On the seventh peak of the Tirumala hills, the temple of Lord Venkateswara is one of the most visited places of worship in the world, drawing tens of thousands of pilgrims a day. Its gold-plated vimana, the Ananda Nilayam, rises over the sanctum, and offering one's hair is a common vow here. Darshan requires booking or long queues, and the laddu prasadam is famous.

On the banks of the Swarnamukhi river, Srikalahasti is one of the five great Shiva temples representing the elements, standing for air: a lamp in the sanctum flickers though no breeze can reach it. The temple's great rajagopuram was built by the Vijayanagara king Krishnadevaraya. It is famous for the Rahu-Ketu puja performed for those under the influence of these planets.

The Varasiddhi Vinayaka temple at Kanipakam is one of the most famous Ganesha temples in South India, built in the 11th century by the Chola king Kulothunga I. The self-formed idol rests in a well, and devotees believe it keeps slowly growing. Oaths taken before the deity are traditionally considered binding.

Built by the Cholas and the Vijayanagara kings, the Kodandarama temple at Vontimitta is one of the largest Rama temples in Andhra Pradesh, with Rama, Sita and Lakshmana carved from a single rock. It is linked to the poet Bammera Potana, and its Sri Rama Navami wedding celebrations are held by moonlight.

The Uma Maheswara temple at Yaganti, built in the 15th century by the Vijayanagara kings, is set against red rock cliffs with natural caves. A stone Nandi in front is believed to be growing slowly, and a natural spring feeds the Pushkarini tank. The caves above hold shrines associated with the sage Agastya.

On the banks of the Tungabhadra, Mantralayam is home to the Brindavana of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, a 17th-century saint of the Madhva tradition who entered samadhi here in 1671. Pilgrims from across South India come to the Matha, and the annual Aradhana festival in August draws vast crowds.

Set high in the Nallamala hills above the Krishna river, the Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple at Srisailam is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva and also one of the Shakti Peethas. Its massive walls are carved with scenes from the epics. The town also looks out over the Srisailam dam and the forests of a tiger reserve.