Kurnool City is home to a myriad of wonders that whisper the tales of the past to all the visitors. From majestic forts to sacred temples, many stunning places exist here to explore. The satisfying experience will keep you smiling for a long time, even after returning to your routine. The natural splendour of Kurnool tourist places will keep you hooked to the place and will help you comprehend the supremacy of the regal past of the place.
Tourists who visited the place in the past say that time seems to run very slowly in this ethereal place. The locals are very friendly and will guide you to the right spots for an elevated vacation experience. We cannot agree less! However, it is important to plan a proper itinerary and narrow down the best Kurnool tourist places to understand the historical essence of the place. We have you covered!
The gateway of Rayalaseema state is known for its good spicy food, historic fortifications, ancient temples, and naturally rocky landscapes. Our guide will help you unveil the gorgeous tourist treasures of the place.
Read on!
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Kurnool Tourist Places to Visit on Your Next Vacation
1 – Konda Reddy Fort
It won’t be wrong to say that the Konda Reddy Fort is the first thing that comes to mind when we talk about Kurnool. It is the remnant of the ancient fortification built around Kurnool, a place that served as a base for the Vijayanagara rulers. It is present in the heart of the city and you can easily find transport options from the local railway station and intercity bus stands. The citadel of the fort was recently renovated and instantly became famous for youth and couples to hang out.
Konda Reddy Fort mainly served as an observation tower for the soldiers and has three levels.
The lowest level is for the visitors while the second and third levels were used for observation. The monument is named after Konda Reddy, the last ruler of Alampur, who was imprisoned in this very same fort but managed to escape using the hidden tunnels. Though these tunnels are closed now, tourists can explore the different levels and enjoy a scenic view of the city from the top. This fort is one of the most sought-after Kurnool tourist places that you must not miss out on!
Location – Old Bus Stand Area, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh 518001
Timings – 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee – Free
2 – Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
The Shirdi Sai Baba Temple is one of the most beautiful places to see in Kurnool. It resembles the Sai Baba temple in Shirdi and has a serene idol of God adorned with saffron clothing and jewels. The religious shrine is shaped like a star and stands on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. It was built 70 years ago by a washerman who believed that Sai Baba is the solution to all problems a man encounters in his life.
You will notice that a gentle breeze always keeps the atmosphere around the temple cool and serene. This doesn’t change even during the scorching hot summer months. Here, you will also find idols of Lord Hanuman and Goddess Lakshmi. This temple is one of the best Kurnool attractions because of its huge meditation hall that can accommodate 800 people. The rhythmic flow of the river coupled with the natural green cover makes this place ideal for spiritual enlightenment.
Location – 59/9, Chithambarao Street, Kothapeta, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh 518001
Timings – 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Entry Fee – Free
3 – Tomb of Abdul Wahab Khan
Tomb of Abdul Wahab Khan is a one-of-a-kind Kurnool tourist place that will fascinate you with its astonishing architecture. This tomb was built 400 years ago in a classic Islamic style with domes, arches, parapet walls, verandahs, and vaults. It is very close to the famous Osmania College of Kurnool and stands on the banks of the River Hundri. The tomb was built after the demise of Abdul Wahab Khan, a very important Nawab ruler of the place. Initially, Kurnool was under the rule of the Nizam of Hyderabad who appointed Nawabs that were answerable to him. Later in 1839, the East India Company took over the jurisdiction of Kurnool state.
Location – R2GW+WMG, Osmania College Rd, Peta, KVR Garden Colony, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh 518001
Timings – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Entry Fee – Free
4 – Yaganti Temple
Yaganti temple is one of the must-visit Kurnool tourist places. This temple is situated in the middle of stunning natural landscapes. You can see the gorgeous Yerramala hills surrounding the holy shrine. This pilgrimage site is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his wife, Goddess Parvati and is also popular by the name Uma Maheshwara temple. It is believed that the temple was built sometime around the 15th and 16th centuries and has been renovated several times since then. The contributions of the Vijayanagara and Chola kings are clearly evident in its current architectural style.
There are a lot of people who come to Yaganti temple to explore its mystical charm. The main attraction here is the statue of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s confidant and greatest devotee. Legend says that this statue of Nandi will keep growing continuously. People have indeed noticed the stone structure grow in dimensions over the years!
Location – Temple Gopuram, Yaganti Rd, Yaganti, Andhra Pradesh 518124
Timings – 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM; 3:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Entry Fee – Darshanam Ticket – INR 50
5 – Archeological Museum Kurnool
The district archaeological museum is one of the best places to visit in Kurnool, especially for those who like to look back into the history of the city. All of the displays here show us a glimpse of the famous Pallava, Chola, Vijayanagara, and Chalukyan empires. The stone structures you see in the museum were carved during the Vijayanagara rule. You will also see armour and weaponry used by kings and soldiers of the period.
