Skip to main content

Posts

Shirdi - Ajanta - Ellora - Aurangabad Trip

First, let me apologize for the inordinate delay in writing this post. Went on a family trip in November 2011 to Shirdi and from there, made Aurangabad our base and covered places like Ajanta, Ellora, Grishneshwar, Daulatabad along with Panchakki and Bibi-ka-Maqbara (Mini Taj Mahal) in Aurangabad. Shirdi: Reached Shirdi by Ajanta Express from Hyderabad on 15th November 2011. Got down at Nagarsol and took an MSRTC bus to Shirdi. Booked room at the Sai Sansthan Choultry online and also booked for an Aarti. After Aarti Darshan, we did some brisk shopping and had lunch at one of the numerous Andhra hotels. For people from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, going to Shirdi is like going to one of the cities in our own states. Most of the boards on the hotels are in Telugu despite Shirdi being deep inside Maharashtra and no where near the border. It is same like people from Tamilnadu or Karnataka when they visit Tirupati. Majority of the visitors to Shirdi are from Andhra Pradesh. Shiv
Recent posts

Rameswaram - Dhanuskodi

Rameswaram is located near the Gulf of Mannar which separates Rameswaram Island with Mannar in Srilanka. Rameswaram island is in the shape of a Conch (Shanku) and is connected with Indian mainland via the Pamban Bridge. According to the Hindu Puranas, upon the advice of Rishis (sages), Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana, installed and worshiped the Sivalinga here to expiate the sin of Brahmahatya (killing of a Brahmin).(Ravana, the son of Vishrava and the great grandson of Brahma). Rama fixed an auspicious time for the installation and sent Anjaneya to Mount Kailas to bring a lingam. As Anjaneya could not return in time, Sita herself made a linga of sand. When Anjaneya returned with a linga from Mount Kailas the rituals had been over. To comfort the disappointed Anjaneya, Rama had Anjaneya’s lingam (Visvalingam) also installed by the side of Ramalinga, and ordained that rituals be performed first to the Visvalingam. More information on Rameswaram can be found on the Wikipedia Link

Srisailam (శ్రీశైలం)

DAY 1: Mallela Theertham: This place is a 8KM diversion from the highway around 30 KM before Srisailam. Took the 8KM muddy road and after that 350 steps down to the beautiful waterfalls. The forest department objected to a metal road. So, had tough time on the muddy road. It would be very difficult during rainy season. So, the best season to visit this place is from October till January when there would be good amount of water. Locals informed us that water falls would be throughout the year - but, we had serious doubts on it. The waterfalls is in the midst of the thick jungle. The sight of the water directly falling on a Shiva Lingam is mesmerizing. Since we were not prepared to get wet, we just took some snaps at the water falls and took the torturous journey of 350 steps back to our car. Srisailam: We reached Srisailam at around 3PM, skipping our lunch, booked in a hotel (Ganga Sadan), went to the boating point. We took a cable car down to the River Krishna and

Nagarjunasagar (నాగార్జునసాగర్)

Route to Nagarjuna Sagar from Hyderabad: LakdiKaPul - Koti - Nalgonda "X" Roads (Take the flyover here) - Santosh Nagar (Take left from here) - Sagar Highway - Ibrahimpatnam - Wanaparthy - Takkallapally - Chintapally - Nagarjuna Sagar The state highway is a good one with limited traffic. This route is famous for local drink called "Kallu". Kallu is a liquid extracted from "Thaati Chettu" (Sugar Plan Tree). It is a good drink if consumed before sunrise. Best time to visit: * During rainfall, entire Hyderabad city would be here watching the lifting of gates of the Dam. So, don't go at this time as you would not find food and accommodation. You can try if it is just a one day tour. * Best time is between August - January . * You can book the AP Tourism Hotel at Nagarjuna Sagar or at Ethipothala. Ethipothala has just 10 rooms. So, book them atleast one month prior to your visit. Try to book at Ethipothala only as the location is too good. Y

Ganagapur Temple (గాణగాపూర్ / गाणगापूर)

Lord Dattatreya is an embodiment of all the energies of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva - the Hindu Holy Trinity. Lord Dattatreya is born to Sage Atri and his wife, Anasuya Devi. He is known as the Gurudeva Datta - The Guru of All Gurus. Ganagapur - A Brief History: Shreekshetra Ganagapur, One of the most famous Dattatreya Peethas, is associated with Shri Narasimha Saraswati Swami, an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. It stands on the bank of the river Bhima in Afzalpur taluka in Gulbarga district of Karnataka. This Nirguna Math is adorned with the Nirguna Padukas. The water of the rivers Bhima and Amaraja, especially at the spot of their confluence, are considered extremely holy. You got to read Ganagapur as గాణగాపూర్ in Telugu and as गाणगापूर in Hindi. The first incarnation of Lord Dattatreya in Kaliyug is Shripad Shri Vallabha (1320 AD - 1350 AD) who is born at Pithapuram in the West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh State. You can get more information of Shripad Sh

My Travelogues

Iam an ardent traveler and I visit lot of places in the year either with family or friends. I started this blog mainly to let others know of my experiences visiting these places and make sure my comments would be helpful to them in their travel plans. Most of my concentration would be on my experiences than the history of the places. Thanks to my colleague Indrani who suggested this apt name to my blog and to Shipra who suggested me the beautiful layout. My other colleagues, Divya and Sunanda who themselves are travel freaks have pledged their help to make this blog useful for others. Luv, Madhav