originally posted on orkut by nani
Uppalapadu near Guntur is one of the only three places in India where Spot-Billed Pelicans nest, while they reside at other places too.
Karnataka, Kerala-TN Border are the other two places where these large winged creatures nest. Some nesting grounds of Burma, Malaysia and Vietnam got destroyed or were deserted for various reasons leading to increase in numbers at Uppalapadu.
In practice these Pelicans and Painted Storks have found a new tank at Garapadu a little over 4 k.m. from Uppalapadu, for nesting and for the past several months this panchayat tank is being inhabited by about 500 pelicans and 50 painted storks due to shortage of space at Uppalapadu.
A Zilla Parishad School is housed in a small island inside the tank on a 2.5 acre site and there is sufficient water around the school, but due to regular visit of human beings, these birds have not nested on some of the trees that are most suitable for their purpose. If the Gram Panchayat agrees and gets an alternative land with the help of Zilla Parishad and District Administration for the School Building, this could become country’s largest nesting ground for Pelicans.
At Uppalapadu first half of February is the best time for visitors see young chicks making efforts to fly out and by June-July a new species of birds — Open Bill Storks and White Ibis will takeover the space and fly out some time in October.
Route: From Guntur City this place is 10 Kms away and nearer to N.T.R Manasa Sarovaram on N.H-5.
Places in Guntur district
Amaravathi
Located 16 miles(N-E) from Guntur City, Amaravathi is named after its famous temple of Amareswara Swamy with the swayambhu linga. Also the Mahachaitya stupa, built in the 2nd century B.C. in Amaravathi, is richly adorned with carvings depicting the life and teachings of the Buddha. The stupa houses a small museum with a collection of old monuments, and a pictorial depiction of the Buddha’s life and teachings and terracotta antiquities. The temple walls have a number of inscriptions that throw light on the different dynasties that reigned over this place. A Recent Finding. The Museum at Guntur, has collection of various relics and antiques such as Stupa-slabs, railings, sculpture, coins of gold, silver and lead, potsherds and crystals caskets.The Kalachakra was performed here in 2006.
Bhattiprolu is located 20 miles(S-W) of the city, formerly the Kingdom of Prati Palaputra, appears to be the earliest known kingdom in Guntur District. Archaelogical information gathered in the area of Bhattiprolu.
Kondaveedu is located 17 Miles from Guntur City . This historical fort was built during the reign of the Reddy kings in 14th century A.D. There are 21 structures in the fort . The ruins of the fort located on the hilltop offer unraveled mysteries to the tourists. A place of natural scenic beauty with natural wonders it is an ideal place for TREKKING. The Gopinatha temple and Kattula Baavi at the foot of the hillock, numerous temples, and the entrance gate ways on east and west sides are the attractions at kondaveedu.
Guthikonda Caves,a must see place. This place is one of the geographical wonders of A.P
Kotappakonda, the temporal abode of Trikoteswara Swamy, is a village, 25 miles south- west of Guntur City near Narsaraopet. Its original name is Kondakavuru, but is more popularly known as Kotappakonda or Trikutaparvatam, a three-peaked hill nearby. Though surrounded by other hills, the three hills, also known by the names of Trikutachalam or Trikutadri, can be distinctly seen from a distance.
Visakhapatnam (or) Vizag (or) Waltair
Visakahapatnam is, the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy.
The natural setting of Vizag is beautiful. It has these lovely golden beaches and three rocky mountain ranges, part of the Eastern ghats. The mountains collide with the sea, just like the Western ghats at Karwar. The three rocky ranges – The Kailasha Hill, The Porupalam Hill and the Yarada Hill form an excellent backdrop and enhance the charm of this beautiful Port city.
Apart from the ship building yard and the port, Vizag is home to the nation’s most powerful lighthouse, the longest metal beach road in the country and the world’s highest broad gauge railway track.
Vizag has loads of must see places…They are the Port, the Ship Building Yard, Kailasagiri Mountain, Dohphins nose and the Rishikonda and Yarada Beaches. Don’t miss the Kailasagiri mountain, coz from the top of it, you can see the most beautiful arial view of the beach and the bay of Bengal. On top of the Dolphins nose, which is nothing but a rocky projection, the light house is situated.
From the amazing array of beaches at Vizag, the Ramakrishna Beach and the Lawson’s Bay are the loveliest. Your visit to Vizag will be incomplete without the stroll at the sunrise at these beaches.
Around Vizag, there are several places that you can reach for single day trips. Araku Valley ( 112 kms ), Borra Caves ( 90 Kms ), Araku tribal museum, Anantagir Ghats, Sangda Falls, Matsyagundam ( 135 kms ), Paderu ( 74 kms ) and Simhachalam Temple are other single day excursions that are around Vizag.
