Ananthapur represents true blend of history and modernity on one side, pilgrimage and forts on the other. The whole district is known for its silk trade in the modern industry and at the same time, Lepakshi temple is talked about.

Puttaparthi, the home of Shri Satya Sai Baba is in the same district. The place is also known for its famous historic forts like - Gooty Fort, Rayadurg Fort, Hemavathi, Penukonda Fort.

Ananthapur district is known for its rich, grand and famous tourist centres worth a visit. One such tourist centre is Thimmamma Marrimanu/Gutibayalu. It is 35 km. away from Kadiri.

To the pride of India, the "Marrimanu" is recorded as the biggest tree in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1989. The tree comprises nearly 1100 prop roots and according to the Botanical survey of India, Bangalore, the age of the tree is about 550 years.

Gooty Fort 
Gooty fort is one of the oldest hill forts of Andhra Pradesh. It is steeped in history from the reign of Ashoka to the Britishers. The fort is situated at mandal headquarters of Gooty which is 45 km. from Ananthapur.

The fort is built in the shape of a shell and has 15 forts with 15 main doors (Mukhadwaralu) in the inside. The fort has Aswa, Baja and Vyayama salalu. The wonderful thing of the fort is having water resources in such a height. A historian by name Wills has opined that "only drought and cheating" can ruin the fort.

Rayadurg Fort 
The Rayadurg fort played a great role in the history of Vijayanagara Empire. The fort has many inner forts and is inaccessible for enemies to attack. It is built at a height of 2727 ft.from sea level. Another important sight seeing is " Dasabhuja Ganapathi" ( Ganapathi statue with ten shoulders) temple. It was carved out from a 4 mt. high monolithic stone. ‘Dasabhuja Ganapathi’ statue is the witness for beautiful "Shilpakala" of olden days.
The Rayadurg fort is 90 km. far from Ananthapur and 25 km. from Bellary of Karnataka. APSRTC operates its services from Ananthapur to Rayadurg.

Hemavathi
Situated to the west of Kodikonda, Hemavathi is about 25 km. from Madakasira, and about 10 km. fromAmarapuram. The village stands on an extensive mound and was a town of considerable importance between the 8th and 10th century AD under the Nolamba Pallavas when it was known as Henjeri. Hemavathi represents the two architectural features in which the Nolamba craftsmen show a high order of excellence. These relate to the temple pillars and the use of pierced stone windows. The pillars in the Doddeswara shrine are fine examples of the clean base moulding and delicate decorations. There is inscriptional evidence to show that Rajendra, the Chola monarch, took away not less than 44 pillars to decorate the temple at Thiruvedi where the intricate carvings and massive pillars are of polished black stone. The stone used in making the idols sound like metal when struck and is also remarkably transparent. 

The large stone used in the low roofed Doddeswara temple have been intricately carved. A Nandi of dark granite, 8 ft. in length and 4ft.in height is at the entrance. The wall at a number of places has been ornamented by carved human figures. Scenes from the Ramayan and the Mahabharath are carved on the pillars in the enclosed porch of the temple. There is a 6 ft. "Lingam" in the Sanctum. In the Siddeswara temple, Siva is not represented in the usual form of Lingam but his figure has been carved out in a sitting posture as if engaged in penance. The other temples in the place also exhibit skilled workmanship.

The Archeological department has constructed a museum and preserved idols of Archeological importance. The place has got A.P.S.R.T.C. bus facilities from Madakasira, Amarapuram and Hindupur.

Puttaparthi

Puttaparthi or Prasanthinilayam is famous worldwide. Prasanthi nilayam means the abode of peace. Devotees from all over the world visit the shrine to attain peace. 

Sri Satya Sai Baba, the God incarnate has taken recourse at this sacred place. Service to Humanity is Service to Divinity is the basic concept that guides and runs Sri Satya Sai Baba Trust. The trust under the guidance of Baba have taken up and carried out successfully, several acts of philanthropy. Notable amongst them is the Drinking Water Project in the entire Ananthapur district instituted by the Trust and managed successfully providing much relief to the dry-belt in the district. 

Yet another notable project undertaken by the Trust is the Super Specialty Hospital. This Hospital provides free medical aid to the needy and the under privileged. 

The trust also runs an educational institution with deemed varsity status. The curriculum in this Institution is unique which includes spiritual teachings and discipline as a way of life, which are taught concurrently with academics. 

All religious faiths visit this Srine and all are treated alike. All the festivals are celebrated. On Baba's birthday, pilgrims from all over the world numbering in millions gather at this place to have his blessings.

The monuments housed in Prasanthinilayam are unique by their very appearance. All the buildings around the main Shrine reminds one of the ancient Indian heritage. 

Museum
With a view to provide delight to the devotees, a museum is instituted on a nearby hillock. The museum contains models of various temple structures including the Golden temple of Amritsar, the Holy Mecca temple, etc. The story of Satya Sai Baba right from his birth to the time he attains Nirvana is also depicted in the form of pictures. It is certain that a visit to the museum will fill one with immense pleasure.

Planetarium
The interests of pilgrims and visitors are very much taken care of at this Srine. For the benefit of pilgrims and other visitors a planetarium is also established within the premises of Prasanthinilayam.

The other notable feature is that mostly devotees who volunteer to provide service at the Institution manage the affairs of the Srine. They are well disciplined, they remain dressed in uniforms, provide all possible assistance to the pilgrim traffic in addition to maintaining silence, cleanliness/sanitation apart from serving the devotees. Absolute silence is maintained at the main hall when Baba gives Darshan to the devotees.

Sri Sathya Sai Institute Of Medical Higher Sciences
Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba had, in his infinite kindness, envisioned theestablishment of a state-of-the-art facility, where medical care of the highest standard could be bestowed on the suffering humanity, free of charge, irrespective of caste, creed, nationality and status. Thus blossomed the "Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences" which is described as a shimmering new building that blends the magnificence of St. Peter’s in Rome and a Maharaja’s palace and which was constructed and made operational in November, 1991, in less than one year after its conception.

Sri Sathya Sai Institute Of Higher Learning
The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning was founded on November 22, 1981, by Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. An autonomous body, it has been recognized by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, and the University Grants Commission (UGC). 

Air : The nearest airport is at Bangalore (152 km.) which is airlinked with Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar, Mumbai, Calcutta, Delhi, Chennai, Nagpur and Visakhapatnam. 

Rail :The nearest rail head is Ananthapur on the Hyderabad- Bangalore broad gauge line. Nandyal and Kurnool on the same line are also convenient rail heads. 

Road : Ananthapur is well connected by APSRTC buses with Hyderabad, Mahaboobnagar, Nalgonda, Devorkonda, Guntur, Vijayawada, Kurnool, Ongole, Mahanandi, Mantralayam, Tirupati and Chitradurg among other places.