History of Kurnool

Kurnool is an ancient city that was in existence for almost 2000 years. According to
historians, it was during the 11th century that the Odderas were transporting stones in
carts for the construction of a temple in Alampur and they halted at Kurnool. It was here
that the locals supplied grease for the carts and the place came to be known as
Kandenavolu (Town of Grease) and eventually Kurnool. Paintings dating back 30,000 to
40,000 years, and as far back as from the Paleolithic era, have been discovered in
Kurnool. The state of Kurnool is believed to have been established by a Pathan general
and was ruled by Nawabs following this. The town was annexed by the British in 1839.
Nawad Dawood Khan was the heir to the kingdom during India’s partition in 1947,
following which he emigrated to Pakistan and some of his descendants famously fought
in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971.

Etymology
Kurnool has an interesting anecdote associated with its name. It is derived from the
word Kandanavolu, which is a combination of Kandana meaning grease, and Volu. In
the ancient times, when bullock carts were used as a means of transportation by the
people, they used to stop at the river Tungabhadra, and apply grease to the wheels of
their bullock carts before crossing the river. This gave rise to the name Kandanavolu.
Konda Reddy Fort

Konda Reddy Fort, also known as Kurnool Fort or Kondareddy Buruju, is located just 2
km away from Kurnool railway station and is the most important place to visit in Kurnool.
Thought the fort has lost a lot to ruins, it continues to be one of the highlights of the
town and has been a landmark for Kurnool since ages. The structure was built by the
rulers of the Vijayanagar Empire.
The modest looking structure, once housed a tunnel that passed from under the
Tungabhadra river and still holds a majestic watch tower, looking over to the city that
grew around it.
Belum Caves

Belum Caves are the longest caves in plains of Indian Subcontinent and the second
largest cave in India, located at Belum Village in Kolimigundla Mandal of Kurnool. The
caves are geologically and historically important caves for Jains and Buddhists.
Oravakallu Rock Garden

Orvakal Rock Garden is located on NH-18 highway about 20 kilometres from Kurnool,
The park is famous as for boating, cave museum and picnic areas on the site.
Oravakallu Rock park has igneous rock formations between pools of water.
Banaganapalli Fort

The summer palace of the Kurnool also known as Nawab’s summer palace is Tipu
Sultan’s Summer Palace, situated in Banganapalle town. Banganapalle lies in Kurnool
district and famous for its mangoes and has a cultivar and Sree Veerappayya Swamy
temple.
Alampur Navabrahma Temples

Alampur temple-town is situated 27 km From Kurnool at the meeting point of the sacred
rivers of Tungabhadra and Krishna, also known as Dakshina Kashi. Angameshwar
temple,Jogulamba temple and Yogamba devi shrine temple is regarded as a Shakti
Peetha.
Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple

Srisailam Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva
situated at Srisailam and one of the 18 Maha Sakti Peetha. Mallikarjuna Swamy is
situated in the Nallamala Hills of Kurnool district on the banks of the Krishna River.
Mahanandi

Mahanandi Temple is one of the most beautiful temple in a picturesque village

surrounded by thick forest of the Nallamala Hills. The temple is famous for its fresh
water pools,Worlds biggest Nandi statue,Nallamalla hill forest and nine Nandi shrines
known as Nava nandulu.
Ahobilam

Ahobilam is
a major pilgrimage center located in the Kurnool and the place where the Lord
Narasimha killed the demon Hiranyakashipu and blessed Prahlada. There are nine
Narasimhas temples around the Nallamala Forest range and there are two temple
houses, lower Ahobilam and upper Ahobilam.
Yaganti

Yaganti is famous for the Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Swamy Temple, Dedicatd to
Lord Shiva and one of the few temples patronized by one of the great dynasties of India.
Famous place in Yaganti are Agastya Cave,Veera Brahmam Cave and the most
interesting Growing Nandi, Yaganti Nandi Statue is believed to be growing in size.