Code

District

AD

Adilabad

AN

Anantapur

CH

Chittoor

EG

East Godavari

GU

Guntur

HY

Hyderabad

CU

Kadapa

KA

Karimnagar

KH

Khammam

KR

Krishna

KU

Kurnool

MA

Mahbubnagar

ME

Medak

NA

Nalgonda

NE

Nellore

NI

Nizamabad

PR

Prakasam

RA

Rangareddy

SR

Srikakulam

VS

Vishakhapatnam

VZ

Vizianagaram

WA

Warangal

WG

West Godavari

Geography

It is the largest district of Andhra Pradesh spanning an area of 19,130 square kilometres (7,390 sq mi), comparatively equivalent to Japan's Shikoku Island. It is bounded on the north by Kurnool District, on the east by Kadapa District, on the southeast by Chittoor District, and on the southwest and west by Karnataka state. It is part of Rayalaseema region on the state. Its northern and central portions are a high plateau, generally undulating, with large granite rocks or low hill ranges rising occasionally above its surface. In the southern portion of the district the surface is more hilly, the plateau there rising to 2 ft (0.61 m). above the sea. Six rivers flow within the district: Penna, Chithravathi, Vedavathi, Papagni, Swarnamukhi, and Thadakaleru. The district receives an average annual rainfall of 381 millimeters. Anantapur city is 354 km from Capital Hyderabad, 200 km from the neighboring state capital of Bangalore. Anantapur connects Hyderabad and Bangalore through National Highway-7. Bangalore International Airport is nearest international airport to Anantapur.

Anantapur District was part of one of the most powerful and rich kingdoms of south India - The Vijayanagara Kingdom. Penukonda, situated 70 kms south of Anantapur town and 140 kms north of Bangalore Metropolis, was the summer capital of King Krishnadevarayava, some 500 years ago. In the late 19th century a well-known British forester had described the forests of Penukonda as one of the finest summer deciduous forests in the south. The Pomegranates and Sitaphal of Penukonda were well known even in the courts of Delhi. For over 700 years, from the Vijayanagara Rayalus to the Bahamani Kings, from Tipu Sultan and the Nizam of Hyderabad to the British, great armies had fought to keep control of this rich and fertile land. Teak and Hardwikia Binata, two of the finest timber trees to grow in India, were exported from here to lay the railway line between Gudur and Madras.There also were numerous minor Tanks (Kunta) and perennial springs. Many different local varieties of rice, major and minor millets were grown here.

In contrast, today Anantapur District is on the way to becoming a desert. The hills are bare, there are hardly any forests to talk about and the famed Cheruvus and Kuntas are falling apart, the springs have dried up. Basically, it has now become a single crop district; it is the largest Groundnut growing district in the country. Groundnut, unfortunately, does not feed hungry stomachs.

Origin of name of ananthapur :-Anantasagaram meaning "Endless Ocean". is an old reservoir in Anantapur. In fact, the city derived its name from the same tank. whichThe 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.Anantapur is familiarly known as "Hande Anantapuram" . Hande ' means chief of the Vijayanagar period. Anantapur and a few other places were gifted by the Vijayanagar rulers to Hanumappa Naidu of the Hande family. Acclaimed as one of the biggest reservoirs in the district, Anantasagaram occupies an area of 2,511 acres in Anantapur and Bukkarayasamudram. A fraction of the tank is known as 'Musalammakatta' and it is said to be named after Musalamma (a lady from Bukkarayasamudram), who sacrificed herself to seal the breach in the tank.

Anantapur District has been divided into three Revenue Divisions consisting of 63 Revenue Mandals (Anantapur Division 20, Dharmavaram Division 17 and Penukonda Division 26) Agali Amadagur Amarapuram Anantapur Atmakur Bathalapalle Beluguppa Bommanahal Brahmasamudram Bukkapatnam Bukkarayasamudram Chenne Kothapalle Chilamathur D.Hirehal Dharmavaram Gandlapenta Garladinne Gooty Gorantla Gudibanda Gummagatta Guntakal Hindupur Kadiri Kalyandurg Kambadur Kanaganapalle Kanekal Kothacheruvu Kudair Kundurpi Lepakshi Madakasira Mudigubba Nallacheruvu Nallamada Nambulapulakunta Narpala Obuladevaracheruvu Pamidi Parigi Peddapappur Peddavadugur Penu Konda Putlur Puttaparthi Ramagiri Raptadu Rayadurg Roddam Rolla Settur Singanamala Somandepalle Tadimarri Tadpatri Talupula Tanakal Uravakonda Vajrakarur Vidapanakal Yadiki Yellanur

