3days trip to Lepakshi, Gandikota fort , Indian grand canyon, Belum caves and Srisailam SEP 23
ARUN NAGALINGAM
Hi!
This is a 3 days trip invitation from a non profit group of equity trekking, who support in learning heritage & Trekking.
We are creating awareness on lesser known heritages in Andhrapradesh to general public, has planned a 3days trip to Lepakshi, Gandikota fort , Indian grand canyon,
Belum caves and Srisailam on actual cost basis.
Journey starts on Sep 23rd Evening 5.00 p.m.
Journey ends on Sep 27th Morning 7.00 a.m.
Approximate Expenses: Rs.4000/-
If you are interested to join with us please call us: 044-43512341 / 9941015030 / 9382106709
Things To do in Srisailam
Best Time to Visit Srisailam
October to February offers best climate for tourist activities and pilgrimage. The season is good to visit Srisailam Sanctuary. June to September is good for temple visits and short trips. Keep a watch on weather predictions and warnings.
Srisailam Dam
One of the main centers of attraction for the town, the Srisailam Dam is also one of the 12 largest hydroelectric projects in India and something one must not miss, while here.
Across the Krishna River and overlooking the Nallamala woods, is the sprawling Srisailam Dam. Built over the unforgiving verve of the River Krishna, the dam is nestled in a deep canyon, surrounded by forests and sceneries, finding home in the sound of gushing and falling water.
Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple Overview
On the southern bank of River Krishna, is a temple, the town Srisailam is known for. The Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, is the most celebrated temple of the town and finds it roots 6 centuries in history, when it was built by King Harihara Raya of Vijayanagar.
According
to the legend that the temple houses, Goddess Parvati cursed sage Bringi to
stand, as he only worshipped Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva, after consoling the
goddess, gave him a third leg, so that he could stand more comfortably. Find
the idol of sage Bringi standing on three legs here as well as idols of Nandi,
Sahasralinga and Nataraja.
The walls and pillars of the temples are also adorned by beautiful carvings and
sculptures. One of the most beautiful temples of the town, this is the one
sacred structure, located on the Nallamala hills, that one should not miss
while here.
Bhramaramba Devi Temple Overview
On the banks of River Krishna, over the Nallamala hills is the Bhramaramba Devi Temple, dedicated to Goddess Parvati. The complex is inside the Mallikarjuna Swamy temple itself.
Bhramaramba literally translates into 'Mother of bees', and is a form of Goddess Parvati, who took the form of a bee to worship Lord Shiva in one of his forms, Mallikarjuna. The temple is also one of the Shakti Peeths of India and finds itself immersed in immense festivity and a huge crowd of devotees on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.
Srisailam Tiger Reserve Overview
The total area of this tiger reserve is 3568 acres, making it one of the largest tiger reserves in India. Srisailam Dam and Nagarjunasagar Dam are also located in the reserve area.
Apart
from the Tiger, one can spot here, leopards, sloth bears, dhol, Indian
Pangolin, Chital, Sambar deer, Chevrotain, Blackbuck, Chinkara, and Chowsingha.
There are other reptiles and amphibians also found in this area including crocodile,
Indian Python, Kind Cobra and Indian peafowl.
One also finds a number of crocodiles in the down waters of Srisailam Dam,
where a breeding programme, supported by the local government is being carried
out.
Shikaresvara Temple Overview
At the highest point of Srisailam, referred to as Sikharam, one finds a temple dedicated to Sikhareswara Swamy, watching over the landscapes and a pristine River Krishna flowing below.
Sikhareswara Swamy, is one of the forms of Lord Shiva, and is believed to possess the power to free his devotees from their sins. Amongst this abode of the Lord of Sikharam and the some of the most beautiful views in the area, there is another temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Visit the temple, for breathtaking sceneries, views and hills, all wrapped around in a wisp of spirituality and devotion.
Sakshi Ganapati Temple Overview
The Sakshi Ganapati Temple has been beautifully located at the hill town of Srisailam. It's placed amongst the backdrop of picturesque natural settings and enshrines a black idol of Lord Ganesha.
Being
the most loved Ganapati temple in Srisailam, all pilgrims generally tend to
start their visit to Srisailam from Sakshi Ganapati temple. There is a modest
climb of 10 steps to reach the sanctum of this temple.