There had a lot of Buddhist influence and has several sites dating back to 2nd to 7th Century AD. Thotlakonda and Bavinakonda complexes have stupas, chaityas and viharas. Other places in Visakhapatnam which marks Buddhist shrines were Pavuralakonda near Bheemunipatnam, Gopalapatnam and Lingarajupalem.
Vizag cont..
One has to make a special mention of Araku Valley and Borra Caves. Araku is the picturesque valley at 1300 meters above sea. The Eastern Ghats rail route (K.K Line)from Visakhapatnam to Anantagiri is one of the highest broad guage tracks in Indian Railways, and Shimliguda Station is the highest broad gauge station. Train travel is an exhilarating experience as lush landscapes of the forest and Coffee Plantations afford a memorable spectacle.
En route are the Borra Caves famous for their stalactite and stalagmites, believed to be a million years old and spread over the Eastern ghats and occupying an area of 2 square kilometers. The Gosthani river, which formed the cave, heads towards Orissa, after emerging from the caves.
The landscape around the cave is wild and mountaineous. The valley is inhabited by about 19 tribes. Their Dimsa and Mayur dances are still performed during their festival ‘Itika Pongal’ – the famous hunting festival in April.
But the best way to visit the cave is probably a guided day trip which typically includes Tyada Railway Tunnel, Damuku View Point, Borra Caves, Ananthagiri Coffee Plantation, Padmapuram Gardens and the Araku Valley.
Kuntala Water Falls
Amidst dense forests and sahayadri mountain range, the District of Adilabad is bestowed with nature’s beauty at it’s best.In the mountain range are present many big and small waterfalls, which are fed by monsoons. Most of these waterfalls run through the living habitats of local tribal communities.Thus giving a feast of ancient and ethnic culture of the tribals amalgamated with Mother Nature; to the eyes of the beholder. Among these Kuntaala and Pochera waterfalls are prominent.
About 32Kms from the district centre and 12Kms from the village NerediKonda nestled in dense forests is The Kuntaala Waterfall.
According to the popular and prevalent local belief Kuntaala Waterfall got it’s name after Shakuntala, the beloved wife of King Dushyanth who fell in love with each other and were mesmerized by the scenic beauty of the surroundings. The locals also believe that Shakuntala used to bathe by the waterfall.
River Kanda flowing through the dense forests; at this point comes gushing and falls from a height of 45metres.One has to experience the sight of water splashing down with such a force that water below turn into whirls.
Adjacent to Kuntaala Waterfall, We find the temple of Lord Someshwara Swami, the locals as well as the visitors offer this deity pujas. We reach this temple by passing through a hill slit into two, making a passage. This magnificent nature’s carving is very rare to see. On “Maha ShivaRathri” festival this temple is beautifully decorated and devotees throng the temple from various places of the district.
Route:
Hyderabad to Nirmal 210 Kms
Nirmal to Neredigonda 30 kms
Neredigonda to Kuntala Falls 14 kms
Pochera Water Falls, Adilabad district
The district of Adilabad is well known as The District for Forests. The splendid Sahayadri Mountain range standing gigantic attract the monsoon clouds creating vulnerable climate throughout and nurtures the wide and variant flora of the forests.
Pochera waterfall is unique and is varied from other waterfalls. Situated interiorly amidst dense forests this waterfall offers an exhilarated experience to the visitor.
River Godavari flowing from the neighbouring state flows down the Sahayadri Mountain range .The River that runs in many narrow streams, at this point mingle together and falls from a height of 20mts, the sound of the splashing waters against rocks echoes the surroundings.The water thus collects on a platform of hill resembling a small lake. The water then slides down.
How to reach?
Situated 35 kms (appx.) from Nirmal, on National Highway no.7, and is on the way to Adilabad. It is 15 kms from Kuntala waterfalls.
Belum caves, Kurnool District
Belum Caves is the second largest cave in Indian sub-continent and the longest caves in plains of Indian Subcontinent. Belum Caves derives its name from “Bilum” Sanskrit word for caves. In Telugu language, it is called Belum Guhalu. Belum Caves has a length of 3229 meters, making it the second largest natural caves in Indian Subcontinent. Belum Caves have long passages, spacious chambers, fresh water galleries and siphons. The caves reach its deepest point (120 feet from entrance level) at the point known as Patalganaga.
The site:
Belum Caves is located at Belum Village in Kolimigundla Mandal of Kurnool District in State of Andhra Pradesh, India. Kolimigundla is situated 3 km from Belum Caves.
Discovery:
Even though the Belum Caves were known to the locals, the first records of Caves were mentioned in expedition report of Robert Bruce Foote, in 1884. Thereafter, Belum Caves remained unnoticed for almost a century till a German team headed by Herbert Daniel Gebauer conducted detailed exploration of the caves in 1982 and 1983.
