritual-minded tourists can visit the popular temple of Mallamma and a nearby Shiva Temple. Other attractions are the Punganoor cows, bred by the local Chenchu tribes and known for their high milk-yielding trait. Handicrafts made by the tribal people are worth purchasing as well.
Also famous as Sri Durga Malleswara Swami Temple, Kanakdurga Temple is standing proud on Indrakeeladri Hills of Vijayawada. Kanakdurga Devi is believed to be the Goddess of grace, power and wealth. Overlooking Vijayawada and River Krishna, this beautifully carved temple houses an impressive 4 ft. high idol of Goddess Durga. The idol portrays the scene of Goddess Durga piercing the demon Mahishasura with her spear. During Durgashtami, lakhs of devotees visit the temple for worshipping Kanakdurga and for a holy dip in River Krishna located nearby. Navaratri, Saraswati Puja and Theppotsavam are celebrated with great enthusiasm here. The temple is decorated like a newly married bride during Navratri and Dusshera festival. The gleaming beauty of the sacred deity, which decks up in ten different avatars during the ten day long festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Different types of Darshans are available in the temple like Dharma Darshanam, Mukha Mandapam, Anthralaya Dharshanam and Break Dharshanam. Different fee is applicable for different kinds of Darshan. Tourist can explore the nearby attractions like Gandhi Hill, Undavalli Caves, Amaravati Museum and Kondapalli Fort etc.
Draksharama, also known as Bhimeswara Swamy Temple is one of the five most divine Shiva temples collectively known as Pancharama Kshetram. The temple is also popular for being a Shiva Kshetra as well as a Shakti Kshetra. According to legends, Goddess Sati’s cheek fell here and since then the place is dedicated to Goddess Manikyamba. The crystal Shiva Lingam (about 2.4 m. high) inside the temple is the main attraction. The temple is also admirable for its superlative architecture boasting of highlights like two-storied mandapa, intricately carved pillars, towering gopurams and an amazingly impressive ventilation system. It is believed that the temple constructed in one night continues to have an incomplete wall which was not completed before the sunrise. Many small temples within the complex are dedicated to the deities like Manikyamba, Natarajeshwar, Ganapathi, Visheshwara and Kanakadurga. The temple also hosts grand celebrations on occasions like Mahashivaratri and other festivals.
Sri MallikarjunaSwamy is known for being one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.It is one of the most powerful shrines of Lord Shiva in the world and is located on the banks of the Krishna River in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh. Various legends surround this temple that can be traced back to Shiv Purana- an epic dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is said that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati stayed here for a while making the land holy. This majestic temple stands on top of a hill which is said to be a manifestation of Nandi. This well visited temple has many other Shiva temples in its vicinity, which has enhanced its religious significance. The temple was built six centuries ago by Vijayanagar’s King Harihara Ray and the temple still has most of the ancient architecture and designs. The temple draws huge crowds during festive occasions like Shivaratri.
Set up by Sri Sathya Sai Baba, an Indian guru and spiritual leader, Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram is well-known for its calming atmosphere away from the chaotic city life. Nestled amidst hills and overlooking River Chitravarthi, the ashram’s settings justify its name which translates to ‘the Abode of Supreme Peace’. The entire premises boast of superlative architecture painted mainly in blue, yellow and pink. Among the top ashram highlights are the two museum buildings called Chaitanya Jyoti and Sanathana Samskruti Museum, each flaunting splendid architecture and some amazing exhibits. The Space Theatre or Planetarium, which organizes interesting shows of astronomy, is another amazing site inside the ashram campus. Visitors, especially devotees, also like to visit the ashram’s temples like Lord Shiva Temple (marking Sai Baba’s birthplace), Lord Dattatreya Temple, Gopalaswami Temple, Satyabhama Temple and Hanuman Temple. Ashram’s attractions also include two holy trees - the Meditation Tree (a banyan tree) and the Wish-Fulfilling Tree (a tamarind tree). Visitors to the ashram can attend chants, religious performances, prayers and other activities throughout the day. The ashram also offers accommodations at extremely cheap prices. Visitors are not allowed to bring items like mobile phones, cameras, electronic goods, bags and purses. Smoking, alcohol, non-vegetarian food and gambling too are prohibited.
