6 Best Things To Do In Nellore, India

How to Reach

By air - Chennai International Airport is the nearest airport. Nellore does not have its own airport and Chennai International is located at a distance of 170 kilometers, (105.6 miles) away. Chennai airport is well-connected to the important cities of India and the world. By train - Nellore Railway Station is situated on the Waltair-Chennai broad gauge line. By road - Nellore has a good network of roads. National Highway 5 connects Nellore to other destinations of the state, and private buses are available from Chennai, Hyderabad, and other nearby places on a regular basis. A private cab can also be hired.

Best time to visit

The winter months of October to April are the best time to visit Nellore. The weather is pleasant for sightseeing as the temperatures do not generally fall below 20°C (68°F). The days are pleasant although nights may be a bit chilly at this time. Avoid the months of April till June, the scorching summers of 39°C (102°F) might frustrate your tour. July and September are the monsoon months, so if you do not have any problems with rain, you can visit Nellore at this time.

If you are planning to visit Nellore we highly recommend the following activities:

1. Talpagiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple

#Srirangapattanatemple #Karnataka #Ranganthaswamytemple #HindugodRanganatha

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This centuries old temple situated on the banks of Pennar River gives the visitor a different spiritual and divine experience. The presiding deity Lord Vishnu (Talpagiri Ranganatha Swamy as locals call it) is in a reclining (lying) posture on his couch. Goddess Sridevi is sitting on his chest and Lord Brahma sitting on a lotus rising from the Lord’s navel. 26-inch high deities of Sridevi and Bhudevi are at the Lord’s feet. According to legend, once upon a time the River Penna overflowed with flood water and water entered into the main temple. Ranganatha Swamy stopped the water with his finger, which is why Swamy’s finger shows a little bend. Sri Vishnu Sahasranamavali or the 1000 different names of Lord Vishnu are shown on the walls of sanctum sanctorum. Devotees chant Sri Vishnu Sahasranamavali while doing the parikrama around the temple.

The temple has a mirror house known as Addhala Mandapam, which is a major attraction for the devotees. There is a separate shrine of Goddess Rajya Lakshmi Devi in the south of the main temple and a shrine of Goddess Andal Ammavari towards the North. The temple is also popular due to the ‘Santhana Vriksha’ tree, which is believed to grant the boon of producing children to childless couples. The women devotees put their offerings in a piece of their sarees and tie them to the tree. It is also believed that offerings in 'Kondi Kasuli Hundi’ gets rid of the venomous bites of scorpions and snakes.

Talpagiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple

Address: Sri Talpagiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Ranganayakula Peta, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh

Price: Free

Opening Hours: 9 am - 12 pm and 2 pm - 9 pm

Duration: around 1 hours required.

Access: The temple is 3.2 km (2 mi) from Nellore Town, with direct buses to Nellore available from Tirupati, and 138 km (85 mi) away from Tirupati

Near by Food: Snacks available at nearby stalls

2. Pulicat Lake

Spread across the Tamilnadu and Andhra border and the second largest brackish water lagoon in India, scenic Pulicat Lake is a paradise for bird watchers. It is adjacent to the Bay of Bengal, and island of Sriharikota, the spot where ISRO launch their satellites.

The lake’s shallow waters are home to a large number of migratory water birds — kingfishers, storks, flamingoes, pelicans, ducks and curlews come here between November and February.

A boat jetty is at Buckingham Canal on the northern side of the lake. The best way to explore the riches of Pulicat is with a boat ride. Remains of Dutch and British settlements are there on the South of the lake. A 13th-century settlement of Arab Muslims, one of the oldest churches in India, and a Dutch cemetery is there also.

If you are planning to stay at this place, there are some nice options like the APTDC-run Haritha Hotel and Forest Rest House on the Tamilnadu side.

Pulicat Lake

Address: Tamilnadu and Andhra border

Price: Free

Opening Hours: All days of the weeek: 6:00 am - 6:00 pm

Duration: around 3 hours required.

