Stand at the base of the Clock Tower and look up: 47 feet of masonry raised in memory of the martyrs of the Indian freedom movement, its eight faces turned outward on the centre of town. That single structure tells you a lot about Anantapur — a city that marks its history plainly, in the middle of the street, for anyone passing by.
Anantapur suits the traveller who is already moving through Andhra Pradesh and wants a half-day or a full day of real places rather than a resort. It is a semi-arid city on National Highway 44, hot and dry for most of the year, with a mild winter from late November to early February and monsoon rain from September into early November. Plan around the heat rather than against it.
This guide covers the sights and experiences the source material supports, plus a one-day route that strings them together.
Top things to do in Anantapur
1. Clock Tower
The Clock Tower is the historic structure at the centre of Anantapur town, built in memory of the martyrs of the Indian freedom movement on the initiative of M. Ramachandra Naidu, then district judge, and other citizens. Its dimensions carry the date: the height of 47 ft signifies the year 1947, the radius of 15 ft signifies the 15th, and the eight faces signify August, the eighth month.
Come here first to orient yourself, since it sits at the heart of the town and the railway overbridge near it connects the Newtown. Note that the overbridge is in demolition and closed until a new four-lane flyover is functional, so check your approach before you walk over.
2. ISKCON Temple
The ISKCON Temple stands at Hare Krishna Land, Somuladoddi, on National Highway No. 7, about 7 km from town, and was built by ISKCON in 2008. It is one of the landmarks of the city and an easy stop if you are arriving or leaving along the highway.
Because it sits outside the centre, pair it with your highway travel rather than making a separate trip back into town.
3. Sarada Temple
Sri Sarada Temple is at SaradaNagar. The source describes it as a peaceful place and very famous, which makes it a natural pause rather than a quick photo stop.
Give it unhurried time and go when you want quiet rather than as part of a rushed circuit.
4. Cheruvu Katta
Cheruvu Katta is a holy place for both Hindus and Muslims, and all the temples are located at one place here: Shirdi Sai Baba, Ayyappa, Ganesh and Hanuman Temples. That concentration is what makes it worth the visit — you see several shrines in a single stop.
Dress and behave accordingly, since this is an active place of worship for two communities.
5. Sri Mounagiri Kshetram
Sri Mounagiri Kshetram is listed among the important temples that have become landmarks of Anantapur, and it is known for its 39 ft height monolithic Hanuman statue. The scale of a single carved figure is the reason to come.
Combine it with the other temple landmarks in the city if you are working through them in one stretch.
6. Sri Lakshmi Chennakesava Swamy Temple, Old Town
This temple in the Old Town is one of the temples under the management of the Endowments Department. Visiting it takes you into the older part of the city rather than the highway edge.
Pair it with the other Endowments Department temples — Sri Kasivisweswara & Kodanda Rama Swamy Temples, Sri Virupakeshwara & Obuleswara Swamy Temple, Sri Peta Basaveswara Swamy Temple and Sri Rama Swamy temple — since they are administered together and sit within the same tradition.
7. Arts College
The Arts College stands in the centre of town and is noted for its ancient architecture. It is a short, worthwhile look if you are already walking the centre.
Fold it into the same outing as the Clock Tower, since both are in the middle of town.
8. Shivakoti Temple
Shivakoti Temple is named among the important temples that have become landmarks of Anantapur. It belongs on a temple-focused day rather than a general sightseeing loop.
Group it with Harihara Temple, Sri Anjanayaswamy Temple and Musalamma Katta, which are listed alongside it as landmark temples.
9. Anantapur Cricket Ground
The Anantapur Cricket Ground sits within a 40-acre complex managed by the Rural Development Trust (RDT). Anantapur has hosted Ranji Trophy matches and other regional tournaments, and the Irani Cup was hosted here in 1963–64.
Check locally whether a match or practice session is on before you go, since the ground is a working sports facility rather than a monument.
10. Rafael Nadal Tennis School
The Rafael Nadal Tennis School was opened in October 2010 and hosts district, state and national-level tournaments, with equal emphasis on children's education and tennis training. It is part of the Anantapur Sports Village (ASV), located alongside National Highway 7.
Visit as part of the wider sports complex rather than as a standalone attraction.
11. BlooMoon Restaurant
BlooMoon Restaurant is on NH-7 towards Gooty from Anantapur and is an outdoor restaurant. It works as a meal stop on a highway day rather than a destination in the city itself.
It pairs naturally with the ISKCON Temple and the Anantapur Sports Village, both of which are also on the highway side of town.
12. Uggani and the local table
Uggani is a very popular breakfast in Anantapur. Millets such as jowar, bajra and ragi are the food grains mostly used in daily foods, and peanuts are consumed widely — in chutney, in chikki, and as a snack, boiled and roasted.
Start a morning with uggani and pick up peanut chikki for the road; it is the most portable of the local foods.
If you only have one day
Morning. Begin at the Clock Tower in the centre of town, then walk to the Arts College nearby to see its ancient architecture. Have uggani for breakfast, and pick up peanuts or chikki for later.
Afternoon. Move to the temple landmarks: Sri Mounagiri Kshetram and its 39 ft monolithic Hanuman statue, then Cheruvu Katta, where the Shirdi Sai Baba, Ayyappa, Ganesh and Hanuman Temples are all located in one place. If time allows, continue to Sarada Temple at SaradaNagar for a quiet pause.
Evening. Head out on National Highway No. 7 to the ISKCON Temple at Hare Krishna Land, Somuladoddi, and stop for a meal at BlooMoon Restaurant on the way towards Gooty.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of year to visit Anantapur?
The dry and mild winter runs from late November to early February, with little humidity and average temperatures around 22–23 °C. Summer starts in late February and peaks in May with average highs around 37 °C, and the monsoon arrives in September and lasts until early November.
How do I reach Anantapur?
The city is on National Highway 44, which connects it to Bangalore to the south and Hyderabad to the north, and National Highway 205 connects it to Chennai via Renigunta. It also has a railway station, classified as an A-category station in the Guntakal railway division. The nearest international airport is Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru.
What should I eat in Anantapur?
Uggani is a very popular breakfast. Millets such as jowar, bajra and ragi are the food grains mostly used in daily foods, and peanuts appear widely in chutney, in chikki, and as a boiled or roasted snack.
Is the Clock Tower area easy to get through right now?
The railway overbridge near the Clock Tower, which connects the Newtown, is in demolition and closed until a new four-lane flyover is functional, so plan your route into the centre with that in mind.
Decide your dates around the mild winter window, then build the day around the Clock Tower, the temple landmarks and the highway-side stops.