Places to visit in Ananthapuramu
15 places, grouped by kind. Each one shows how well it is verified: an official source, two independent sources, or not yet verified.
Forts and heritage 3
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Gooty Fort (Ravadurg) Official source
One of the oldest hill forts in Andhra Pradesh: 15 small forts with their own gateways, laid out like a shell over three hills, with wells and temples at the top.
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Rayadurgam Fort Official source
Vijayanagara and Palegar fort town, once a Jain centre, with a 10 ft Dashabhuja Ganapati and a Shiva temple said to have an emerald linga.
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Kundurpi Fort Official source
Palegar hill fort named after the goddess Kundrupamma, with post-Vijayanagara temples, sculptures and inscriptions cared for by the state archaeology department.
Temples and pilgrimage 6
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Bugga Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple, Tadipatri Official source
ASI-protected Vijayanagara temple on the Penna (built 1490-1509) where a spring keeps the linga constantly under water; Ramayana and Mahabharata reliefs and musical pillars.
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Chintala Venkataramana Swamy Temple, Tadipatri Official source
ASI-protected 16th-century Vishnu temple built by Pemmasani Timmanayudu II, known for its gopuram and carved mandapa; Vaikuntha Ekadasi and Brahmotsavam.
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Nettikanti Veera Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Kasapuram Official source
Hanuman temple that draws pilgrims from Anantapur, Kurnool and Bellary, especially on Saturdays; Muslims from nearby villages also make offerings. Annual procession the day after Ugadi.
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Kullai Swamy Shrine, Gugudu Official source
Shrine of the saint Kullai Swamy in the Mutchukota hills, revered by Hindus and Muslims; fire-walking on the night of the 11th day of Muharram.
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Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Alurkona Official source
Hilltop temple built in 1330 by Yerramaraju, a chieftain under Bukka Raya, beside a perennial spring and waterfall; Brahmotsavam on Chaitra Pournami (usually April).
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Pennahobilam (Penna Ahobilam) Official source
Narasimha temple at an uninhabited village; chariot festival in April-May (Incredible India).
Jain heritage 1
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Rasasiddula Gutta and Jambu Dweepa, Konakondla Official source
Jain hill said to be the birthplace of Acharya Kundakunda, with a rare carved Jambu Dweepa cosmographic diagram, Jain sculptures, Nishidi memorial stones and rock-bed caves.
Museums and city 4
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Padmasri Kalluru Subbarao District Archaeological Museum Official source
District museum founded in 1992, in a new building since March 2024. Open 10:30 AM-5 PM, closed Fridays and government holidays; Rs 30 adults, Rs 20 children (district portal).
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Clock Tower, Anantapur Official source
Freedom memorial whose 8 faces, 15 ft radius and 47 ft height stand for 15 August 1947. The portal says built in 1945; Incredible India says 1947 and gives a height of 71 m.
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ISKCON Radha Parthasarathi Temple Official source
Modern temple built in the shape of a chariot (Incredible India). Timings to collect.
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Peace Memorial Hall Official source
British-era hall built 1919-1921 from public subscriptions raised after the First World War; used as a community and reading hall.
Nature 1
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Yadiki Caves Official source
Limestone caves with stalactites and stalagmites and trekking routes (Incredible India). Access, guides and safety to confirm.
In depth: Gooty Fort (Ravadurg)
Gooty Fort crowns a cluster of granite hills above the town, its walls looping from one rock to the next. The climb is on a paved path through gateway after gateway to the summit, where wells cut into the rock, temples, barracks and Morari Rao's pavilion on the cliff edge look out over the Deccan plain. Start at dawn: there is almost no shade, and from March the rock bakes by mid-morning.
At a glance
- Type
- Hill fort; centrally protected monument (ASI) Official source
- Layout
- 15 small forts with separate gateways in a shell shape, joined by an outer wall with bastions Official source
- Height
- Portal: on a hill about 300 m high. Incredible India: hills rising more than 680 m (likely elevation above sea level) Official source
- Where
- Gooty town, Gooty mandal Official source
- Distance
- About 50 km from Anantapur (portal gives 50 and 52 km) Official source
- Timings
- 9 AM-6 PM (Incredible India) Official source
- Time needed
- Three to four hours for the climb and summit
History and significance
- Early
- Earliest inscriptions on the walls date to the 7th century; the old name Gowthampuri became Gooty (rural tourism). Official source
- Vijayanagara
- A Bukka Raya inscription calls it the King of Forts (rural tourism; Incredible India). Official source
- Later rulers
- Held in turn by the Badami Chalukyas, Vijayanagara, Maratha commanders, Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan and the British (district portal). Official source
- Morari Rao
- The Maratha general Morari Rao held the fort; his polished limestone pavilion sits on the cliff edge (rural tourism; Incredible India). Official source
- Thomas Munro
- Linked with Sir Thomas Munro, the first Collector; he died near Pathikonda in 1827 and is buried at Gooty (portal names the link; burial place to confirm). Not yet verified
What to see
- Fifteen gateways
- A sequence of gates and smaller forts on the way up.
- Morari Rao's pavilion
- Limestone pavilion at the cliff edge with views over the town.
- Wells and reservoirs
- Rock-cut reservoirs and many wells at the top; Incredible India says 108.
- Summit temples
- Lakshmi Narasimha, Nageswara Swami, Hanuman, Jyothimma and Ramaswamy temples, and a dargah inside the walls.
- Barracks and gymnasium
- Two of the best-preserved buildings.
