Sitting on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, the ancient city of Kurnool is the administrative headquarters of the district and erstwhile capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh. Majestic hills, stunning waterfalls, and lush gardens add to the city’s beauty, with the location playing a significant role. The forts and temples bear witness to the city’s historic significance and rich culture. We recommend exploring this offbeat city by booking a comfortable and reliable cab service in Kurnool.
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Things to do in Kurnool
Besides local sightseeing, there are many fun and exciting activities you can do in Kurnool –
- Explore the Tungabhadra River. There are certain parts of the river designated for camping and boating, outside of Kurnool.
- Kurnool has many historical temples which are also considered sacred. You can plan a temple tour or a pilgrimage.
- You can trek through the forests of Kurnool or go spelunking and discover the Paleolithic caves.
Places to visit in Kurnool
Check out these popular tourist places in Kurnool for a fun trip –
- Konda Reddy Fort – Built by the Vijayanagar kings, this historical fort forms a major landmark and a highlight of the place.
- Entry Fee– NA
- Venugopal Swami Temple – One of the most famous temples of Kurnool, this religious site is also a popular tourist spot.
- Entry Fee– Free
- Nagareswarasawami Temple – Another major religious site and an important pilgrimage site, this temple also attracts tourists to witness the colorful Dravidian architecture.
- Entry Fee- Free
- Tomb of Abdul Wahab – The memorial of the first Nawab of the city, this 17th-century structure on the banks of the Handrail River, boasts majestic domes, carved arches, and a verandah.
- Entry Fee– NA
- Oravakallu Rock Garden– This is a public garden featuring igneous rock formations with small ponds and a cave museum, good for picnics, hiking, boating, or photo ops.
- Entry Fee– Free
- Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary – This sanctuary houses the last remaining population of the Great Indian Bustard and Lesser Floricans, among blackbucks, Indian cobras, Russell’s vipers, bonnets, wild sparrows, etc.
- Entry Fee– INR 30 for adults, INR 20 for children
Places to visit near Kurnool
Apart from your local sightseeing, you can also visit other places nearby. Check out these equally scenic locales near Kurnool –
- Belum Caves – The largest and longest accessible cave system in India, this cave complex is the most stunning natural formation in the region. These prehistoric caves are known for their stalactite and stalagmite formations.
- Entry Fee– INR 50
- Yaganti – The ancient site is known for the Uma Maheshwara Temple, built in the 15th century by the Vijayanagara kings. The temple complex features a moat inside and is surrounded by rocky hills and bluffs.
- Entry Fee– Free
- Mantralayam – A notable temple town of Andhra Pradesh, Mantralayam is popular for religious sites like the Manchalamma Temple, Samadhi Temple, and the Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple.
- Entry Fee– NA
- Adoni Fort – A 15th-century fort, this was built during the rule of the Vijayanagar Empire and used as a military base for the kings. The site now serves as a popular trekking and viewing spot.
- Entry Fee– Free
Places to eat in Kurnool
Check out these popular eateries in Kurnool to sample the local flavors –
- Ajwa Restaurant
- Lotus Restaurant
- Aahar Fine Dining
- Mint leaf Restaurant
- Athidi Family Restaurant
- Elite Le Opera Multi-Cuisine Restaurant
More About Kurnool
The city is also known as “The Gateway of Rayalaseema.” Rayalaseema comprises Kurnool, Nandyal, Anantapur, Sri Sathya Sai, YSR, Annamayya, Tirupati, and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh. It is also the fifth-largest city in the state. Majestic hills, stunning waterfalls, and lush gardens add to the city’s beauty, with the location playing a significant role. The forts and temples bear witness to the city’s historic significance and rich culture.
With our Kurnool travel guide, you can discover this quaint historical locale and experience a unique holiday.
Location
Kurnool is located on the northernmost border of Andhra Pradesh, 75KM from Nandyala, 146KM from Anantapur, and 218KM from Hyderabad.
Weather
Kurnool experiences a hot and humid weather pattern. Summers can range from warm to very hot and humid, while winters are cool and pleasant with occasional chilly weather. The later summer months also experience ample rainfall from the monsoon winds.
History
There is evidence of rock paintings in the vicinity of Kurnool which put the existence of life in this region during the Paleolithic era, about 35000 to 40000 years ago. As found in the historical records of Kurnool, this settlement was known as Kandanavōlu or Kandanōlu and served as a pit stop on the Tungabhadra River, where bullock cart caravans would stop on their way to the north or south. Although the town was inhabited for thousands of years, the city per se was not established until the 16th century. The earliest settlement of modern Kurnool dates back to the 11th century, when it was ruled by the Cholas, and later by the Kakatiya dynasty, the Vijayanagara Empire, Mughals, Nawabs, and finally by the British East India Company, before India’s independence.
Geography
The city enjoys a fertile plainland, fed by the water of the Tungabhadra River, as well as the Hundred and Neeva Rivers, which also flow through the city. The landscape is dotted with woodlands, grasslands, and naturally-formed, prehistoric caves.
Interesting Facts
The city’s major irrigation canal, the KC Canal or Kurnool-Cuddapah Canal was originally a Dutch construction. At that time, it was used for the transportation of people and goods. Much later, it became a canal for irrigation and supplying water to the city.
[ Also Read: Things to do in Horsley Hills – A Complete Travel Guide]
How to Plan a trip to Kurnool
You can also plan your personalized Kurnool trip by selecting the mode of transport, the route, and more. Let us help you with the travel options to Kurnool for a better idea –
How to Reach
By Train
You can easily travel to Kurnool junction from other parts of Andhra Pradesh or neighboring states. There are regular trains from Hyderabad, Kadapa, Bellary, Bangalore, Guntur, etc.
By Road
The city is well-connected to the rest of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, via NH40, NH44, and Rayalaseema Expressway. There are regular state-run and private buses from all major cities and towns in all neighboring states.
By Flight
The nearest airport is at Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy Airport, at Orvakal, 18KM away. The nearest international airport is in Hyderabad, about 198KM away. You can fly from any major city/town across India to Hyderabad or Kurnool directly (based on available flights) and from there, rent a car or local cab to reach the city.
Best time to visit
Considering the warm and humid weather of Kurnool, the best season to visit this historical city is in the colder months, that is, between November and February. Depending on the intensity of the rain, you can also visit during or right after the monsoon.
Hotels and Resorts in Kurnool
Here are some of the best-rated places to stay –
- Triguna Clarks Inn
- The Maurya Inn
- A.P Tourism Hotel
- Hotel Raja Vihar Deluxe
- Hotel S.V. Regency Kurnool
- Sign Regency Hotel
Last Updated on January 23, 2024 by
