Sri Lakshmi Chenna Kesava Swamy Temple in markapur

This temple is the main attraction for tourists visiting this town. The temple galigopuram is very tall and can be seen 5 km away from the town.The unique feature of the temple is that every year, from 23 December to 3 January, the sun's rays at dawn enter the sanctum sanctorum, through specially placed windows, and fall at the feet of the deity making them glow for 20 minutes in a day.

The galigopuram was constructed in such a manner that the sunrays would pass through three holes in the Garudalwar mandir between 6.40 a.m. and 7 a.m. every day for 12 days from December 23. The rays falling at the centre of the Garudalwar mandir would reflect on the idols in the sanctum sanctorum making them glow with golden hues. An incredible architectural feat that speaks volumes of the expertise of the artisans of the sri krishna devaraya period. According to the legend, the Lord killed a demon by name Kesi, so he became known as Kesava here. As the Lord was strikingly beautiful and accompanied by his consort Lakshmi,he was worshipped here as Lakshmi Chenna Kesava Swamy.

Every year during the month of March and April, there will be a mela for more than 10 days, at that time it is assumed that at least 100,000 people visit the temple. There is a big teru(Car) where they take the utsav statue of the god during this ceremony. Recently they have demolished the old Car and constructed a new car.

Other temples
Apart from Lakshmi Chenna Kesava Temple, there are some other famous temples in Markapur.

1. Ammavarisala (Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Temple)
2. Ayyappa Swamy Temple
3. Shiva Temple
4. Saibaba Swamy Temple
5. Ramulavari temple, Gandhi bazzar
6. Venkateswara swamy temple near gundlakamma river (on the way to "Vemulakota")(1 km away from markapur)
7. Sri Nrisimha Swamy temple - on a hill (on the way to "Kondepally")(2–3 km away from Markapur)
8. Saibaba satsangam temple near SVKP college
9. Poleramma Temple (on the way to "Tarlupadu")(3–4 km away from markapur)
10. Sri baktha anjayanya swamy (L.B.S nagar)
11. Satyanarayanaswamy temple near market
12. Bangaramma Talli Temple (near Chenna Kesava Swamy temple)
13. Sri Ramalayam temple (Beside LIC office lane)
14. Sri Anjaneya swamy temple ( Cumbum road)

Some other great temples which are not famous in Markapur.

1. Pothuluri Veerabrahmendra Swamy Temple near srinivasa theatre
2. Raghavendra Swamy Temple near market
3. Dattatreya Swamy Temple, market road
4. Hanuman Temple, cumbum road
5. Venkachamma Temple, jawaharnagar colony
6. Vinayaka Temple, near Ammavarisala
7. Rama Swamy Temple, near Ammavarisala

Source:-->http://en.wikipedia.org