Anantapur

Anantapur (officially called Anantapuramu) is a city in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh .

Anantapur has many attractions - most of the city is filled with beautiful temples, but besides these, the city also has some historically significant places, great eateries and other attractions to check out.

If you are planning a trip to Anantapur, do not forget to pay a visit to these below listed places :

• Ravadurg Gooty Fort – A beautiful historic fort with a stunning (aerial) view.
• Prasanthi Nilayam – Translates to “the abode of highest peace” this is a place with a campus that houses a university, school and the abode of Satya Sai Baba (a philanthropist and spiritual leader).
• Lepakshi Bull – A large and popular monolithic statue of the sacred bull Nandi, at the place called Lepakshi.
• Penukonda Fort
• Raidurgam Fort
• Thimmamma Marimanu – A legendary banyan tree that is believed to have sprouted and started growing in the place after a woman called Thimmamma committed suicide after her Husband’s death (A practice called Sati); there is also has a small temple dedicated to her under the tree here.
• Hindu Temples (like Veerabhadra temple, Narasimha Swamy Temple in Penna Ahobilam, Akkamma temple, ISKCON temple Anantapur).

Some of the best museums to visit in the city are:

• Anantapur Museum – A museum showcasing thew city’s heritage.
• Archaeological Museum – A museum consisting the antiques and artefacts from pre-historic times to the 20th century.

The major festivals celebrated in Anantapur include the following:

• Maha Shivaratri – A festival dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, where people observe fasts and pray to the Lord.
• Sankranthi – A harvest festival celebrated in January.
• Ugadi – A festival that marks the beginning of a new year according to the Telugu calendar; this is celebrated all over the south Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
• Navratri and Dussehra – A 10-day Hindu festival, where Goddess Durga is worshipped – Navaratri is the first 9 days and the 10th day is Dussehra.
• Deepavali – The festival of Lights; India’s most popular and widely celebrated festival.
• Christmas – A Christian festival commemorating birth of Jesus; most Christians and Hindus also celebrate this famous festival here.

Anantapur is not too popular for shopping scenes and markets, but the city has various little handicraft shops that sell lovely handicraft products and textile shops selling handloom clothes; Apart from these the city also has a couple of malls and shopping complexes for general shopping, such as:

• Kalinga Family Shopping Mall
• Dress Circle Shopping Mall
• Sri New Ganesh Complex

People in Anantapur mostly consume foods from Andhra cuisine – both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, most of which include lots of spices (especially red chillies) and flavor. Some dishes popular in this city are:

• Panasa Puttu Koora – A spicy curry made with Jackfruit!
• Shikampuri Kebab – Special Kebabs (patties) made of Mutton mixed in curd, and lots of hot spices and fried; this is a favourite street food in Anantapur.
• Gutti Vankaya – Spice-stuffed small brinjals fried in oil and cooked in a flavorful onion gravy.
• Boorelu – Deep-fried sweet dumplings made of rice flour stuffed with fresh coconut shavings, jaggery and cooked chana dal (Bengal gram lentil).

Some good restaurants and eateries in Anantapur to try out the aforementioned foods or other delicacies and meals (local or others) at are as follows:

• Vanta Gadhi (South Indian – Local dishes)
• Vista Prasanthi
• Green Peas (Italian)
• Hanuman’s Hillrock Cafe & Restaurant
• Garlica Multi-cuisine Restaurant
• Hari Om Cafe
• Idli n More
• Blue Moon Highway Restaurant
• Cafe TruYogi
• SS Paradise
• Sindhura Bar & Restaurant
• The Fat Monk

Some of the best hotels in Anantapur for a comfortable stay include the following:

• Hotel Masineni Grand
• Hotel Rajahamsa
• Bagya’s Residency
• Ashoka Lodge
• Hotel Pasupala Grand

Anantapur STD Code – 0870 (to be used before dialling numbers from a device that is not locally registered).

Some common helpline numbers:

• Police – 100
• Fire – 101
• Ambulance – 102
• Helpline for Crime Against Women and Children – 1091
• Railway Helpline (Reservations etc) – 139

Telugu is the official language of Anantapur but language like English is spoken as well.

Telugu:

• Welcome - Susvaagatam
• How are you? - Meeru aelaa unnaaru?
• What's your name? - Mee paeraemandi?
• Where are you from? - Meeday vooru?
• Good morning - Shubhodayam
• Good afternoon - Shubha dhinan