Brief about the important tourist places in
Sri Sathya Sai district
***
Name of the Place: Puttaparthi
About: Puttaparthi is situated on the banks of Chitravathi. It is the abode of Devine Sri
Sathya Sai Baba, drawing devoted disciples from all over the world. There is Prasanthi Nilayam (an Ashram) constructed by the Devotees. A beautiful mantapa by name” Poornachandra” is constructed in which a large number of Baba devotees would assemble and perform “Bhajana” on festival days and Darshan of the Baba Sannidanam. There is also a beautiful museum on the Bhagavan Sri Satya Sai Baba, planetarium and state of the Hospital & airport run by the Sri Sathya Sai Trust. Large number of foreign tourists visits this place.
Chaitanya Jyoti Museum, One of the most beautiful structures in Ashram, is the Chaitanya Jyoti Museum, which houses all stories and incidents of the life of Sai Baba, all the way from his early childhood. The visitors are introduced to the godliness and divinity of Sai Baba through multimedia presentations and more. The structure too, is a specimen of fine architecture and design which combines Chinese roofs, Moorish Spires, Gothic arches and Japanese and Thai styles. The museum was designed by a NASA scientist, Art-ong Jum Sai.The main attraction of this city, the holy abode of Sathya Sai Baba is known as ‘Prashanti Nilayam’, literally translates into ‘the abode of peace’. The ashram has been pulling visitors since ages and does so throughout the year emblematizing one of the most unique and renowned religious organizations in the world, making the town a significant spiritual centre. In the ashram one finds sprawling and beautiful educational institutions, stadiums, museums, hospitals and all the modern facilities that appeal to all visitors. Being a massive and elaborate complex, it holds a capacity of accommodating thousands of people at a time. There are also a set of rules and regulations which have been laid down and need to be respected and followed by the devotees. The most discernible part of this ashram is the assembly hall where Sathya Sai Baba gives his Darshan to the devotees. A beauteous contour, it has recreated history by the turnover of devotees on the eve of Sai baba’s birthday. A composed, soothing and placid semblance makes this ashram the highlight of the town. One cannot miss this active, sprawling and elaborate religious centre, with almost a city of its own inside, while in Puttaparthi. Experience here, devotion and spirituality in motion as they take form and shape of working institutions and organizations.
Important occasions/ festivals:
- Sri Sathya Sai Birthday
Co-Ordinates: 14.165601709588689, 77.80741946785534
Routes to reach: Puttaparthi is well connected by road & rail. 9kms from Prasanthi
Nilayam Railway Station, 150 km from Bangalore City & 132 km from International Airport, Devanhalli, Bangalore.
Places of Interest:
- Sathya Sai Baba Mandir ( Prasanthi Nilayam)
- Museum on the Bhagavan Sri Satya Sai Baba
- planetarium
For Further More Information Please Visit: https://www.sathyasai.org/
Where to Stay:
- APTDC, Sai Aramam Haritha Hotel
Name of the Place: Kadiri
About: The Temple of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy is one among the many renowned
Shrines in the Rayala Seema are ranking the importance with the great shrine Sri Venkateswara Swamy, at Tirupati. The local hill called stotradri is the place where the devas worshipped the Lord after the destroyed the demon Hinranyakashyp in the Durgam in Godduvelagala village which is situated nearby to Kadiri. The temple is enclosed in a 500 ft square high walled compound with 4 entrances having a gopuram at each entrance.
Best Time to visit throughout the year and huge crowd in Lakhs gather during Rathosthavam in Feb/March every year.
Important occasions/ festivals:
- Rathosthavam in Feb/March every year
Co-Ordinates: 14.100030076801916, 76.87283505449325
Routes to reach: Kadiri is well connected by road 44kms from Puttaparthi,
176 km from Bangalore City & 151 km from International Airport’
Devanhalli , Bangalore
Where to Stay: Govt. Owned R & B Guest House Kadiri, Many Private Hotels in
Kadiri Town
ECO- TOURISM PLACES:
Name of the Place: Timmamma Marri Manu
About: There is a Banyan Tree, perhaps the biggest of its kind in the South, its
branches spreading over nearly 5 acres, locally called “Thimmamma Marrimanu” after the name of Thimmamma, who is said to have committed “Sati” in 1434 A.D at this spot, where this Banyan Tree sprouted and it has a place in the Gunnies’ book of world records with an area of 8acres 15 cents with 5559 branches.
Important occasions/ festivals:
- Rathosthavam
Co-Ordinates: 14.028061525665267, 78.32505943901792
Routes to reach: Thimmamamarimanu at Gootibylu is near Kadiri (24Km) well
connected by road from Puttaparthi (69 Km) & 235 km from Bangalore City, 211 km from International Airport, Devanhalli, Bangalore.
