Religious/ Spiritual

Sri Varaha Lakshminarasimha Temple, located aesthetically atop a hill at Simhachalam, is an ancient shrine renovated by the Chalukya kings. It is acclaimed as the second richest temple after Tirupati in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

The prime deity in this temple has the features of Varaha and Narasimha, two incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The idol is kept wrapped in Sandal Paste all through the year except for the festival day known as 'Chandana Visarjana'. Thousands of devotees flock to this temple all through the year.

Simhavalli Tayaru Temple is located in the premises of Simhachalam temple, also known as Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple atop of the Simhachalam town about 800 feet above the sea level. The temple is dedicated to Simhavalli Tayaru. The devotees of Narasimha incarnation pay prayers at this temple during their visit to Simhachalam temple.

The temple premises are known for religious rituals, meditation and offerings of various types. The temple is beautifully adorned with paintings and religious inscriptions. The temple structure is in the architectural style of South India.

Lakshminarayana Swamy Temple located at Simhachalam is renowned for the unique idol showing Lakshminarayana. The idol lords are Lord Vishnu and his consort Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity. The temple architecture is attractive with walls, mantapam, gopurams and ceilings adorned with marvelous images of events from epics and vedas. Various incarnations of Lord Vishnu are also depicted in paintings.

Lakshmi Dive Temple in Simhachalam is dedicated to the Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu and the Goddess of prosperity. The temple offers excellent views of the surroundings. The temple premises house many shrines dedicated to various Hindu Gods including Lord Vishnu. The temple is believed to be centuries old. The temple architecture is a specimen of South India style of temple construction. The temple is beautifully decorated with lights, statues, images and paintings.

The Govindaraja Swamy Temple in Simhachalam is an old shrine dedicated to Lord Govindaraja Perumal. The temple architecture is attractive with its magnificent Gali-gopuram, the wide entrance to the temple and the imposing tower. The temple walls and pillars are adorned with inscriptions and carvings. This temple is one of the specimens for South Indian temple architectural style.

Constructed in the year 1978, this mosque boasts some interesting tales. When accidents and other untold incidents are a regular occurrence, the villagers requested Sai Baba to intervene and then Baba asked the villagers to dig at a certain spot. A plate was discovered from the spot, which contained certain Muslim inscriptions. Then a mosque was constructed there and the plate was installed in it. After that all the accidents came to a halt.

This temple dedicated to Krishna or Venugopala has an interesting mythological genealogy. Apparently, Gollapalli (Puttaparthi's earlier name) was a prosperous village of cowherds at one time. However, evil fortunes fell upon the village when one incensed cowherd hurled a stone at a cobra that was sucking milk from the udder of one of his cows. The dying cobra cursed the village, and as a result, the cattle began to perish, and the place was infested with ant-hills. Its name was now changed to Valmikipura (the word 'Valmiki' denoting 'anthill' in Sanskrit, and Puttaparthi being the Telugu equivalent of the same).

Constructed in 1997, this is to the south of the Ganesha shrine and is dedicated to Lord Subramaniam - or Kartikeya or Muruga, as this younger son of Ganesha, and the second son of Shiva and Parvati, is often known. Subramaniam is a particularly popular deity in South India, propitiated for the grace and protection he bestows.

This Mandapa was initially used by Sri Sathya Sai Baba to give his messages and teachings to his followers. After a new one hall was constructed for the purpose the old one was started to be used as a marriage hall.

One of the prime destinations in Puttaparthi, Sathyabhama temple houses Sathyabhama, the proud lover of Lord Krishna. A modern temple constructed by one among the devotees of Sai Baba, this temples depicts various images of Lord Krishna. The three feet high image of the main deity adorns the sanctum of the shrine. Daily poojas in accordance with rituals are held in a ceremonious way.