Also famous as Sri Durga Malleswara Swami Temple, Kanakdurga Temple is standing proud on Indrakeeladri Hills of Vijayawada. Kanakdurga Devi is believed to be the Goddess of grace, power and wealth. Overlooking Vijayawada and River Krishna, this beautifully carved temple houses an impressive 4 ft. high idol of Goddess Durga. The idol portrays the scene of Goddess Durga piercing the demon Mahishasura with her spear. During Durgashtami, lakhs of devotees visit the temple for worshipping Kanakdurga and for a holy dip in River Krishna located nearby. Navaratri, Saraswati Puja and Theppotsavam are celebrated with great enthusiasm here. The temple is decorated like a newly married bride during Navratri and Dusshera festival. The gleaming beauty of the sacred deity, which decks up in ten different avatars during the ten day long festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Different types of Darshans are available in the temple like Dharma Darshanam, Mukha Mandapam, Anthralaya Dharshanam and Break Dharshanam. Different fee is applicable for different kinds of Darshan. Tourist can explore the nearby attractions like Gandhi Hill, Undavalli Caves, Amaravati Museum and Kondapalli Fort etc.
In India, the thin line between nature and mysticism is often difficult to draw and this can be best explained by Borra Caves. Located in Ananthagiri Hills near the Eastern Coast of India, the caves are world-famous for the naturally formed limestone stalagmites and stalactites many of which represent Hindu deities, icons and religious structures. Counted among the largest caves in India, Borra Caves are the deepest in the country and formed by the constant action of River Gosthani. Believed to be some 150 billion years old, the caves were discovered in the beginning of the 19th century. Shiva Lingam and figure of a holy cow (called Kamdhenu) are among the religious formations worshipped by the devotees. A number of colourful halogen and sodium lamps lit up the caves beautifully. Apart from exploring the caves, one can admire the breathtaking beauty of the surroundings. Warnings: Accompanying a guide is strictly recommended.
Nature’s canvas dotted with manmade wonders brings wholesome enjoyment for the visitors to Kailasagiri Park. Located on a hilltop about 360 ft. high, the park faces Bay of Bengal on one side and lush green forests of Eastern Ghats on the other, promising 360 degrees of completely enchanting views. The name literally translates to the abode of Lord Shiva and justifies the presence of marvellous 40 ft. high white statues of Shiva and his consort Parvati. The park boasts of a toy train (ride costs INR 40 for adults and INR 30 for children) which takes a full round of the park and allows astounding sightseeing. Floral Clock of diameter 10 ft. and a huge conch of Lord Vishnu are other interesting attractions. Titanic Viewpoint and Telescope Point are among the popular vantage points from where one can enjoy outstanding views of the ocean, forests and the city below. Art Gallery and Shanti Ashram are other notable attractions. Visitors get to enjoy delicious foods at various food courts located here. In addition, paragliding is a popular and exciting activity available at the park. The park is accessible by a cable car (ride costs INR 55 two-way and INR 28 one-way), though many tourists prefer to take the stairways. Each of the two routes promises wonderful views throughout.
Launched as one of the first amusement parks in the whole of India, Fantasy Land came into existence in 1992. Since then, the park has never failed to attract enthusiastic visitors from all age groups. Well-known for its amusing and daring rides, it is definitely among the top-notch icons of modern Mumbai. Grand Slam is a popular section, where people can be seen bumping their cars into one another. Enjoy boat surfing in air at thrilling speed at another popular section called Slam Bob. The Ulta Fulta Express is the ultimate roller coaster ride where the riders experience the whole world turned upside down. Master Blaster with 12 arms juggles the riders upside down in seconds, sending butterflies in the stomach. Dragon and Italian merry-go-round are other highlights. Visitors to the park can also enjoy Indian, Chinese and other cuisines at numerous food stalls. Boating, horse riding, swings and many other attractions can keep you busy throughout.