To know the villages in Ananthapur refer http://wikiedit. org/India/Ana ntapur/-96/

Lepakshi Temple-There are also ample stories floating in the air inside the temple walls about the divine couple Rama and Sita, and in fact, one of them relates to the suggested origin of the name Lepakshi. It is believed that when Ravana kidnapped Sita, the brave bird Jatayu fought against the evil king and died in the battle on this spot. As it lay wounded, its wings cut off by Ravana, Lord Rama said with compassion, le pakshi (rise, o bird!) and so, Lepakshi. Look out for the imprint of the giant footprint just outside the kalyanamantapa, believed to have been left by Sita herself! The other and equally gory story about the name points to the brothers Veeranna and Virupanna, under King Achutaraya of the Vijayanagara dynasty. The latter who was treasurer of Penukonda province (todays Anantpur) spared no expense to have the temple built the way he wished as a tribute to the Lord, as
his mute son regained his speech after playing near the Udbhava moorthy of Shiva which was on this hillock, leading to suspicions from the king about embezzlement of money.

In grief and in anticipation of royal punishment, Virupanna plucked out his own eyes and threw them against the wall, where the muted blood stains from centuries ago are believed to be visible even today. (By the way, the Government had these stains tested and has confirmed that they are indeed blood stains which refuse to be erased despite several tries!) And thus, lepa-akshi (blinded eyes).

Lepakshi temple- Half a kilometer from the temple, just by the road stands the statue of Nandi carved from red granite. It is 15 feet tall and 27 feet long. Yet for all its imposing size, the carving is intricate, especially the bells around the neck bearing the royal insignia of the Vijayanagara dynasty. And just like with Hampi, each stone, each pillar and wall has a story to tell, if only you have the time and patience to listen carefully. The temple here is built on a tortoise shaped hillock kurmashaila; between all the straight lines and sharp angles of the walls and pillars, there is a smooth rounded rock (the back of the tortoise) in the outer prahara.

Lepakshi temple Nagalingesvara Carved out of a natural boulder to the west of the shrine, this sevenhooded Naga shelters a black-polished lingam cradled in its ribbed coils. A saptamatrika panel is placed below to the right.

Lepakshi temple has many specialities like rock chain, Vastu Purush, Padmini race Lady, Hanging Pillar, Durga Paadam, Lepakshi saree designs etc. On the walls of this temple, there are several stories like Mahabhaaratha, Ramayana etc which are well sculpted. Also on the roof there are so many beautiful paintings done by natural colour mixtures. One more famous spot in this temple is "Eyes of Viroopaakshanna". As the history says, due to king's misunderstanding with the temple's builder, king ordered to make him blind. Hearing this, the builder plucked his own eyes and threw at the temple walls. Till date one can find those blood scars on that particular wall.

Penna Ahobilam
Situated near Anantapur, Penna Ahobilam is renowned for its Lord Narasimha Swamy Temple. The shrine presents a beautiful vista of the bubbling rivulet of Pennar. According to the legends, the temple was constructed on the footprints of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy that measured 5 feet 3 inches. Prominent place for marriage ceremonies, this temple observes an ostentatious car festival every year. Adi Laxmi Devi Temple and Chenchu Laxmi Devi Temple are two other temples in the complex.

Penukonda

Penukonda, meaning 'Big Hill', is a small town in Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh. As per ancient inscriptions Penukonda was called as "Ghanagiri" or "Ghanadri. Penukonda was basically a summer capital of Vijayanagar Empire. Penukonda was once marked by about 365 temples, which were worshipped each day in the year. Probably all of them seem to have vanished in the ravages of time and negligence by the following generation. The temple of Lord Yoga Narasimha swami, Lord Kashi Vishwanatha, Lord Rama Temple and Lord Yogarama temple are some of the surviving shrines of the bygone era. The architecture of some of the temples is awe-inspiring. But right now most of these temples are unknown to many people except local denizens of Penukonda.