Where to Stay: A.P. Tourism Guest House
Name of the Place: Veerapuramu
About: Veerapuramu is a Sanctuary where birds come from fare away distances for
breeding here. Every year we can see various no of painted stocks coming here for breeding. It’s wonderful but difficult to understand the bond between the painted storks from Siberia and Veerapuramu, a tiny remote village in Ananthapuramu district. The Painted Storks have settled down in Veerapuramu for more than a century now. The chemistry of love between the storks and Veerapuramu is unfathomable as the birds are found nestled only on the trees within the village and not even on the outskirts. Idyllic scene – Veerapuramu Village .The villagers claim it is their “love for the guest birds” which keeps them in the village. Though the village has a small water body (a tank) it dries up by the time the guests arrive in the village or it doesn’t get the water at all due to the poor rainfall in the area. Nestled in the village the male birds fly even up to a couple of hundred km every night to fetch food from the water bodies. However, they return to the nests by dawn. The painted storks from Siberia and Algeria fly across the seas and mainland for about 6,000 km to reach Veerapuramu.
Co-Ordinates:
Routes to reach: Veerapuramu near Hindupur (26 Km) is well connected by road from
Ananthapuramu (92 Km) , 175 km from Bangalore City , 151 km from International Airport, Devanhalli , Bangalore.
Where to Stay: APTDC Haitha Hotel at Lepakshi
Name of the Place: Kumbakarna Theme Park
About: Kumbakarna Park near Penukonda spreading over 5 acres has a
Gigantic statue of the sleeping Kumbakarna, measuring 142 feet in length and 32 feet in height into whose cavernos belly one can walk. Several asuras are seen trying to wake up the sleeping Gaint, depicting the famous story of this in invincible brother of Ravana in Ramayana.
Co-Ordinates: 14.132437500167303, 77.60131518690301
Routes to reach: Kumbakarna Park near Penukonda (6 Km) is well connected by road
from Puttaparthi (32 Km) , 149 km from Bangalore City ,125 km
from International Airport, Devanhalli , Bangalore.
Where to Stay: Govt. Owned R & B Guest House Penukonda, Many Private Hotels in
Penukonda Town
HANDI CRAFTS:
Name of the Place: Nimmalakunta (Tholubommalata /
Puppetry Show)
About: The shadow form of puppetry locally called Tholu Bommalata,
meaning dance of leather puppets (tholu – leather, bommalata – puppet dance) is widely practiced in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
The puppets are brightly coloured and are made out of goat skin. These leather puppets are about 5-6 ft. in height and have joints at shoulders, elbows, knees and sometimes also the waist, neck and ankles. Traditionally, vegetable dyes are used for colouring the puppets. However, now-a-days chemical dyes which are easily available are also used for colouring the puppets. Perforations are made wherever required on the puppet figure and eyes are painted last. A slim bamboo stick is tied to the puppet which keeps it vertically straight. The puppets are pressed slightly against white screen and manipulated. The audience see the shadow or image. The themes of the play are based on episodes from Ramayana, Mahabaratha or Krishna legend.
Co Ordinates: 14.341613907279191, 77.74373318320133
Routes to reach: Nimmalakunta is near Dharmavaram (10 Km) well
Connected by road from Puttaparthi (28 Km) & 168 km from Bangalore City, 145 km from International Airport, Devanhalli, Bangalore.
Name of the Place: Dharmavaram
About: Dharmavaram is also known for its cotton and silk weaving industry.
Dharmavaram silk sarees are well known all over the country. Leather puppets are also made in the vicinity. It is famous for silk sarees and has a great past. Thousands of families depend on the silk industry, for which Dharmavaram attained fame. There are more than a thousand shops in the town, which sell silk sarees. Nearly 30 silk cooperative societies help those engaged in the trade. This silk wear is exported to Germany, France and other countries abroad. Only in Dharmavaram exists a Silk Exchange. Many freedom-fighters also belong to this place.
Co Ordinates: 14.411454028030526, 77.71454162170937
Routes to reach: Dharmavaram well connected by road from Puttaparthi (38 Km) &
184 km from Bangalore City, 162 km from International Airport, Devanhalli, Bangalore.
