Located around 136 km from Tirupati on the banks of River Penna, Nellore is best known for the Ranganatha Temple, dedicated to Lord Ranganatha. The sanctum sanctorum houses a 10-ft-long idol of the lord reclining on Adisesha, along with his consorts, Goddess Sridevi and Bhudevi. Another attraction is the Udayagiri Fort that is perched at a height of 3,000 ft. A series of steps lead one into this fort that echoes with its former grandeur. Tourists can also visit the Mypadu Beach, a pristine stretch of golden sand that invites visitors for its serene surroundings. Nellore is home to a famous rocket launching centre at Sriharikota. It also holds some appeal for spiritual travellers as it is dotted with many temples.
Nellore was known as Vikrama Simhapuri until the 13th century. It is the capital of the Sri Potti Sri Ramulu Nellore district. The main occupation in the district is paddy cultivation and hence the name Nellore (Nelli in Tamil means rice). Initially a part of the erstwhile Madras, Nellore became a part of Andhra Pradesh in 1956.