A day in Nallamala Tiger Reserve Forest - Saleshwaram

Awesome Trip with Awesome People. It was our first trip along with colleagues. I would highly recommend it to people who like adventure.

17^th April 2011, 1:00 PM

Saleshwarm (Lord Shiva Temple) located in “Tiger Reserve Nallamala Forest” nearly 30 KM from Mannanur, 50 KM from Srisailam. Temple is situated in deep valley, throughout the year temple and associated road will be closed but it will be opened for 5 days during (March-April). Visiting the temple in moon light on chaitra pournima (The full moon day of Chaitra (March-April)) is auspicious.  During this season APSRTC (Acchampeta and Kalvakurthi depots) arranges special buses for yatra.

We started journey on Monday 17^th the day before chaitra pournima from Hyderabad. There was couple of halts between the journey, Namely Dindi reservoir, Mannanur, and Farhabad.

17^th April 2011, 3:00 PM

“Dindi reservoir” serving water for large areas of cultivated lands situated near to “Nagarjuna Sagar,” “Srisailam Tiger Reserve” on “River Krishna”. We took some snaps of reservoir, the scenery is amazing.

17^th April 2011, 3:45 PM

The next halt was at Mannanur Check Post where we had tea and snacks. Check the price before ordering.  Chenchu museum which offers chenchu (Tribe) lifestyle is place to watch. Mannanur check post will be closed between 9:00 PM to -5:00 AM during this no vehicles are allowed. To make an entry into forest they charge 80/- for 4 wheelers.  

17^th April 2011, 4:20 PM

 Reached Farhabad view point where government is allowing 1.30 hr daily trip, charging Rs500 for 6 persons, private vehicles are not allowed inside but during this yatra private vehicles also allowed inside the forest. We are welcomed by “Tiger”….. (Sculpture) lolz!! We had to wait for other friends who were returning from srisailam. Mobiles do not work at this point, it is not for security but there is no service provided.  We are bit relived there is no distraction except loving the nature. It is amazing and kind of weird that there is no Neem tree you can spot in Nallamala reserve forest. We wanted to but failed to spot it.     

17^th April 2011, 5:10 PM

Started from Farhabad view point to reach the temple, inside the forest you will find 6ft to 8 ft tall ant hills. 30 ft Road 20 KM is paved by red soil, hundreds of vehicles passing by you have no option left to close the windows. Middle of the forest we stuck in traffic jam, it is weird but possible when mankind reaches anywhere … (: sad, To clear the traffic jam my friends and some other volunteered,  after spending 2:30 hrs our vehicle started moving slowly. It took nearly 3 hrs to finish 20 KM road. We have left with no choice to munch things we bought.

17^th April 2011, 8:20 PM

  We left our belongings in vehicle and started walking down to the valley. To reach the temple we have to walk 4 Kilometers. We started walking at 10:30 PM. To make sure there is enough moon light. There is no road; it is filled with boulders and stones. We made a mistake of leaving shoe in vehicle which gave us real pain in feet. I would suggest using a stick for walking which helps the body balance.

 Middle of no-where people with small sheds selling coconut, laddus, Tea & snacks, cigarettes, and water packets. Each water packet costs Rs 5/-, coconut costs Rs40/- Tea Rs 15/- we amazed but to reach that point seller has to go through boulders and stones which we thought reasonable.  At some stages there is only one person can walk, water dropping from stones which made the path slippery. We took small breaks during the walk. Watching dense forest in moon light is amazing.

17^th April 2011, 11:20 PM

It took 1:30 hrs to reach near to the temple. I never thought there will be huge crowd waiting for darshan.  To move 10 ft it is taking 30 mins. People started looking for shortcuts to reach the temple; we also left with no choice but to opt short cuts. Opposite to temple there is a waterfall which fell from 300 ft high we took a bath and started climbing the rock to reach the temple. One of our friend reached top of the rock 50 ft high and all the others were pulled by bath towels. It is too crowded and our friends joined volunteering, making people to form a Q. After spending tense moments we had to reach inside the temple which is below the huge rock.  By the time we reached inside the temple it was 2:30, after darshan we sat for 30 minutes to discuss the adventure we gone through to visit the temple. It was awesome experience.

18^th April 2011, 03:15 PM

We started walking to reach above the valley. We had left no choice but to go through boulders, stones and slippery path.  While coming we took most of the brakes and requires more energy. It took 2 hrs to reach the vehicle point.

18^th April 2011, 06:15 PM

We reached the vehicle and started our 20 KM journey again. This time traffic jam was enormous. From 2 KM vehicles are struck. Our friends joined volunteering and cleared the traffic jam which took 3 hrs to reach Farhabad view point. We spotted dear between Farhabad and Mannanur. 

18^th April 2011, 10:15 PM

Reached Mannanur took bath, had tea and snacks. Our energy levels were down so we took nap in vehicle. By the time we reached Hyderabad it was 1:45 PM.

I really thankful to all the friends who accompanied, helped and shared the joy. 


Source: Youtube Bhakti Channel: Part - I Part - II Part - III Part - IV 
                             TV9: Saleshwaram - TV9   


Near by places:

1) Sakshi Ganapati (At the entrance of Srisailam)
2) Paladhara Panchadhara (Small Water stream from forest)
3) Pathala Ganaga (Huge no of steps / Ropeway)
4) Kailash Sikhar (One needs to watch temple from Nandi)
5) Akkamahadevi Caves (Need to travel in Small boat in Krishna River)
6) Ista Kamesewari temple (Only pvt Jeeps can go, great thrilling experience)

7) Mallela Teertham