Penukonda Fort is a colossal structure, whose each and every stone boasts of the royalty of the erstwhile era. Penukonda is a small town in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. In the ancient times, it used to serve as the second capital to the Vijayanagar kings.

Sri Uttaradi Mutt , Penukonda The temple (Brindavan) of Sri Veda Vyasa Teertha Swamiji the disciple of Sri Raghottam Teertha Swamiji of Sri Uttaradi Mattham has a lot of prominence in this place. Inscriptions say that the swamiji was honoured and greatly

Sri Kaleshwar Ashram , Penukonda

Kumbhakarna Gardens Penukonda

Relics of Narasimha Swamy Temple on Penukonda Hil

Hazrat Syedna Khwaja Baba Fakhruddin Suharwardy Hazrath Baba Fakruddin was a great Sufi Saint of 12th century and a king of Sistan and Shahpur in Iran before coming to Penukonda. This saint was given a twig by his teacher who asked him to settle in the place where this twig would turn into a big plant. When Hazrath Baba planted the twig at this place, where the mausoleum now stands, it turned into a tree and hence he settled here. Over a period of time, he gained followers and was called as 'Babaiyya' out of respect.

PENUKONDA SHIVA TEMPLE

The Parshwanatha Temple depicts the combination of Hindu and Jain religious structures. This temple was built in 12th century during the period of Hoysala dynasty and is located in Penukonda. The temple is superb for its architecture and looks beautiful with a standing image of 23rd Jain Teerthankar named Parshvanatha standing within it premises. There are also twin temples of Rama and Shiva nearby this temple. The statute of Parshavanatha is in the Kayotsarga posture. The temple of Rama depicts the scenes from Ramayana and Shiva temple shows the various incidents pertaining to God Shiva.

Gooty is a small town, known for embracing one of the oldest forts of Andhra Pradesh. At a distance of 52 kms from Anantapur city, the fort is a prime attraction for tourists. Above the plains in Gooty, the impregnable Gooty fort is perched at a height of 300 meters, amidst hills.

Gooty fort has acquired historical prominence. It lies on the Anantapuram-Hyderabad highway. It is believed that it was built by Maratha Chieftain Murari Rao. Its existence spans the period from emperor Asoka to the British rule. The 303 meter high fort was built from the material of the mounds surrounding it on three sides. Its walls are 5 meters high and 2.5 meters wide and it had been built in the shape of a conch in an area with an extent of 25 acres. Its impregnability has been ensured with strong stone walls and circular ramparts. To reach the top part of the fort, one has to pass through fifteen main doors. Horse stables, elephant sheds and gymnasiums and palaces adorn that part of the fort. Water facilities are also provided here and there. From the rock inscription of emperor Asoka at Yeragudi, 10 Km away from Gooty, it can be inferred that the fort was built before 3rd Century A.D. Some believe that the fort and acquired the name of Gooty from the cluster (Gutti) of mounds which lay around. A hall built by Munro is also nearby.

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at Kadiri

Kadri is a small settlement situated at a distance of 90 kms from Anantapur. It is known for Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Temple, a shrine where the presiding deity 'Swayambhu' emerged from the roots of Khadri tree. The main attraction here is that the idol sweats. Rathothsavam (Car Festival) is the major event observed here every year, summoning many pilgrims from all over the state.

Bugga Ramalingeshwara Temple .Tadipatri

Tadipatri is a hamlet that boasts of many interesting religious monuments. To be found 90 kms from Ananthapur,Bugga Ramalingeshwara Temple is another shrine beside Pennar River that is notable for a lingam, set on a pedestal and perpetually sprinkled with water from a small brook.

Chintala Venkataramana Temple , Tadipatri

Tadipatri is a that boasts of religious be found 90 kms Ananthapur, Venkataramana known for its

hamlet many interesting monuments. To from Chintala Temple is gigantic spire.

Thimmamma Marrimanu Located 120 km from Anantapur, Thimmamma Marrimanu has the distinction of being the world's largest banyan tree.. In 1989, it secured a place in the Guinness Book of World Records, owing to its enormous size. Thimmamma Marrimanu is said be approximately 570 years old. Thimmamma, who is said to have committed Sati in 1434 A.D at this spot, where this Banyan Tree sprouted.

