Anantapur

Anantapur city is the seat of Anantapuram district of Andhra Pradesh. Anantapuram is the biggest district in Andhra Pradesh but is also one of the most backward districts in India. Historically though, Anantapur and the Anantapuram district have had a rich legacy.  It is said that Anantapur was built by Chikkavodeya, a minister of Vijayanagar king – Bukka I and was called Anantasagaram or infinite water, due to the presence of a huge water tank.

Population
As per the 2013 census, the population of Anantapur is approximately 370,000.

Weather
Anantapur receives very little rainfall and is the second driest place in India. Temperatures around 37 degrees Celsius are common during summers while temperatures around 22-23 degrees Celsius are seen in winters.

Places to See
Lepakshi is an important pilgrimage centre due to Veerbhadra temple and a big stone statue of Nandi.
Gugudu is 29 kms from Anantapur and has the shrine of Sri Kullai Swamy Chavidi. It is said that barren women can have children by visiting the shrine on the 11th day of Moharrum. Sri Anjaneya Swamy Temple is also a famous place here.
Kasapuram is famous for the temple of Nettikanti Veera AnjaneyaSwamy.On the day following Ugadi, a huge procession is taken out here.
Alurkona is famous for Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple built in 1330. A perennial spring and waterfall are near this temple.
Pennaahobilam is famous for Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple that has a huge foot mark of 5'x3', believed to be the foot print of Lord Narasimha.
Gutibayalu is famous for one of the biggest banyan trees in the world called Thimmamma Marrimanu, named after Thimmamma, who committed Sati here in 1434.
Puttapurthi is the birth place of Sri Sathya Sai  Baba.
Penukonda  was a capital of Vijayanagar Empire and has a fort that could not be breached at its time. Gagan Mahal, Babayya Darga and Kumbakarna garden with a gigantic statue of sleeping Kumbhakaran are major tourist attractions.
Hemavathi  at140kms from Anantapur is famous for Doddeswara Swamy temple built during the Pallava Reign.
Gooty Fort is 52kms away from Anantapur and is one of the oldest hill forts in A.P.
Sri Kadiri Laxmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is where Lord Vishnu is said to have handed over the Utsavamoortis to Maharishi Brighu for his daily prayers.
 Dharmavaram is home toSri Laxmi Chennakeshwara Temple that is famous for it’s that when stuck produce seven musical notes. Dharmavaram is also known for silk saris, leather puppets and cotton industry.

How to Reach
By Road
NH7 and NH 205 connect Anantapur to all major cities and towns in India

By Train
There are direct trains from Anantapur to Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hindupuram Adoni, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Pune, Vishakhapatnam, Hyderabad and Bangalore.

By Air

The closest airports from Anantapur are Puttapurthi at 80 kms, and Bangalore at 168 kms.