How to reach: Located 180 kms from Kurnool & 210 kms from Hyderabad, it is well connected by road & rail.

What to see: The Brahmarambha Mallikarjuna Swamy temple houses one of India's twelve Jyotirlingas (natural stone formations in the shape of a linga). Built in the 14 th century, the temple walls are carved with depictions of elephants, hunting scenes and Lord Shiva in different manifestations.

Apart from the main temple, there are other places that are well worth a visit • Pandava Pratistitha Lingas where legend has it that the Pandavas worshipped Lord Mallikarjuna • Thriphaleswara Tree which is believed to bless childless couples • Nava Brahmalayams which depict various manifestations of Lord Shiva • Mallika Gundam, a well that devotees believe has medicinal properties • Vridda Mallikarjuna, where an aged linga is worshipped • Sita Pratistitha Linga, an attractive linga believed to have been installed by Goddess Sita • Sri Brahmarambha Devi Temple, one of the 18 Sakti Pitas • Sankaramutt, which conducts a Vedic school• Arana Veereswara Temple • Bayalu Veerabhadra Swamy Temple • Ankalamma Temple • Shivaji Spurti Kendra, where Chatrapati Shivaji had stayed • Patala Ganga Bath Ghats.

Around Srisailam are many other places to visit • Sikhareswaram, site of the Sikhareswara Swamy temple on the highest peak in the Nallamalai Hills • Hatakeswaram, a temple of Lord Shiva • Paladhara and Panchadhara are natural springs flowing at a spot where Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have performed penance • Sivanandalahari temple of Sakthi Ganapati • Srisailam Project which is one of the biggest hydel projects, with the dam stretching 512 metres.

How to reach: Located 130 Kms from Hyderabad and 190 Kms from Kurnool, by road.

What to see: Extending over an area of 3568 Sq. kms, rich in flora & fauna, the Reserve is home to wildlife such as Tigers, Panthers, Jackals, Striped Hyenas, Small Indian Civet, as well as various species of Deer and Reptiles. The ‘Chenchu' are primitive tribals indigenous to the area. The magnificent Ethipothala falls located 11 kms from Nagarjunasagar Dam are definitely worth seeing.

How to reach: Lying 90 Kms from Kurnool and 256 Kms from Hyderabad, it is well connected by road and rail.

What to see: Situated on the banks of the river Tungabhadra, Mantralayam is famous for the ‘Samadhi' of the well-known saint, Sri Raghavendra Teertha. The temple built over 300 years ago, still attracts a large number of followers and devotees.

Other places to see include Raghavendra Swamy Brindavan, the tomb that he entered alive; Anjaneya Swamy Temple; Panchamukhi Anjaneya Swamy and Venkateswara Swamy Temple.

How to reach: Situated at a distance of 14 Kms from Nandyal & 80 Kms from Kurnool, it is well connected by rail and road.

What to see: A noted pilgrimage center, Mahanandi is surrounded by dense forests and is famous for the Mahanandishwara temple that dates back to the 7 th century AD. The remarkable feature here is the crystal clear water which flows throughout the year from perennial springs.

Other places of interest are Pushkarini, a pond with water so clear and pure that even a pin at the bottom can be seen, Kodanda Ramalayam, and the Kameswari Devi Temple.

How to reach: Located 125 Kms from Kurnool, it is well connected by road.

What to see: Made known in 1982 by a team of European speleologists led by Mr Gebaner, Belum Caves are the second largest natural caves in Indian Sub-continent after Meghalaya Caves. These underground caves are located on a flat agricultural field, have 3 well like cavities with the central one being the main entrance to the caves.

After a descent of 20 meters at the entrance, the cave is horizontal & has a length of 3229 meters. Longer than Borra Caves in Vishakapatnam district, Belum Caves have long passages, spacious chambers, fresh water galleries and siphons. All this makes Belum Caves a geological & archaeological attraction worldwide.

How to reach: Located about 60 Kms from Kurnool.

What to see: Apart from a wide variety of birds and animals, this sanctuary is renowned as one of the last refuges of the endangered Great Indian Bustard, which is a heavy ground bird like a young ostrich or peahen.

How to reach: Located 160 Kms from Kurnool, it is well connected by road.

What to see: The Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple that dates back to the early 16 th century, is unique in that it is the only temple where all the nine forms of Lord Narasimha are worshipped.

Other sites worth seeing are Amrutavalli Tayar Temple; Sannidhi Pushkarini; Bhashyakara Sannidhi and the Upper Ahobilam Narasimha Shrine.

How to reach: Located 90 Kms from Kurnool, it is well connected by frequently plying buses.

What to see: It is well-known for the temple of Uma Maheshwar, built in the 15 th century, which has a magnificent Gopura at the entrance and a pond surrounded by animated friezes of court and mythological scenes carved on stone.

Other places of interest include a huge Nandiswara; Agasthya Pushkarini; and scenic natural caves. In the vicinity are the Garimi Reddy Gari Achchamma Mutt; Kasaiah Thota; Kotturi Subramanya Swamy Temple; Nandavaram Chandeswari Devi Temple; and Ravvalakonda.

How to reach: 15 Kms from Kurnool.

What to see: Alampur, also known as the Dakshina Kailash, is located on the banks of River Tungabhadra.

The nine temples or ‘Nava Brahma Temples were built by Chalukyas of Badami. The main deity here is of Lord Shiva. It is also famous for a Dargah of a peer, Shah Ali Pehelwan, located within the temple complex. Both Hindus & Muslims offer their prayers at this dargah.

Yet another important temple is the Sangameshwara Temple built on the confluence of Rivers Tungabhadra and Krishna.

Gadwal

How to reach: Situated 150 Kms from Hyderabad and 40 kms from Kurnool, it is well connected by road and regular bus service.

What to see: Gadwal is internationally renowned for its beautiful saries. While the body of these sarees is in cotton, the border and pallu are in silk. Adorned with rich traditional designs, the sarees are available in several colors.

While in Gadwal do visit the Chenna Keshava Temple. Legend has that ‘Chenna Keshava' a Brahmin was offered as sacrifice by the then ruler to build the fort. In recognition of this the temple was named after the Brahmin as Chenna Keshava Temple.

Konda Reddy Buruju

Located in the heart of Kurnool & believed to be built by the Rajas of Vijayanagaram, Konda Reddy Buruju was a part of Kurnool fort & was used as a prison. One revolutionary Konda Reddy attained martyrdom in this prison. Since then the place is known as Konda Reddy Buruju. Other interesting places to see in & around Kurnool are the Gol Gumbaz, Church, Shirdi Sai Baba temple and Jagannatha Gutta.