Alur Ranganatha Swamy Temple

Alur is a small village at a distance of about 70kms from Anantapur. The picturesque village of Alur situated amidst the lush green meadows, lofty hills and small water streams, is a perfect picnic spot.The place is famous for the temples which are constructed more than 300 years before.

This place is also good as a picnic location because of its scenic beauty on the top of the hill

Alur Naga Waterfall of Mount Jerai

Hemavathi Fort

Hemavathi once was the capital of Pallavas. The place has a remarkable collection of Pallava and Chola architecture. It has the Hemavathi Fort. Doddeswara Swamy was built during the Pallava reign. Some other renowned temples situated here are Siddeshwara Swamy, Mallikarjuna Swamy and Gorantla.

Mallikarjuna Swamy and Gorantla

Doddeswara Swamy Temple

Siddeshwara Swamy temple

Raidurga Fort is a primeval structure, which had a considerable role in the history of the Vijayanagar Empire. The impregnable fort has many small forts and temples. The shrines dedicated to Narashimhaswamy, Hanuman, Prasanna Venkatesvara, Jambukeswara, Kanyakaparameswari and Elamma are the prominent ones. Though now mostly in ruins, the fort would take you back to the royal splendor. It also offers a breathtaking view of the town below

'Raidurga' literally means "King's Hill Fortress". The Raidurga Fort played a very significant role in the history of the Vijayanagar Empire. The fort has many inner forts and is inaccessible for enemies to attack. It is built at a height of 2727 ft. from sea level. Raidurga was originally a stronghold of 'Bedars' ('Boya Palegars') who were very turbulent during the Vijayanagar rule. The emperor deputed an officer to drive them out and ruled the place himself and the hill was thus called "Bhupatirayakonda". After the battle of 'Rakshasa Tangadi', the Bedars regained the place, but were again driven out after some time by 'Koneti Nayak'. His son 'Venkatapathi Nayak' who had differences with the 'Palegar' of Chittaldurg greatly strengthened the fortifications. Tipu captured the fort and made it a part of his Gooty province. The ruins of the fort can still be seen on the hill at the foot of which the Raidurga town is built. The hill fort is said to have been built by one 'Junga Nayak'. A portion of the fort wall has crumbled. Down below the slope of the hill are four caves with small stone doors with carvings of 'Siddhas'.

The fort area contains most of the temples of the village including those of 'Narashimhaswamy', Hanuman, and 'Elamma', which are frequently visited by devotees. There are other temples including those of 'Prasanna Venkatesvara', 'Venugopala', 'Jambukeswara', 'Veerabhadra', and 'Kanyakaparameswari'. Another important and a spectacular sight is "Dasabhuja Ganapathi", a statue of Lord Ganesha with ten shoulders. It was carved out from a 4 m high monolithic stone. 'Dasabhuja Ganapathi' statue is witness to the beautiful "Shilpakala" of olden days.

ISKCON TEMPLE: This temple is near Anantapur and is shaped in form of a chariot. The building is in pink color but during the nights it takes a golden shade and looks beautiful thanks to the lights. The temple is as beautiful inside as outside. Some of the paintings of Lord Krishna will leave you spell bounded.

Sri Kullai Swamy Chavidi.

Gugudu: The village in Narpala Mandal is at a distance of 29 kms from Anantapur and is situated among the Mutchukota Hills. It is known for its Moharum Festival and Sri Kullai Swamy is the name of the much venerated saint. Barren women are said to become fertile by paying a visit to the shrine. Fire walking ceremony is conducted on the night of the 11 th day of Moharrum. There is also Sri Anjaneya Swamy Temple near by the abode of Sri Kullai Swamy Chavidi.

Temple of Lord Hanuman is situated near the temple of Satyabhama Devi. The idol of Hanuman is carved in a cave and it looks as if he stands inside a cave. The pool at the foot of the idol represents the tears shed by him; longing for his deity Lord Sri Rama. Also, a Sivalingam is installed at the entrance of the temple which was fetched by Sri Sathya Sai from Varanasi.

