SOUTH COAST RAILWAY TOURISM PORTAL

Discover Divine Andhra Along SCoR Tracks

Temples, Heritage & Natural Wonders across the South Coast Railway Zone

 

Sacred Temples of the SCoR Zone

From ancient Jyotirlingas to magnificent Vijayanagara shrines — each temple tells a story of devotion, artistry, and timeless faith.

 

SRI VENKATESWARA TEMPLE

Tirumala · Tirupati, Chittoor District

World's richest and most-visited temple. Lord Venkateswara (Balaji) atop Seshachalam hills at 853 m. Receives 50,000–100,000 devotees daily.

• Nearest Station: Tirupati (TPTY)
• Distance from Stn.: 22 km (APSRTC bus)
• Special Trains: Sapthagiri / Tirumala Exp.
• Darshan Booking: tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in

KANAKA DURGA TEMPLE

Vijayawada · Krishna District

Presiding deity of Vijayawada, perched atop Indrakeeladri Hill above the Krishna River. The Dasara Navaratri draws millions of pilgrims.

• Nearest Station: Vijayawada (BZA)
• Distance from Stn.: 4–5 km (10 min)
• Timings: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Key Festival: Dasara Navaratri

MALLIKARJUNA SWAMY TEMPLE

Srisailam · Nandyal District

Rare dual-sacred status — one of 12 Jyotirlingas and one of 18 Shakti Peethas. Perched on Nallamala hills above the Krishna River.

• Nearest Station: Markapur Road (MRK)
• Distance from Stn.: ~80 km via bus
• Timings: 5:30 AM – 10:00 PM
• Key Festival: Maha Shivaratri

SIMHACHALAM TEMPLE

Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy · Visakhapatnam

One of the 18 Narasimha Kshetras; the deity is always covered in sandalwood paste, revealed only on Akshaya Tritiya. A magnificent Kalinga-style temple atop Simhachalam hill, 16 km from Vizag city.

• Nearest Station: Visakhapatnam (VSKP)
• Distance from Stn.: ~18 km
• Timings: 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM
• Architecture: Kalinga Style (11–12th C)
 

SRI VARASIDHI VINAYAKA TEMPLE

Kanipakam · Chittoor District

A miraculous Swayambhu (self-manifested) idol of Lord Ganesha that is believed to grow in size each year.

• Nearest Station: Chittoor (CTO)
• Distance from Stn.: ~12 km by bus/auto
• Timings: 4:00 AM – 9:30 PM
• Key Festival: Brahmotsavam

SRI KALAHASTI TEMPLE

Srikalahasteeswara · Tirupati District

One of the Pancha Bhuta Stalas (Air element). The 36.5 m Vijayanagara gopuram is architecturally peerless. Famous for Rahu-Ketu Shanti puja.

• Nearest Station: Srikalahasti (SKLM)
• Distance from Stn.: 2 km (walkable)
• Timings: 6:00 AM – 8:30 PM
• Special Puja: Rahu-Ketu Shanti

 

LEPAKSHI VEERABHADRA SWAMY TEMPLE

Lepakshi · Sri Sathya Sai District

A UNESCO-recognized masterpiece of Vijayanagara architecture with stunning frescoes, a famous Hanging Pillar, a colossal monolithic Nandi.

• Nearest Station: Hindupur (HUP)
• Distance from Stn.: ~14 km by auto/bus
• Timings: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Famous For: Hanging Pillar + Murals

 

SRI VEERA VENKATA SATYANARAYANA SWAMY TEMPLE

Annavaram - Kakinada District

It is uniquely dedicated to Lord Satyanarayana Swamy along with his consort Goddess Anantha Lakshmi and Lord Shiva on a single peetham (pedestal).

• Nearest Station: Annavaram (ANV)
• Distance from Stn.: ~3 km via bus
• Timings: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
 

AHOBILAM NARASIMHA SWAMY

Nava Narasimha Kshetra · Nandyal District

The only place where Lord Narasimha appears in all 9 forms — each in a separate temple across the Nallamala hills.

• Nearest Station: Nandyal (NDL)
• Distance from Stn.: ~60–70 km via bus
• Timings: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Best Season: Oct – March
 

ARASAVALLI SURYANARAYANARA TEMPLE

Srikakulam District · North Andhra

One of only two Sun temples in South India. The rising sun's rays fall directly on the deity twice a year.

