Legend has it that Arjuna, of the epic Mahabharata, prayed on top of Indrakiladri hill and won the blessings from Lord Shiva. The name of 'Vijayawada' is derived from this 'Vijaya' - victory. Kanaka Durga, goddess of power, riches and benevolence is considered the presiding deity of Vijayawada. The temple is set on Indrakiladri hill. A temple of Lord Maheswara is also within the city area. It is said that Adi Sankara visited this temple and installed Sri Chakra here. Special celebrations are held during Dussehra festival. At the Kanakadurga temple, the enchanting four-foot high icon of the deity gleams into sight even before one enters the garbha griha.

Madurai is one of the oldest cities of southern India. It has been a centre of learning and pilgrimage, for centuries. Legend has it, that the divine nectar falling from Lord Shiva's locks, gave the city its name - Madhurapuri, now known as Madurai.

Madurai's history dates back to over 2000 years ago, when it was the capital of the Pandyan kings. In the 10th century AD, Madurai was captured by the Chola emperors.

Chithirai festival held during March-April, celebrates the marriage of Shree Meenakshi to Lord Sundereswara. On the occasion, an elaborately decorated chariot bearing the images of the divine couple, is taken around the city. The resounding notes of the nadaswaram and the drums, creates a vibrant ambience. Avanimoola festival is held in late August-early September, when temple cars are drawn around the streets of Madurai.

There is an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. The temple at Basar is also the abode of Goddess Lakshmi and Kali. The current structure dates back to the Chalukya period.

Local legends suggest that Maharshi Vyasa the author of Mahabharata came to the forests of Dandakaryana to meditate. He began meditating on the banks of the River Godavari and found the place to be very peaceful. The divine mother is believed to have appeared before the sage and ordained him to build temples for the Shakti trio: Maha Saraswati, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Kali. The sage Veda Vyasa did so by bringing three handfuls of sand and sculpts out the figures. This place was initially named after Vyasa and was called "Vyasapuri". Later on it got corrupted to Vasara and ultimately Basara / Basar.

Bhadrachalam is famous throughout India for its temple of Sri Seetaramachandra Swamy. Situated on the left bank of the mighty river Godavari. It is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus, as it is considered to be one of the greatest holy shrines in South India with a historical background. On Sreeramanavami (marriage anniversary celebrations of Lord Rama and his consort Sitadevi) an estimated three lakh people congregate here to witness the holy "Kalyana Mahotsavam" marriage ceremony. The puranic and historic facts relate that Lord Rama long after he had shed his mortal coils manifested himself to save his devotee Bhadra Maharshi whom he promised 'moksha' after intensive prayer. That is why the village is named after Bhadra as Bhadradri or Bhadrachalam.

It is said that Sri rama appeared in a dream to a woman called Pokala Dammakka and informed her about the existence of idols on Bhadragiri hills. To her surprise she found the idols and put up a modest structure. This was the origin of the present temple.Later in the 17th century Gopanna commonly known as Ramdas had spent 6 lakhs of rupees to renovate the temple. He was the tahsildar in the court of Abul Hassan Tanashah and the money he spent for renovating the temple was the revenue collected by him. Instead of remitting the money to the government treasury, he utilised the amount for the temple because of which he was arrested. One can still see the cell where he was confined in the Golconda fort. At this juncture Sri rama himself appeared in Tanashah's dream produced a receipt which denoted payment of the amount back to the king in the shape of gold coins known as 'Ramanada' in 'Rama Tenki'.

Next morning the Sultan personally came to the cell where Ramdas was interned and released him. The Sultan was awe struck by this miracle and bestowed a number of gifts on Gopanna and also restored him to his position of Tahsildar. He also announced grants to the temple which continued under the Nizam's Government. Some of the jewels like Kalikiturai, Pachala Pathakam, Chintaku Pathakam, presented to Lord Rama and Sita by Ramadas are still preserved in the temple and they can be seen even now.