Nandyala, or Nandyal, is a significant town in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. It is located on the bank of the Kundu River, a Penna River tributary. The city has a rich history is known for its many ancient temples and landmarks.
Nandyal was ruled by various dynasties throughout history, including the Mauryas, Cholas, Pallavas, and Vijayanagara Empires. The city played an important role during India's freedom struggle and was a centre of activity for the Indian National Congress.
Nandyal is also known for its cuisine, blending Andhra and Telangana culinary styles. The city is particularly famous for its spicy biryani, curries, and pickles. The town serves as the region's educational, commercial, trade, and industrial hub.
Nandyal is also known for its cuisine, blending Andhra and Telangana culinary styles. The city is particularly famous for its spicy biryani, curries, and pickles.
Nandyal's transportation connectivity is excellent, with the city being connected by a network of roads and railways. The nearest airport is in Hyderabad, about 260 kilometres away from Nandyal. The city has a rich cultural heritage and is home to several festivals and celebrations, including the annual Teppotsavam, celebrated in honour of Lord Shiva.
Nandyal derives its name from Nandi, the vehicle of Lord Shiva, and has nine sacred Lord Shiva Temples known as Nava Nandi surrounding the region. These nine temples, namely Mahanandi, Shivanandi, Vinayakanandi, Somanandi, Prathamanandi, Garudanandi, Suryanandi, Krishnanandi and Naganandi, are the major attractions of the region. Mahanandi draws in the most number of tourists. Apart from that, tourists can also visit the Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary. One of the best times to visit Nandyal is from October to March.
Places to Visit in and around Nandyal
- Sri Jagajjanani Temple: This temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is also known as the Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple or Yaganti.
- Belum Caves: The Belum Caves are the largest and longest cave system on the Indian subcontinent that is accessible to the general public. They are renowned for their speleothems, or stalactite and stalagmite formations. Large caverns with fresh water and syphons, along with galleries and extensive corridors, may be found in the Belum Caves.
- Yaganti Temple: The Kurnool District in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is home to the Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple, also known as Yaganti, a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- Ahobilam Temple: This sacred place is located in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh's Allagadda Mandal. The district's administrative centre, Kurnool, is 150 miles away and 70 kilometres from Nandyal.
- Mahanandi Temple: The revered Mahanandiswara Swamy Temple is here. This old temple is more than 1,500 years old and, according to inscriptions on tablets from the 10th century, was renovated and rebuilt multiple times.
- Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary: In the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district sits the Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary. The great Indian bustard, largely known for inhabiting the sanctuary, has seen a sharp decline in population in recent years.
- Gundla Brahmeswara Temple: The Gundla Brahmeswara Wildlife Sanctuary, on the Gundla Brahmeswaram plateau, spans the Nallamala hill range and features picturesque valleys with lush greenery. The Gundlakamma River bisects the sanctuary, enduringly supplying water to the animals and the verdant surroundings.
- Brahmam Giri Matam - Banaganapalli: Kurnool is 85 kilometres away from Banaganapalli. Saint Veera Bramham is well-known in this area. He had the name "Kalagnanam" inscribed on palm leaves and resided here. Veera Bramham was given sanctuary by Garimireddy Achamma, who adopted him as a student, gave Veera Bramham sanctuary.
- Ahobilam: An important place of worship called Ahobilam or Ahobilam is in the Andhra Pradesh Kurnool district. One of Andhra Pradesh's most well-known pilgrimage sites, Ahobilam is also regarded as one of the state's top tourist destinations.
- Bhargava Narasimha Temple: Bhargava Narasimha Temple, 2 kilometres from Lower Ahobilam, is situated on a hill close to Bhargava Theertham, a holy pond where Bhargava Rama underwent his penance. As a result, the temple's lord is known as Bhargava Narasimha Swamy.