Kollapur Papagni Mata Temple

Situated on the banks of the Krishna River in Kollapur town, within the scenic Nallamala forest area of Nagarkurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, this temple stands as a significant pilgrimage centre and a state heritage site.

The temple’s Dravidian architecture, rooted in the Chola period, reflects the grandeur of its origins, having been built by the Rajas of Jetprole (Jetprole Samsthan).

Devotees visiting the Kollapur Papagni Mata Temple can participate in a variety of poojas, including Abhishekam, Archana, Aarti, and Vahana Puja. Rituals are conducted in Telugu and Sanskrit, maintaining the traditional spiritual atmosphere.

The temple offers multiple darshan options: free darshan, special darshan, and VIP darshan, catering to the needs of all pilgrims.

The temple is open for darshan from 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM and again from 4:00 PM to 7:30 or 9:00 PM, making early mornings and evening aarti times especially recommended for a peaceful visit. The temple observes a traditional dress code.

Men are encouraged to wear mundu, dhoti, or kurta-pyjama, while jeans, shorts, and 3/4ths are discouraged. Women should opt for saree, half-saree, or a long skirt with blouse, with modest, traditional attire preferred to maintain the sanctity of the premises.

Major festivals celebrated here include Devi Navarathri/Dasara (September-October), Bonalu (July-August), Maha Shivaratri (February-March), and Shami Vruksha Pooja (September-October).

During these times, annadanam (free food) is provided, and devotees can partake in prasadam such as Pulihora, Curd Rice, Laddu/Boondi, and jaggery-based sweets. Reaching the temple is convenient from various cities.

From Hyderabad, one can take NH44 towards Bangalore, turning off at Jadcherla towards Nagarkurnool, and proceed to Kollapur (about 180 km, 4 hours). From Kurnool, the route is via Beechupalli – Nagarala – Kollapur (approximately 115 km).

The temple is a short auto-rickshaw ride or a 10-minute walk from Kollapur Bus Stand. The nearest railway stations are Mahbubnagar (110 km) and Kurnool City (115 km), while the closest airports are Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad (175 km) and Kurnool Airport (130 km).

Parking is available outside the temple complex, though it can be crowded on weekends and holidays. Photography is restricted inside the main sanctum, with mobile phones and cameras required to be deposited at designated counters.

For accommodation, devotees can choose from Haritha Hotel Somasila (9 km away), local private lodges in Kollapur, or basic rest houses and ashrams.

Nearby attractions include Somasila Temple, Kollapur Palace (Fort), Jatprole Madana Gopala Swamy Temple, and the Sangameshwara and Malleshwara Temples, making Kollapur Papagni Mata Temple a spiritual and cultural highlight of the region. For more information, visitors can refer to the official district website.