| Anantapur offers some vivid glimpses of the prehistoric past. It is generally held that the place got its name from 'Anaatasagaram', a big tank, which means "Endless Ocean". The villages of Anaantasagaram and Bukkarayasamudram were constructed by Chilkkavodeya, the minister of Bukka-I, a Vijayanagar ruler. Some authorities assert that Anaantasagaram was named after Bukka's queen, while some contend that it must have been known after Anantarasa Chikkavodeya himself, as Bukka had no queen by that name. |
| |
| Gooty |
| Gooty is located at a distance of 52 km from Ananthapur on the Kurnool-Bangalore trunk road. It is one of the oldest hill forts of Andhra Pradesh. This place is well connected by rail and road from Ananthapur |
| |
| Gooty fort is situated at a height of 300 mtrs above the plains in Gooty. It is one of the oldest hill forts in Andhra Pradesh. The fort was built by the emperors of the Vijayanagara Kingdom . The Marathas under Murari Rao conquered it. Then it was taken over by Haider Ali in 1773 and eventually fell into the British hands after the defeat of Tipu Sultan in 1799 |
| |
| The fort was built in the shape of a shell and has 15 forts with 15 main doors (mukahdwarulu) inside the structure. There is a small pavilion made of polished lime stone called Murari Rao's seat. This pavilion is on the edge of a cliff from where one can have a panoramic view of the surroundings. The unique feature of the fort is the availability of water resources at such a height. |
| |
| Hemavathi |
| Hemavathi in Ananthapur district is situated at a distance of 37 km from Madakasiri and 148 km from Ananthapur. Hemavathi is well connected by road with frequent bus and private transport facilities from Madakasiri. The nearest railhead is at Hindupur. |
| |
Hemavathi was once capital of Pallavas during the 9th -10th centuries. It is a repository of a striking collection of Pallava and Chola architecture.Hemavathi assumed considerable importance between the 9th and 10th century AD, under the Nolamba Pallavas when it was known as Henjeri.Nolambas or Nodambas trace their descent from a mythical demon of that name. Trinayana Pallava or Mukkanti was regarded as the founder of this royal line. Nolamba rulers were known for their patronage for arts and religion.Hemavathi is famous for the temple of Doddeswara Swamy . A Nandi made of black basalt granite 8 feet in length and 4 feet in height, sits at the entrance. There is a 6 feet tall Lingam installed inside the sanctum sanctorum. Jain devotees from all over India converge annually on teh Jain temple located in hemavati. |
| |
| Penukonda |
Penukonda is 50 km from Ananthapur and is located on the way to Bangalore (on National Highway No. 7). It is well connected by road with frequent buses and private transportation from Ananthapur. |
| |
Penukonda is mentioned as Ghangari in the local inscriptions. The structure of the fort shows the splendid plan and strategic view of the medieval period. There are a good number of temples in the Fort.
|
| |
 |
| |
| Lepakshi |
| It is the most important place in the Anantapur District from the historical and archaeological point of view . Lepakshi is situated at a distance of km from Bangalore and 110 km from Ananthapur. Lepakshi is well connected by road with frequent bus and private transport facilities from Hindupur at the distance of 15 KM. The nearest railhead is at Hindupur. |
| |
| The Skandhapuranam refers to Lepakshi as one of the 108 Saiva temples in India . Sri Virupanna, who worked as a Treasury Officer of Penukonda Fort of Vijayanagara Empire, took up the construction of the Lord Veerabhadhra Temple at Lepakshi in the 16th-century. One can find the late Vijayanagara style of architecture in the vestiges of Lepakshi. |
| |
| Aluru Kona |
This village is at a distance of 5 Km. from Tadipatri Twon. It is said that Yerramraju, the chief representative of King Bukkaraya, Built Ranganathaswami temple, in 1334 A.D., Atop a hill. One can find a small water falls in an area in the valley, where water is ever-present. The vlley with its natural beauty attracts toursts. Apart from that, thousands of tourists and devotees visit it throughout the year. "Brahmotsavam" of Lord Ranganathaswami is celebrated on Chaitra Sudha Paurnami Day. |
| |
| Penna Ahobilam |
Located at a distance of 12kms, from Uravakonda and 36kms, from Anantapur, it is well-linked by road with frequent bus service. |
| |
| Thimmamma Marrimanu (Banayan Tree) |
Located about 35 kms from Kadiri, and 100 kms from Anantapur. |
| |
| it is famous as it has a banyan tree, which is locally called as "Thimmamma Marrimanu''. It is regarded as the biggest of its kind in South India. It's branches spreads over nearly 5 acres. It is named after 'Thimmamma' who was considered to be the representative of the Almighty. To the pride of India, the "Marrimanu" was recorded as the biggest tree in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1989. |
| |
| A small temple dedicated to Thimmamma lies under the tree. An account of this lady in Telugu kept at the shrine reveals that she was the daughter of a Setti Balija couple Sennakka Venkatappa and Mangamma, born in AD 1394. She was married to a Bala Veerayya who died in 1434, and Thimmamma committed 'Sati'. |
| |
 |
| |
| Puttaparthi |
| Puttaparthi, now popularly known as Prasanthi Nilayam, the abode of Supreme Peace, is the home town of Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba and it is about 40 km away from Dharmavaram, 80 km from Anantapur and 200 km from Bangalore . World renowned and worshipped by His devotees all over the globe as God Incarnate, Sri Sathya Sai Baba has shown humanity a new way of life and through His simple teachings transformed millions of His devotees' lives. It indeed needs a divine intervention for anyone to achieve the accomplishments of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Prasanthi Nilayam, the abode of supreme peace, is a place every human being should visit in his lifetime to experience for oneself what selfless and pure love can achieve. |
| |
| Yadiki Caves |
Yadiki is midway between Gooty and Tadipatri. The cave system is in the picturesque village of Konapulappadu which is 18 kms. From Yadiki. The magnificent view of the hillocks, gorges, spring, paddy fields, lake and winding roads enthralls every visitor. Geemanugavi cave is 5kms. In length and one can go up to 2kms. Inside. The intricate designs of stalactite and stalagmite formations takes shape of chandeliers, bridges, globes, snakes etc. The sight of some, which glitters like diamonds is amazing. Uudamanugavi, another cave can accommodate 100 people . Kona Ramalingeswara temple adjacent to the spring adds to the beauty. For those who are young in mind and body there is scope for trekking and rock climbing. |