The most alluring part about the temple is its location. The temple nestles
amongst dense woods. The surroundings are calm and the environment almost
enchanting. The area is also clean and quiet pristine, making it suitable for
praying and meditation.
Patala Ganga
Patala Ganga Overview
As the River Krishna turns down hill, it is surrounded by a certain spirituality in the air. Enjoy the sceneries around you and take a dip into these sacred waters, believed to have medicinal properties for healing skin diseases.
One can also try the enjoyable ropeway car ride and look down at the majestic river and lush green beauty all around.
Akkamahadevi Caves Overview
Take a boat ride through the Krishna River with sceneries, forests and hills all around to reach the Akkamahadevi Caves. Carry a few torches or candles, since these caves are usually pitch dark inside. Immersed in the darkness, find a sacred Shiva Linga inside the caves.
Lingala Gattu Overview
The devotion towards Lord Shiva, that Srisailam is known for, finds its way to the banks of Krishna River as well. A rocky bank of this river has each of its rocks, believed to be an image of Lord Shiva. The belief also grants the bank its name, 'Lingala Gattu'.
Belum Caves is the largest tourist cave in Indian subcontinent and the longest caves in plains of Indian Subcontinent, known for itsstalactite and stalagmite formations. Belum Caves have long passages, spacious chambers, fresh water galleries and siphons. It is a natural underground cave formed by the constant flow of underground water. The caves reach its deepest point (150 feet from entrance level) at the point known as Pataalaganga.[1] In Telugu language, it is called బెల్లము గుహలు Belum Guhalu. Belum Caves has a length of 3229 metres, making it the second largest natural caves in Indian Subcontinent after Krem Liat Prah caves in Meghalaya.
It was brought to scientific attention in 1884 by a British surveyor Robert Bruce Foote, later in 1982-84, a team of German speleologists headed by H Daniel Gebauer conducted a detailed exploration of the caves. Thereafter in 1988, the state government declared them protected, and Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) developed the caves as a tourist attraction in February 2002. Today, 3.5 km of the cave has been successfully explored, though only 1.5 km is open to tourists.[1] There are 16 different pathways, including the main entrance and there are deposits of Quartz in the caves. The caves are formed in Black Limestone.
Gandikota Kings Gandikota is a small village on the right bank of the river Pennar, 15 km from Jammalamadugu in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh.
Gandikota was founded in 1123 by Kapa Raja of nearby Bommanapalle village and a subordinate of Ahavamalla Someswara I, the Western Chalukyan king of Kalyana.[1] The town played a significant role during the Kakatiya, Vijayanagara and Qutub Shahi periods. The fort was made more impregnable by Pemmasani Thimma Nayudu. The fort was under the control of Pemmasani Nayaks for over 300 years.
The fort of Gandikota acquired its name due to the 'gorge' (in Telugu it is called 'gandi'), formed between the Erramala range of hills, also known as Gandikota hills and the river Pennar that flows at its foot, reducing its width to a mere 300 ft (see the river image below). Situated amidst beautiful landscape and wild forests, it is endowed with vast natural resources.
Surrounded by a deep valley and impassable hills & with massive boulders of red granite and the river Pennar that flows about 300 ft. below on the west and northern sides, its location affords strong natural defence to the occupants of the Fort. The exploits of Pemmasani Nayaks, Gothram : Musunulla, Rulers of Gandikota and Commanders in Vijayanagar army to protect the honour of Telugu land are well known.[2][3][4][5]
Vemana, the famous Telugu poet, native of Kadapa district and believed to have lived in Gandikota area for a short period.
Efforts are being put to give Gandikota a world heritage status.[6]
Gandikota was one of the greatest forts of south India in its heydays and so were the kings who ruled the region. Years after its formation, Gandikota fort was ruled by the Mikkilineni dynasty of Bharadwaja gotra who belonged to a clan of Kamma lords. Kammas were kings belonging to the Solar, lunar and Haihaya clans of Kshatriyas and were said to be ferocious in nature. The kings of Gandikota were equally famous and said to be so powerful, that they could severe the heads of a horseman and the horse with a single stroke of the sword. The location of the fort and the security it offered attracted most of the enemy kings for conquering.
