1. Bonthapally

Name: Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, Bonthapally
Deities: Lord Veerabhadra Swamy and Badrakali
Location: Medak District, Andhra Pradesh

About 40km away from the city of Hyderabad, there is a village named Bonthapally. This village is situated in Zinnaram Mandal of Medak District in Andhra Pradesh. There is a famous temple of Lord Veerabhadra Swamy in this village.

Many people from twin cities and from distant places visit this place and receive the blessings of Lord Veerabhadra. There are facilities available for pilgrims to stay here. APSRTC is running buses to this temple from Secunderabad Jubilee Bus Stand. There is a committee established to look after the temple management. Priests of Jangama and Thambali castes serve the lord here.

According to the legend, long time ago there was only the small temple of Sri Veerabhadra Swamy in Bonthapally. One night a shepherd was passing through in front of that temple. He heard someone is calling and turned back and saw Lord Veerabhadra Swamy. He was shocked. Lord said to the man that he does not like the place of the temple and he wanted it to be shifted to another place. So he asked the shepherd to carry him on his shoulder to another location until he is tired. Then the shepherd carried the lord on his shoulder and walked to about a kilometer and placed him where the current temple is located. Then the Lord asked the shepherd to go to his home without turning back and if he turns he will become a statue. The shepherd went accordingly, but after walking to some distance, due to enthusiasm he turned back and became statue. This statue is still there in this village. Lord then came in dream of a preist and the village heads and said them to build a temple for him at that place. Now a big temple is located at this new place.