Kurnool - Puttaparthi Legend has it that during the 11th century AD, the Odderas, who carted the construction stones for the Alampur temple, camped at Kumool before crossing river Tungabhadra. The town got its name 'Kandenavolu' (town of grease), as the locals supplied oil for greasing carts which subsequently became Kurnool. The temples of Ahobilam, the Jyothirlinga at Srisailam and the Belum Caves, stand testimony to the significance of this district as a pilgrimage center and a tourist destination. Belum Caves Situated 110 km from Kurnool, it is the longest cave system in the plains of India. These underground caves are located under a flat agricultural field and have three well like cavities with the central one being the main entrance. The exquisite stalactite and stalagmite formations and the imaginative colour illumination are the main attractions of the Belum Caves, which were adjudged as an "Unique Eco-Tourism Project" by the Government of India. Oravakallu Oravakallu is a miniature Grand Canyon, 60 km from Kurnool, filled with water bodies and sandwiched between exotic rock formations. Experience pure bliss, lazing around and gazing at nature's architecture, untouched by man. A true adventure site, Oravakallu has everything that makes for a perfect picnic spot. Mahanandi 80 km from Kurnool and 14 km from Nandyal, amid dense forests, is the noted pilgrimage center of Mahanandi. It is famous for its Mahanandishwara temple that dates back to the 7th Century. Another attraction is the Pushkarni temple tank, where the crystal clear waters show up even a tiny pin at the bottom. Lepakshi 135 km from Ananthapur, is the Veerabhadra Temple at Lepakshi, one of the 108 temples of Lord Shiva in India, famous for its giant Nandi sculpture. The temple's construction has the distinct and exquisite style of Vijayanagara architecture. The dance hall or Natyamandapa is supported by 100 pillars, intricately carved with sculptures of dancing Gods and its 21 ft dome rises like a giant lotus from the middle of the hall. The temple also houses a massive granite figurine of Veerabhadra, as well as a giant Naga Linga, the great bull, flying Gandharvas and Ganesha amongst others. Lepakshi gives tourists a true and complete picture of the Vijayanagara kings' fine taste for art and architecture. Srisailam Serene Srisailam, 232 km south of Hyderabad is situated on the banks of river Krishna. The 512 metre long Srisailam dam located here is an amazing structure. On the south bank of the Krishna river, in the Nallamalai forest, on a 457 metre high hill is the Bhramaramba Mallikarjunaswamy temple. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, and one among the 18 Mahashakthis in India. It is said that Vrishabha, the sacred bull of Lord Shiva performed penance here. Lord Shiva appeared before him, with his consort Goddess Parvati in the form of Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba. A massive fort, with 6 metre high walls encloses the temple. A cluster of minor shrines within the temple enclosure include the Sahasra Linga, Panchapandava temples and Vata Vriksha. The most appealing feature of this temple is that anyone of any caste and creed can touch the deity and worship here. At Sikharam, the highest of the Srisailam hills, is Sikhareswara Swamy temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, and also a beautiful Sri Ganapathi temple. The nearest airport to Srisailam is Hyderabad at a distance of 237 km. The nearest railhead is Nandyal on Guntur-Hubli broad gauge line, at a distance of 158 km. AP. Tourism conducts a package tour from Hyderabad (See center page). Srisailam is well connected by state buses with all important towns in the state. Mantralayam Madhwa Saint, Sri Raghavendra attained his Samadhi at Mantralayam near Kurnool some 300 years ago. A large number of followers and devotees of all religious sects throng this little town located on the banks of river Tungabhadra all through the year. The nearest airport to Mantralayam is Hyderabad, at a distance of 351 km. The nearest rail head is 'Mantralayam Road', on Madras-Raichur route at a distance of 15 km from Mantralayam. A.P. Tourism conducts a package tour from Hyderabad. Buses are avai1able to Mantralayam from Kurnool and Hyderabad. Ahobilam Ahobilam is at a distance of 74 km from Nandyal and 360 km from Hyderabad. This place is known as Singavelkundram and is dedicated to Lord Narasimha, the man-lion