Kurnool Tourist Attractions

Kurnool is a city in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, on the banks of the Tungabhadra river. It lies on the Hyderabad-Bangalore highway, about 210 km south of Hyderabad. Kurnool was the first capital of Andhra State from 1953 to 1956. Today it is a gateway to caves, rock gardens and some of the oldest temples in the Deccan.

Top places to visit in Kurnool

Kurnool's best sights are spread out, so hire a taxi and plan two days.

• Belum Caves - long natural limestone caves with lit walkways and underground chambers, one of the largest cave systems in India.
• Yaganti Temple - a Shiva temple built in the Vijayanagara period, with cave shrines and a large Nandi that is said to keep growing.
• Konda Reddy Fort - an old fort tower in the city centre.
• Orvakal Rock Garden - natural rock formations and small lakes about 20 km from the city, good for photos.
• Alampur Jogulamba Temple - a Shakti Peetha and a group of 7th-century temples just across the river in Telangana, about 25 km away.
• Mahanandi Temple - a Shiva temple with clear spring-water pools near Nandyal.

Mantralayam, the samadhi of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, is also within a few hours by road.

Best time to visit Kurnool

October to February is the best time. Summers are very hot, often above 40 degrees C. The caves stay cooler inside, but the drive there is tiring in May. Maha Shivaratri is a big festival at Yaganti and Mahanandi.

How to reach Kurnool

Kurnool Airport at Orvakal has a few flights, mainly to Bangalore and Chennai. Hyderabad airport has many more options. Kurnool City railway station has trains to Hyderabad, Bangalore and Tirupati. The NH 44 highway makes Kurnool easy to reach by bus or car from Hyderabad and Bangalore.

Plan your trip

Start with our guide to the Belum Caves, the most popular sight in the region.