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It
is a unique thirtha kshetra, although renowned for enshrining
Navabrahmas in the nine Aalayas built in the North Indian style,
like curvilinear towers etc., besides housing one of the
Sakthipithas, it boasts of Sivaalayas and Vaishnavate Aalayas built
on the banks of Vedavathi and Nadavathi, the tributaries of
Tungabhadra. Among the Aalayas, the Papanaseswara Swamy Aalayam lies
in the middle. Its architectural grandeur is comparitively less
impressive, though the multi-pillared halls and huge mantaps
enshrine many adorable deities. The sculptural pieces on the walls
represent many episodes. One peculiarity observable here is the
carving of Navagrahas on the ceiling. The Saptamatrukas shrine and a
niche enshrining the Mahishasura Mardini deserve visiting for
offering prayers. The Aalaya dedicated to Chennakesava swamy,
Suryanarayana swamy, Narasimha swamy are in the vicinity of
Navabrahma Aalayas and they are visit-worthy.
It
lies just 20 km of Kurnool, the district head quarters town of the
same name, commanding all facilities of conveyance.
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