Anantapur

Anantapur, has over the years, developed into a significant and religious and culturally revered town of Andhra Pradesh due to the presence of many spiritual ashrams, temples and a mosque here. The Veerbhadra Temple in Lepakshi is known for being an architectural marvel with its characteristic feature of being built in a Vijayanagara style, adorned with carvings and paintings, hanging pillar and monolithic naagalingam. The Puttaparthi region of Anantapur is home to the Ashram of Sathya Sai Baba, a spiritual guru and known as Prasanthi Nilayam. Sri Malleswara Swamy temple in Kambadur is dedicated to Malleswara Swamy and sees many devotees. Mahashivratri is a festival that is celebrated with great pomp and grandeur in Anantapur, followed by a fair in Koteseswara Swamy Temple in Kotappakonda. A five-day festival called the Kalyanotsavam of Sambhulingeswara is also held where people offer ornaments, cash, fruits, and cattle to God.

Legend has it that the place is named after the minister, Anantarasa Chikkavodeya himself, while others believe that it was named after the King, Bukka's wife. The region later came into the hands of the Shahis, the Mughals, the Nawabs, the Marathas and Hyder Ali, until it was taken over by the British. Anantapur is popular among the locals as "Hande Anantapuram" as the place was gifted to Hanumappa Naidu of the Hande family by the then Vijayanagar ruler.

Filled with religious centres, Anantapur is always in some sort of celebration or other. While weekly, monthly, annual fairs are a part of the everyday life of the people of the region, there are some events that have a wider significance as they attract millions of devotees from all across the country and outside.

1. Kotappakonda Temple Fair: The Koteseswara Temple in the Guntur district is one of the chief places of worship which witnesses lakhs of people who come to seek the blessings of the Lord during Mahashivaratri. Sweets, clothes, bangles, toys and domesticated animals such as goats and cows are sold at the fair here. Devotees who come here usually take a vow to shave their heads as an offering to the god to fulfil their desires.

2. Sambulingeswara Kalyanotsavam: This festival is celebrated in pomp and vigour for five days during Mahashivratri. A Kalyanam, a village procession, Rathotsavam, Ponnaseva, Pavalimpuseva and Vasantotsavam are celebrated during this period. Offerings are made to the Lord by the devotees in the form of cash, ornaments and even domesticated animals, which are tied to the Dwajasthamba. The people also believe that women who cannot conceive are blessed with children after they perform the rituals for five days wearing wet clothes.

3. Durgamma Festival: Celebrated in the month of Bhadrapada, this festival is celebrated for four days. A buffalo is sacrificed in during the festival and meat dishes are cooked for the Goddess. During the festival, a possessed woman is said to sit on a window and predict future events. A man, representing Poturaju (the Goddess' brother) is smeared with vermillion and turmeric and his body is decorated with margosa leaves. He has to go around the temple and kill a sacrificial goat by biting its throat. The last day of the festival witnessed people going around with bomalu (puppets) and a fair is held just outside the temple premises.

Anantapur (Anantapuram) has no problem when it comes to food. There are various options available for people to choose from. Also, a lot of these restaurants are located around the clock tower, so you don't have to travel long distances, even if you wish to try multiple new places.
Being a grand city of Andhra Pradesh, it is only fair to assume that Anantapur is best known for its mouthwatering tasty biryani, which can be found in places like Naveen Residency. For regular South Indian delicacies, like idli and dosa - places like Gurukrupa Hotel and Sujatha Hotel can be considered. Oligalu - a sweet dish can be found in local food stores in the nooks and crannies of Old Town in Anantapur. For tasty non-vegetarian food, Swathi Dhaba at Gooty Road stands out as a winner.
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Day 1 - Reach Anantapur, preferably by noon and take some rest. Although limited options are available, if you wish to shop, you can do at the local handicraft stores available.
Day 2 - The 2nd day should be the ideal time for starting your trip through Anantapur, with a tour to the ravishing Penukonda Fort. Once you return by evening, you can go to the ISKCON Temple for spiritual blessings.
Day 3 - This day can be reserved for a visit to Penna Ahobilam, famous for its Lord Narasimha Swamy Temple. If you prefer, you can also marvel the Anantapur Clock Tower, or go for a nice trek to the hill fort of Ravadurg Gooty.

The top places near to Anantapur are Hampi which is 141 km from Anantapur, Puttaparthi which is located 61 km from Anantapur, Gandikota which is located 75 km from Anantapur, Bangalore which is located 190 km from Anantapur, Mysore which is located 285 km from Anantapur

The top things to do in Anantapur are Ahobilam Temple, ISKCON Temple, Anantapur, Veera Bhadra Temple, Anantapur Clock Tower, Bugga Ramalingeswara Swami Temple, Penukonda Fort. You can see all the places to visit in Anantapur here

Anantapur is well connected to the rest of India by rail and road. Regular rail and bus services ply to and fro the city of Anantapur; buses being operated both by private and government owners, such as Andhra Pradesh Road Transport Corporation. There is no direct flight connectivity, however, to Anantpur. Some 190 km away is the Kempe Gowda International Airport in Bengaluru, which is the nearest airport that connects Anantapur to the rest of India.  
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Anantapur (Anantapuram) has no problem when it comes to food. There are various options available for people to choose from. Also, a lot of these restaurants are located around the clock tower, so you don't have to travel long distances, even if you wish to try multiple new places.
Being a grand city of Andhra Pradesh, it is only fair to assume that Anantapur is best known for its mouthwatering tasty biryani, which can be found in places like Naveen Residency. For regular South Indian delicacies, like idli and dosa - places like Gurukrupa Hotel and Sujatha Hotel can be considered. Oligalu - a sweet dish can be found in local food stores in the nooks and crannies of Old Town in Anantapur. For tasty non-vegetarian food, Swathi Dhaba at Gooty Road stands out as a winner.
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Anantapur is one of the driest districts in the country. Rainfall happens once every few years. Consequentially, summers are hot and dry and there is no actual monsoon season. The winter time, therefore, falling between the months of November and January, serves as the best time to travel and the most pleasant weather to explore.
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Can be congested in peak seasons.

A beautiful confluence of heritage and nature.