Sri Kullai Swamy Chavidi of Gugudu or Googoodu you may wonder whether it is a temple or Mosque or both standing with a common wall. Well the history is this village is part of Narpala Mandalam, is 29 Km. Away from Anantapuram, and ensconced in Munchukota hill range, is a symbol of communal harmony. The temples of Kullayaswami and Anjaneya Swami, which rub shoulders as it were, are hailed as symbols of human eminence, riligious brotherhood and communal unity, because Kullayiswami is worshipped with equal fervor by Hindus along with Muslims. Like wise, muslims worship Sri Anjaneyaswami with traditional custom. During the ten-day 'Brahmotsavam' in Googoodu. The entire area reverberates with 'Namaz' of Muslims on one side and chanting of vedic hymn on the other :egend has it that this village was the 'ashram' of the tribal Guha. who belonged to the Ramayana period. It is also believed that Lord Rama and His consort Sita, alsong with Lakshmana, enjoyed the hospitality extended to them in Guha's ashram, that eventually the place acquired the name of Googoodu and that Lord Anjaneya majifested Himself here.

A small village. Chandrayunipetam, lies close-by. two brothers, Ramachari and Lakshmanachari, carved a 'pir' (panja, sacred to Muslims) out of different metals, with a view to perpetuating their memory and as a sort of memento of lifetime. .contd

Sri Kullai Swamy Chavidi of Gugudu or Googoodu contd .But the 'pir' spelt trouble for the brothers and being convinced that it was the cause for all their setbacks, they consigned it to a well with stairs. After passage of time, when a shepherd by name Kondanna descended into the well, it would appear that the 'pir' spoke to him and informed him that if it was installed in Googoodu willage and worshipped, as a presiding daity, it would fulfill the wishes and desires of people of all castes and creeds. The villagers obeyed the disctum and took it out in procession during 'Muharram' and Brahmotsavam' days. Eventually the 'pir' came to be known as 'kullayaiswami' and all rituals were observed by the believers. For 'Muharram' and 'Brahmotsavam' festivals. the RTC runs special buses to Googoodu; not only from important towns in the districts, but also from towns in Kurnool and Cuddapah district, to facilitate ' Darshan' of 'Kullayiswami'.

Sri Vyasaraja Tirtha and Kasapuram During 1509-1530 AD when Vijaya Nagar was ruled by Sri Krishnadevaraya , in his spiritual Guru Parampara , there was one acharya by name Sree Vyasaraya (of Madhvacharya order).This Acharya observed that the king was afflicted with a peril known as "Kuhula".To ward off this evil the swamy ruled the kingdom for one hour thirty six minutes(4 Ghatis). Sree Vyasaraya installed at different places 732 idols Lord Anjaneya. [Sree Vyasaraya attained nirvana in 1539 AD] While camping at this place Kasapuram for a night's halt, Lord Anjaneya appeared in his dream and directed him to identify the place for consecration and proceed with the installation of Lords' vigraha.Next morning, Sri Vyasaraja came across a heap of sand , planted there a small neem stick that he had brought with him. To the astonishment of all, the dry neem stick started shooting and sprouting with new leaves. Thus did he identify the place where the Lord wanted him to consecrate the idol of Lord Anjaneya. Since the neem sprouted that place in the jungle got the name Nettikallu. The Lord Anjaneya consecrated by Sri Vyasaraja Tirtha came to be known by the name Sri Nettikanti Anjaneya. This kshetra Nettikallu is near Kasapuram Village. With the course of time Kasapuram village enveloped the place Nettikanti and presently Sri Nettikanti Anjaneya Swami Temple is said to be situated in Kasapuram.

Katarupalli- yogi Vemana This is the place where yogi Vemana was buried. His tomb at this village, very near to Kadiri, is worth-Visiting as Vemana was not only a yogi (ascetic) but also a popular poet, and his is quite a familiar name in Andhra Pradesh.

Vemana was the third and youngest son of Gaddam Vema, then the king of Kondaveedu in present-day Andhra Pradesh. He was named Vemareddy after his father. Kumaragiri Vema Reddy popularly known as Vemana (Telugu: ) was a Telugu poet. He is popularly called Yogi Vemana, in recognition of his success in the path of Yoga. Vemana composed numerous poems in the vernacular of Telugu. His poems are four lines in length. The fourth line is, in majority of the cases, the chorus Viswadabhirama Vinura Vema - he thus conveyed his message with three small lines written in a simple vernacular. He traveled widely across south India, acquiring popularity as a poet and Yogi. People really took to Vemana's poems owing to their simple language and sweet message. So high was the regard for Vemana that a popular Telugu saying goes 'Vemana's word is the word of the Vedas. He is celebrated for his style of Chaatu padyam, a poem with a hidden meaning. C.P. Brown translated most of Vemana's poems into English, during the British occupation of India. A large selection of his poems are a part of the present High School curriculum of Telugu in Andhra Pradesh. In his honor, The Andhra Pradesh government named a University in Kadapa the Yogi Vemana University in 2006. Vemana was believed to have lived for some time in the Gandikota area of Kadapa. To read translation of his verses refer to link :-http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/vov/

