Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh, India)

Srisailam is a holy town, situated in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is on the banks of River Krishna. This place is located at about 232 km south of Hyderabad. ‘Bhramaramba Mallikarjunaswamy Temple’ of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy and Devi Bhramaramba is located here and it is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples. During your journey from Hyderabad to Srisailam, you will find ‘Srisailam Dam’ and a Tiger Reserve Forest.

Reach There:

Road to Srisailam

Srisailam is about 232 km from Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, and there are buses connecting the town with Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Guntur and Kurnool. For service from Hyderabad to Srisailam, tickets and reservations can be made at the Central Bus station Hyderabad.

The approximate travel time from Hyderabad to Srisailam is 6 hours. But I am not sure about train root. But if you are traveling from Hyderabad and you are a group of 5-6 people best travel option is private cab (both comfortable and pocket friendly). While hiring a cab, ensure that the driver has experience in ghat section. Most of the roads have lots of pothole. So, please drive safe. For nature lovers Srisailam trip leaves immense pleasure as you travel through deep forests. From Dornala to Srisailam you will find excellent view and the road is full of curves and U turns.

Attractions:

Gate of Temple

Sri Brahmarambika Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple: Temple of Brahmarambika Mallikarjuna Swamy (Lord Shiva) is one of 12 Jyotirlinga in India.

Mallikarjuna in an ancient temple that is architecturally and sculpturally rich. It is one place where Shakti peeta and Jyotirlingam are together. Visit to the temple is must. Make sure that you don’t have camera with you (like most of the temple in south India). Must try the ‘prasadam’ here, it is too testy. 

Patal Ganga River: 

Patal Ganga River a.k.a. Krishna River

Krishna River is known as Patal Ganga here. People take a holy bath here. The water is supposed to be very pure and have healing properties for skin diseases.If you are not physically very fit (like me) DO NOT TRY to take stairs to reach the river, there are around 1500 stairs (approximately). So choose yourselves. Other option is, you can opt for rope-way to reach the river.

Srisailam Dam

Srisailam Dam: Srisailam Dam is built on the Krishna River and is 512 m long. It is set amidst beautiful natural scenery — ghats, cliffs, craggy ridges, plateaus and dense forests.

Ista Kameswari Temple: From Srisailam you need to travel 16 km into deep forest to reach the temple. Don't try to go in your own vehicle because the way is sprinkled with huge rocks and water. Engage a jeep from Srisailam. If you have a team of 8-10 they will charge Rs 1000-1200. Else you can share with other in which case you will be charged 300 Rs. Bargain the amount with the drivers. See waterfalls and valleys there. 

Akkamahadevi Caves: This is the most interesting part of the journey in Srisailam. 

Journey to Akkamahadevi Caves

To reach the caves you need to go to Patala Ganga.You can reach Patala Ganga by rope way and ride a boat from there to reach the caves. After traveling 16 km (for more than an hour) on the Krishna river with high mountains on either sides and walking for some distance, you will reach the caves. 

Going down to river

 There will be a guide with you in the boat who will lead into the caves. You need to take a candle with you as the caves are 80 feet deep and very dark. 

Stay:

There are lots of budget hotels and lodges around the Mallikarjuna Swami Temple in Srisailam. Most of these do not require any prior reservation except during peak seasons and festivals, and most Mondays. The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department runs a few hotels by name Ganga Sadan, Gouri Sadan and Punnami Guest House.

Eat:

Only vegetarian food is available here in the temple town. So, all non-vegetarian people hold your taste buds for few days.

Drink:

Water is not really good, so mineral water is better option.

Alcohol is not available here.   

Buy:

You can buy pure Girijan honey, AGMARK certified honey which is supplied by government of Andhra Pradesh. 

Chenchu Lakshmi Tribal Museum

It is regarded as very pure and tasty. You can get it in Chenchu Lakshmi Tribal Museum. Don't buy it elsewhere.

Do Not:

Sometime you may get into problem during smoking. In most of the shops you will not find cigarette, so if you are regular smoker make sure that you have enough stock.

Here you will find problem if you are a regular credit card or debit card user as most of the shop don’t have punching machine. So, bring enough cash.

Other Attraction:

Ista Srisailam-Nagarjuna Sagar Tiger Reserve: This is the only tiger reserve in Andhra Pradesh. Three forest rest houses and 40 bed capacity dormitories for tourists. 

More Pics: