Andhra Pradesh is well-known for its centuries-old temples and important pilgrimage sites. From the famous Tirumala Balaji temple to the ancient temples in Srisailam, there are many notable temples to visit in Andhra Pradesh.
If you’re planning a pilgrimage to the best temples in Andhra Pradesh, here are the top 15 that should be on your Andhra Pradesh temples list.
1. Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Tirumala
Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple is the most famous temple in Andhra Pradesh. Located on the Tirumala Hill near Tirupati, the temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara (a form of Lord Vishnu). The Temple is also known for its famous Tirupati Laddu prasadam and the annual Brahmotsavam festival.
- Best Time to Visit: November to February
- Temple Timings: Sarva Darshan timings may vary depending on the day and crowd.
- How to Reach: First reach Tirupati, then take an APSRTC bus or a taxi to the temple.
- Nearby Railway Station: Tirupati Railway Station (22 km)
- Nearby Bus Station: Balaji Bus Stand (450 m), and the main Tirupati Main Bus Stand is further away (24 km)
2. Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Srisailam
The Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Bhramaramba. As both a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peetha, it remains one of the most special temples in Andhra Pradesh. The temple is located in the peaceful Nallamala Hills.
- Best Time to Visit: October to February (Maha Shivratri is very crowded)
- Temple Timings: 4:30 AM to 3:30 PM and 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Aarti Timings: 4:30 AM and 6:00 PM
- How to Reach: You can reach the temple by road from Kurnool, Hyderabad, or Markapur
- Nearby Railway Station: Markapur Road Railway Station (83 km)
- Nearby Bus Station: Srisailam Bus Stand (1.3 km)
3. Kanaka Durga Temple, Vijayawada
The Kanaka Durga Temple is one of the most famous Durga temples to visit in Andhra Pradesh. It is located on the Indrakeeladri Hill in Vijayawada, on the banks of the Krishna River. Every year, thousands of devotees visit the temple to participate in Navratri celebrations.
- Best Time to Visit: October to March
- Temple Timings: 4:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Aarti Timings: Multiple aartis at 6:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 6:30 PM, and 8:30 PM
- How to Reach: You can easily reach the temple by local buses, autos, and cabs in Vijayawada
- Nearby Railway Station: Vijayawada Junction Railway Station (3.1 km)
- Nearby Bus Station: Pandit Nehru Bus Station (2.5 km)
4. Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Simhachalam
Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Lord Narasimha at this famous Andhra Pradesh temple. The idol has a lion’s head on a human torso and remains covered with sandalwood throughout the year. It is only revealed once a year during the Chandanotsavam, drawing large crowds to the temple.
- Best Time to Visit: October to March
- Temple Timings: 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- How to Reach: Easily accessible by APSRTC buses and taxis.
- Nearby Railway Station: Simhachalam Railway Station (12 km)
- Nearby Bus Station: Visakhapatnam RTC Complex (18 km)
5. Srikalahasti Temple, Tirupati
Srikalahasti Temple is a famous Shiva temple known for the Vayu Lingam, which represents the air element. It is also one of the most visited temples in Andhra Pradesh for Rahu-Ketu pooja.
- Best Time to Visit: October to March
- Temple Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM (break around 12:30 PM -1:30 PM)
- How to Reach: Easily accessible by buses from Chennai, Hyderabad, and Vijayawada
- Nearby Railway Station: Srikalahasti Railway Station (2.8 km)
- Nearby Bus Station: Srikalahasti Bus Stand (1.3 km)
6. Veerabhadra Temple, Lepakshi
If you love architecture and history, this temple should be on your Andhra Pradesh temples in list. Built during the 16th century in the Vijayanagara architecture style, this temple is known for its famous hanging pillar. The temple is dedicated to Lord Veerabhadra – a fierce form of Lord Shiva.
- Best Time to Visit: October to March
- Temple Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- How to Reach: Reach Hindupur by train or bus, and then take a bus or cab to Lepakshi
- Nearby Railway Station: Hindupur Railway Station (14 km)
- Nearby Bus Station: Lepakshi Bus Stand (1.2 km)
7. Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Ahobilam
Located in Ahobilam, this famous temple in Andhra Pradesh is dedicated to Lord Narasimha. It is believed to be built on a 5-foot-3-inch-long footprint of Lord Narasimha. Devotees visiting this temple also visit the famous Nava Narasimha temples in Upper and Lower Ahobilam.
- Best Time to Visit: October to February
- Temple Timings: 6:30 AM to 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- How to Reach: Take a bus, shared jeep, or cab to Ahobilam
- Nearby Railway Station: Nandyal Railway Station (60 km)
- Nearby Bus Station: APSRTC Bus Stand Allagadda (25 km)
8. Sri Parasurameswara Swamy Temple, Gudimallam
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this is the oldest temple in Andhra Pradesh. The temple is famous for its ancient Gudimallam Lingam, which is considered to be one of the oldest Shiva lingams in the world.
- Best Time to Visit: October to March
- Temple Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- How to Reach: Easily accessible by road from Tirupati and Renigunta.
- Nearby Railway Station: Renigunta Junction (12 km)
- Nearby Bus Station: Renigunta Bus Stand (12.5 km)
9. Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Temple, Annavaram
Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Lord Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy at this temple. The temple sits on the Ratnagiri Hills and is surrounded by beautiful greenery. Many families visit this temple to perform Satyanarayana Vratam, making it one of the most famous temples to visit in Andhra Pradesh.