CULTURE & HERITAGE MONUMENTS:
Name of the Place: Yogi Vemana Samadhi (Kataru Palle)
About: Kattarupalli attracts a lot of pilgrims as it is very famous for the Yogi
Vemana Samadhi situated 25 kms from Kadiri enroute Thimmama Marimanu. The journey to this place offers spectacular views of rock formations of various shapes. Yogi Vemana is widely known as people’s poet as the Telugu poems written by him are simple and colloquial, narrating the truths of one’s day to day life and social evils which are very popular among the literates and illiterates. His poems describe the subjects of Yoga, wisdom and morality. Vemana being a poet was known as the ‘Praja Kavi’, meaning ‘The Poet of the People.
Co Ordinates: 14.114359649462955, 78.24900631018286
Routes to reach: Yogi vemana Samadhi is near Kadiri (12 Km) well
Connected by road from Puttaparthi (55 Km) & 183 km
from Bangalore City, 161 km from International Airport, Devanhalli,
Bangalore
Monument Name: MADHAVARAYA TEMPLE (OLD VISHNU
TEMPLE) AT GORANTLA
About: This old Vishnu temple is locally known as Madhavarayasvami temple, and is
built of stone in the Vijayanagara style. It consists of a small shrine chamber, a large central hall enclosed with walls, and a large pillared mandapa in front. The most ornamental and interesting portion of the building is the pillared porch in front. The plain portions of the massive pillars are decorated with bas-relief sculptures representing scenes from Ramayana and Puranas. The entrances are richly carved with Vaishnava figures.
Co Ordinates: 13.984210144503503, 77.76730287215244
Routes to reach: Gorantla well connected by road from Puttaparthi (32 Km) &
126 km from Bangalore City, 103 km from International Airport, Devanhalli, Bangalore.
Monument Name: GROUP OF SCULPTURES AT HEMAVATHI
About: These sculptures collected from the site of Hemavathi anciently Henjeru, the
capital city of Nolambas represent the Nolamba Art at its apex are datable to 8th-10th century AD. These sculptures belong to Saiva, Vaishnava and Jaina faiths. Some of these sculptures are displayed in three galaries of newly constructed Site Museum. Noteworthy sculptures on display in the galleries are Uma-Mahesvara, Dakshinamurti, Alingana-Chandrasekhara, Gajantaka, Mahavishnu, Surya, Kartikeya, Ganesa, Saptamatrika both in panels and robust individual images, the dvarapalas with nidhis at the base, navagraha panels over the lintel, Ganga and Yamuna figures on the lattice windows, inscribed and sculptured memorial stones and inscribed pillars. The heavy sculptures kept outside the museum include nandis, Siva lingas, and some architectural members etc.
Co Ordinates: 14.027464398695495, 76.99446194498196
Places of Interest:
- SIDDESVARA TEMPLE
- DODDESVARA TEMPLE
- VIRUPAKSHA TEMPLE
- MALLESWARA TEMPLE
- HEMAVATHI ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Routes to reach: Hemavathi well connected by road from Puttaparthi (113 Km) &
163 km from Bangalore City, 168 km from International Airport, Devanhalli, Bangalore.
Where to Stay: A.P. Tourism Rest House at Hemavathi
Name of the Place: Lepakshi
About: Lepakshi consists of three shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and ‘Veerabhadra’.
On one of the hillocks near the place is known as “Kurma Saila” (tortoise shaped hill), are located the temples of ‘Papanatheswara’, ‘Raghunatha’, ‘Srirama’, ‘Veerabhadra’ and ‘Durga’, of which the Veerabhadra temple is the most important.
Veerabhadra temple is a notable example of the Vijayanagar style of architecture. A reference is made in the ‘Skandapurana’ to Lepakshi as one of the hundred and eight important ‘Shaiva Kshetras’ (shrines). Though the temple of Veerabhadra is claimed to have been constructed by Saint ‘Agastya’ himself, it was developed into the present exquisite shrine by ‘Virupanna’, the treasurer of the Vijayanagar Kings. He conceived the idea as he found the image of Veerabhadra.
The Temple Complex in Lepakshi is a medieval architectural wonder to witness. The most astonishing architectural marvel of Lepakshi is the Hanging Pillar of Veerabhadra Temple. The pillar does not rest on the ground completely but hangs in the air, with enough space between its base and the ground to pass a sheet of paper or a small twig through it- fully to emerge on the other side. Out of the 70 pillars at the stone temple, which was built in 1583 AD, in the Vijayanagar style of architecture by brothers Virupanna and Veeranna, this particular pillar stands out as a triumphant masterpiece of architecture. The Archaeological Survey of India has proven that this pillar was not constructed as a mistake, but was built intentionally to prove the brilliance of the builders of the time.
