Srisailam a Travelogue

chillibreeze writer Radhika Chandika

We planned to visit Srisailam on a weekend coinciding with the Navarathri festival. Srisailam is
232 kms away from the Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh (AP). We opted for a two-day
tour organized by the AP Tourism Department, which included a room at the Punnami Hotel for a
night. Other options are to drive down or rent a vehicle, and to stay at the cottages and rooms
rented by the temple management or at the private hotels. The coach started at 9 am from the
Yatri Nivas Hotel on Sardar Patel Road of Secunderabad (a suburb of Hyderabad). After almost
an hour of crisscrossing through the main roads and bylanes of the city we were on the outskirts.
As I looked through the window I was fascinated by the rocks of different shape and size
standing on hills and mountains. They are of various shapes and sizes and perched precariously.
After about 100 kms the bus crossed the Dindi dam and town and started climbing the ghat
(mountain) road on the Nallamala hill ranges. The Nallamala forest area had started. We could
see dense vegetation. Signs by the forest department warned against poaching. This forest is said
to be home to tigers, deer and many species of rare birds.
The travel up and down the ghat roads was an exhilarating experience. I could feel the coolness
of a hill station as we gained altitude. Srisailam is at a height of 1500ft above sea level. After a
while, we glimpsed the Krishna River winding its way through the mountains. We reached the
Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy Dam, built to harness the Krishna river water and generate hydroelectric power. One of the gates was opened and the water cascaded down and sprayed up
forming a wonderful fountain as high as the dam. The mist from the waterfall created a beautiful
rainbow. When all the gates are opened (typically after heavy monsoon rains), it must be a sight
to behold.
Our bus crossed the other side of the river via a bridge and we proceeded to the temple town of
Srisailam. Our first stop was Paladhara-Panchadhara. We climbed down a hill to a spot where
there is a small waterfall. The water is said to have medicinal properties. Here there is a small
temple dedicated to the Hindu guru and Saint Adi Shankaracharya of the 8th century who
meditated here. The surroundings is thick with vegetation and there are locals selling herbal
plants, seeds, roots and bark that claim cure to some of the common diseases.
We also visited the Shakshi Ganapathi temple and stopped at Paatalganga where we can climb
down 800 steps to take a holy dip in the Krishna River. A ropeway has been introduced for
people who cant take the strain. There is a ferry point where you can either go board a ferry or
sit in a cup-shaped paddle boat to enjoy the serene waters of the River Krishna. There are posh
hotels situated nearby overlooking the hills and the river.
By 6 pm, we checked into the hotel, showered and proceeded to the temple of Srisailam which is
said to be as ancient as 2nd century AD. It was renovated by the dynasties that came into rule in

South of India. The main temple is dedicated to Mallikarjuna Swami, an avatar of lord Shiva.
There is a life size statue of the holy bull, Nandi at the entrance of the temple.
Another temple worth mentioning is the one dedicated to Bramarambha Devi. The figurines
sculpted on the pillars are very artistic and remind one of the temples of Hampi in Karnataka.
There are corridors of smaller temples around the main temple. There is a small stage where
small girls were performing the Kuchipudi dance (the classical dance form of Andhra Pradesh).
The place was lit with colorful bulbs and it was pleasant to stand in queue for darshan (seeing
god).
We went to the temple again early next morning to have one more darshan. In the morning light
the aura of the temple (which we missed at night) was unmistakable. I have visited many temples
but what I liked here is the cleanliness and the greenery inside and outside the temple. Potted
plants are kept all over the temple adding to the beauty of the temple. There is lot of history and
culture associated with this temple.
Before we started our journey back to Hyderabad, we visited the Chanchu Laxmi Tribal
Museum. Here the life and traditions of major tribes of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and
Madhya Pradesh has been showcased. The caretaker gave us an excellent commentary about
each tribe: what they cooked, how they hunted and how they celebrated their festivals. The
Nallamalla forests were said to be first inhabited by the Chenchu tribes and they were the first
devotees at the temple.
Our last stop was the Shikhareshvaram which is the highest peak of the mountain range and is
2830 feet above the sea-level. We climbed up the steps and stood on the peak to have an aerial
view of the Srisailam temple and the surrounding mountains.
Thus ended our memorable trip to Srisailam. This place is a delight for devotees, nature lovers
and people who are interested in hydroelectric dams. For vacationers to Hyderabad, a visit to
Srisailam is definitely recommended.
APTDC Central Reservation offices
Tank Bund Road,
Hyderabad - 500 063
Andhra Pradesh, India
Phone: +91-040-66746370
+91-040-66745986

