Toorist Places in Anantapur District:-Penna Ahobilam, AnantapurRanked 1 of 11Penna Ahobilam is renowned for its Lord Narasimha Swamy Temple. This shrine was constructed on the footprints of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy that measured 5 ft 3 inches. The shrine also serves as the prominent venue for marriage ceremonies. Within the temple complex, tourists can see Adi Lakshmi Devi Temple and Chenchu Lakshmi Devi Temple. Bugga Ramalingeswara Swami Temple, Anantapur ranked 2 of 11 Type: Place of Worship Bugga Ramalingeswara Swami Temple is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Popularly known as Ramalingeswara Swami Temple, this temple is renowned for its architecture and sanctity. The main reason behind the eminence of this temple is the underground stream, from where water creeps into the Garbha Griha. Within the Garbha Griha, the water drops at the spot where the Lingam is installed.According to legend, the temple has been established at the site, where sage Parasurama lived and performed meditation. The walls of the temple have entire Shiva Purana inscribed on them. Certain episodes from Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata are also carved on the walls. Lepakshi Ranked 3 of 12About Lepakshi Lepakshi is a small village and Mandal headquarters located in the Anantapur District, in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Hindupur and about 120 km (75 mi) north of Bangalore. Lepakshi is historically and archaeologically significant with three shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Virabhadra. These shrines are of the Vijayanagara Kings period. One of the attractions in Lepakshia is a huge Nandi bull made out of a single granite stone. The place is also known for mural paintings of the Vijayanagar Kings. Many old Kannada inscriptions dating back centuries can be seen on its walls. Legend has it that the Naga of the Nagalinga was carved out of a single stone by sculptors while they waited for their mothers to prepare lunch. Stone Carved Pillars of Main Temple :- famous Veerabhadra temple, dedicated to Veerabhadra, is located here. Built by the brothers Viranna and Virupanna, the temple is a notable example of the Vijayanagar architectural style.[1] It is renowned for its sculptures, which were created by the artisans of the Vijayanagara empire. A huge Nandi bull made out of a single granite stone is one of the attractions in Lepakshi.This village is renowned for having one of the best collections of mural paintings (see below) from the Vijayanagar Kings period. Many old Kannada inscriptions dating back centuries can be seen on its walls. On a hillock known as Kurma Saila (tortoise shaped hill), temples of Papanatheswara, Raghunatha, Shrirama, Veerabhadra and Durga are located. Veerabhadra temple is the most important temple.Points of interest in the Temple There are many peculiarities in this temple such a rock chain, Vastu Purush, the Padmini Race Lady, the Hanging Pillar, Durga Paadam, Lepakshi saree designs, and others. On the walls of this temple, several stories like the Mahabharatha and the Ramayana are sculpted. On the roof are paintings done in natural pigments. One noted spot in the temple is the Eyes of Viroopaakshanna. According to history, due to a misunderstanding with the temples builder, the king ordered him to be blinded. Hearing this, the builder plucked out his own eyes and threw them at the wall. Even today those blood marks are evident on that particular wall.Lepakshi Nandi The monolithic Nandi sculpture which is said to be the biggest monolithic Nandi in India, is synonymous with Lepakshi. It is 4.5 m high and 8.23m long. The big granite bull is on the main road, about 200 metres from the temple. It has been positioned such that it faces the shivalinga shielded by a huge serpent inside the temple. Said to be the second largest monolith in India, after Gomateshwara, the Nandi sports a huge kaasu malai, a bell chain, earrings and other jewelry.Transportation :-From Bangalore, it can be reached by going west at Kodikonda checkpost on Hyderabad highway NH 7. Alternatively, one could take a bus or a train to Hindupur and then travel to Lepakshi. ISKCON Temple, Anantapur Ranked 4 of 11 Type: Temple About ISKCON TempleRadha Parthasarathi Temple, built by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Anantaprur, was inaugurated in February 2008. Constructed at a cost of Rs.5 crore, this grand temple is situated at Somaladoddi village which is just in the outskirts of the city. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna (in the form of Parthasarathy) and Goddess Radha. The idols of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha are placed in the Garbha Griha of the temple. The temple is in the shape of a chariot. The colour of the temple during the day is pink but it takes golden shade during the night. The temple has Vedanta Patashala, conference hall, kirtan hall, restaurant and garden in its premises.The temple administration provides free food in the form of prasadam to children in the nearby areas and patients in the hospitals.Janamashtami is celebrated in the temple with pomp and gaiety. The temple remains open from 4 am to 12 pm and again from 4.30 pm to 8.30 pm on all days.Taxis and autorickshaws are available to the visitors reach the temple. It is a must visit destination for devotees. Families visiting the shrine will enjoy the peaceful ambience reverberating here. Penukonda Fort Ranked 5 of 11 Type: Fort About Penukonda FortThe Penukonda Fort, located 70-kms from Anantapur on the Kurnool-Bangalore road is one of the major tourist attractions of Andhra Pradesh. Penukonda means a big hill. Historical records state that Penukonda, known as Ghanagiri or Ghanadri, was the second capital to the Vijayanagar kings. It is evident from ancient inscriptions that the Penukonda Fort was built during the reign of Vira Virupanna Udaiyar, the son of king-Bukka I of Vijayanagar. The forts architectural style and sculptures is a standing testimony to the skilled workmanship present during the Vijayanagar rule. A huge idol of Lord Hanuman, which is about 11 feet high, can be seen at the Yerramanchi gate which is the main entrance of the fort. The most important mosque is the Sher Khan Mosque; a Telugu inscription of Sadashiva dated 1564 is found on the pavement of its courtyard. Yet another mosque in the fort at the entrance has a large porch built in Hindu style. Anantasagaram, AnantapurRank 6 Ranked 6 of 11 Type: Lake About AnantasagaramAnantasagaram is popular as one of largest reservoirs in the entire Anantapur district. This old reservoir tank occupies an area of about 10,161,656.5 sq. m. The city of Anantapur owes its name to this tank. According to folklore, a lady named Musalamma sacrificed herself in the Anantasagaram tank to block the breach. To commemorate her memory that portion of the tank was named as Musalammakatta. Thimmamma Marrimanu, Anantapur Ranked 7 of 11 Type: Offbeat Attraction About Thimmamma Marrimanu Thimmamma Marrimanu is named after the famous banyan tree, which is locally called as Thimmamma Marrimanu as well. With its branches spreading over 5 acres, it is regarded as the biggest of its kind in South India. This tree was recorded as the biggest tree in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1989.Under the tree, there is a small temple dedicated to Thimmamma. Local people believe that if a childless couple worship Thimmamma they are blessed with a child the very next year. Anantapur Clock Tower, Anantapur Ranked 8 of 11 Type: MonumentAnantapur Clock Tower is the landmark of the city Anantapur. It was built during the Independence days of India. Raidurga Fort, Anantapur Ranked 9 of 11 Type: Fort About Raidurga FortRaidurga Fort is built at a height of 2727 ft from sea level and has played a significant role in the history of the Vijayanagara Empire. The fort comprises several inner forts and is inaccessible for enemies. Originally, the fort was under the hold of Bedars, during the Vijayanagara rule. The ruins of the fort can still be seen on the hill at the foot of which the Raidurga town is built. The fort comprises several temples including those of Narasimha Swamy, Hanuman, and Elamma. Temples of Prasanna Venkateswara, Venugopala, Jambukeswara, Veerabhadra, and Kanyakaparameswari are also located within the fort. Sri Kadiri Lakshmi Narayana Temple, Anantapur Ranked 10 of 11 Type: Place of Worship About Sri Kadiri Lakshmi Narayana TempleSri Kadiri Lakshmi Narayana Temple, which is also called Narasimha Swami Temple, is a popular place of pilgrimage. According to Hindus, Narasimha Swami is one of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The ceilings of the temple feature scenes from Ramayana and frescos depicting scenes from the Bhagavata.Ravadurg Gooty Fort Ranked 11of 11 Type: FortAbout Ravadurg Gooty FortGooty Fort is one of the oldest hill forts of Andhra Pradesh. Built in the shape of a shell, this fort comprises 15 forts with 15 main doors, which are referred to as Mukhadwaralu. Inside the fortress, there is a