PLACES OF TOURIST IMPORTANCE

There are many tourist spots in the Guntur District. Prominent among them are Nagarjuna Sagar project, Nagarjuna Konda, the Temples in Mangalagiri, Amaravathi, Ponnur, Pedakakani, Govada near Tenali, Kotappakonda near Narasaraopet and Ethipothala.

The Undavalli caves near Mangalagiri and the Kondaveedu fort near Phirangipuram, the water falls at Ethipotala near Macherla and Guttikondabilam in the erstwhile Guntur District are also of historic prominence.

N A G A R J U N A S A G A R

The Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is the World's highest Masonary gravity dam having World's largest discharging capacity of 20,000 Cu. Secs. (409 Feet maximum height ) across the river Krishna situated at about 30 K.M.s from the Guntur City with a lake capacity of 31.05 million acre.

The State Government is taking steps to develop Nagarjuna Sagar as a place of tourist attraction on the lines of Brindavan and Botanical gardens.

This place has acquired special historic importance, by virtue of the association of Sri Nagarjuna, the great Acharya and learned scholar of the historic days, and the museum exhibiting the historic relics depicting the greatness of those days.

A M A R A V A T H I

Amaravathi is situated at 35 K.Ms. from Guntur on the banks of river Krishna. It has many tourist facilities and commands a vast stream of piligrims through out the year.

A large congregationof pilgrims will assemble on' MAHASIVARATHRIDAY'to worship Lord Siva (Amareswara 15' height ) and is one among the famous Shrines of the Lord.

There is a world famous Buddhist stupa depicting sceneries from the life of Buddha, inscribing there in various Buddhistic anecdotes symbols etc., in Pali script in addition to well organised museum.

K O T A P P A K O N D A

Kotappa Konda hamlet of Kondakavuru is situated about 40 K.Ms. from Guntur Town. The Presiding Diety of this place is Trikoteswara Swamy situated on the hillock and is one of the noted pililgrim centers attracting thousands of visitors on Sivarathri day.

The State Government has taken steps to develop Kotappa Konda as a tourist and piligrim center by creating more facilities and a ghat-road.

M A N G A L A G I R I

Mangalagiri is situated on the Guntur - Vijayawada-Chennai National Highway at about 20 K.M . from Guntur and is famous from the pre-historic times. Mangalagiri is a hill of bliss by virtue of the location of the famous temple of Lore Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy.

The Lord is popular for his consumption of ½ of the quantity of jaggery water offered by the devotees leaving the remaining half as Prasada and that not even a single drop is found around, which is conspicuous. As such the Lord is otherwise popularily known as Panakala Narasimha Swamy or Panakala Swamy.

P O N N U R

Ponnur is located at a distance of 29 K.Ms. from Guntur on the Guntur-Chirala state high way and it is famous for its Bhavanarayana Swamy temple, attracting large number of devotees.

Among the other temples, Sri Anjaneya Swamy temple and that of Garutmanta are noted for the giant size (about 30' in height ) and rare statues of the deities.