- Best Time to Visit: October to February
- Temple Timings: 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM, 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- How to Reach: Buses and autos are available from Annavaram town to this hill temple
- Nearby Railway Station: Annavaram Railway Station (5.8 km)
- Nearby Bus Station: Annavaram Bus Stand (900 m)
10. Yaganti Temple, Kurnool
Surrounded by rocky hills and caves, this is one of the best temples in Andhra Pradesh for a peaceful visit. It is famous for the Ardhanareswara idol, in which Lord Shiva and Parvati are fused into a single deity.
- Best Time to Visit: October to February
- Temple Timings: 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- How to Reach: Buses are available from Nandyal, Kurnool, and Hyderabad
- Nearby Railway Station: Nandyal Railway Station (46 km)
- Nearby Bus Station: APSRTC Banaganapalli Bus Stand (10.5 km)
11. Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple, Kanipakam
Believed to be over 1,000 years old, this is one of the most famous temples in Andhra Pradesh. The temple is famous for the self-manifested idol of Lord Ganesha, which devotees believe continues to grow in size.
- Best Time to Visit: September to February
- Temple Timings: 4:00 AM to 9:30 PM
- How to Reach: The temple is easily accessible by road from Chittoor and Tirupati.
- Nearby Railway Station: Chittoor Railway Station (11.5 km)
- Nearby Bus Station: Kanipakam Bus Stand (220 m)
12. Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple, Tiruchanur
This famous temple in Andhra Pradesh is dedicated to Lord Padmavathi, the consort of Lord Venkateswara. The temple is an important pilgrimage site, and many devotees visit here before or after their darshan at Tirumala.
- Best Time to Visit: September to March
- Temple Timings: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, 1:00 to 6:00 PM, and 7:00 PM to 8:45 PM
- How to Reach: The temple is about 5 km from Tirupati and is easily accessible by bus, auto, and taxi.
- Nearby Railway Station: Tirupati Railway Station (5.3 km)
- Nearby Bus Station: Tirupati Central Bus Stand (4.4 km)
13. Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple, Amaravati
Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple is an important Shiva temple in Andhra Pradesh, located on the banks of the Krishna River. It is one of the Pancharama Kshetras and is visited by thousands of devotees during Maha Shivratri every year.
- Best Time to Visit: October to February
- Temple Timings: 4:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Aarti Timings: 4:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 6:30 PM, and 8:30 PM
- How to Reach: You can easily find buses to Amaravati from Guntur and Vijayawada
- Nearby Railway Station: Guntur Railway Station (35 km)
- Nearby Bus Station: Amaravati Bus Stand (1.4 km)
14. Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple, Arasavalli
The Arasavalli Sun Temple isn’t just a famous temple in Andhra Pradesh. It is also one of the oldest sun temples in India. Located about 1 km away from the Srikakulam town, this temple draws huge crowds on Sundays and during Ratha Saptami.
- Best Time to Visit: October to February
- Temple Timings:
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- Monday to Saturday: 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 3:30 PM to 8:00 PM
- Sunday: 5:30 AM to 8:00 PM
- How to Reach: Reach Srikakulam and take a local bus, auto, or cab to Arasavalli
- Nearby Railway Station: Srikakulam Road Railway Station (17.3 km)
- Nearby Bus Station: Srikakulam RTC Complex (4.2 km)
15. Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple, Ontimitta
It is one of the most famous temples in Andhra Pradesh, dedicated to Lord Ram. It is believed to have been built in a single day by devotees of Lord Ram. It draws thousands of devotees every year during the vibrant Ram Navami celebrations.
- Best Time to Visit: October to March; Sri Rama Navami is special
- Temple Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- How to Reach: Accessible by road from Tirupati and Kadapa
- Nearby Railway Station: Vontimitta Railway Station (1.2 km)
- Nearby Bus Station: Vontimitta Bus Stand (500 m)
Things to Know When Visiting Temples in Andhra Pradesh
Keep the following things in mind when visiting Andhra Pradesh’s famous temples for pilgrimage:
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| Wear modest clothes to the temple. Check temple websites to confirm if there’s a dress code. | Avoid wearing shorts or sleeveless tops. |
| Plan your visit early in the morning for lower temperatures and fewer crowds. | Don’t take photos inside the temples if it is not allowed. |
| Follow the queue system and remain silent inside the temple premises. | Don’t litter inside or around the temple. |
| Remove your footwear before entering the temple. | Don’t carry mobile phones into restricted areas. |
| Check the darshan timings and puja timings before going. | Don’t talk loudly in the temple premises. |
FAQs
- Which is the most famous temple in Andhra Pradesh?
The Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple (commonly called the Tirupati Balaji Temple) in Tirumala is the most famous temple in Andhra Pradesh.
2. Which is the oldest temple in Andhra Pradesh?
The Sri Parasurameswara Swamy Temple in Gudimallam is believed to be the oldest temple in Andhra Pradesh.
3. Do I have to book darshan slots in advance for temples in Andhra Pradesh?
While most famous temples in Andhra Pradesh do not require advance booking, some temples may offer this facility. You can check the temple websites for this.
4. Is there an entry fee for visiting temples in Andhra Pradesh?
No. Entry is free for all devotees in most of the famous temples in Andhra Pradesh. However, some temples offer a paid VIP darshan facility that allows you to avoid the queues.
5. Can I book special poojas at the famous temples in Andhra Pradesh?
Yes. Some of the most famous temples in Andhra Pradesh take online bookings for special poojas and sevas. You can check the website of the trust managing the temple and book in advance.
