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Located in the Kurnool district, Mantralayam is a renowned pilgrimage village that draws in devotees every year, from across the country. The village lies on the banks of the Tungabhadra River and is near the Karnataka state as well. One of the main reasons why people flock to this village is to witness the spiritual power of the Sri Raghavendra Swamy Matha, which is dedicated to the life and works of Sri Raghavendra Swamy. However, beyond the pilgrimage site, there are several places to visit near Mantralayam.
10 Places To Visit Near Mantralayam
The beauty of Mantralayam isn’t limited to its religious centres. Be it in Andhra Pradesh or the neighbouring state of Karnataka, there are numerous places to visit near Mantralayam.
1. Ranamandala Konda
Photo: Sonika Agarwal / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Located in Kurnool, Ranamandala Konda is one of the best attractions near Mantralayam. This is a religiously significant spot, not just for its association with Lord Rama and Maa Sita but also due to the presence of the coveted Ranamandala Anjaneya Swamy temple. The beauty of this place lies in the misshaped rock formations, which are surely going to leave you in awe. The temple itself is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and the highlight is that the shrine has no roof on top of it.
Distance From Mantralayam: 51 km
Major Attractions: Ranamandala Anjaneya Swamy temple, and Ramajal Lake
2. Hampi
Photo: Balaji Srinivasan / Pexels
Hampi is a historical spot that is renowned for its ancient ruins, intricate architecture and archaeological findings. Hampi is home to some of the most captivating sightseeing spots that offer a glimpse into the rich past of India. You can start with the highlight of Hampi, which is the Virupaksha Temple where the Nandi statues and the courtyards will take your breath away. You can then make your way to Vijaya Vittala Temple, which features unique stone structures. The Lotus Mahal and Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple are two of the other spots that are renowned for their spiritual and religious significance.
Distance From Mantralayam: 159 km
Major Attractions: Virupaksha Temple, Vijaya Vittala Temple, Lotus Mahal and Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple
3. Adoni Fort
Photo: Fargone / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
To further immerse yourself in history, Adoni Fort is another one of the best places to see near Mantralayam. It is one of the largest forts in India wherein some of the walls on the fort run longer than 50 km in length. The fort’s construction dates back to the 15th century during the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire. Also, the fort’s structure is built atop seven humongous granite hills. Inside the fort, you can explore numerous temples like Venu Gopala Temple, Shiva Temple and Amba Bhavani Temple. There are mosques like Jamia Masjid and Malik Rahman Dargah as well.
Distance From Mantralayam: 51 km
Major Attractions: Venu Gopala Temple, Shiva Temple, Amba Bhavani Temple, Jamia Masjid, and Malik Rahman Dargah
4. Kurnool Fort
Photo: Fargone / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Kurnool Fort is another must-visit spot that you can consider visiting from Mantralayam. It is more commonly known as the Konda Reddy Fort and dates back to the 12th century. During that time, Kurnool was occupied by Vijayanagara ruler Devaraya II. The fort itself is named after Konda Reddy, who was the final ruler of Alampur. There are three levels in the fort, which you can explore. Unfortunately, the ground floor is closed for the visitors. However, you can climb to the first and second floors to explore the surroundings and even witness stunning views from the top.
Distance From Mantralayam: 92 km
Major Attractions: Historical fort, museum, and panoramic views
5. Sai Baba Temple
Photo: Sonika Agarwal / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Another one of the good tourist attractions near Mantralayam is the Sai Baba Temple. It is located in Kurnool and is an important pilgrimage centre. Thousands of devotees from across the country visit the temple to seek blessings. The temple is situated on the banks of River Tungabhadra. One of the most alluring things about the temple is the unique star-shaped structure. Inside the temple, you will find a pristine white marble idol of Sai Baba sitting inside the inner sanctum. You can explore the temple complex and even meditate in the large, open hall inside.
