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Nallamala Hills, Markapuram district, Andhra Pradesh · 15.0886°, 79.2017°
A group of eight inscribed rock-cut cave shrines cut from a single formation in the Nallamala Hills, dated to the 7th–8th century and compared with the rock-cut work at Mahabalipuram; each cave carries a Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva grouping, alongside life-size dvarapalas, carved lions and Harihara figures, with a 200 m waterfall beside the site. Mahasivaratri and Kartika Purnima draw large pilgrim crowds.
What follows is the temple’s own traditional account, transmitted through liturgy and local memory. It is recorded here as tradition, not as attested history.
Local tradition traces the name to a shepherd, Kalabhairava Kondayya, who made a vow to the deity during a drought.
coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-27 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Undetermined
Answers only from cited records
Opening the line…