Charges:
The tourists are charged an amount of Rs.25.00 for entrance. Foreign Tourists are charged Rs.300.00 per person for entrance.
Accommodation near Belum Caves:
APTDC runs Harita Hotel in the vicinity of Belum Caves. The only accommodation type offered is a 32 beds dormitory. The charges for dormitory accommodation is Rs.40.00 per person.
Distance from major cities/towns:
270 km from Bangalore
320 km from Hyderabad
420 km from Chennai
106 km from Kurnool
85 km from Ananthapur
30 km from Tadpatri
60 km from Nandyal
20 km from Banganapalle
34 km from Koil kuntla
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/Jan272008/sundayherald2008012648758.asp
Chittoor District
Chittoor district is a paradise for trekkers. Even in summer, unlike rest of the places in A.P, greenery is present abundantly in Seshachal Range of hills. There are few places which are paradise for trekkers.
Talakona: This place is 40 Kms from Tirupati. Here there is a C.B.E.T (Community Based Eco-Tourism Project), which can be used as base camp. It has 2 log huts and a Dormitory and it can accommodate 30 people. It has a Restaurant and 246 mts of canopy walk which is Asia’s longest. Here there are 3 trails. Guides are available for all these treks at C.B.E.T. Phone: 08584 272282
1) Base camp-Talakona water falls-Appaswamy madugu-Brahma gundam-Base camp (1 Day)
2) Base camp-Kukkala Doddi in Kadapa district which is road head.(1 Day)
3) Base camp-Papa Vinasam in Tirumala (1 Day).
For reservations and information, contact:
K. Anil Kumar
08584 272282 , 094911 21405
Tada Falls (Ubbala Madugu) : It is existing in Varadaiah Palem near Tada village (Tada is on NH-5). Trail exists up to the water fall. No trail is existing there further to reach the source of the water falls. But trekking enthusiasts like Chennai Trekking Club (CTC) people explored it up to the source of the falls.
Nagari Hills: This was also done by CTC. No pre trail existing.
www.chennaitrekkers.org
Info about Bhairavakona near Kanigiri
http://bhairavakona.org/
http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/13/stories/2008111352000300.htm
www.penchalakona.com/
Waterfalls In Chittoor District
Kailasanatha Kona
Kailasanatha Kona (also known as Kailasa Kona), a recurrent waterfall, is situated in Nagari Valley near Puttur in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. It is formed by the mountain clefts and the water here is believed to be sacred and pure that has extraordinary healing powers. The place is entirely surrounded with large trees and verdant foliage with the ever-present monkeys. The waterfall is recurrent, though a bit meager during the summer; overflows during the monsoon and spring seasons. Beating the heat under the cool showers, the tired souls of city dwellers get recharged and invigorated by the bath.
How to reach:
Having your own transport is the ideal option to reach this place (43 km from Tirupati). Drive towards Puttur and after entering the Puttur highway road, you will find a road on the left (bearing a signboard) heading towards Kailasakona waterfall. Turn left and go straight. After travelling 2.5 km you will reach the destination. Nearest railway station is Puttur. Alternatively, you may find local buses that shuttle between Puttur and Tirupati to reach this place.
Waterfalls In Chittoor District
Contd…
Sadasiva Kona
Sadasiva Kona is famous for its water falls and it is a religious location as well as a nature spot situated remotely on Puttur-Tirupati route and is just 10 km from Majjiga Gunta. The place is densely populated with thick trees and vegetation with snobbish hillocks and mountain heads covering around giving a panoramic view of waterfall. The temple of Lord Sadasiva (an incarnation of Lord Shiva) along with his wife Goddess Kamakshi is situated near the waterfalls and the major festivals celebrated here are Maha Shivaratri, Vaikunta Ekadasi and all Mondays during the Karthika Masam. During these days devotees in a large number visit the temple from several parts of the state and Tamil Nadu as well. The temple was constructed by the king of Karvetinagaram who patronized and worshipped Lord Sadasiva and Goddess Kamakshi.
On the other hand, Ammavari Kona and Ayyavari Kona waterfalls also are located near this place and water from all these valleys flow along and consolidate at a point as a Pushkarini (a sacred pond).
How to reach
As the place is remotely located, it is somewhat difficult to reach the place. Hiring a car is the ideal option or you can go by bus up to Nagileru from where you need to walk for about 4 km to reach the place. Alternatively, there are several other routes through Yerpedu, Papanaidupeta and Vadamalapeta but they are quite tiresome. The nearest railway station is Puttur lying at 16km north-east on Tirupati-Chennai route.