The gigantic bull (Monolithic Nandi) in couchant posture is a grand cut out sculpture of a huge granitic rock. This monolithic sculpture is a unique example of its kind in the country. It faces west and is looking towards the Nagalinga located behind the Veerabhadra temple. It is 10 metre in length and of 6 metre height. It is decorated with a necklace, muvvahara and a hara of bells and has short horns.
Coordinates: 13.803011832978205, 77.60866635296743
Places of Interest:
- Veerabhadra Swamy Temple
- Monolithic Nandi
- Jatayu Theme Park
- Moksh Ghat
Routes to reach: Lepakshi is near to Hindupur (15 Kms) well connected by road from
Puttaparthi (64 Km) & 123 km from Bangalore City, 100 km from
International Airport, Devanhalli, Bangalore.
Where to Stay: APTDC Haritha Hotel
Monument Name: HILL FORT at Madakasira
About: In 1728 AD this region fell under Marathas, and Morari Rao the Maratha Chief
was said to have built the fort and a palace here. The fort is situated on a precipitous rocky hill. The outer fortification looks as an irregular horse-shoe and the citadel is at the summit of the hill. One of the two paths which leads upto the citadel, near the old city gateway which is of massive stones, with ornamental brick and plaster parapet in the Indo-Saracenic style. Each side of the entrance is flanked by a small circular bastion. In 1762 AD the Musalmans seized the place but were rejected out two years later. They regained the position in 1774 AD and in 1799 AD, it fell under the British with the defeat of Tippu Sultan.
Coordinates: 13.944049538458051, 77.26848471716872
Routes to reach: Madakasira is near to Hindupur (30 Kms) well connected by road
From Puttaparthi (73 Km) & 142 km from Bangalore City, 147 km
from International Airport, Devanhalli, Bangalore.
Monument Name: HILL FORT AND A LARGE WELL at
RATNAGIRI
About: On architectural grounds this well built impregnable fort can be assigned to
17th century AD. The fort resembles an irregular horse shoe formed by the two hills of Ratnagiri and Venkatagiri and a high neck connecting by a strong fort wall, bordered by a moat and a steep narrow glacis. The citadel on Ratnagiri is reached by a winding track leading up the hill from the Northern end of the level ground, and the natural difficulties of the approach have been skilfully enhanced by the construction of the gates and other defences along its course. The top most portion of the fort contains two big porticos, one granary or magazine and one top most bastion situated at a picturesque height from which a clear view of the surrounding places can be had. A noteworthy feature of the fort is the existence of a number of natural water cisterns on the top of the hill providing ample water facilities for the garrison.
Coordinates: 13.815135061232693, 77.12960039542307
Places of Interest:
- Sri Basaveswara Swami Sannidi
- Sri Mallikarjuna Swami Sannidi
Routes to reach: Madakasira is near to Hindupur (46 Km) well connected by road
From Puttaparthi (105 Km) & 129 km from Bangalore City, 123 km
from International Airport, Devanhalli, Bangalore.
Where to Stay: A.P. Tourism Rest House at Ratnagiri
Name of the Place: Penukonda Fort
About: Penukonda is one of the early capitals of the Vijayanagara Empire, the fort was
Impregnable during its time. The two most noteworthy sights in the fort are the “Gagan Mahal” the summer resort of the kings and “Babayya Darga” a splendid example for communal harmony.
Coordinates: 14.070864035680032, 77.58418876936709
Places of Interest:
- Penukonda Fort
- Gagan mahal
- Babayya Darga
- Kumbakarna Park
Routes to reach: Penukonda is well connected by road from Puttaparthi (32 Km),
141 km from Bangalore City, 119 km from International Airport, Devanhalli , Bangalore.
Where to Stay: Govt. Owned R & B Guest House Penukonda, Many Private Hotels in
Penukonda Town
Culinary Delights:
Oliga : A sweet recipe (as Bakshyam) is famous in Ananthapuramu. It is made
from Chana, Plain flour (wheat flour), Jaggery etc.,
To understand the nutritional value we need to look at the main contents of Puran Poli. As noted above, the predominant ingredients are Chana, Plain flour, Jaggery or Sugar.
Chana: It provides Fibre, and also contains Zinc, Folate and Calcium
Plain flour, Jaggery or Sugar: These are the major sources of Carbohydrates
Ragi Mudda, Ragi Sangati or kali and colloquially simply referred to as either ‘Mudda’ it is a wholesome meal in Rayalaseema region in Andhra Pradesh. It is mainly popular with the rural folk of Rayalaseema. Ragi mudda, a store house of multi nutrients, has only two ingredients, the Ragi (finger millet) flour and water.
Ragi mudda is rich in the of nutrients that are found in Finger millet – namely fibre, Calcium, and Iron