We came back by 7:00 PM back to the hotel after visiting Belum Caves & Yaganti Temple & Caves. We had dinner in the restaurant itself, attached to the hotel.

Next day, we woke up by 05:30 am, to cover the two most amazing and unexplored Tadipatri Temples, before leaving for Gandikota by 11:00 AM.

First visit was to Bugga Ramalingeshwara Temple.

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Located on the banks of River Penna, built in 15^th Century by Ramalinga Nayudu, Chieftain of the Saluva Dynasty, belonging to the Vijayanagara Period. As per the records, the Sculptor Yellanchari was brought from Benaras to construct the Temple.

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The temple got its name due to the perennial underground stream that keeps flowing (Bugga in Telugu), this water is also collected by devotees. The Architecture has mixture of Chalukyan, Chola & Vijayanagar Art. The Mahadwara Gopuram is huge and incomplete. If it had been complete, it would have been one of the tallest Gopura. Miniature carvings of Shiva Purana is carved on the walls of the temple.

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There are Nandis, big and small one outside the Mahadwara and one more Nandi located in the Prakara area adjacent to the River Penna facing the Garba Griha.

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The interior are of the Gopuram is ornately carved, it is a delight to watch such beautiful carvings.

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Next visit was Shri Chintala Venkataramana Swamy Temple.

This is a 6th Century temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Venkataramana Swamy. This temple was built by the Timma Naidu, Son of the Chieftian of Vijayanagara Kingdom, Ramalinga Naidu. Located at 1 km from Bugga Ramalingeshwara Temple, easily approachable in 5 mins.

This temple is very similar to Vithala Temple of Hampi in terms of ground plan and characteristic Vijayanagara style. There is a huge Mahadwara Gopuram, next to it, comes the Dhwajasthamba followed by Stone Chariot, Mukha Mandapam, Natya Mandapam and lastly Garba Griha.

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Main attraction for me, was the Black Stone Chariot. Although it is less famous and smaller than the Hampi Chariot, this one is ornately carved. There are rotating wheels and horses are also sculpted in front facing the temple. This Chariot is older than the Hampi Chariot maybe called as Prototype.

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Both Chariots are dedicated to Garuda, Vahana of Lord Vishnu. The Mukha Mandapa has beautiful 40 pillars of varying sizes and in different designs, characteristic of Vijayanagara Architecture. Complex houses two more shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu’s Consort Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Anjaneya. There is a secret underground passage which is supposed to lead to Gooty Fort, currently closed by ASI.

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The entire outer walls of Garbhagriha is carved with Ramayana episodes, Krishna Purana and Dashavtar stories. Easily recognisble and considered as one of the best way the stories are portrayed on the wall.

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Both these temples are must visit for any person who loves the temple architecture, Telangana Tourism should actively promote this area. Indeed, this was the most spectacular visit of this trip for me!

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On the way to hotel, we had breakfast. A small hotel, but scrumptious breakfast. We came back to hotel, checked out and left for Gandikota by 12:00 noon.