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Anantapur is a quaint city that is located in the southwestern part of Andhra Pradesh. It is home to a variety of temples, forts, and heritage sites, which contribute to the historical and cultural significance of the place. Having a solid travel itinerary with the things to do in Anantapur can be a game-changer for your trip, enabling you to make the most out of your travel experience the next time you are in Andhra Pradesh. From exploring spots like the revered Lepakshi temple complex or witnessing the birthplace of Sathya Sai Baba here is a well-curated list.
Top 10 Things To Do In Anantapur
Known for its architectural marvels, vibrant history, and serene landscapes, things to do in Anantapur offer a plethora of experiences for travellers.
1. Explore The Lepakshi Temple Complex
Photo: Bikashrd / Wikimedia Commons
The crown jewel of Anantapur is the Lepakshi Temple complex. It is located around 120 km from the main city of Anantapur, offering travellers a unique experience of witnessing the remarkable example of Vijayanagara architecture. The temple, dedicated to Lord Veerabhadra, is famous for its stunning frescoes and intricately carved pillars. Inside the temple, you can find shrines dedicated to several deities including Shiva, Vishnu, Papanatheswara, Raghunatha, Rama, etc. One of the temple’s highlights is the “hanging pillar,” an architectural anomaly where one pillar appears to be floating without touching the ground.
Location: Lepakshi Road, Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh 515331
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fees: N/A
2. Day Trip To Puttaparthi
Photo: Thewhiteboard / Wikimedia Commons
Another one of the best things to do in Anantapur is planning a day trip to Puttaparthi, which is the birthplace of the renowned spiritual leader, Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The town is home to the Prasanthi Nilayam ashram, which attracts devotees and visitors from around the world. The ashram is the main attraction in this municipality where you get to immerse yourself in the peace and tranquillity of the place. Inside the ashram lies the Sai Kulwant Hall and the Meditation where devotees can relax and meditate to attain their inner peace.
Location: Puttaparthi, Anantapur District
Timings: 24*7
Entry Fees: N/A
3. Gooty Fort
Photo: Vihang Ghalsasi / Shutterstock
Ravadurg or Gutti Kola also known as Gooty Fort is another popular and major attraction in Anantapur. It is a ruined fort, located atop a hill in the town of Gooty. Inside the fort, one of the main attractions is the Narasimha Temple, which features around eight visible inscriptions. While the exact dating of the temple’s origins hasn’t been confirmed, it is believed that it belongs to the era of the Western Chalukya king Vikramaditya VI. The fort is located at an elevation of around 680 metres above sea level and its entrance is termed as “Mar Gooty.”
Location: Gooty, Andhra Pradesh 515401
Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fees: N/A
4. Marvel At The Natural Wonder Of Thimmamma Marrimanu
Photo: Aritro Mukherjee IN / Wikimedia Commons
If you are a nature enthusiast, visiting Thimmamma Marrimanu when you are in Anantapur is a must. This is believed to be the largest banyan tree in the world featuring a canopy that’s spread across 25,000 sq.m and has around 1200 prop roots. When you look at the tree from afar, it appears as a forest entity itself. However, the closer you get to the tree, the branches and surroundings become a lot more prominent. Legends depict that the banyan tree was planted by Thimmamma, a royal lady, back in the 16th century.
Location: Gootibylu, Thimma Marrimanu, Andhra Pradesh 515521
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fees: N/A
5. Seek Blessings At Sri Chintala Venkataramana Swamy Temple
Photo: Pranav Sujay / Wikimedia Commons
Another one of the things to see in Anantapur is the Sri Chintala Venkataramana Swamy Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Venkataramana, a form of Vishnu. Located on the banks of the Penna River, the temple was constructed by Pemmasani Timmanayudu II of the Pemmasani Nayaks and features granite sculptures and buildings. One of the key attractions in the temple is the Garuda Mandapa, which mimics the one at Vittala Temple in Hampi. Legends suggest that the presiding deity, Lord Venkataramana was found inside a tamarind tree, which led to the name of Chintala Venkataramana.