08524-288311
08524-287351

SN. Package Tours

01 Bangalore Sight Seeing
02
03
04
05
06

Days
1
Day
New Bangalore Sight Seeing 1
Day
Mysore sight seeing
1
Day
Belur - Halebid 1
Sravanbelgola
Day
Mysore - Srirangapatna 3
Nanjangud - Ooty Coonor & Days
Doddabetta
Tirupathi - Mangapura
1
Day

07 Tirupathi - Kalahasthi

3
Days

08 Mysore - Ooty - Kodaikanal 5

- Doddabetta - Coonor
Days
09 Temple Tour
5
Days
10 Mantralaya, T.B.Dam,
4
Hampi
Days
11 Nagarahole - Mercara,
4
Nisarga Dhama, Golden
Days
Temple(Bailukuppa)
12 South India
9
Days
13 Goa, Gokarna, Jogfalls
5
Days
14 North Karanataka Tour
5
Days
15 Shivanasamudra 1
Somanathapur Day
Ranganathittu
16 Jog Falls - Keladi Temple
3
Tour
Days
17 Chikka Tirupati Kotilingeshwara, Bangaru
Tirupati - Mulubagal -

Fare
Rs. 170/- (Non A/C),
Rs. 190/- (Volvo A/C)
Rs 290/- (Non A/C)
Rs. 525/- (Non A/C),
Rs. 675/- (Volvo A/C)
Rs. 660/- (Non A/C),
Rs. 755/- (Volvo A/C)
Rs. 2,120/- (Inclusive of
Accommodation)
Rs. 1,455/- (Volvo A/C
Coach)(Inclusive of
cellar Darshan &
Accomodation for
bathing only)
Rs. 1,515/- (Inclusive of
Band Darshan &
Accommodation for one
night only)
Rs. 3,730/- (Inclusive of
Accommodation)
Rs. 2,090/- (Inclusive of
Accommodation)
Rs. 1,455/- (Inclusive of
Accommodation)
Rs. 1,325/- (Inclusive of
Accommodation)
Rs. 6,050/- (Inclusive of
Accommodation)
Rs. 3,135/- (Inclusive of
Accommodation only)
Rs. 2,090/- (Inclusive of
Accommodation only)
Rs. 495/-

Rs. 1,150/- (Inclusive of

Accommodation for
bathing only)
1
Rs. 440/- (Inclusive of
Day Lunch at Mulubagal)

Kaivara
18 Mantralaya - Mahanandi 7
Srisailam - Nagarjuna Sagar Days
- Hyderabad - Ramoji Rao
Film city
19 Shimsha, M.M.Hills,
2
B.R.Hills, K.Gudi,
Days
Nanjanagudu, Mysore palace
(Illumination)
20 Munnar - Thekadi 6
Kumarakom (Alleppey Back Days
Waters)
21 Nandi Hills - Muddenhalli
1
Day
22 Temple tour around
1
Bangalore
Day
23 Kemmangundi 3
Bababudangiri - Kuppahalli - Days
Sringeri
24 Shimsha-Madyaranga 2
Talakadu - Kollegala Days
B.R.Hills - K.GudiNanjanagudu - illumination
Palace - Chamundi Hills
25 Belgaum - Gokak falls 2
Malaprabha Dam Days
Chitradurga
26 Padmavathi Temple
1
(Krishnagiri) Day
Jalakanteshwara Temple &
Mahalakshmi Golden
Temple(Vellore)
27 Shirdi Ellora Aurangabad
Pune
28 Central India

