Nellore: Coast, Culture and Nature
Accommodation in Nellore
Coastlines, river landscapes, temples and historic crafts give Nellore many different faces. Mypadu Beach lies on the Bay of Bengal; inland, the Penna River, wooded areas and hills shape some of the described excursion destinations. When choosing a holiday apartment, it is therefore worth first considering whether you would like to focus your stay on beach walks, nature watching or culture.
Coast and nature around Nellore
Mypadu Beach lies on the east coast in Nellore district. You can take walks along the shore; the clear, calm water is also mentioned as suitable for swimming. Kothakoduru Beach offers sea views that are ideal for photography and walks in nature. These two coastal experiences offer different highlights: Mypadu Beach focuses on the shore and water, while Kothakoduru is particularly interesting for its sea views and nature photography.
The Somasila Dam reveals a different landscape. It was built on the Penna River near the village of Somasila in Ananthasagaram Mandal and is surrounded by the Eastern Ghats and a rich variety of natural flora and fauna. The Kandaleru Dam is also surrounded by gentle hills and is well suited to relaxation and photography. Those seeking hilly landscapes rather than the coast will find a different focus for their trip at these places.
Around Udayagiri, lush green hills and scenic waterfalls shape the surroundings of the fort. Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary in Doravani Sathram Mandal was designated a bird sanctuary in 1976. It is a breeding ground for the black-headed ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus), the Asian openbill (Anastomus oscitans), the black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) and the little cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger). The landscape and wildlife thus offer their own reason to include nature destinations in your travel plans.
Temples, history and traditions
Several temples bring the region’s religious history to life. The Sri Talpagiri Ranganadha Swamy Temple is located in Nellore and is more than 600 years old. The Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Kamakshi Tayee Temple was built in 1150 AD and is located on the north bank of the Pinakini River in Nellore district. At the foot of the Penchalakona Valley stands the Sri Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, one of the Nava Narasimha temples. Ten kilometres west of Nellore city, on the south bank of the Pinakini, lies the Sri Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple. Seven tirthas named after sages are located 500 metres from this temple in a dense forest.
The festival dates also vary: the annual Brahmotsavam at the Penchalakona Temple is celebrated for five days in April or May. The Brahmotsavams at the Sri Vedagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple take place every year in May. In Nellore, the Bara Shaheed Dargah commemorates twelve martyrs. During the annual three-day Rottela Panduga, people exchange rotis at Nellore Tank as a religious practice.
The outdoor gallery at the Nellore Archaeological Museum displays sculptures and archaeological objects from the Satavahana period of the 2nd century BC as well as from the post-Vijayanagara period of the 17th century AD. Udayagiri wooden cutlery is another expression of regional culture: finely carved spoons, forks, knives and bowls are part of a rare traditional art form. This craft, which is around 150 years old, has been passed down from craftsperson to craftsperson over generations. Paturu, in turn, is known for handwoven saris; a distinctive feature is dyeing the yarn on the loom.
The Pinakini Satyagraha Ashram, also known as Gandhi Ashram, was founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1921 and served as a centre for non-violent resistance and social reform. The District Science Centre Nellore, founded in 2016, complements the cultural themes with exhibitions on physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and environmental science. Workshops, seminars and other events are also held there regularly.
Getting there and other local pages
Nellore lies on the Chennai–Kolkata National Highway. Nellore railway station is connected by rail to other major cities in India and lies on the Vijayawada–Gudur route, which is part of the Howrah–Chennai and Delhi–Chennai main lines. If you would like to plan your stay around the coast, nature or culture, these different themes may help you choose a base. More local pages: Nellore, Allur, Kovur, Gudali and Tada.
For the broader travel overview: Andhra Pradesh.
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