- Granary and magazine
- Remains of a granary and a gunpowder magazine.
Visiting
- Timings
- 9 AM-6 PM (Incredible India). Official source
- Entry fee
- Not published by Incredible India or the district portal. Confirm with ASI. Not yet verified
- Climb
- Paved path from the foot of the hill to the summit; steep and exposed. Official source
- Water and food
- Carry water; no facilities confirmed at the top.
- Guide
- Local guides may be available at the base; to confirm. Not yet verified
Festivals
- Summit temple festivals
- Dates for the Lakshmi Narasimha and other summit temples to collect from the temple committee. Not yet verified
Visitor guidelines
- Start the climb early; there is little shade and afternoons are very hot from March to June.
- Carry at least two litres of water per person.
- Keep away from cliff edges and well openings; there are few railings.
- Do not climb walls or scratch inscriptions; it is an ASI-protected monument.
- Go in a group and come down well before closing time.
How to reach Gooty Fort (Ravadurg)
- By train
- Gooty Junction (GY) is on the Guntakal-Chennai and Guntakal-Bengaluru lines; Anantapur (ATP) also works.
- By road
- NH-44 passes Gooty; about 50 km north of Anantapur. Official source
- By air
- Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR), is the nearest international airport (Incredible India). Official source
Month by month
| Month | Temp °C | Sunrise | Sunset | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 13.3-34.5 | 06:48 | 18:08 | Best: cool, dry |
| Feb | 14.9-37.7 | 06:45 | 18:23 | Best |
| Mar | IMD normals to add | 06:28 | 18:30 | Warming |
| Apr | IMD normals to add | 06:06 | 18:34 | Very hot |
| May | IMD normals to add | 05:51 | 18:40 | Hottest |
| Jun | IMD normals to add | 05:49 | 18:50 | Hot, windy |
| Jul | IMD normals to add | 05:57 | 18:54 | Warm; light rain |
| Aug | IMD normals to add | 06:05 | 18:44 | Warm; light rain |
| Sep | IMD normals to add | 06:08 | 18:22 | Rain |
| Oct | 19.5-35.1 | 06:10 | 18:00 | Rain; green |
| Nov | 15.5-33.5 | 06:21 | 17:47 | Good |
| Dec | 13.3-32.5 | 06:37 | 17:52 | Best: cool, dry |
Suggested plans
- Half day
- Gooty Fort climb at dawn, breakfast in Gooty town.
- Full day
- Gooty Fort in the morning, then Tadipatri (about 50 km; to confirm) for Bugga Ramalingeswara and Chintala Venkataramana temples, back via Yadiki.
- Two days from Anantapur
- Day 1: Gooty and Tadipatri. Day 2: Anantapur museum, Konakondla Jain hill and Kasapuram.
How to reach Ananthapuramu
- By train
- Anantapur (ATP), Guntakal Junction (GTL), Gooty (GY), Tadipatri (TU).
- By air
- Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR), is the nearest major airport.
- By road
- NH-44 (Hyderabad-Bengaluru) runs through the district.
- Headquarters
- Ananthapuramu
- Coast
- Landlocked; Deccan plateau
Best time to visit Ananthapuramu
- Best time
- October to February.
- Climate
- Semi-arid and one of the driest parts of South India; April and May are very hot.
Dates to plan around in Andhra Pradesh
- Pydithalli Sirimanotsavam — Vizianagaram: Tue 27 Oct 2026, 3-5 PM (Deccan Chronicle)
- Papikondalu boats — Polavaram: running again since 12 Oct 2026; season to Sankranti
- Maredumilli Tourism Festival — Polavaram: 12-15 Dec 2026 (Incredible India)
- Sambara Polamamba Jatara — Parvathipuram Manyam: January 2027, dates to confirm
- Godavari Pushkaralu — Rajamahendravaram: 26 Jun-7 Jul 2027 (PTI)
Where to stay in Ananthapuramu
No stays have been verified for Ananthapuramu yet — our guide lists a stay only after checking it with an official source.
Quick answers about Ananthapuramu
What is Ananthapuramu known for?
Dry Rayalaseema uplands: the King of Forts at Gooty, the spring-fed temples of Tadipatri and a rare Jain hill at Konakondla.
What is the one place not to miss in Ananthapuramu?
Gooty Fort (Ravadurg). One of the oldest hill forts in Andhra Pradesh: 15 small forts with their own gateways, laid out like a shell over three hills, with wells and temples at the top.
Which is the nearest railway station to Ananthapuramu?
Anantapur (ATP), Guntakal Junction (GTL), Gooty (GY), Tadipatri (TU).
Which is the nearest airport to Ananthapuramu?
Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR), is the nearest major airport.
When is the best time to visit Ananthapuramu?
October to February.
How many places are there to visit in Ananthapuramu?
Our guide lists 15 places in Ananthapuramu district, Andhra Pradesh, across forts and heritage, temples and pilgrimage, jain heritage, museums and city, nature.
Official links and sources
- Ananthapuramu district portal ↗
- APTDC (state tourism corporation) ↗
- APSRTC ↗
- Ananthapuramu district portal: tourist places ↗
- Ananthapuramu district portal: places of interest ↗
- Incredible India: Anantapur ↗
- Incredible India: Gooty Fort ↗
- Incredible India: Bugga Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple ↗
- Ministry of Tourism rural tourism: Gooty Fort ↗
- Wikipedia: List of districts of Andhra Pradesh ↗