Srisailam Tiger Reserve, also known as Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve and Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, holds the distinction of being the largest tiger reserve in India. Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1978, it was included in Project Tiger in 1983. Spread over 5 districts, the reserve claims the total area of 3,568 sq. km. which includes 1,200 sq. km. of core area. Topography of the reserve includes the Nallamala Hills, forested valleys, river gorges, plateaus and some very spectacular waterfalls that are worth visiting. Apart from southern tropical dry mixed deciduous forests and Deccan thorn scrub forests, the reserve is also home to Euphorbia scrubs. The wildlife treasures include Bengal tiger, leopard, sloth bear, jungle cat, dholes, civet, mongoose, badgers, hyena, jackal, sambar, spotted deer, chinkara, black buck and wild boar among others. Popular birds at the reserve include partridges, jungle fowls, plovers, ducks, pochards, teals, quails, woodpeckers, barbets, cuckoo, hornbills, kingfishers, parakeets, doves, eagles, egrets, kites, herons, minivets, flycatchers and many more. Terrapins, geckos, marsh crocodile, monitor lizards, skinks, cobra, krait, vipers and pythons are the reptiles found here. The reserve’s attractions also include the huge Nagarjunasagar and Srisailam Dams, pilgarimage sites (including a Jyotirlinga and a Maha Shakti Peeth), ruins of Buddhist universities, ancient forts and rock shelters.
Nagarjunakonda Museum near the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is located on an island in River Krishna, amidst many significant Buddhist sites. The museum preserves many important and rare Buddhist artefacts obtained from the nearby excavation sites of what once consisted of ancient Buddhist monasteries and learning centres. Built in the style of a Buddhist Vihara, the museum houses carved limestone slabs, inscriptions, figurines (made of terracotta and stucco), sculptures, coins, seals and other artefacts belonging to different eras, starting from Stone Age. Ceramic artefacts, household items, epigraphs and specimen of Ikshvaku art and architecture are extremely interesting. It is also believed that the earring and tooth present at the museum are the sacred relics belonging to Buddha. Boat to the Nagarjunakonda Island start at 09:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 03:30 a.m. and begin their return trips after one hour stay each time. Huge crowds of visitors may make getting on and off the boat difficult.
Introduction Perched on a small hillock of the Eastern Ghats, Kondapalli Fort is a 14th century structure built by the local ruler Prolaya Verma Reddy, mainly for the recreational purposes. The historical fort exchanged hands through various dynasties and was finally used as the British as a powerful military base. Apart from three massive gateways and three-storey rock tower, the fort is famous for its Tanisha Palace. A holy dargah (shrine) dedicated to the Persian Saint Garib Sahib is another highlight within the fort. Visitors also take interest in exploring Rani Mahal (Queen Palace), Dancing Hall, Gajshala (Elephant Stable), Dinning Hall and other structures. Several reservoirs, especially the one fed by a natural spring adds to the place’s beauty. Commanding views of the surroundings are indeed a rejuvenating experience. When at Kondapalli, don’t miss the opportunity to buy the very charming toys made of light wood.
Cascading down the hills from a height of about 70 ft. Ethipothala Waterfalls present the unique image of Mother Nature in Nagarjunakonda, Andhra Pradesh. Known as one of the most visited attractions in the state, the waterfall is formed from the merger of the tributaries of River Krishna. The waterfall is the result of the amalgamation of three famous tributaries like Chandravanka Vagu, Nakkala Vagu and Tummala Vagu. The sparkling sapphire lagoon formed at the foot of the waterfall is home to a number of crocodiles, making it a famous crocodile breeding centre of the state. Presenting a scenic and peaceful environment, the waterfall is a great trekking and camping spot. For the most dramatic look, visit the waterfalls during sunset. A trip to Ethipothala Waterfalls is certainly a treat for nature lovers seeking a bracing change. Near the Ethipothala Waterfalls, tourists can visit two impressive temples that are dedicated to Ranganadha Swami and Dattatreya Swami. You can take a glimpse of a few small caves besides the waterfalls.