Certain stone sculptures and pedestals were retrieved from the Srisailam region. There is a section that displays pottery, traditional utensils, and kitchen items from the ancient era. There are paintings and scriptures about Hindu mythology and also some tell the stories of the Vijayanagara and Chalukyan kingdoms. People who love collecting souvenirs can do so from the museum shop on the premises.
Location – R2FQ+WPG, NH40, Alluri Sitarama Raju Nagar, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh 518002
Timings – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Entry Fee – INR 3 for adults; INR 1 for children
6 – Oravakulla Rock Garden
This beautiful garden is located about 20 km away from the heart of the city and is one of the main Kurnool tourist places to visit this vacation season. You will find several rock structures between pools of water and the atmosphere of the place is very soothing, especially when you visit in the evening times. The garden is spread across an area of 1000 acres and has beautiful igneous rock formations. There is an ancient cave here too and it is open for exploration! This is one of the most interesting sightseeing places in Kurnool because of its hiking trails up a steep hill. Also, the garden has raw materials that can prove to be very useful in the glass industry. However, the government is hesitant to give mining rights to companies seeing how this can lead to ecological problems.
Location – M5V2+5V3, NH40, Orvakal, Andhra Pradesh 518010
Timings – 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee – INR 20
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7 – Mantralayam
Mantralayam is a religious town that shares its borders with Karnataka state. This is one of the major Kurnool places to visit and several people come here in search of peace and tranquility. Everything about Mantralayam is soothing to the soul. There is pristine silence with the occasional sound of the holy bell. This place is renowned as the site where saint Raghavendra’s samadhi rests. He was an important figure in the Madhwa traditions and is often remembered for his compassion, kindness, and devotion to the Gods.
The Tungabhadra River flows near Mantralayam, adding to the scenic beauty of the place. Pilgrims and devotees usually take a dip in this water before entering the temple where the Samadhi is present. It is said that doing so will rid a person of his sins and cleanse his soul. A clear mind and body are said to attract positive energy once you seek blessings from Raghavendra Swami near his samadhi – Brindavan.
Before heading back, also visit the Panchamukhi Anjaneya Swami temple in this village. It is one of the best Kurnool tourist places where you will see Lord Hanuman with five heads. These represent Lord Hanuman’s real face, and his forms as Lord Garuda (eagle), Lord Varaha (boar), Lord Narasimha (lion), and Lord Hayagriva (horse).
Location – Mantralayam, Manchala, Andhra Pradesh 518345
Timings – 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM; 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Entry Fee – Free
8 – Mahanandi
Mahanandi attracts a lot of people every year for various reasons. Some come here to seek blessings from the Mahanandi temple while others want to explore the beauty of the Nallamalla hills. The Mahanandi temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has nine shrines of the Lord where you can see him in his nine different forms. The main sanctum sanctorum has a Shiva lingam and this is the Mahanandiswara form of the deity. Adjacent to the Shiva temple, there is Kameswari temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati. Those who are seeking a spiritual retreat in a natural environment should definitely visit these temples which are the most gorgeous Kurnool tourist places. During festivals like Mahashivratri, Dussehra, and Diwali, the temple authorities organise bhajans, festival celebrations, and special abhisheka poojas. Devotees flock to the place to take part in these religious and spiritual activities.
Location – Mahanandi, Andhra Pradesh 518502
Timings – 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM; 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Entry Fee – Special Darshan INR 20
9 – Belum Caves
You cannot complete your Kurnool trip without paying a visit to the Belum caves. This is the second largest cave formation in the country and was formed over thousands of years because of the underground flow of the extinct Chitravati River. The deepest point of the cave is at ‘Paatalaganga’ and some also believe this to be the gateway to hell! The cave system has long passages which get narrow at some points, galleries, caverns, and freshwater pools. 3.5 km of the cave has been discovered so far but visitors are only allowed to go up to 1.5km inside.
The cave is known for deposits of black limestone and you will also find quartz in places. There is one main entrance from where tourists enter the cave but otherwise, there are 15 more entrances excluding the main one. The Andhra Pradesh government deemed Belum caves a national treasure and declared these as ‘protected monuments’. Belum caves are about 100 km away from Kurnool so consider covering the place after exploring the other Kurnool tourist places.
Location – 1/1, Opposite Indian Oil Petrol Pump, Kolimigundla, Andhra Pradesh 518123
Timings – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Entry Fee – INR 65 for adults; INR 45 for children.
If you are coming from far away to explore the Kurnool tourist places, consider stopping at Vijayawada first. Those who are planning to take a flight can deboard at the Vijayawada International Airport. Then book your stay at Hotels in Vijayawada to rest for a while before setting out on a road or rail trip to Kurnool.
Kurnool tourist places will keep you captivated throughout your vacation time. These are living testaments to the glorious rule of the Vijayanagara and Chaulakyan empires, and proofs to the influence of the Hyderabadi nawabs on the ‘Gateway of Rayalaseema’. Let us know which place you plan on visiting first in the comments section!
