KADAPA TOURISM PLACES:-
Religious:-
Nandalur is on the west bank of river Cheyyeru. Once it was a famous Buddhist centre in Rayalaseema. In 1913 Buddhist caves and viharas were discovered.
The stone praakaaram around the sanctum sanctorum is said to have been built by one Tirupathi Seshanna in 1911. The devotees from far places visit this temple in the month of Sravana.
Religious:-
Nandalur is on the west bank of river Cheyyeru. Once it was a famous Buddhist centre in Rayalaseema. In 1913 Buddhist caves and viharas were discovered.
Sowmyanath Temple, here is a very big temple, situated nearly on ten acres of site. 
It is a replica of Thiruvannamalai and patronized by Cholas, Pandyas, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagara, Pottapi and Matli Kings.Here most of the inscriptions, are in Tamil. Lord Sowmyanatha is installed on an elevated 
place and attracts pilgrims with his glittering beauty.
It is a replica of Thiruvannamalai and patronized by Cholas, Pandyas, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagara, Pottapi and Matli Kings.Here most of the inscriptions, are in Tamil. Lord Sowmyanatha is installed on an elevated place and attracts pilgrims with his glittering beauty.
The temple and Buddhist caves are worth seeing at this town and is well connected by road and rail.
How to Reach: It is on the Cuddapah-Chennai highway and is at a distance of 38 KMs from Cuddapah.
PUSHPAGIRI
Pushpagiri is on the banks of Pennar (Pinakini) 16 Kms from Cuddapah City. It is well known for its numerous temples. Vaishnavas call it as Madhya Ahobhilam and Saivas as Madhya Kailasam. 
The Amrita Sarovar would be a thrilling experience, according to local legend, about its sanctity - when Garuda was carrying nectar from Indra Loka, one drop of it fell at this place and turned the pool into a sacred one. One day an old farmer vexed with his wretched life jumped into the pool to commit suicide. The fall transformed him into a young man. He was so astonished by this and made his wife and oxen to take dip in the pool. They were also turned into young.
The news of the sacred pool spread all over the place and all people started thronging at this place to become young. The news reached Satya Loka, Brahma invoked the help of Lord Vishnu & Lord Siva. They instructed Anjaneya to close the pool. Anjaneya dropped a hill in the pool, but instead of sinking the hill started floating like a flower. Lord Vishnu & Lord Siva decided to clamp their feet at the ends. The imprint of the foot of Siva became famous as Rudrapada and that of Vishnu's as Vishnupada.
Pushpagiri is now called as a second Hampi, is one of the important Advaitha Mutts established by Sankaracharya and is the only place in Andhra Pradesh where the holy Peetham of Sankaracharya is located.
The largest and best known among temples, is the Chennakesava Temple, which according to the earliest inscriptions found in the temple complex, dates back to 1298 A.D. The dancing Ganapati and Krishna preaching the Bhagavad Geetha to Arjuna are remarkable pieces of Art.
� The annual temple festival is conducted for 10 days in March-April.
Other temples of interest here include Trikuteswara, Durga, Shiva, Rudrapada and Devi, which are remarkable for their architectural precision and excellent images.
Gandi - Anjaneya
The temple of Anjaneya Swamy here is built on the foot of a hill on the western side of the river Papaghni in the midst of picturesque 
surroundings. It has gain a great name and fame a Vayu Kshethra.
surroundings. It has gain a great name and fame a Vayu Kshethra.
Papaghni river goes in this place from south to north in between two hills. A legend says, that Lord Rama visited this place in
his return journey from Lanka. To welcome Rama Vayu the father of Anjaneya hung a wreath of golden flowers across the ravine. Before leaving this place Rama carved the figure of Anjaneya on a rock.
his return journey from Lanka. To welcome Rama Vayu the father of Anjaneya hung a wreath of golden flowers across the ravine. Before leaving this place Rama carved the figure of Anjaneya on a rock.
The people here believe that it is visible to the sacred souls at the approach of their death time. Sir Thomas Manro, the farmer British Governor, was fortunate enough to see it when he passed near that ravine.
