Sowmyanatha Swamy Temple — Attraction in Andhra Pradesh

Spreading across an area of more than 10 acres, Soumyanatha Swamy Temple (Lord Venkateswara Temple) at Nandalur, is a famous temple in Kadapa District.

It is an old replica temple resembling the famous Thiruvannamalai patronized by the great kings of different dynasties including Vijayanagara, Pottapi, Matli, Pandyas and Cholas. The main attraction of the temple is its beautiful 108 pillars and 4 Raja Gopurams.

Mystery surrounding Nandalur Temple: Another surprising fact about this temple is that the deity is clearly visible in both sunrise and sunset without any bright source of light coming to the temple and the idol is clearly visible from the entrance itself. So, you can have a good glance of the deity from the entrance itself.

Another fascinating fact about this great temple is that on some special occasions the sun rays directly touches the feet of the main Soumyanatha deity. If you visit this temple on a bright full moon day you will get a chance to watch many more mysterious in this temple.

The idol has close resembles with Lord Venkateswara Swamy at Tirumala except the Lord shows his Abhaya Hasta in Nandalur whereas Sri Venkateswara Swamy shows his Kati Hasta.

Sri Soumyanatha Swamy temple is built with red-stone and has many inscriptions written on the temple walls in Tamil language. Don't forget to watch the huge fish carvings on the temple ceiling.

The temple pillars having lions head at the bottom instead of having them at the top which is quite common in many South Indian temples.

Locals believe that there is another hidden temple beneath this visible Soumyanatha temple.

By Road: Nandalur temple has good road connectivity options as Kadapa city is just 46 km away from Nandalur & 19 KM from Ontimitta.

By Train: Nandalur Railway Station (Tirupati to Kadapa Railway line) is the nearby railway station present at a distance of just 2 km away from the temple.

From...

The Soumyanatha Swamy Temple is located in Nandalur, Andhra Pradesh, India. This temple is a popular Vaishnava site and is built in the Chola culture and architecture style. It was built in the 11th century and underwent renovations during the times of Pandyas, Kakatiyas, and Vijayanagar dynasties. The temple is spread across 10 acres and has inscriptions on its walls that date from the 10th till 17th century. The temple has four Raja Gopurams, which stand in four directions. The south-facing Gopuram was built during the Vijayanagara period. The Mandapam inside the temple is built on 108 pillars. The main idol Sri Soumaynatha Swamy is facing towards East. The Idol here resembles the Idol of Sri Venkateswara Swamy in Tirumala Hills, the only difference is that the main Idol is in ‘Abhaya Hastham‘ whereas in Tirumala the Lord is in ‘Kati Varada Hastham‘ posture. Great Poet Annamayya praised Sri Soumyanatha Swamy with 16 of his Sankeertanas. There is a huge fish carving on the ceiling of the temple, belief is that one day this fish will turn alive and swim in the ocean. The temple is constructed with red stone. The pillars of the Mandapam (porch) have lion’s heads at the bottom of the pillar. The temple is located at a distance of 45 km from Kadapa Town and 10 km from Rajampeta. It takes 10 minutes by road to reach this place. The train is available from Tirupati to Nandalur at regular intervals. The temple timings are from 6 am to 7 pm. The temple closes from 1.00 p.m – 4.00 p.m. Abhishekam will be performed on every Friday. Kalyanotsavam will be performed to the deity, at the end of June or the beginning of July months. Devotees who are having long-standing wishes will do Pradakshinam first and perform 108 Pradhakshinam after their wish...

One of the beautiful temple with brilliant architecture I have seen in Kadapa district very near to vontimitta and tallapaaka is Nandaluru Sowmyanatha Swamy temple. The black idol so beautiful pleasant and special even visible in dark. People who want to fulfill their wish take pradakshina for 9 times. Once their wish fulfilled take 108 pradakshina later like chilkuru Balaji temple. Temple is big with big gopuram in all sides, green lawns, pushkarini with clean waters.

I don't know why such a temple in rayalaseema in Kadapa district is not in limelight less known for regular ancient temple goers like me. Those who visit Tirupati must visit this and spread word so as to reach to many.

Nandaluru is 100 km from Tirupati one can make this a spiritual trip with seeing other beautiful temples in this root so that in one trip many temples will be covered at a time.

One can plan one day trip from Tirupati in the morning starting at 6am by car to Tallapaka(annamayya) 94km from Tirupati then to Nandaluru 10km from Tallapaka then to Vontimitta(kodandaramaswamy) 24 km from Nandaluru before lunch time. Again from Vontimitta to Pushpagiri (chennakesava swamy, vaidyanatha swamy) 49km from vontimitta from then in return Devuni kadapa(Venkateswara swamy) 23 km from pushpagiri and finally back to Tirupati 143 km from devuni kadapa by 9pm max. Plan was given to match with temple timings. Of course see your convenience and time...