• Nearest Station: Srikakulam Road (CHE)
• Distance from Stn.: ~2 km
• Timings: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Festival: Ratha Saptami

 

MANGALAGIRI TEMPLE

Panakala Narasimha Swamy · Guntur District

Lord Narasimha here accepts only Panakam (jaggery water) as offering and is said to consume exactly half of it.

• Nearest Station: Mangalagiri (MGL)
• Distance from Stn.: ~2 km
• Timings: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Unique Feature: Half-Panakam Prasad

 

Nature & Heritage Attractions

Hill stations, gorges, caves, beaches, and wildlife — the SCoR zone is as breathtaking as it is sacred.

 

ARAKU VALLEY

Eastern Ghats · 910 m altitude

India's most scenic rail route — 58 tunnels, 84 bridges through lush forests. Coffee plantations and tribal museum.

• Nearest Station: Araku (ARKU)
• Train Service: Araku Express 58501
• Journey Time: ~5 hrs from VSKP
• Best Season: Oct – March

 

BORRA CAVES (Borra Guhalu)

Ananthagiri Hills · 705 m altitude

Largest caves in India with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. 150 Million Year Old Caves.

• Nearest Station: Borra Caves (BRCA)
• Distance from Stn.: ~1 km (walkable)
• Open Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Entry Fee: ₹40 Adults | ₹20 Child

 

PAPI KONDALU

Papikonda National Park · East Godavari

The Godavari river winds through spectacular gorges flanked by lush green hills. 2-day boat cruises available.

• Nearest Station: Rajahmundry (RJY)
• Cruise Duration: 2 days / 1 night
• Best Season: Oct – February
• Operator: APTDC Rajahmundry

 

Complete Quick Reference

Destination	Deity / Type	District	Nearest Station	Code	Distance
Simhachalam Temple	Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha	Visakhapatnam	Visakhapatnam	VSKP	~18 km
Srisailam Temple	Mallikarjuna (Jyotirlinga)	Nandyal	Markapur Road	MRK	~80 km
Sri Venkateswara Temple	Venkateswara (Vishnu)	Tirupati	Tirupati	TPTY	22 km
Sri Kalahasti Temple	Srikalahasteeswara	Tirupati	Srikalahasti	SKLM	2 km
Lepakshi	Veerabhadra (Shiva)	Sri Sathya Sai	Hindupur	HUP	~14 km
Ahobilam	9 Forms of Narasimha	Nandyal	Nandyal	NDL	~60–70 km
Kanipakam Temple	Varasidhi Vinayaka	Chittoor	Chittoor	CTO	~12 km
Kanaka Durga Temple	Kanaka Durga	NTR / Krishna	Vijayawada Jn.	BZA	4–5 km
Arasavalli Sun Temple	Suryanarayana	Srikakulam	Srikakulam Road	CHE	~2 km
Mangalagiri Temple	Panakala Narasimha	Guntur	Mangalagiri	MGL	~2 km
Araku Valley	Scenic Hill Station	Visakhapatnam	Araku	ARKU	At dest.
Borra Caves	Limestone Caves	Visakhapatnam	Borra Caves	BRCA	~1 km
Papi Kondalu	Godavari Gorge	East Godavari	Rajahmundry	RJY	~8 km

Travel Tips & Helplines

Best Time to Visit
October to February offers the most pleasant weather across all destinations. March–April is manageable for hill stations. Avoid May–June (extreme heat) and July–September (heavy monsoon on ghats).

Train Travel Tips
Book on IRCTC well in advance for Tirupati trains. The Araku Express (58501) is a must-ride scenic journey. Special TTD trains operate from Vijayawada & Chennai for Tirupati.

Key Helplines
Railway Enquiry: 139
RPF (Safety): 182
APTDC: 1800-425-2525
TTD Tirupati: 0877-2233333
AP Tourism: 0863-2340000

Temple Etiquette
Dress modestly (traditional attire preferred at major temples). Remove footwear before entering. Photography may be restricted inside sanctums. Book darshan tickets online for Tirupati to avoid long queues.