Srisailam-FarahabadForest-MallelaTeertham-Akkamahadevi

Introduction
Another wonderful trip of 36hrs we had, to Srisailam. Nearly 214 km from Hyderabad, about 4 hrs journey approximately. One of the holy places one must visit. Apart from Shiv [The God] Darshan we can have a lot of enjoyment while heading to Srisailam. Throughout the journey was by car. Started early in the afternoon around 12PM. The journey was full of excitement, it multiples while entering into Nallamala forest , different view points to Srisailam Dam etc. The whole journey started from Hyderabad towards Srisaila

What More...

Apart from Shiv Darshan at Srisailam, we can enjoy a lot throughout the journey. There are many halting points once must consider. Here I am explaining some.

1.       Farahabad Forest Ride: About 155 KM towards Srisailam. Near Billakarl. This is one of the most memorable rides one can have in one’s life. Deep jungle tour by forest department towards deep Nallamalla forest. One can see and enjoy the deep forest climate, the jungle sounds, can watch wild animals very close to the eyes. The best time to visit this place is the last trip to jungle but one must reach there before 4:30 it closes at 5PM. As the day light getting darker chance to visit more wild animals. Forest department will take you to the one end for forest where one can have a beautiful, mesmerizing view of the Forest. One shouldn’t miss this too. Cost is about Rs. 180/- per head.

2.       Mallela Theertham: About 166 KM towards Srisailam. Near Mallapur. Next halting point would be near Vatavarla palli. One needs to go 8km towards left to reach Mallela Theertham. Superb location, deep Nallamalla forest one needs to get down 360 steps. One can spend a whole day over here. Nice waterfall, a picnic spot starts from the 10 AM till 5PM. Deep and dark jungle, waterfall sound, the greenery smell wowww.. No wards to explain. Cost is about Rs. 25/- per head.

Deadlines:

1.       People having lung issues and heart patients are not advised because one needs to get down 360 steps and climb back.

2.       Not advised to stay after 5PM, even security officer will leave from the place. As its deep jungle, Bears and other wild animals will be welcoming to their world.

3.       Must carry a water bottle or else can have natural water over there.

3.       Octopus Point: This is just a view point of Nallamalla forest where the river looks like an Octopus, wonderful view one can have. One can’t stop month by saying Woowww…. Its about 180 km from Hyderabad. A small lane to right one won’t find a big board not much crowd, a small board stating Optopus point. One must observer while heading to Srisailam. You can spend about 5-10min have some snaps and not to waste time much here and carry on the journey. No cost.

4.       Srisailam Reservoir:  One way heading towards destination point there are many viewpoints one can halt take some snaps and carry on the journey. No cost.

5.       Rope View: This location is at Srisailam itself, it just a walkable distance from the Temple. One can buy tickets to boat ride and Akkamahadevi Guha or else can avail ticket below. A rope bridge to the down where one can enjoy the boat ride over Srisailam reservoir. To enjoy the Akkamahadevi Guha one needs to get down using this bridge. Cost is about Rs. 40/- for down and up.

 6.       Boat ride: After getting down with Rope bride one have a boat ride of 20 min over the Srisailam reservoir near to the DAM and return. It’s a nice journey between two greenery hills and heading towards man made miracle. Cost is about Rs. 40/- per head.

  

7.       Akkamahadevi Guha: Here one can have adventurous experience. Akkamahadevi is in Karnataka district. It’s a boat travel, journey of nearly one hour to reach the place. During this 1 hour shouldn’t miss any of the nature’s beauty. A wonderful feeling one can have. A couple can enjoy a lot during 1 hr ride. Above the water under the sky, in between hills, in the rain….ufffff what a ride. After reaching at the destination there is a cave one need to go inside. A deep cave no much oxygen is available inside the cave, no light, one can’t stand straight. After some extent in the cave one need to walk on the knee only waist size of not more than 38-40 can go inside the cave. Only one can go inside at a time. After reach deep destination you can pray to god Sihv lingam and come back. I am not scaring you but one can have adventurous experience here. One must carry a candle or torch or a cell phone torch. Better not to take candle because much of suffocation. After coming out of the cave one need to go up climbing around 100 steps to reach Swamis’ temple. The view will be much more enjoyable. Cost is about Rs. 180/- per head.

Deadlines:

1.       Heart patients, people with lung and ankle problems are not advisable to go else they can enjoy the ride and rest in the boat at the destination not to go in-side the caves.
2.     Only two times a day are available to Akamahadevi from RopeView Point.

One must carry food and drink that will suffice for 3-4hrs. Nothing will be available except coffee at destination. 

 Story... 

The story begins as “The epigraphical evidence reveals that the history of Srisailam begins with the Sathavahanas who were the first empire builders in South India. The earliest known historical mention of the Hill - Srisailam, can be traced in Pulumavis Nasik inscription of 1^st Century A.D. Read the full History here

Best time to visit: Rainy season in the month of August one can enjoy the trip, do inquire about the Srisailam gates opening and plan the journey.

Best Plan: Fix it for two days plan. One should plan Farahabad Forest ride, Mallela Theertham, and Octopus Point one day. Next day morning after darshan, plan for Rope view, Boat ride, Akkamahadevi in a row. Make budget of Rs. 2k – 3k.