Madhavaraya Temple in Gorantla village is a popular destination for Lord Shiva devotees in Sri Sathya Sai district of Andhra Pradesh. It was built in 1354 CE during the reign of Vijayanagara King Narasimha Saluva. Currently, this temple is under the management of the Archaeological Survey of India.
The structure of this temple looks like a maha mandapam with magnificent massive pillars in a completely different style. These are carved with the dasa avatar of Lord Vishnu and other deities. The shrine consists of a pillared hall with carved ceilings within the walls. One of the carvings includes a small image of Devi Bhagavati.
The main attraction of this temple is the Maha Mandapam with inscriptions from the Ramayana on the pillars. The big step well in front of the temple is another remarkable addition to the compound. This is a temple of small size in the Vijayanagara style of the 14th century. The carved lion faces on the pillars also attract visitors.
The outer walls are plain and the dome is incomplete. A small step well is also present but filled with dirty and stagnant water. It also has a drawing of Lord Ganesha on its surface. Although the skill of carving is average on the pillars, the rusty and dark walls give an authentic touch to the temple. While the sanctum sanctorum has only a small replacement statue, the ceiling has a fine motif. It is a protected monument and, remarkably, the locals keep it resting.
You can visit the Madhavaraya Temple in Gorantla in Andhra Pradesh through direct bus available from Anantapur Bus Station. From Tirupati, this temple is 210 km. There is a direct bus facility from Tirupati to Anantapur. The temple is 49 km from Kadiri town. The nearest railway station is at Kadiri, which is a 3-hour 39-minute train journey from Tirupati.
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