Rs. 4,950/- (Inclusive of

Accommodation &
Entry Fee at ramoji
Film City)
Rs. 1,150/- (Inclusive of
Accommodation)
Rs. 5,520/- (Inclusive of
Accommodation &
Ferry Ride)
Rs. 330/Rs. 365/Rs. 1,925/- (Inclusive of
Accommodation only)
Rs. 1,100/- (Inclusive of
Accommodation only)

Rs. 1,760/- (Inclusive of

Accommodation only)
Rs. 600/-

11700
12200
15000
15750

One Day Tours in Bangalore - Package Details

SN. Package Tours
Days
01 Bangalore Local Site Seeing
02 Bangalore Local Site Seeing (Volvo)
03 Bangalore Local Full Day
04 Mysore Site Seeing (Deluxe)
05 Mysore (Volvo)

Fare
Rs. 155
Rs. 175
Rs. 265
Rs. 475
Rs. 615

06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13

Mysore (Semi Deluxe)

Belur Halebidu Sravanbelagola
Belur Halebidu Sravanbelagola (Volvo)
Shimsa Somnathpur R. Thittu
Hogenkkal Falls
Nandi Hills
Devarayanadurga Goravanahalli
Torekadanhalli Kokre Bellur

Mysore Transport Division

SN. Package Tours
01 Mysore Local Site Seeing (With
Somnathpur)
02 Mysore Local Site Seeing (Without
Somnathpur)
03 Belure Helebidu Shravanabelogola
04 Ooty Sight Seeing
05 Trupathi Mangapura

Rs. 450
Rs. 600
Rs. 685
Rs. 450
Rs. 450
Rs. 300
Rs. 330
Rs. 440
Days

Fare
Rs. 210
Rs. 140
Rs. 360
Rs. 400
Rs.
1155
Rs.
1550

06 Trupathi Mangapura Kalahasthi

Hospet Transport Division
SN. Package Tours
01 Humpi Local Site Seeing

Days

Fare
Rs. 155

CONTACT DETAILS
Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation
No. 49, 2nd Floor West Entrance,
Khanija Bhavan, Race Course Road,
Bangalore - 560 001
Phone Number: 91-080-22352901, 22352902, 22352903
Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am through 5:30 pm
KSTDC Central Reservation Counter
Badami House, N.R.Square, Bangalore - 560 002
Tel : 91-080-2275869 / 2275883 / 22212098.
KSTDC Central Information Counter
City Railway Station, Bangalore - 560 009
Phone Number : 91-080-2870068

KSTDC Central Information Counter

Bangalore Airport, Bangalore 560 008. Karnataka, India.
Phone Number : 91-080-5268012
KSTDC Transport Wing
C/o Mayura Yatri Nivas,
2, J.L.B. Road, Mysore - 570 005
Phone Number : 91-0821-423652.
KSTDC Transport Wing
Hotel Indraprastha, Old Fire Station Building,
Taluk Office Circle, Hospet -583201
Phone Number : 91-08394-28537.
KSTDC Transport Wing
Opp. Kasturba Medical College,
Mangalore - 575 004
Phone Number : 91-0824-421692
KSTDC Transport Wing
Hotel Krishna Bhavan Complex, Lamington Road, Hubli,
Dharwad District, Karnataka - 580 020
Phone Number : 91-0836-362251-52
KSTDC Tourism One Stop Shop
St. Mark's Road Bangalore 560 001
Phone Number : 91-080-51329211, 51329222
Department of Tourism
No. 49, 2nd Floor West Entrance,
Khanija Bhavan, Race Course Road,
Bangalore - 560 001
Phone Number : 91-080-22352828, 22352626