form of Lord Vishnu, which he took on in order to kill the demon Hiranyakashyapa. Only at Ahobilam are all the nine forms of Lord Narasimha i.e. Nava Narasimha worshiped. As soon as the foot of the hills is reached there is the temple of Prahaladavarada Narasimha, the form of Lord Narasimha blessing Prahalada. This temple lies in the center of three Prakaras, which are built in Vijayanagara style. About a furlong from this temple is the Alwar Koneru, a drinking water lake. From the foot of the hills one has to ascend the hill to reach what is called upper Ahobilam. The hill path is about 9 km and is cut across virgin hills and forests and is served by several cascades of exquisite natural beauty. Accessible airports to Ahobilam are Tirupati and Hyderabad, located at a distance of 232 km and 363 km respectively. Nandyal town on Guntur - Hubli railway line is the convenient rail head at a distance of 74 km and Cuddapah on Madras - Bombay line is at a distance of 118 km. Ahobilam is 34 km from Allagadda , state buses connect Allagada with Hyderabad, Tirupati, Chittor, Cuddapah, Kurnool, Nellore and Madras. Kurnool Fort Located in the heart of Kurnool and believed to be built by the Raja's of Vijayanagara, Konda Reddy Buruju was a part of Kurnool Fort and was used as a prison. One revolutionary named Konda Reddy attained martyrdom in this prison. Since then the place is known as Konda Reddy Buruju. Yaganti Sri Yagantiswamy Temple in Banaganapalle mandal of Kurnool district, is a popular Lord Shiva Temple, which is located 17 km away from Banagapalle. Every year, Shivarathri is celebrated here and a large number of devotees from all over Andhara Pradesh visit Sri Yagantiswamy Temple. An amazing feature at this temple is its Pushkarini. No one knows how the water flows out from the bottom of hill to the Pushkarini in all the seasons. Devotees consider that a bath in the holy Pushkarini is highly beneficial before paying tributes to Lord Shiva. Yaganti Umamaheswara Swamy temple was constructed and completed by the first Vijayanagara Sangama king, Harihara Bukkarayalu in the 15th century. It was built according to Vaishnavaite tradition. Umamaheswara Swamy, Parvati Devi, and Nandi (Basavanna). According to Potuluri Veera Brahmam, the Basavanna of Yaganti will come out and shout when Kaliyuga ends. People believe that the stone Nandiswara (Basavanna) is increasing in its size. Saint Agasthya came to this place and took a bath in Agasthya Pushkarini and worshipped Lord Shiva. The water in this Pushkarini is fresh and sweet, as it comes from the hills. Bus facility is available from Banaganapalli to Yaganti twice per day at 7:00 am and 3:30 pm. Rock Garden at Orvakal These igneous rock formations, spread over approximately 1000 acres are located on the NH-18 highway road from Hyderabad to Chittoor, about 20 km from Kurnool city towards Tirupati. At this site, there is an APTDC run natural “Rock Garden Restaurant” to facilitate to highway tourists. Rollapadu Sanctuary Rollapadu Bird Sanctuary is located in Kurnool district and extends over an area of 614 sq km. The sanctuary is covered by dry thorny forests scattered with dry cereal crops, cotton, groundnut and castor. Rollapadu Bird Sanctuary is home to Black Buck, Bonnet Macaque, Indian Bustard, Indian Roller, Sparrows and Mynas. Russell's Viper, Indian Cobra, Jackal, Wolf and Indian Fox also can be spotted in the sanctuary. The Bird Sanctuary is about 60 km from Kurnool and is near Nandikotkur. Best time to visit is October to February. Tourists can stay at the forest rest house in Kurnool and the inspection bungalow at Nandikotkur. State transport buses operate from Kurnool and Nandikotkur at regular intervals to the sanctuary. Nagarjunasagar - Srisailam Sanctuary The largest of India's Tiger Reserves, the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Sanctuary (3568 sq km.), lies in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The terrain is rugged and winding gorges slice through the Nallamalai hills. Adjoining the reserve is the large reservoir of the Nagarjunasagar Dam on the River Krishna. This dry deciduous forests with scrub and bamboo thickets provide shelter to a range of animals from the tiger and leopard at the top of the food chain, to deer, sloth bear, hyena, jungle cat, palm civet, bonnet macaque and Pangolin. In this unspoiled jungle, the tiger is truly nocturnal and is rarely seen during the daytime.