History of later Gandikota Kings: In the year 1350 A.D. the Mikkilineni King Rama Naidu, who did not have sons, got his only daughter married to Pemmasani Kumara Thimma Naidu. Pemmasani Kumara Thimma Naidu was the son of Rama Naidu's brother-in-law and was the king of Bellamkonda in Guntur District. Rama Naidu then made Pemmasani Kumara Thimma Naidu as the ruler of Gandikota. Since then Gandikota was ruled by the Pemmasani rulers.
Gandikota now came into the hands of the Pemmasani rulers from the ancient Mikkilineni royal family. Raja Pemmasani Kumara Thimma Naidu was the first king of Pemmasani clan and during his period, few developmental activities took place. The original fort was strengthened and the new forts at Jammala Madugu, Vajrakarur, Kamalapuram, Tadipatri etc were also built. The forts built by Pemmasani Kumara Thimma Naidu were more lavish and striking that he was said to be contemporary form of the Vijayanagar king Bukkaraya. (I.e. around 1350 A.D.). Another member from the Naidu family, Dharma Naidu was the General of Proudha Deva Raya (or Devaraya II), the son of Vijaya Bukkaraya. Another Thimma Naidu defeated the Bahamani sultan Ahmed Shah in the battle of Kalubarige in 1420 A.D. There was yet another Thimma Naidu, during the times of Sri Krishna Deva Raya, who was a great warrior. He was well-versed in capturing the forts of Udayagiri, Addanki, Kondapalli, Rajahmundry and Cuttak.
Pemmasani Ramalinga Naidu who was appointed by Krishna Deva Raya as the supreme commander of the Vijayanagar army was the hero of the famous 'Battle of Raichur'. During this battle Ramalinga Naidu almost massacred the armies of Bahmani Sultans were had to retire from the battle. Ramalinga Naidu was said to be a very good-looking person and many poets of his era wrote poems in praise of him. Ramalinga Naidu was the man behind the construction of the famous Ramalingeswara temple in Tadipatri.
Next Naidu in the line was Bangaru Thimma Naidu who gave shelter to Aliya Rama Raya, the son-in-law of Krishna Deva Raya. Salakam Thimmayya dethroned Aliya Rama Raya and declared himself as the king with the help of the sultans. Bangaru Thimma Naidu defeated the combined armies of the Bahamanis and Salakam Thimmayya. Bangaru Thimma Naidu made Aliya Rama Raya as the king and gave him back the Vijayanagar throne. Thus, another valorous hero of Naidu clan became a folk hero and was entitled as 'Bangaru Thimma Raju'.
After the fall of Vijayanagar Empire, the capital was shifted to Penukonda and Chandragiri was made the second capital. This second capital was constructed by Sri Ranga Raya with the support and guidance of Raja Bojja Thimma Naidu.
Eventually, Raja Pemmasani Chinna Thimma Naidu was the last king of Gandikota. He was, entitled as "Vetaru Tuniyala Meti Vaziru" in which "Vetu" means the stroke of the sword, "Aru tuniyalu" is six pieces. It is said that Chinna Thimma Naidu was so powerful that in the battle he could cut off a horseman's head along with that of the horse with a single stroke of his sword, hence the title. After being ruled gloriously for centuries and despite holding on valiantly for many months, the fort went into the hands of Muslim Turkic invaders from Golconda in the 17th century. The Golconda armies attacked Gandikota around 1650 A.D., under the command of Mir Jumla. Mir Jumla failed to take the fort even after months of seize. Finally, with the advice of Podili Linganna, a Brahmin minister of Naidu's kingdom, Mir Jumla got Thimma Naidu poisoned and killed him.
Years later, somewhere in 18th century, the Marathas became the prime power in India, including the deccan region of Rayalaseema and Telangana. This made the people create stories like "Bala Nagamma Katha" that relieved them to a certain extent. The story was about Bala Nagamma, the princess of Gandikota who married the prince of Panagallu in Nalgonda. Bala Nagamma being kidnapped by a wicked Maratha 'mantrik', the hardships she suffered in his hands for many years, and finally a happy ending to the story by the Maratha getting killed by Bala Nagamma's son, was the content of the story.
This brought an end to one of the greatest episodes of Andhra history. But the legend of Gandikota and its valiant kings lived and breathed in the memories and tales of the people for many generations.
A century later, this fort was conquered by Hyder Ali of Mysore and eventually went into the hands of the British.
