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And
now that we have completed visiting 24 premier shrines of the august
Aryavartha along with Orissa, let us step on the holy soil of
Andhradesa, studded with sacred shrines in hundreds. Here greets our
eyes altogether a new temple culture, characterized by lofty towers,
massive enclosures, and imposing structures, embellished by
sculptural adornments of rare kind. The striking contrast between
the Aryavartha and Dakshinapatha starting from here spreads all over
the south and overwhelms us at every step. The south, since time
immemorial is renowned for displaying of devotion in a unique way
that differs from the North. And lo! it gratified the gods
infinitely, rather to the extent of taking seats permanently at
certain places, lured by the Nature's splenderous beauty sprouting
from her bounteous treasures, of the their own accord, at it. Or
abiding in several places at the soulful prayers of devotees. The
shrines thus came into existence are numerous; their legends too
quite curious, and each is invested with a charm of its own that
beckons indispensable visitation by both yatris and patryasakas.
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