Kurnool is a bustling city and judicial capital of Andhra Pradesh, India. It formerly served as the capital of Andhra State from 1st October 1953 to 1st November 1956. The city is often referred to as “The Gateway of Rayalaseema”. It also serves as the district headquarters of its Kurnool district. The name Kurnool is said to have been derived from “Kandanavolu”. Kurnool, areas in western Andhra Pradesh in an upland region at the confluence of the Tungabhadra and Hindri rivers, about 100 miles from Hyderabad, Telangana.
Kurnool is well connected by rail, road, and air to all major cities of India indirectly through, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Chennai. . Kurnool is famous for Belum Caves. Ahobilam Temple. Yaganti Temple. Mahanandi Temple and many more things. The Belum Caves is the largest and longest cave system open to the public on the Indian subcontinent, and are known for its speleothems, such as stalactite and stalagmite formations. Belum Caves are geologically and historically important caves and are a prime tourist attraction.
There are indications that Jain and Buddhist monks occupied these caves centuries ago. Many Buddhist relics were found inside the caves and are now housed in Museum at Ananthapur besides these other places worth visiting are Konda Reddy Fort, Raja Vihar Center, Ayyappa Swamy Temple, Shikaresvara Temple Nava Narasimha Temple Jagannatha Hill, Sakshi Ganapati Temple, Shirdi Sai Baba temple and Tungabhadra River Banks. History buffs will be thrilled to visit Kurnool Fort in the heart of the city.
Splendidly built and standing tall despite the centuries, the fort is an amazing complex that lets the traveler in for a slice of the lives of people long gone by. Ruled by the Cholas in the 12th Century and was later taken over by the Kakatiya dynasty in the 13th century. Kurnool developed into a transit point on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra River. Vijayanagar dynasties. King Achyuta Raya, constructed the Kurnool Fort during the 16th century.
In 1686, Kurnool fell under the influence of the Mughals who were ruled by Emperor Aurangzeb. Later on, in Kurnool’s history, it was ruled by the Nawabs until the British Government took over in 1839 when the British defeated Ghulam Rasul Khan Bahadur, the last nawab of Kurnool. Orvakal rock Gardens is the Sculpture Garden with an Ancient cave that lies on the South East of the city and is a major tourist attraction. Open to tourists throughout the year, the economy of Kurnool is centered around extraction and trade of mineral resources like Iron ore, dolomite, limestone, ochre, quartz, and silica. Kurnool is known for spicey food served in restaurants.
Tourists can also try out, Uggani bajji, a popular dish, and Nannari is a drink consumed cold made from a local herb with medicinal properties, There are hotels and lodges that provide mid-range to budget accommodation to tourist. Kurnool is the access point to visit Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, a paradise for nature lovers, as well as Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary. In Srisailam is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Mallikarjuna. Other places that attract visitors to Kurnool are Jwala Narasimha Swami Temple, Kolanu Bharathi Saraswathi Temple, Sri Mahayogi Laxmamma Avva Temple, and Jumma Masjid. Kurnool is good for a weekend visit
