Religious Tourism

Attirala

Attirala is a very sacred place, located on the east bank of the river Cheyyeru.It was called Hatyarala and Yethirevula ib olden days. The sanctity of the river Cheyyeru was elaborately described in the great epic of Mahabharata in the story of Sankha and Likhita.It is a centre of Vedic culture and famous for its scenic beauty.

River Cheyyeru atoned Parasurama from the sin of matricide and gave hands to Likhita, the brother of Sankha a great sage. People believe that Parasurama temple was once a Buddhist vidya kendra, occupied by Saivas first and later by Vaishnavas. Vaishnavas made this place as Parasurama Kshetra.

To the south of this temple there is a 72 pillared hall and on the eastern side thre are two famous temples on the hill slope dedicated to Gadhadara and Thretheswara. Gadhadara stands on one leg here. The presence of Gadhadara and holy river Cheyyeru, Attirala is considered as sacred as Gaya Kshetram.

Parasurama Kshetra, is worth seeing for its sculptural beauty and grand appearance.

There is a Jyothistambha, higher up the temple of Thretheswara, on the top of a hill. Jyothi,  lighted on festivals, is visible to distance of 30 Kms around.

How to Reach: 8 Kms from Rajampet and 55 Kms from Cuddapah.

Nandalur

Sowmyanatha Swamy Temple

Nandalur is on the west bank of river Cheyyeru. Once it was a famous Buddhist centre in Rayalaseema. In 1913 Buddhist caves and viharas were discovered.

Sowmyanath Temple, here is a very big temple, situated nearly on ten acres of site. It is a replica of Thiruvannamalai and patronized by Cholas, Pandyas, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagara, Pottapi and Matli Kings.Here most of the inscriptions, are in Tamil. Lord Sowmyanatha is installed on an elevated place and attracts pilgrims with  his glittering beauty.

The temple and Buddhist caves are worth seeing at this town and is well connected by road and rail.

How to Reach: It is on the Cuddapah-Chennai highway and is at a distance of 38 KMs from Cuddapah.