Ahobilam

Ahobilam is the centre of worship of Narasimha, the lion-headed avatar of Vishnu. The main village and a temple complex are at Lower Ahobilam. Upper Ahobilam, about 8 kilometres to the east, has more temples in a steep gorge.

Ahobilam is located in Karnool district of Andhra Pradesh in the hills of the eastern ghats, about 400 KM northwest of Chennai.

The temple consists of nine shrines to Lord Narasimha located around a 5 KM circle. In addition to the nine shrines, there is a temple for Prahaladavarada Varadhan in the foothills of the mountain.

Perumal (Lord) : Ahobila Narasimha - Sitting posture in Chakrasana facing East (Main temple)
Thayar (Consort): Lakhmi, Senjulakshmi
Other shrines : Jwala Narasimha, Malola Narasimha, Kroda Narasimha, Karanja Narasimha, Bhargava Narasimha, Yaogananda Narasimha, Kshatravata Narasimha, Pavana Narasimha
Pushkarani : Pavanasini, Bhargava, Indra, Narasimha, Gaja Theerthams
Vimanam : Guhai (Cave)
Pratyaksham : Prahalada, Adivan Satakopan

Every month on Swathi Nakshatram (star) Thirumanjanam (Abhishekam) is performed for all the nine Narasimhas (Nava Narasimha) of Ahobilam. Further, Brahmothsavam is celebrated in Ahobilam in the month of Masi, sometime between mid-February to mid-March. During this time, entire Ahobilam takes on a festive appearance. The celebrations last 10 days. Lord Prahlada Varadhan enjoys riding in various Vahanas during this time. This is a great time to visit Ahobilam to have grand Dharshan of Lord Narasimha.

Tirumala Tirupathi

Tirupati is home to the important Hindu shrine of Tirumala Venkateswara Temple and other historic temples and is referred to as the "Spiritual Capital of Andhra Pradesh".

According to Varaha Purana, during Treta Yuga, Rama resided here along with Sita and Lakshmana on his return from Lankapuri.

As per the Purana, a loan of one crore and 11.4 million gold coins was sought by Balaji from Kubera for his marriage with Padmavathi. To pay back the loan, devotees from all over India visit the temple and donate money

The city celebrates all major Hindu festivals which includes Sankranti, Ugadi, Krishna Janmashtami, Maha Shivaratri, Ganesh Chaturthi, Deepavali, Rama Navami, Kartik Poornima etc. Srivari Brahmotsavam is a nine-day event, celebrated during the months of September–October, the temple of Tirumala witness lakhs of devotees. During this festival, the processional deity Malayappa of Venkateswara Temple, along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi, is taken in a procession in four mada streets around the temple on different Vahanams. Tirupati also celebrates a carnival named as Tirupati Ganga Jatara, held during second week of May every year. This is a week-long festival where Gangamma (Grama Devatha) is worshiped. The tank behind the temple of Padmavathi Temple, Tiruchanur has Padma Pushkarini, where Chakra Snanam will be held on last day of Annual Padmavathi Brahmotsavams (Panchami Teertham). It will witness lakhs of Devotees taking a dip in the holy waters.

Tirupati is world-famous for Tirupati Laddu. It is the prasadam at Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala.

Sacred Srisailam

Srisailam Temple is a temple dedicated to the deities Shiva and Parvati, located at Srisailam in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

It is significant to the Hindu sects of both Shaivism and Shaktism as this temple is referred to as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva and as one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas, centres of the Hindu Goddess. Shiva is worshiped as Mallikarjuna, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Bhramaramba. Shiva in this temple is referred to as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Goddess Bramarambha's shrine is referred to as one of the fifty-two Shakti peethas. This temple is classified as one of the Paadal Petra Sthalam.

It is significant to the Hindu sects of both Shaivism and Shaktism as this temple is referred to as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva and as one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas, centres of the Hindu Goddess. Shiva is worshiped as Mallikarjuna, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Bhramaramba. Shiva in this temple is referred to as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Goddess Bramarambha's shrine is referred to as one of the fifty-two Shakti peethas. This temple is classified as one of the Paadal Petra Sthalam.

Krishna River here is called Patal Ganga. One must go down 852 stairs to reach the river. The Shiva Linga is bathed with the water of this river.

Kerala Malainadu Divyadesam

Divya Desam temples are dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The list of Divya Desam Temples in Kerala (God’s Own Country) / Malayala Nadu Divya Desam/ Chera Nadu Divya Desam are

Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple- Thiruvananthapuram
Sri Kuralappa Perumal Temple - Thiruvanparisaaram
Sri Kaatkarai Appa Perumal Temple- Thirukkaatkarai
Sri Moozhikkalathaan Perumal Temple- Thirumoozhikkalam
Sri Maayapiran Perumal Temple- Thirupuliyoor
Sri Imayavarappa Perumal Temple- Thirucchenkundroor
Sri Naavaay Mugundha Perumal Temple- Thiru Naavaay
Sri Kolapira Perumal Temple- Thiruvalvaazh
Sri Paambanaiyappa Perumal Temple- Thiruvanvandoor
Sri Aadhikesava Perumal Temple- Thiru Vattaaru
Sri Uyyavantha Perumal Temple- Thiruvithuvakkodu
Sri Athpudha Narayana Perumal Temple- Thirukkadithaanam
Sri Kuralappa Perumal Temple - Thiruvaaran Vilai

Kasi/ Varanasi

According to Hindu mythology, Kasi was founded by Shiva, one of three principal deities along with Brahma and Vishnu. During a fight between Brahma and Shiva, one of Brahma's five heads was torn off by Shiva. As was the custom, the victor carried the slain adversary's head in his hand and let it hang down from his hand as an act of ignominy, and a sign of his own bravery. A bridle was also put into the mouth. Shiva thus dishonored Brahma's head and kept it with him at all times. When he came to the city of Varanasi in this state, the hanging head of Brahma dropped from Shiva's hand and disappeared in the ground. Varanasi is therefore considered an extremely holy site.

On Maha Shivaratri (February), a procession of Shiva proceeds from the Mahamrityunjaya Temple to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.Dhrupad Mela is a five-day musical festival devoted to dhrupad style held at Tulsi Ghat in February–March.

Chhath Puja is celebrated on the sixth day of the lunar month of Kartika (October–November).The rituals are observed over four days.They include holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking water (vrata), standing in water, and offering prasad (prayer offerings) and arghya to the setting and rising sun. Nag Nathaiya is celebrated on the fourth lunar day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Kartik (October–November). It commemorates the victory of Krishna over the serpent Kaliya.