Sri Venkateshwara (or Venkateswara) National Park with its forested hills and valleys is a wonderful destination for the wildlife tourists. The park is well-known for many gorgeous waterfalls, some popular ones being Gundalakona, Talakona and Gunjana. Spanning over the hills of Seshachalam and Tirumala in the Cuddapah and Chittor Districts, the park is also a part of a biosphere region and has an area of about 353 sq. km. Flora at the park consists of dry deciduous and moist deciduous forests with many rare and endemic species to its credit. Red sanders and sandalwood trees add to the park’s beauty. The park boasts of a treasure of fauns which includes leopard, sloth bear, jungle cat, wild dogs, hyena, Indian fox, civet, sambar, four-horned antelope, barking deer, spotted deer, wild boar, Indian giant squirrel, slender Loris, tree shrew, gliding lizard, golden gecko and many more. A variety of birds, including yellow-throated bulbul, pompadour green pigeon, oriental white-back vulture, blue-face malkoha, Loten’s sunbird and many others, can also be explored here. The visitors can like to visit Tirumala Venkateswara Temple near the park.
The historical fort of Chandragiri exchanged hands among Yadava Naidus, Vijayanagara Empire and Mysore rulers. Today, this time-honoured monument stands as the witness to the glorious past of the region. Though, many of its parts are in the state of ruin, one can never resist the charm of exploring the spellbinding beauty and old world charisma of this structure. Among the top highlights of the fort are the two palaces, known as Raja Mahal and Rani Mahal. Ornamented towers and many other fascinating architectural elements of the fort are simply outstanding. Raja Mahal, built in alluring Indo-Sarcen style, now serves as an archaeological museum, exhibiting collections of interesting artefacts. There are 8 ruined temple structures dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu within the fort complex. The Collection Tank in the premises offers enjoyable boating facility. Visitors can also attend the Light & Sound shows in the evening (in Telugu at 06:30 p.m. and in English at 07:30 p.m.). Photography is strictly prohibited inside the fort.
Designated as the second-largest brackish-water lake in India after Lake Chilika, Lake Pulicat is home to one of the best bird sanctuaries of the world. Spread over an area of about 481 sq. km. (84% in Andhra Pradesh and 16% in Tamil Nadu), the sanctuary attracts thousands of migratory birds, the most popular ones being the greater flamingos. Apart from flamingos, the sanctuary is a hotspot to watch birds like squats, curlews, sandpipers, lapwings, egrets, herons, redshanks, kites, plovers, pelicans, painted storks, ducks, spoonbills, osprey, avocets, cormorants, teals, quails, partridges and many more. The lake is also home to several species of fishes. Tourists can also enjoy the water sports like jet-skiing and boating at the lake. The lake is also popular for hosting the Flamingo Festival annually in the month of January. Visiting the lake is a memorable experience for the enthusiastic birdwatchers.
Araku in Andhra Pradesh is inhabited by people from numerous tribes. This inspired the establishment of Araku Tribal Museum in 1996 which soon became a tourist hotspot. Constructed from mud, the museum has amazing rustic appearance and showcases authentic tribal culture in the most alluring manner. Main exhibits at the museum include utensils, weapons, clothes, jewellery, handicrafts and other items used by the tribal people. Other sections portray the beautiful dance forms, wedding rituals, drawings and artworks and other important aspects of the local tribal culture. The museum also has a shop at the second level from where one can purchase interesting tribal items. Highlights also include a fortune teller with a parrot which speaks in local language.
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