The stone praakaaram around the sanctum sanctorum is said to have been built by one Tirupathi Seshanna in 1911. The devotees from far places visit this temple in the month of Sravana. How to reach: It is 55 Kms from Cuddapah city and 8 Km from Vempalli on the Vempalli-Rayachoty route.
Vontimitta
It is famous for the Kodanda Ramaswamy Temple, which was built by the Chola and Vijayanagara kings. The images of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita are carved on a single piece of rock.
Splendid arc
hitecturally, it boasts of a towering gateway, a large beautiful sculptured Mandapam with exquisitely carved pillars, an inner chamber and the sanctum. Apart from architecturally gate-way, the large and beautifully sculpted mandapam with 32 pillars called the �Madhya Ranga Mandapam� leading to inner chamber and sanctu
m is of a great architectural interest.
hitecturally, it boasts of a towering gateway, a large beautiful sculptured Mandapam with exquisitely carved pillars, an inner chamber and the sanctum. Apart from architecturally gate-way, the large and beautifully sculpted mandapam with 32 pillars called the �Madhya Ranga Mandapam� leading to inner chamber and sanctum is of a great architectural interest.
It is also said that Bommera Pothana author of Sree Madandra Bhagavatam hails from this place.
Few temples in the country can rival it for the sheer magnificence and beauty of its intricate carvings and fineness of finishing. In fact, the well-known French-traveler, Tavernier, described the Temple as �one of the grandest pagodas in the whole of India�. 
� According to the legend, Rama, Lakshmana and Sita spent some time here in the forest during the period of their exile. Once to quench the thirst of Sita, Rama shot an arrow deep into the earth, upon which sweet water gushed out. Later, with this perennial water spring, two small tanks named Ramathirtham and Lakshmanathirtham were formed.
How to reach: Located 25 Kms from Cuddapah city on the state highway leading to Tirupathi.
Brahmamgari Matham
Kan
dimallayapalli is the place where Sri Potuluri Veerabrahmam, who was famous for his predictions and foresight about the future of the world, stayed. 
dimallayapalli is the place where Sri Potuluri Veerabrahmam, who was famous for his predictions and foresight about the future of the world, stayed.
Veerabrahmam is the only futurologist that the East has produced. He entered Jeeva Samadhi in the year 1693. Brahmamgari Matham was built in Kandimallayapalli after his death. The walls are covered with the preaching and predictions of Veerabrahmam. 
Places of tourist interest in and around Mattam:
How to reach : Located 60 Kms from Cuddapah on Cuddapah � Porumamilla route.
ATTIRALA
Attirala is a very sacred place, located on the east bank of the river Cheyyeru.It was called Hatyarala and Yethirevula ib olden days. The sanctity of the river Cheyyeru was elaborately described in the great epic of Mahabharata in the story of Sankha and Likhita.It is a centre of Vedic culture and famous for its 
scenic beauty.
scenic beauty.
River Cheyyeru atoned Parasurama from the sin of matricide and gave hands to Likhita, the brother of Sankha a great sage. People believe that Parasurama temple was once a Buddhist vidya kendra, occupied by Saivas first and later by Vaishnavas. Vaishnavas made this place as Parasurama Kshetra.
To the south of this temple there is a 72 pillared hall and on the eastern side thre are two famous temples
on the hill slope dedicated to Gadhadara and Thretheswara. Gadhadara stands on one leg here. The presence of Gadhadara and holy river Cheyyeru, Attirala is considered as sacred as Gaya Kshetram.
on the hill slope dedicated to Gadhadara and Thretheswara. Gadhadara stands on one leg here. The presence of Gadhadara and holy river Cheyyeru, Attirala is considered as sacred as Gaya Kshetram.
Parasurama Kshetra, is worth seeing for its sculptural beauty and grand appearance.
There is a Jyothistambha, higher up the temple of Thretheswara, on the top of a hill. Jyothi, lighted on festivals, is visible to distance of 30 Kms around.
How to Reach: 8 Kms from Rajampet and 55 Kms from Cuddapah.
