Important Shiva Temples in Andhra Pradesh
If you are looking for the important Shiva Temples in Andhra Pradesh, you will find the required information in this article which gives you a detailed list of the Shiva Temples in Andhra Pradesh. Besides, Srisailam which is one of the famous Dwadasa Jyotirlingas, there are other important Shiva Temples in the state.
There is no dearth of Hindu temples in the state of Andhra Pradesh which has a number of famous temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu as well. Besides these, there is also the famous temple of Sree Gnana Saraswati Devi at Basara which is one among the very few Saraswati Temples in the country. Below is the list of the important Shiva Temples of Andhra Pradesh where the most important Hindu festival of Maha Sivaratri is celebrated with much devotion with a heavy crowd of devotees to these temples.Lord Mallikarjuna Temple at Srisailam
This famous Shiva Temple is one of the Dwadasa Jyotirlingas (Twelve Jyotirlingas) in the country and hence it is very important for the followers of Lord Shiva. Besides being a Jyotirlinga, the presiding Goddess Bhramaramba Devi is one of the Ashtadasa Maha Shakti Peethams (Eighteen Maha Sakti Peethams). Due to this unique combination of Jyotirlingam and Maha Sakti Peetham which is rare and only one of its kind, the place is considered highly important and sacred for the devotees of Lord Shiva.
The temple town of Srisailam is located in a picturesque hill on the Nallamala Range of mountains. This temple town is located on the banks of River Krishna in the Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh. The importance of the temple town can be highlighted by the fact that during the daily ceremonial rituals by the people of Andhra Pradesh, the place of their location is made with reference to Srisailam. The celebrations of Maha Siva Ratri is celebrated here as Brahmotsavalu for a period of seven days when this place is heavily crowded with devotees.Sri Kalahasti near Tirupati
Sri Kalahasteeswara Temple at Sri Kalahasti is one of the most important Shiva Temples in Andhra Pradesh which is in the Chittoor District. This holy temple town is located on the banks of river Swarnamukhi and is very close to Tirupati. The temple dates back to 12th century during the period of Chola Dynasty in the South. It is believed that Vayu or air to the form of Lord Shiva in this temple and is worshiped as Sri Kalahasteeswara. The Shivalingam here is in the form of Vayur lingam and Parvati Devi is worshiped as Sri Gyana Prasunamba here in this temple. This temple town is easily accessible as it is located near Tirupati and is located on the main railway line. Besides the main deities, the temple is well reputed for the special pooja to Rahu and Ketu which is performed by the devotees to get rid of the ill effects of Rahu and Ketu.Sri Raja Rajeswara Swamy Temple at Vemulawada
This is yet another old famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The small town called Vemulawada is located in the Karimnagar District of Andhra Pradesh. Lord Raja Rajeswara Swamy who is the presiding deity of the temple is in the form of Neela Lohita Siva Lingam and this place is popularly known as Dakshina Kaasi. Maha Siva Ratri Jatara is the major festival of this place and there is a huge crowd of devotees from across the state on this special day. The temple remains opened round the clock on this Mahasivarathri festival day and Maha Lingarchana, Lingodbhavakala Mahanyasa Purvaka Eakadasa Rudrabhisekam are performed at 6.30 P.M and midnight respectively which is witnessed by a large crowd of devotees.Bheemeswara Swamy Temple at Draksharamam
Draksharamam Bheemeswara Swamy Temple is one of the most important Shiva temples in the South of India. This is one of the holy places for the Hindus as this is one of the Shiva Pancharamams and is also one of the Ashtadasa Maha Sakti Peethams. Hence the place is not only important Siva kshetram but also an important Sakti Peetham. Lord Shiva is worshiped as Lord Bheemeswara in this temple and the presiding goddess is Manikyamba. This place is located in the East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. Maha Siva Ratri is the most important festivals that is celebrated in this place.
