History Of The District : Anantapur District was formed in the year 1882 having been separated from Bellary district.Later on, it was expanded with the addition of Revenue Mandals of Kadiri,Mudigubba,Nallamada,N.P.Kunta,Talupula,Nallacheruvu, O.D.Cheruvu,Tanakal,Amadagur and Gandlapenta (previous Kadiri Taluk)from Cuddapah District in the year 1910. During the year 1956,the present Revenue Mandals of Rayadurg, D.Hirehal,Kanekal,Bommanahal and Gummagatta of Bellary District were added to Anantapur District.The District has been divided into 3 Revenue Divisions consisting of 63 Revenue Mandals (Anantapur Division 20, Dharmavaram Division 17 and Penukonda Division 26).

History Of The City Anantapur got its name from “Anantasaagaram” which was built by Sri. Chikka Vodaya, a minister of Vijayanagaram ruler Bukka Rayalu. Anantapur was well known as “Hande Anantapuram” (Hande means Chief). Hanumappa Naidu who was the ruler of Vijayanagar gifted Anantapur to Hande family .
Subsequently it changed hands from the Qutub Shahis, Mughals, and the Nawabs of Cuddapah, although the Hande chiefs continued to rule as their subordinates. There after it was occupied by the Palergar of Bellary during the time of Ramappa but was eventually won back by his son Siddappa. Morari Rao Ghorpade attacked Anantapur in 1757. Though the army resisted for some time, Siddappa ultimately bought off the enemy for Rs.50,000. After that Hyder Ali and his warrior son Tippu Sultan possessed it. Except Siddappa Tipu Sultan hanged all the male members of his family. Siddappa escaped from Srirangapatnam’s confinement. Siddappa got it into his clutches after Tippu Sultan’s regime Later Nizam took total control of the area. After that British occupied the territory.

Places Of Tourist importance :

GUGUDU:

The village in Narpala Mandal is at a distance of 29 kms from Anantapur and is situated among the Mutchukota Hills. It is known for its Moharum Festival and Sri Kullai Swamy is the name of the much venerated saint. Barren women are said to become fertile by paying a visit to the shrine. Fire walking ceremony is conducted on the night of the 11th day of Moharrum. There is also Sri Anjaneya Swamy Temple near by the abode of Sri Kullai Swamy Chavidi.

KASAPURAM: The place is about 4 kms north of Guntakal and is known for the temple of Nettikanti Veera Anjaneya Swamy. Hindu pilgrims from several parts of Anantapur, Kurnool and Bellary districts congregate here in large number specially on Saturdays and worship the deity, besides performing marriages and tonsure ceremonies. Even Muslims of the surrounding areas visit the place and make their offerings to this deity. A huge procession is taken out once in a year on the day next to the Telugu New Year Day.

PENNAAHOBILAM: This place situated at a distance of 35kms. from Anantapur is an uninhabited village known for its Temple of "Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy" popularly called as "Degurla Narasimha Swamy". This place is an important pilgrim center in the District and the Car Festival on the fifth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Vaisakam (April-May) will be largely attended by devotees even from the neighboring Districts and the Karnataka State. The temple is constructed on a hillock of 30 feet height. The main shrine consists of gigantic foot mark of 5'x3', believed to be the foot print of Lord Narasimha. Vows are fulfilled and marriages and tonsure ceremonies are performed frequently at this shrine. The temple of Lakshmi, the lords consort is situated by the side of the main shrine. There is a spring channel in the temple known as "Bugga Koneru".

PUTTAPARTHY: This village is on the banks of Chitravathi situated at a distance of about 29kms. from Penukonda. It is the abode of Puttaparthy Sri Sathya Sai Baba, drawing devoted disciples from all over the world. There is Prasanthi Nilayam (an Ashram) constructed by the Devotees. The Baba is credited with acute powers. On Sivarathri, on the birth day of the Baba and particularly during Dasara, quite a large number of devotees visit the palce.A beautiful mantapa by name" Poornachandra" is constructed in which a large number of Baba devotees would assemble and perform "Bhajana" on festival days.

GOOTY FORT: Gooty fort is majistically located at a distance of 52kms from Anantapur at a height of 300mts on a hill. It is one of the oldest hill forts in A.P. Built during the Vijayanagara era, the fort is uniquely built in the shape of a shell with 15 main doors and is significant for its water resources available at such a height.

SRI KADIRI LAXMI NARASIMHA SWAMY TEMPLE: Kadiri is the holy shrine where Lord Vishnu set foot and handed over the Utsavamoorthis to Brugu Maharshi for his daily worship. Special Poojas are performed during Dassera and Sakranthi. There are several sacred thirthas connected to the Temple.

THIMMAMMA MARRIMANU : It is an amazing 550-year-old banyan tree that is mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Records for its enormous size.

ANAANTHASAGARM : Anantasagaram is an old reservoir in Anantapur. In fact, the city derived its name from the same tank. Acclaimed as one of the biggest reservoirs in the district, Anantasagaram occupies an area of 2,511 acres in Anantapur and Bukkarayasamudram. A fraction of the tank is known as 'Musalammakatta' and it is said to be named after Musalamma (a lady from Bukkarayasamudram), who sacrificed herself to seal the breach in the tank.