series of walls connected by 14 gateways and flanked by bastions. The fort also features two edifices, one of which is a gymnasium, while other is a powder magazine. On the edge of the cliff, there is a pavilion of polished limestone called Morari Raos seat. The earliest inscriptions on the walls of this fort date back to the 7th century. One of the inscriptions calls this fort Gadha, while the other refers to it as the King of Forts. Mir Jumla conquered the fort; however, it was soon taken over by Haider Ali in 1773. Later, the British captured the fort from Zeruwar Khan, a Brahmin who became a Muslim. Prasanthi Nilayam, ‘The Abode of Supreme Peace’, is the Ashram (spiritual resort) of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba near the village of Puttaparthi in the Anantapur District of the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Nestled amongst a chain of hills and with the river Chitravathi flowing towards its east, this valley houses the Mandir (shrine), residential complexes for devotees, the headquarters of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization and the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust. Bhagawan Baba spends most of the year in Prasanthi Nilayam, and hence, this hallowed township is the destination for thousands of spiritual aspirants of varied cultures, faiths, races, languages and socio-economic strata from all over the world to behold His divine form and experience His pure love.LocationPrasanthi Nilayam is located in the Anantapur District of the state of Andhra Pradesh in South India. Click on the square to zoom in beside the map. Daily Schedule (at Sai Kulwant Hall)Bhagawan has laid down the daily schedule to be followed in the Ashram. Every activity of the Ashram routine is suffused with deep spiritual significance. See the table below for the Ashram schedule:Time Activity 05.10 a.m. Aumkar, Meditation and Suprabhatham 05.40 a.m. Veda Chanting and Nagar Sankeertan (Circumambulating the Mandir) 06.30 a.m. - 07.30 a.m. Pooja inside the Bhajan Hall (Entry for Devotees will start at 06.25 a.m.) 8.00 a.m. - 9.00 a.m. Veda Chanting 9.00 a.m. - 9.30 a.m. Bhajans 9.30 a.m. - 10.30 a.m. Darshan of Bhagawan’s Mahasamadhi and Prayer Hall 4.30 p.m. - 5.15 p.m. Veda Chanting 5.15 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. Bhajans 6.00 p.m. - 7.00 p.m. Darshan of Bhagawan’s Mahasamadhi 6.30 p.m. - 6.40 p.m Meditation for Overseas Devotees in Prayer Hall Kindly Note:Ladies and gents are seated separately in the hall with separate entrances for ladies and gents. Devotees are generally allowed to be seated inside the Sai Kulwant Hall around 7.45 a.m. for the morning session and around 4.15 p.m. for the afternoon session. The prayer sessions and darshan are open to all. There is no restriction on any basis whatsoever, be it religion, region, status, caste, etc. There is no amount collected from anybody for Darshan. Devotees are not permitted to carry along with them articles like books, bags, purses, mobile phones, cameras and other electronic goods etc. into the Darshan Hall during Darshan time. Devotees may however bring their Veda books to the hall. Small articles such as cell phones, can be kept in the cloak room located close to the entrance to the hall.Aumkar: Aumkar is the chanting of ‘Aum’, the primordial sound, also called the ‘Pranava’. The vibrations that emanate from chanting ‘Aum’ have the potency to purify the inner personality of an individual as well as the surrounding environment. That is why the day at Prasanthi Nilayam begins with the chanting of 21 Aumkars. Suprabhatham: ‘Su’ signifies good, auspicious and ‘Prabhath’ means morning. ‘Suprabhatham’ refers to the morning prayers that are chanted in praise of the Lord to awaken the divinity present within each individual. It is the act of dedicating oneself to the Lord and praying for His blessings right at the start of a new day. Veda Chanting: Vedas are ancient spiritual scriptures revealed to great sages and seers while in communion with God. Chanting or listening to these hymns confers spiritual as well as physical benefits. That is why Bhagawan gives a lot of importance to Vedas and encourages everybody to chant these hymns and understand their meaning. The students of Bhagawan chant these hymns in the early hours of the morning while circumambulating the mandir complex, and also during Darshan hours in the morning and afternoon sessions in the mandir. Nagar Sankeertan: ‘Nagar’ means city or locality and ‘Sankeertan’ means devotional singing. After