HISTORICAL
Gandikota Fort
Situated on the banks of river Pennar, Gandikota derives its name from
two Telugu words 
�Gandi� meaning gorge and, 'kota� meaning fort. Also known as �George fort', it is a stone fort built upon a hill. Guarded by a huge entrance gate that�s 20 feet high and 101 bastions each over 40 feet high, it still remains a very imposing structure. Believed to have been built during the later half of the 13th century A.D., Gandikota impressed the French traveler Tavernier, so much that he opined that it resembl
es Hampi Vijayanagara in its massive monuments.
two Telugu words �Gandi� meaning gorge and, 'kota� meaning fort. Also known as �George fort', it is a stone fort built upon a hill. Guarded by a huge entrance gate that�s 20 feet high and 101 bastions each over 40 feet high, it still remains a very imposing structure. Believed to have been built during the later half of the 13th century A.D., Gandikota impressed the French traveler Tavernier, so much that he opined that it resembles Hampi Vijayanagara in its massive monuments.
Within the fort, there are many interesting places of worth seing. The Ranganatha and Madhavaswamy temples, built during the 15th � 16th centuries, are adorned with sculptures and are in an architectural style reminiscent of the Vijayanagara period. The Juma Masjid, covering a huge area stands next to a large granary, used to stockpile food during the time of a siege. An impressive �Pigeon Tower� and a palace with plastered decorations are also interesting st
ructures.
ructures.
From the top of the fort, you can have a breathtakingly panoramic view of the surrounding forests and valleys. Nearby, is the picturesque Mylavaram Dam which is a 
popular picnic spot because of the sparkling waters, lush trees and cool breeze, which make you want to stretch out and relax.
popular picnic spot because of the sparkling waters, lush trees and cool breeze, which make you want to stretch out and relax.
How to reach : It is located 77 Kms from Cuddapah and 15 Kms from Jammalamadugu.
Sidhout Fort
Built in 1303 AD, the fort stands on the banks of river Pennar and covers an area of 30 acres. The majestic gateways at the two ends have embellished pillars and intricate carvings of Gajalakshmi at the top. 17 square bastions which protected the area are still an impressi
ve sight. A special feature of the fort is an 
ancillary passage allowing people to enter when the main gates are closed.
ve sight. A special feature of the fort is an ancillary passage allowing people to enter when the main gates are closed.
Often referred to as the
gateway to Srisailam or Dakshina Kasi, Sidhout Fort also encompasses beautifully sculpted temples inside its premises. These included Siddheswara, Bala Brahma, Ranganayaka Swamy and a Durga Temple that attracts numerous pilgrims
gateway to Srisailam or Dakshina Kasi, Sidhout Fort also encompasses beautifully sculpted temples inside its premises. These included Siddheswara, Bala Brahma, Ranganayaka Swamy and a Durga Temple that attracts numerous pilgrims
How to reach : Located near Siddhavatam, around 25 Kms from Cuddapah.
Tallapaka
A great star was born in 1424 at Tallapaka Village in Rajampet Mandal. He is 
�Vaggeyakara Annamacharya�. He favoured the lyrical style of poetry and composed songs and psalms. On Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala, his FAMILY DEITY he composed more than Thirty two thousand devotional hymns - Sankeerthanas. These keerthanas were set to Carnotic style of music and are very popular throughout India.
�Vaggeyakara Annamacharya�. He favoured the lyrical style of poetry and composed songs and psalms. On Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala, his FAMILY DEITY he composed more than Thirty two thousand devotional hymns - Sankeerthanas. These keerthanas were set to Carnotic style of music and are very popular throughout India.
Annamacharya�s Wife TIMMAKKA is the first poetess in Telugu literature. She composed �Subhadrakalyanam�. The sons and grand children of Annamacharya were all born poets who continued their writings in the footsteps of Annamacharya. Cuddapah district�s name is glorified by the efforts of �Tallapaka Poets�.
Chennakesava, Siddeswara temples, Srichakra, Eka, Tatayya idol and TTD dhyanamandir are the main attractions to the tourists.
Annamacharya had established a Hundi at Tirumala and enriched the temple.
How to reach : Located 55 Kms from Cuddapah & 6 Kms from Rajampet on Cuddapah-Chennai highway.
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