Distance From Mantralayam: 88 km
Major Attractions: White marble idol of Sai Baba, large meditation hall, and temple complex
6. Oravakallu Rock Garden
Photo: Qihang Fan / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
If you want to explore the natural wonders around Mantralayam, Oravakallu Rock Garden needs to be your next destination. The main attraction there is the presence of uniquely shaped rock outcrops and cave museums that you can explore. It is a popular picnic spot among families, especially ones travelling with children. What’s fascinating is that the rock garden is spread across an area of 1000 acres and filled with rocks, boulders and unique structures. Also, there are hiking trails around the surrounding hills, which you can explore for some added adventure.
Distance From Mantralayam: 113 km
Major Attractions: Unique rock formations, Hiking, and Sunset view
7. Yaganti Temple
Photo: P. Madhusudan / Wikimedia Commons
Another one of the places to travel near Mantralayam is the Yaganti Temple. The temple is also known as Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple and is located in Andhra Pradesh’s Nandyal district. The construction of this temple dates back to the 15th century and was built by King Harihara Bukka Raya of the Sangama Dynasty. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, following the Vaishnavite traditions. Inside the temple, there is “Pushkarini,” or the small pond that reportedly has healing powers and also absolves people’s sins when you take a dip in it before entering the inner sanctum.
Distance From Mantralayam: 147 km
Major Attractions: Growing Nandi idol, Agastya Cave, and sacred Pushkarini
8. Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: Kiran Kumar / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
If you are interested in exploring the natural biodiversity and wildlife that exists around Mantralayam, a visit to the Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary is a must. The sanctuary is located in the Nandyal district and is home to a variety of bird species, both native and migratory. During the wildlife safari, you might spot mammals like foxes, jackals, jungle cats, sloth bears and blackbucks. The sanctuary is home to Indian rollers, myna species and unique kinds of reptiles. The main attraction in the sanctuary is the Great Indian Bustard, which is conserved in the sanctuary.
Distance From Mantralayam: 142 km
Major Attractions: Great Indian Bustard, Blackbucks, and bird watching
9. Tomb Of Abdul Wahab
Photo: Martijn Vonk / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Another one of the popular places to visit near Mantralayam, Andhra Pradesh is the Tomb of Abdul Wahab. Featuring two majestic domes, arches and verandahs, the architecture of this tomb is nothing short of a work of art. The tomb, as the name suggests, was built after the death of Abdul Wahab Khan, back in the 17th century. He was the first Nawab of Kurnool. Given how old the original construction of the tomb was, it underwent rigorous renovations to restore the structure and its beauty. Also, the tomb resembles the original Gol Gummaz of Bijapur, so locals often call it Gol Gummaz as well.
Distance From Mantralayam: 91 km
Major Attractions: Majestic domes, arches and verandahs, and tomb complex
10. Anantapur
Photo: Sourav Debnath / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Anantapur is a popular city in Andhra Pradesh that is home to a variety of ancient temples, forts and natural wonders. To offer your prayers, you can head to the Ahobilam Temple, ISKCON Temple and Bugga Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple. If you want to immerse yourself in history, head to one of the many forts in the city including Gooty Fort and Penukonda Fort. One of the most underrated tourist attractions there is Thimmamma Marrimanu, which is a huge banyan tree whose origins aren’t exactly known. You can also explore the local markets located around the Clock Tower in the city.
Distance From Mantralayam: 156 km
Major Attractions: Ahobilam temple, ISKCON temple, Bugga Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple, Gooty Fort and Penukonda Fort
There is a long list of awe-inspiring places to visit near Mantralayam, each standing out with its distinct features and unique attractions. The next time you are done exploring this quaint village, then venture out to witness the beautiful sightseeing spots around. For a hassle-free journey and travel experience, secure your bookings with TripXL for the ultimate deals and discounts.
Cover Photo: Dr Murali Mohan Gurram / Wikimedia Commons