Suprabhatam, devotees circumambulate the mandir complex while singing devotional songs and clapping their hands keeping beat. It charges the atmosphere with holy vibrations and one begins the day with the name of the Lord on one’s lips.Bhajans: Bhajans means “Singing aloud the glory of God”. Bhajans in the divine presence of Bhagawan Baba are unique as they are universal in their scope and appeal and emphasise the unity of faiths. For Bhajans MP3, click here. Arati: ‘Arati’ is the ritual of waving lighted camphor to the deity to mark the culmination of worship. During Arati, devotees sing a devotional song in praise of the Lord and end with a prayer for universal peace. Arati MP3, click here. Travel Prasanthi Nilayam Township is adjacent to the village of Puttaparthi, in Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh, South India (Latitude 14° North, Longitude 78°1 East). It is well-connected by road, rail and air. Bangalore is the nearest metro at about 120 kilometres from the Ashram. A number of bus services connect Prasanthi Nilayam to cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam and Tirupati.The Prasanthi Nilayam bus terminal is located just opposite the Ashram. It has a fully computerised reservation counter of the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC: apsrtconline.in/). [ Phone: (08555) 287210 ]The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC: ksrtc.in) too runs bus services connecting Prasanthi Nilayam to Bangalore (including a Volvo luxury bus service) and to Mangalore from this terminal. The KSRTC reservation counter is located close to the bus stand. [Phone: (08555) 288938 ]Private Transport: There are a number of private bus and taxi operators who ply between Prasanthi Nilayam and cities like Bangalore, Chennai, etc. Please be advised that taxi fares between Bangalore and Prasanthi Nilayam are in the range of Rs. 2500/- to Rs. 3000/-. The ‘Sri Sathya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam’ railway station is located 8 kilometres from the ashram. There is a computerised railway reservation counter in the bus terminal just outside the Ashram [ Phone: (08555) 287355 ]. Railway Station - Sri Sathya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam (SSPN) There is a direct rail connectivity from the major cities of New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Vishakapatnam, Vijaywada, Bhubneswar etc.Several trains pass through Dharmavaram junction, located 40 Km. from Prasanthi Nilayam too.For more information please check indianrail.gov.in.Code for Prasanthi Nilayam station is SSPN.Code for Dharmavaram Junction is DMMAIR: The nearest major airport is the Bengaluru International Airport (bengaluruairport) located about 120 kilometres from Prasanthi Nilayam. FoodThere are three canteens in the Ashram that cater to the varying tastes of the thousands who visit Prasanthi Nilayam from all over the world. They provide hygienically prepared vegetarian food at nominal prices. South Indian CanteenThe South Indian Canteen offers South Indian style purely vegetarian meals, breakfast, snacks, tea, coffee, milk etc. at highly subsidized rates.It has separate dining sections for gents and ladies. Overseas devotees may find the food spicy. To them, the Western Canteen would be most convenient. Separate sections for ladies and gents North Indian Canteen North Indian Canteen The North Indian Canteen in North Block of the ashram and serves purely vegetarian North Indian cuisine. Western Canteen Western Canteen The Western Canteen is located between Round Building 2 and Round Building 3 of the Ashram premises and offers purely vegetarian continental cuisine. General Hospital Puttaparthi Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital is adjacent and South of the ashram premises. The hospital has outpatient facilities and also provides casualty/emergency services. The hospital provides free diagnosis and treatment in General Medicine, Paediatrics, Orthopaedics, ENT, Ophthalmology, Dentistry, Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Super Speciality HospitalThe Super Speciality Hospital, also called as the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prashanthi Gram, is located 7 kms from the Ashram. The hospital offers Specialty treatment in the departments of Cardiology, Urology, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, and Gastro-enterology completely free of charge.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 08:48:15 +0000
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