Sunday, 21 July 2019

Ananthagiri Forest (Vikarabad)

Ananthagiri hills Vikarabad forest trek-trip in hyderabad



updated this trip information in the following link: 

SriSailam Devasthanam...

My trip duration is 2days (Saturday & Sunday) 

to visit ...

2 nd JYOTIRLING  -  Mallikarjuna
6 th Shakti Peetham  -  Maa Bhramarambika



What you will know in this article: 

My mode of transport we used is my "Tata Tiago"
l.  How to plan a trip from Hyderabad to Srisailam Devesthanam in 2 days.

2. Activities in Srisailam and cover maximum locations in Srisailam. 


The best-recommended mode of transport is Car/Own Vehicle so that you don’t miss the Nature’s Beauty during the journey.

The Best days to visit is weekdays to avoid peak rush in queue lines at the main temple.


So are you ready? 


Let’s Start the Journey:

The distance from Hyderabad to Srisailam Temple is around 230kms approximately. Journey time should be around 5-6 hours (assuming we drive with a normal speed and spend a good time in watching the beauty of nature) 

Those who are planning one-day trip to Srisailam, the best time to start the journey as early as possible by 3am to cover maximum locations and return back to Hyd.



Vehicles are allowed from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm only.
But, as I mentioned my trip duration is for 2 days, even though we started early morning to enjoy the beauty of the nature. We started from Hyderabad is around 4:30am, we took Nehru Outer Ring Road from gachibowli, It is 8-lane ring road expressway.

The early morning journey was too good, we have taken exit from ORR at Exit-4 and reached the First Toll plaza with worth of 60 bucks. After for long again we reached to the Second Toll plaza i.e. Kadthal Toll Plaza worth of 40 bucks, the Third Toll plaza is Konetipuran Toll plaza worth for 20 bucks, after crossing the three tolls we reached to the Munnanur check post



Note: Please follow the above notice by Forest Department without fail.



During this early morning trip, we can see few animals (of course our ancestors 'monkeys' will welcome us, but we have to look around and drive slowly so that we enjoy the greenery and dense forest. 


From Mannanur check post, the journey is very pleasant after entering to the forest area, after 18 KM you will be reaching to Munnanur forest checkpost junction, from here after 9km you will reach Vatavarlapalli-Mallapur village turn on the main road. Make sure you take left from here to reach Mallela Theertham Waterfalls, (If not you can continue drive on main road towards Srisailam Dam). This is an off-roading, passing through the villages feels good, after driving around 4KM inside, you will reach Mallela Theertham Waterfalls entrance, where you can park your vehicles and take ticket worth of 20 bucks per ticket. To access the waterfalls, walking exactly 400 steps (you can even see the numbers on each step) downward are required.


After capturing few beautiful snaps we climbed again 400 steps upward and started towards Srisailam Dam on my Tiago. 


After 18kms of drive we reached to Octopus Viewpoint location, since we had spent enough time at Mallela thertham, that is why we skipped octopus viewpoint and headed towards Dam view.


After crossing Domalapenta and Egalapenta we reached Dam View Point. We have enjoyed the top view of the hills around Srisailam Dam and the beauty of the Krishna river, taken enough clicks.



Headed towards Krishna river Bridge and stopped my car in middle of the bridge, guess why we stopped in middle of the bridge because in middle of the bridge is a separation of TWO-states (Telangana and AndhraPradesh). 


We cross the bridge and paid 20 bucks at first A.P check post and started upward to the second hill. After few minutes we reached to Sakshi Ganapathi Temple, had Darshan and headed towards Srisailam, finally reached the destination of Lord Mallikarjuna and godeses Bramarambika devi. 




We went to the satram where we booked in advance and settled down after having lunch. Had some rest after had a long journey since early morning. We thought of going to Pathala ganga to have bath but the Abhishekam ticket slots we got in the evening. So we got ready at Satram and went for Abhishekam worth 1500/- per couple. If you havn't booked tickets in advance you can visit the central reception office at srisailam and book the tickets. Below is the location for central offc @Srisailam. 


Central Reception Office @ Srisailam

I strongly recommend wearing traditional dress as one has to follow Lord Shiva’s Protocol. Please do remember that we are entering into HIS premises and we must follow his PROTOCOL without any fail. NO EXCUSES. Hope you agree with me on this point. 
Note: A strict dress code has to be followed inside main the temple for Mahamangala Harathi. Only traditional dress code is allowed. 

For Male
: Pancha with Kanduva OR Dhoti. No Shirts/T-Shirts Not even Vests are allowed for this Mahamangala Harathi.

For Female: Saree Or Salwar Kameez with Dupatta is a must. No Jeans/Shirts/T-shirts/Shots & 
Sleeveless are strictly NOT allowed inside the main temple. 
After pooja & Abhishekam we got a chance to touch the Jyotirlinga inside the garbalayam. This was wonderful experience and very pleasent ..... we had Dharsan godesses Bramarambika devi same time and spent some time at temple and came back to room and had dinner and slept early, inorder to wake up early morning by 3am to take Mangala harathi tickets. 
 
In order to take Suprabhata Seva or Mahamangala Harathi tickets you should be in the ticket queue 1 or 2hours before, the actual ticket timing is in the early morning 5am. And the tickets counter will open 10mins before that too first-come-first only 25 devotees can get harathi tickets. Luckily we have got the Mangala Harathi tickets. 



Now it’s time to enter the Main temple for Mahamangala Harathi. No human being can explain you how this Mahamangala Harathi will be. Just feel it. I am sure you will not forget this Lifetime memorable Harathi.

All devotees who attend 
Mahamangala Harathi are allowed to Touch Maha Shiva Ling (Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy) in Gharbalayam.

After 
Maha Linga dharshan, proceed towards Goddess Bhramaramba Devi darshan. If time permits sit in the temple premises to feel the serenity of the place.

And don’t forget to take 
Laddu Prashad at Prashad counters.