Near by Food: Street food and snacks Sstalls by the beach

3. Mypadu Beach

This calm and serene beach is located on the West coast of Bay of Bengal, 25 km (15.5 mi) from Nellore next to the Haritha resort. The long, uninterrupted stretch of greenery makes it unique. The crystal clear waters and golden sands of the beach are wonderful for sunbathing, relaxing, and rejuvenating. While a dip in the water can refresh tourists, the changing color of the sea with passing time will leave you mesmerized. This picturesque beach is an ideal destination for a relaxing weekend. Visitors can enjoy facial massages and local delicacies served at the food stalls close to the beach.

The beach is maintained by the state tourism board, APTDC and the Government. Guest houses are available to stay in, in case you want to spend the night there.

Mypadu Beach

Address: on the west coast of Bay of Bengal

Price: Free

Opening Hours: All day

Duration: Around 3 hours required.

Near by Food: Street food and snacks stalls by the beach

Website: Mypadu Beach

4. Narasimhaswamy Temple

The Penchalakona temple of Shri Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy is located on top of the Veda Giri Hills around 90 km (55 mi) from Nellore. The temple is acknowledged as the ninth kshetra (area) of Lord Vishnu. According to legend, the temple was established over the same place where Lord Venkateshwara placed his feet. The image of the Lord is self-formed, created by the twisting of two stones from a lion’s head. ‘Penu’ in Telugu means 'twist’, and 'Sila’ means stone. The drive to this hill is beautiful and there is no need to climb steps. Although the temple is ancient there are fans on the ceilings. Lord Lakshmi Narasimha is awesome, Lakshmi is below him. Lord Anjaneya temple is in the front and Amman Temple is there on the side.

It is believed that taking a dip in the waterfalls just beside the temple ensures peace and prosperity. There are Seven Hills around the temple and one can trek over the mountains, it’s a nature lovers paradise. Visiting in summer is not advisable as it would be very hot, better to visit during winter or monsoon.

Narasimhaswamy Temple

Address: Penchulakonda Hill Road, Penchalakona, Nellore-524001.

Price: Free

Opening Hours: 6am to 12.30 pm

Duration: around 2 hours required.

Access: The Veda Giri Hills can be reached by bus and four wheeler

Nearby Food: Snack stalls

5. Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary

Located near the Pulicat River, the second most famous salt Lake, Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary is an ideal destination for nature and bird lovers. Counted among one of the largest habitats for pelicans in Southeast Asia, the sanctuary is composed of diversified flora and fauna, with around 187 species, including 50 migratory birds residing here. Pelicans are a major attraction that migrate every year. The government organizes popular festival ‘Flemming’ every year in the month of January.

The sanctuary is a breeding ground for many endangered species. Some of the commonly found species are Spotted Belied Pelican, Open Billed Stork, Painted White Ibis, Spoon Bill, Night Heron, Stork, Little Cormorant and Spoon Bill. Spotted deer, monitor lizard, slender loris, tortoise and snakes of various types are also found in the sanctuary.

Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary

Address: Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Ayyapalem, Andhra Pradesh

Price: Entry Fee: INR 2 (USD 0.03), Camera Fee: INR 50 (USD 0.76), Parking Fee: INR 20 (USD 0.31)

Opening Hours: 8 am to 5 pm

Duration: around 3 hours required.

Access: Nearest Airport - Chennai. Nearest Railway Station - Sulurpet, 50 km (31 mi) away from Nelapattu, which is well connected by state transport and bus facilities.

6. Paturu Village

Paturu village, which was once known for the great Telegu poet Tikkanna Somayaji who translated Mahabharata into Telugu, is today famous for its handloom sarees and handicrafts. It is located in the Kovur taluk of the Nellore district. Every household in the village is engaged in saree trade in one way or another, either they are busy with handlooms, weaving or in the trade of these textiles. The village has rows and rows of shops and houses selling Paturu sarees. The pure cotton and cotton mixed sarees of Paturu are in great demand and people from South India come there to purchase them. It is an ideal place for a shopaholic, the numerous varieties and range of sarees will leave you speechless.

Paturu Village

Address: Kovur taluk of the Nellore district

Take a trip through history

A tour of the historically significant Nellore City, which has carved a niche for itself in the formation of Andhra Pradesh, is a tour down history lane. The temples, lakes, beaches and the small industries of Nellore will make you marvel at the rich legacy of ancient India.