Location: Gandhi Katta, Tadipatri, Andhra Pradesh 515411
Timings: 6 AM – 11 AM and 5 PM – 8 PM
Entry Fees: N/A
6. Embark On A Spiritual Journey To Ahobilam
Photo: P. Madhusudan / Wikimedia Commons
For those seeking spiritual solace, Ahobilam is a sacred destination, located in the Nallamala Hills. This is a holy site that is dedicated to Lord Narasimha. It is believed that Ahobilam is the exact spot where Lord Narasimha killed the Rakshasa Hiranyakashipu to save his devotee Prahlada. The main Narasimha temple in this town dates back to the time of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th and 16th centuries, which was later succeeded by the Mughals.
Location: Nallamala Hills, Anantapur district
Timings: 24*7
Entry Fees: N/A
7. Visit Bugga Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple
Photo: Ms Sarah Welch / Wikimedia Commons
This Shiva shrine dates back to 1490 and 1509 when it was built by Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayu I. Inside the temple lies the Shiva lingam in the Swayambhu form. Besides the main shrine, the temple has seven small independent pillars in the surroundings, which are dedicated to the formation of other shrines including Lord Vishnu. Architectural historian, James Anderson, defined the unfinished “gopurams” in this temple as archaeological marvels as well. Since the temple is located on a hilltop, you have to embark on a short trek to reach this religious site.
Location: On the bank of Peddanadi, Sunkulammapalem, Tadipatri, Andhra Pradesh 515411
Timings: 6 AM – 11:30 AM and 5 PM – 7:30 PM
Entry Fees: N/A
8. Explore Nallamala Forest
Photo: Dubbala Divya / Wikimedia Commons
For the travellers wondering what to do in Anantapur, a visit down to the Nallamala Forest should answer all your questions. It is believed to be the largest “undisturbed” forest in South India and the beauty of it explains why. The key attractions of this forest lie in its vast biodiversity. You can find a variety of wildlife there including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, sambar deer, and others. Even the surrounding hills are covered in lush greenery and thick woods, making them conducive for the survival of rare and endangered species.
Location: Nallamala Range, Anantapur District
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fees: ₹50 onwards
9. Find Serenity At ISKCON Anantapur
Photo: Dr Murali Mohan Gurram / Wikimedia Commons
ISKCON Anantapur is located in the Somaladoddi village, which is on the outskirts of the city, away from the constant chaos and hustle. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and focuses on spreading the message of “Krishna Consciousness,” which depicts Lord Krishna as the supreme power. Beyond the temple complex, you can witness poojas and even be part of the evening aartis where chants are said by the pandits inside. Not just the inner complex, the exterior and the surrounding areas around the temple are also worth exploring.
Location: Hare Krishna Land, National Highway No.7, Somaladoddi, Andhra Pradesh 515001
Timings: 4 AM – 12 AM and 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Entry Fees: N/A
10. Immerse In History At Penukonda Fort
Photo: Maxmad007 / Wikimedia Commons
Another one of the things to do in Anantapur Andhra Pradesh is visit the renowned Penukonda Fort, located 80 km from the main city. Previously, the fort served as the 2nd capital of the Vijayanagar Kingdom. The beauty of this medieval fort now remains in shambles but it is still a popular tourist attraction among history enthusiasts. In the basement of the fort lies a selection of walls, bastions and gateways made using stone, mortar and lime. One of the highlights of this fort is the massive entrance gate called Erramanchi Gate.
Location: Penukonda Fort, Andhra Pradesh 515110
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
Entry Fees: N/A
Among the diverse range of things to do in Anantapur, there’s something to cater to every traveller’s interest. From temples to historical forts and natural wonders, you can explore them all. Plan a trip with TripXL ahead of time to avail some of the best deals and discounts. Sort out your trip to have the best experience exploring the nature and the heritage of the city.
Cover Photo: Dr Murali Mohan Gurram / Wikimedia Commons