Sanjeevapuram Kati Koteswara Kshetram, located near this village, a part of Battalapalli mandal, is quite famous because devotees believe that Kati Koteswarudu, the local deity, is a striking image of Lord Siva. Rock inscriptions reveal that the temple of Koteswara was built nearly 400 years ago

Peddavaduguru:-Panchaloha vigtrahas (idols created from five metals) are being produced, for the last 30 years, in the headquarters of Peddavaduguru mandal in Anantapuram revenue division. The idols are made from the five metals of copper, brass, bronze, silver and gold and hence the name. Their weight ranges from one Kg.to 30 Kgs, and these idols are very much in demand not only in our state but also in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamilnadu. Panchaloha consists of the following percentage of metals 4 portions of silver, 1 portion of gold, 8 portions of brass, 8 portions of copper and a small quantity of iron. This is only to give a general idea and might vary from region to region. Panchaloha idols here are as popular as those of Kunhimangalam at Payyannur, Kannur, Kerala.

Dharmavaram It is famous for silk sarees and has a great past. There is historical evidence to prove that it was ruled by Bijayanagar Vidya kings for nearly 500 years from 1075 Satavahana Saka. Dharmavaram tank is one of the large tanks in Anantapur district. Sri Kriyasakhti Wadiyar, who constructed the tank, built a village in memory of his late mother Dharmamba and named it Dharmavaram.

PAMIDI:- The name "Pamidi" is derived from the words "Pamu Mudi" (in the Indian regional language Telugu) which means "snake knot". The name is thought to be attributed to the temple Bhogeswaraswamy Temple of Lord Shiva [The Destroyer of Evil, in the Indian mythology of the TrinityCreator (Brahma), Proliferator (Vishnu), and Destroyer, (Shiava, aka, Eashwara, Maheshwara, etc.)], where once a snake (nagu) was found wound coiled itself to Lord Shiva's lingam in the temple. "Pamu Mudi" eventually became "Pamidi". One can find a sasan carved in a big rock in the temple, which was written in the Pali language (popular during the time of The Buddha, over 2,000 years ago) at the dedication the temple from a king to the village. The town also had another historical temple found in excavations, the Sri Laxminaraya Swamy Temple. Its deity, Laxminarayana in the sanctum sanctorum made of monolithic rock, is an architectural and historical wonder. Pamidi is famous for READY MADE Textiles

Kalyandurg was under the rule of Sri Krishnadevaraya and was a part of Vijayanagara Empire. Rayadurg and Kalyandurg are the two important forts which were ruled by Palegars. The name Kalyandurg came from Kalyanappa, who was a Poligar in the 16th Century.The Descendents of These poligars Esapathi,Rayadurg palegar,Butna,Kondaraju families still live in fort area.This place is also famous for diamond kimberlites. Kalayndurg is surrounded by mountains around it which makes this place cool when compared to other places

Enumaladoddi: This is a village located 12 miles south of Kalyandurg and is well situated amidst hills. Enumaladoddi is having an Ashram dedicated to a saint of the Sri Radhaswamy faith. The 'Teppalamma Banda' (a stone), situated to the south of the ashram is visited by devotees praying for progeny and also for performing tonsure ceremonies. Another interesting feature of this small town is the existence of a "floating island". It is a small irregular shaped island on earth. Some ten yards across at its widest part, which lies in and nearly fills up, a hollow in the rock of which the hillock consists.

Chitrachedu: Chitrachedu lies at a distance of 9 miles from Pamadi on the northern bank of Penneru. It has become famous, as there is a stone image of Hanuman, hewn out of a rock more than 25 feet in height, carrying Rama, Lakshmana and Sita on his shoulders with Inderjeet in between his feet. It is reputed to be the biggest of the idols of Hanuman in the district. It is locally known as "Kotakonda Hanumantharayadu".

