Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Temples in Andhra Pradesh

                               
                                        Temples in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh state is best known for its rich culture and traditions. In south India, Andhra pradesh is very famous for it’s beautiful temples embedded in the state. These temples have exquisite architecture and enchanting carvings on their walls which are preserved very carefully since from our ancient days. Visit to the state of Andhra Pradesh gives piligrims a great pleasure. There are many temples in AP which are famous for its own place, architecture etc. The following are the famous temples most piligrims visit are:
                 Temple name                                     Location

1) The Thousand pillar temple                                       Hanumakonda
                                                                                      District: Warangal

  The thousand pillar temple is an  ancient temple situated in Warangal which was the ancient capital of the  Kakatiyas. It very famous for its 1000 pillars, which are sculptured beautifully.

2) Sree Sailam Temple                                                  Sree Sailam
                                                                                        Kurnool
 
      This temple is famous for 12 Jyothirlingas of  lord Shiva. This ancient temple is situated in Kurnool with an idol of the Lord Mallikarjuna, This huge temple is built in Dravidian style is one of finest specimens of vijayanagar architecture.
 3) Sree Kalahasthi                                                       Tirupati
                                                                                     District: Chittoor

      This ancient temple represents Pancha Bhoootha element wind- Agni, Vaayu, Aakasam, Jalam and Prithvi. Kalahasthi is located near Tirupati and is visited by  thousands of piligrims. This temple is also associated with Rahu and Ketu, of nine Grahams or celestial bodies in the Indian astrological scheme.

4) Bhadrachalam                                                         Dornakkal
                                                                                    Vijayawada

    This temple enshrines the Lord Rama. It is believed that Lord Rama crossed the river Godavari as he proceded southwards to Lanka in search of his wife Sita. Visit to Bhradrachalam is very exciting as the journey is through boating in between Papikonda hills.

5) Kanakadurga temple                                                 Vijayawada       

The Kanakadurga temple is also one of the most visited temple in Andhra pradesh. This temple is located on the hills in Vijayawada. This temple enshrines the Durga matha aspect of Shakti.    

6) Amaravathi                                                                     Vijayawada                                                                                                                                                                                
    This is ancient city of Amaravati is the home of Amareshwara Shiva temple located  on a small hill rock of Krouncha Shaila, a long side the river Krishna. This river is considered as very spirituous, a ritual dip in this river is considered to be meritorious.
Amaravati was a center of Buddist  stupa and sculpture that depicts the life of Buddha are of great beauty.

7) Rajarajeshwara Temple                                                Vemulawada
                                                                                          District: karimnagar

   In  Vemulawada the Rajarajeshwara temple enshrines the Lord Shiva. Here there are other ancient temples dedicated to Kedareshwara, Waddegeswara and Bhimeswara.

8) Yadagiriguta                                                                Yadagirigutta
                                                                                       District: Nalgonda
                     
    This cave temple is situated at the height of 300 feet on the hill known as Yadagiri enshrines the Lord Lakhmi Narsimha Swamy. People around the state visit this very often and get delighted.

9) Simhachalam                                                               Vishakapatnam

       The presiding diety here is Varaha Lakhmi Narasimha. This temple is located at a hill called the “hill of the lionat a distance of 18 kms from Vishakapanam. The image of the idol resembles a Shivalingam covered with sandal paste and this sandal paste is removed once in a year, during Chandana Visarjana so the piligrims see the features of Varaha and Narsimha on the image.

10) Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple                            Tirupati  
                                                                                       District: Chittoor
                                                                                                                                                                   The temple of Lord Venkateshwara is situated on Venkatadri, one of the Seven hills of Tirumala so it also known as the “Temple of Seven Hills”. This temple is also called as Balaji temple, which is not only famous in India but is the most visited place of worship in the world.

11) Gnana Saraswathi Temple                                            Basar                          
                                                                                        District: Adilabad

           Basar is famous of Goddess Saraswathi temple located on the banks of river Godavari. The temple of Goddess Saraswathi is known for knowledge and learning. Children are brought here for learning ceremony called as Akshara abyasam.

12) Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple                                     Kanipakam                                                                                                        District: Chittoor                                                                                                                   
       Kani means wetland and pakam means flow of water into wetland. This temple enshrines Lord Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka as up-holder of “Truth”. The Swayambhu idol of Kanipakam solves disputes between people by taking a “special oath” and taking a holy dip in the temple tank and swear before the lord.

13) Ramappa Temple                                                   Palampet, Venkatapur Mandal
                                                                                              District: Warangal

     Ramappa temple enshrines Lord Shiva. This beautifully sculptured temple was built on the classical pattern of being lifted above the world on a high star-shaped platform. Staring at its base to its panels, pillars and ceiling are sculptured figures drawn form Hindu mythology. It is a must visited place.

14) Veerabhadraswamy Temple                              Lepakshi , Hindupur                                                                                                                  District: Anantapur                      
                                                                                                    
          The presiding deity in this temple is Veerabhadraswamy. In this temple each mandapam pillars are carved with life sized images of dancers, musicians and other sculptures, created by artists of the Vijayanagaram Empire. The huge Granite Nandi Bull is carved out of single stone.

15) Gangamma Temple                                                        Denuvakonda
                                                                                              District: Prakasam  

      Goddess Gangamma is a powerful goddess for the yadav community they celebrate “Jatara” in the name of her on full moon day.  

16) Birla Mandir                                                                    Hyderabad      

          Birla Mandir enshrines Lord Venkateshwara. The temple entirely built in white marble on a 280 feet high hill rock called Naubath Pahad. The temple does not have traditional bells, as Swamiji wished that the temple atmosphere should be conducive for meditation.                                        

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