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.