Bhyravani Thippa Bhyravani Thippa is situated 28 miles from Kalyandurg and is named after Bhairava whose temple lies on the hillock nearby. This village became significant because of the Bhairavanitippa Project, which harnesses the waters of 'Hagari' ('Vedavati').

Ramappa banda is a small beautiful siva temple on top of very big rock ,approx 7 km from Kalyandurg near to Mudigallu village.Very calm and peaceful place great as a day picnic with family or alone.While on the way sure can enjoy hills and nature preferably by two wheeler

Akkammavarla Temple This small temple is considered very holy and loacted near to very big hill (This hill looks like a sleeping woman from other side of town ,amazing),many devotees visit goddess on yearly festival after a day after Dasara fasting since early morning with beautifully decorated pot on their head which has panaka (Jaggery water) after their wishes fulfilled.Can enjoy trekking this hill ,on top of hill can see a water pond and many interesting places like Hanuman temple on the other side hill the god facing South side which is very rare.

Sri Subrahmanyeswara Swamy Temple Sri Subrahmanyeswara Swamy temple is located at the heart of the Town. This temple is built in around 16th century. Every year on the occasion of birth of sri subrahmanyeswara swamy, a festival called "Subrahmanya swamy Shrasti" is celebrated with great devotion and respect. This festival is declared a local holiday. This festival includes Pujas, Car festival and many more Pujas held at the temple premises.

Jambu Dweepa at Konakondla

The Jain Mythical cosmographical diagram of Jambu Dweepa engraved on a stone on the top of the hill Alchemists at Konakondla village in Vajrakarur Mandal which was identified by Sri R.V. Chakravarthy, Head Master, Parishad High School, Konakondla in the year 1966. The pilgrims, especially south Indian Jain pilgrims are mostly attracted by this Jambu Dweepa which is 70 kms from Anantapur or 10 kms from Guntakal Railway Station. Adjacent to this, there are Kambam Narasimha Swamy Hills, Rasasidda hillock and Kari Basappa hillock. There is a Thirthanka Temple with idols of Thirthankaras (high priests) on Rasasidda hillock. This may belong to 13 th Century A.D.

Puttaparthi-PrashantiNilayam of Sri Satya Sai baba

Entrance to Puttaparthi

Entrance to prashanti nilayam

Satyabhama Devi temple at puttaparthi .Satyabhama was the consort of Lord Krishna. The temple is built the by the grandfather of Sri Sathya Sai, Sri Kondama Raju. He got a dream in which he saw Satyabhama Devi being struck up in a storm, longing for Lord Krishna and asking shelter. Then he decided to build a temple. It is the only temple in the whole world that is dedicated to Satyabhama Devi.

Venu Gopala Swami (Lord Krishna) Temple .

Here Venugoplala swami is self-manifested . According to a legend, the village was earlier called as Gollapalli which means home of cowherds. One day a cowherd noticed a snake sucking milk from one of his cows and threw a stone at it which made it die. While dying, the snake cursed the village which led to the decline of cattle population and the place started developing numerous anthills.
In Sanskrit, Valmikam means anthill and hence the place was called as Valmikipura (place of anthills) which later transformed into Telugu as Puttaparthi. In lieu of pleasing the spirit of snake, the local people consecrated the blood-splattered stone and started worshipping it. Later, Sri Sathya Sai told them to clean the stone and apply sandal paste to it. To their surprise, they noticed the figure of Lord Krishna after cleaning the stone. Thus the temple is devoted to Venu Gopala Swami.

Chitravati River

The river Chitravati has its origin in the Nandi Hills which come near Chikballapur, 50 kilometers from Bangalore. Nobody knows how exactly Chitravati ends her life at the sea for it has been years, nay decades, since she has been in her former gushing self. She flows into the Cuddapah district of Andhra Pradesh in spite of being dammed at the border of the state of Karnataka, near Bagepalli.

