Kurnool, a 2,000-year-old city, takes inspiration from the Sanskrit term ‘Kandanavolu,’ meaning ‘Town of Grease’. Kurnool is said to have acted as a major stop for stone carts in the 11th century since the people provided the carts with grease. The region is home to many attractions, and as a result, it is frequented by tourists and history enthusiasts from all over the globe. You may look at the artwork that dates back to the Palaeolithic period or visit some of the notable locations in Kurnool, which include castles, temples, caverns, and gardens, among other things.
The city’s historical significance, as well as its cultural abundance, may be inferred from the forts and temples.
In addition, the following entryways are available to visitors from around the world who visit Kurnool.
By air: Kurnool is served by the airport in Hyderabad, which is the closest one. Hyderabad is served by many domestic airlines on a regular basis at convenient intervals. The state’s primary airport, located in Hyderabad, also serves as a link to major international hubs outside of India. One may fly to Hyderabad and then take a local bus or cab to Kurnool.
By train: The city’s train station has strong connections to the rail networks of neighbouring municipalities and states. To get from the train station to Kurnool, you may take a cab, an auto, a rickshaw, or a bus.
By road: Kurnool is serviced by a robust network of buses from both the state and the district. Alternatively, one may hire private cabs to go to the location from any place inside the state of Tamil Nadu.
8 tourist places in Kurnool you should visit
Nallamala Forest
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Visiting Nallamala Forest and staying at the Nallamala Hill resort, which is home to both tigers and panthers, is an excellent idea for a vacation. If you take away the Western Ghats, the Nallamala Forest is South India’s biggest tract of pristine forest and is the only one of its kind in the region.
Sikhareswaram, with a height of 2,835 feet, is the highest point within Nallamala Hills. An old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva may be spotted here. As well as Cumbum Lake, one of Asia’s oldest man-made lakes dating back to the 15th century is situated here.
Yaganti
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Visitors go to Yaganti, located in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district, for its famed Sri Yagantiswamy temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, and for a taste of the state’s tourism. A single stone was used to sculpt the stunning idol of Shiva and Parwati, which depicts the deities in all their glory. The annual celebration of Maha Shiv Ratri, which occurs in October or November, is marked with considerable fanfare at the temple. Temple worshipers and tourists alike converge to the site during this period.
The majestic temple is held in high esteem not only due to the fact that it is religiously significant but also due to the fact that it has a great deal of remarkable and peculiar characteristics. The Agastya Pushkarni is a feature of the temple that ensures a constant flow of water year-round. It is located at the base of the hill. The act of taking a bath in the sacred water is considered to be an act of devotion to god.
Rollapadu Bird Sanctuary
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Rollapadu Bird Sanctuary may be reached by travelling a distance of sixty kilometres from Kurnool. Due to the large number of different species of birds that can be observed here, the location is a veritable paradise for anyone who likes watching birds. In addition to birds, one could also come across wild creatures and reptiles.
The thorny woods and meadows that make up the sanctuary spread across 614 square kilometres, make it a perfect home for birds. The Great Indian Bustard is the most well-known visitor attraction here. Many wild animals here include foxes, wolves, jackals, and cobras.
Belum Caves
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The Belum Caves are India’s most extensive and well-known cave system, and they are available to visitors year-round. The caverns, the second biggest in India, are notable for their one-of-a-kind compositions, including stalagmite and stalactite structures, produced over centuries with the creation of limestone. The Belum Caves are one of the nationally significant sites that are nationally preserved.
These caves have multiple passageways with complicated structures of water flowing on limestone that are sure to leave you in astonishment at the power that nature has and the majesty that it is capable of creating. Even though the cave’s whole length has been explored, only about a kilometre and a half of it is accessible to the general public.
Pataalaganga is the name given to the site within Belum Caves where the depth reaches a maximum of 46 metres. This is one of the cave’s most remote locations. At this place, a subterranean stream runs continuously throughout the year, skimming over the rocks before disappearing back under the surface again. The cave is made up of a number of different lengthy corridors, chambers, enormous caverns with freshwater resources, and passageways that are filled with water.
The movement of underground water flow has formed three breathtaking sinkholes, making the caverns an ideal paradise for geologists. Outside the caverns, a 40-foot-tall sculpture of Gautama Buddha was erected as a tribute to the monks’ contributions.
Mantralayam
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Holy Mantralayam is in Andhra Pradesh, precisely 74 kilometres away from the Kurnool district and 250 kilometres away from Hyderabad. It lies just on the shores of the Tungabhadra River and is very close to the boundary of the state of Karnataka.
Because the actual Samadhi of the saint Sri Raghavendra can be discovered here, the location is among the most popular pilgrimage places in the world. The environment is peaceful, and the facilities and amenities offered here are first-rate. If you want to spend some time in this location, you will discover that the available lodging options are among the best in the area.
Mahanandi
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The Mahanandi Temple is a historic temple on the eastern slope of the Nallamala Hills. It is worshipped in the name of Lord Shiva. The temple is renowned for its grandeur and has been updated and improved upon by several rulers over the years. The temple is claimed to hold special properties. Followers of the religion are under the impression that the water contained in the tank has therapeutic qualities. The origin of the water tank is still a mystery. The term “Mahanandi” comes from the fact that a massive Nandi sits at the front of the Linga, which is created of uncut and jagged rocks.
Ahobilam Temple
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The Ahobilam temple devoted to Lord Narasimha is the only temple in which all nine manifestations of the god are honoured and worshipped. It is thought that Ahobilam is the core of Adishesha, which extends throughout the whole of the Nallamala Hills. The temple was designed and constructed in the Vijayanagara architectural style, and it is home to idols representing all nine incarnations of Lord Narasimha.
Konda Reddy Fort
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The Konda Reddy Fort, sometimes referred to as the Kurnool Fort, can be found about two kilometres from the Kurnool train station. It is often considered to be the most significant attraction in the city of Kurnool. Despite the fact that most of the fort has been reduced to ruins, it is nevertheless considered to be among the most interesting features of the area. It has served as a significant monument in Kurnool for generations.
The kings and queens who ruled the Vijayanagar Empire constructed the building. The building, which now seems very unremarkable, was previously home to a passageway that led from beneath the Tungabhadra river. It continues to be home to a spectacular watch tower that overlooks the city that developed around it.
FAQs
What makes Kurnool stand out from other places?
The Konda Reddy Fort is a historical landmark in the northeastern portion of the city. It is one of the numerous stunning structures in and across the city. Orvakal Rock Gardens, located in the southeastern portion of the city, are home to an old cave and a Sculpture Garden.
What is the name of the well-known temple in Kurnool?
One of the most well-known temples in the city of Kurnool is a shrine dedicated to Shiva called Sri Yaganti Swamy. The building of this temple goes back to the 5th century. The presence of Ardhanareeswara, the most important idol in the temple, suggests that Shiva and Parvati exist.
What is the ideal time to explore Kurnool?
The months of November through February constitute Kurnool's winter season, which is considered to be the ideal time to go there. This time of year is ideal for going on excursions and participating in other types of outdoor activities.
How long of a visit to Kurnool would you recommend?
A tour of at least two or three days is required in order to see all that Kurnool has to offer.
