Kurnool between rock art and sacred sites

Konda Reddy Buruju lies in the heart of Kurnool. The destination offers a variety of cultural and natural attractions, ranging from Paleolithic rock paintings to a sanctuary with more than 124 bird species. To plan your trip, you could first consider whether cultural history, religious sites, or landscapes and birdwatching should take priority.

Rock formations, grasslands and birdlife

At Orvakallu Rock Garden, striking igneous rock formations are the centrepiece of a 1,000-acre park. The park is located right on National Highway 18. The grounds also include hiking trails developed by Andhra Pradesh Tourism at Orvakallu Rock Garden. Visitors interested in distinctive rocky landscapes will find a different focus here than in the open grasslands of Rollapadu.

Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary lies in dry, gently undulating grasslands between the Nallamalai and Yerramalai hill ranges of the Eastern Ghats. More than 124 bird species occur there, including the lesser florican, demoiselle crane, harriers and great Indian bustard. Visitors can explore the wilderness and observe a diverse range of flora and fauna. The combination of landscape and bird species gives the sanctuary a different character from the rock formations at Orvakallu Rock Garden.

Another geological feature is Belum Caves, with remarkable speleothems, including stalactites and stalagmites. The cave formations at Belum Caves differ from the igneous rocks that define Orvakallu Rock Garden.

Rock art, inscriptions and history

Kurnool’s historical attractions also differ markedly from one another. The rock paintings at Kethavaram date back to the Palaeolithic period. Jonnagiri in Kurnool district is home to a prominent granite rock bearing Ashokan inscriptions; one of Ashoka’s eight major rock edicts is also located there. The Ashoka panels near Jonnagiri are described as a monument of Andhra Pradesh and are attributed to the Archaeological Survey of India.

Konda Reddy Buruju is another historic landmark in the heart of Kurnool. Kurnool Museum offers a different kind of insight, displaying artefacts and ancient relics. The museum’s stone sculptures include pieces from Srisailam dating to the Chalukya and Vijayanagara periods.

Gol Gummaz is the tomb of Abdul Wahab and is believed to have been built in 1618 after Wahab’s death. In Peddatumbalam, Parasmani Parshwanath Jain Tirth has idols dating from the 17th century. The Jain temple there is built in the style of the Jain temples of Nallagonda and Kolanupaka.

Temples and religious sites

The Sri Yagantiswamy Temple in Yaganti houses a depiction of Ardhanareeswara, carved from a single stone and combining Shiva and Parvathi. At Yaganti, Agastya Pushkarni receives a continuous supply of water from the foot of the hill throughout the year. Pilgrims immerse themselves in the sacred water there as part of their religious practice.

Shaik Sha Vali Dargah in Ellarthi is a historic shrine dedicated to a revered Sufi saint. It is associated with a 400-year history of religious and spiritual significance.

Sri Bugga Rameswara Swamy Temple is located in Kalvabugga, in Orvakal mandal, Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh. Sri Lakshmi Jagannadha Gattu Cave Temple is set in a different landscape, between hills and in a lush, wooded valley. The cave setting attracts tourists and pilgrims. Religious sites thus range from a single stone carving and a historic shrine to a temple in a wooded valley.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kalva, Kurnool, Abdullapuram, Nandyal, Nalgonda, Prakasam, Kadapa, Vishakhapatnam.

For the broader travel overview: Andhra Pradesh.