The Pennar river near the Gandikota fort

Pennar river at Gandikota

The Vedavathi is a river in India. It rises from the Western Ghats and flows through the states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh,mostly in ananthapur district . The Vedavathi is also called the Hagari in parts ofAndhra Pradesh. Two rivers, the Veda and Avathi, arise in the eastern part of the Sahyadri Hill range, flow east, and join concert near Pura to form the Vedavathi.On the banks of the Vedavathi, there is a famous temple devoted to Shri Anjaneya at Kellodu, Hosadurga Taluk. The Vani Vilasa Saagara reservoir constructed across river Vedavathi dates back a century. A tributary called the Suvarnamukhi confluences with Vedavathi at Koodalahalli, Hiriyur Taluk. It is considered to be a 'Punya Bhumi' or 'Sacred Land' by the locals. The Vedavathi river then flows from Hiriyur towards Narayanapura, Parashurampaura, Vrindavanahalli, where river flows circularly, hence village called Vrindavana Halli and then to Jajur (moodala jajur) Nagagondanahalli, Janamaddi and then enters Andhra Pradesh i.e. Bhairavnapippa Dam. On the banks of Nagagondanahalli there is a famous math by name Chilumeswamy who was an avadhoot and fair is conducted every year and lakhs of people visit.The river then flows down to the southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh, where the river is called the 'Hagari'. The river has a cultural significance, with the people along the belt of the Hagari depending entirely on the river for most of their needs. Bhairivani Tippa Reservoir is built across this river.

Chithravathi River

Papagni river cuts the mountain and makes a beautiful pass in plains

SWARNAMUKI RIVER
Swarnamukhi is born in Chandragiri Hills and flows through the valley between Chandragiri and Tirupathi and reaches Srikalahasti. From there it enters Nellore District and joins the sea of Siddavaram.

Madabusi Santanam Raghunathan was born on August 11, 1941 at Anantapur. Cohomology of arithmetic groups, which had its genesis in the fundamental works of Borel, Matsushima, Murakami, Weil, and Kazhdan in the 60's -- to which Raghunathan also made substantial contributions -- continues to be an active area of study via its relationship with certain automorphic representations (which are among the most interesting automorphic representations to study). They are also important for the emerging subject of `mod-p' and `p-adic analytic' Langlands programme. After initial training during 1960-62, he worked on a research problem suggested by Prof. M.S. Narasimhan, on "Deformations of linear connections and Riemannian metrics", and solved it by the summer of 1963. He wrote his Ph.D. thesis under the guidance of Professor Narasimhan and was awarded the degree by the University of Bombay in 1966. After completing his Ph.D., Raghunathan spent a year at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, U.S., a well-known international centre for post-doctoral research. As is to be expected, through the years he has visited several renowned centres in th e U.S., Europe and Japan, on invitation, for durations ranging from a few weeks to a year, and has spoken at several international conferences. Discrete subgroups of Lie groups have been the central objects of his researches. He has made contributions to rigidity and arithmeticity problems. Raghunathan's book Discrete Subgroups of Lie Groups, published by Springer Verlag, Germany, in 1972 is now a classic in the area. It is unique in its coverage of various results which in recent decades have been put to considerable use, and as such it is much appreciated and widely referred to. I have often heard the laments of researchers in the field about it now being out of print. The book has been translated into the Russian and published with a foreword by G.A. Margulis, who is a celebrity in the field.

Padma Sri Kallur Subba Rao (Telugu: ) was an Indian freedom activist and Politician. He was born in Kallur near Hindupur Tq, Anantapur District. His Fathers name is Sri Surappa and his mother's name is Puttamma. Kallur Subba Rao was born on 25 May 1897, and he was the first person who started Congress Movement in Rayalaseema. He studied up to 12th standard, when he was in 17 years he attended a meeting hosted by Ane besant. Subba Rao started participating in meetings and started the Freedom Struggle. He was under imprisonment for 7 years, as a Freedom Fighter. After independence he was elected as Member of Constituent Assembly of India from Madras Presidency. After that he was awarded Padmasri in 1967. He himself a great poet and very good orator, Mr. Rutherford who was the collector of Anantapur Dist., from English people at that time called him as the Lion of Congress, and Dr.Babu Rajendra Prasd used to call him as the Prison Graduate, because Mr.Kallur Subba Rao was a great reader of Bhagavat Geetha, Ramayana and Bhagavatha. He was elected as Member of Legislative assembly three times. He was a APCC general Secretary. He served for Nation until his Last Breath. He died on December 20, 1972.