Temples of Andhra Pradesh, Sacred temples in Andhra Pradesh, India
Temples of Andhra Pradesh are Hindu worship sites spread across various districts of this southern Indian state, marked by carved gopurams and multi-tiered entrance towers. The complexes include open courtyards with stone mandapas where rows of pillars surround central shrines, while smaller subsidiary structures house additional deities.
Dynasties from the Chalukyas to the Kakatiyas constructed these religious structures between the 9th and 14th centuries, creating regional centers of worship. Later rulers added outer walls and additional pavilions, while Muslim and British periods brought changes to administration and funding.
Devotees walk clockwise around inner sanctums and receive prasadam from priests, while others place flower garlands before central deities. Pilgrims chant Sanskrit mantras or Telugu prayers and mark their foreheads with red kumkum or white vibhuti after visiting the main shrine.
Visitors should cover shoulders and knees and remove footwear before entering shrines, as most sites require barefoot access. The cooler morning hours offer more comfortable conditions for extended stays and often allow quieter access to prayer halls.
At the Srikalahasti temple, burning oil lamps move through invisible air currents within the sealed sanctum with no visible external cause. These flames have danced for centuries and are considered manifestations of the wind deity Vayu in this place of five elements.
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