4 day Rayalaseema Trip

We(with SIL family) wanted to visit Srisailam and there was a plan to go to Vontimitta as well. Hence we planned for a 4 day Rayalaseema trip of temples including Ahobilam(to cover the rest of temples in Lower Ahobilam). We planned to go in 2 cars.

Day 1: Started off from Hyderabad on Wednesday morning around 8.15 am and headed to Srisailam having booked the accommodation in advance. On the way stopped at Octopus View point which is a beautiful place with water in the midst of hills around 20 kms from Srisailam. Spent around 15 mins and reached around 2.30 pm. To our surprise, there was a hug rush at Srisailam as it was Ugadi time and got to know that devotees from Karnataka come to Srisailam during this time in huge numbers. There was hardly any free space left and people occupied all the places. Luckily we got into the accommodation that we booked and were told that the Darshan is taking much longer that expected and the special darshan were also closed previous 3-4 days. We thought of trying our luck and the 500/- special darshan was open and we were able to complete by 5.30 pm. Came back to the rooms and slept for the night.

Day 2: Woke up in the morning the next day and started off to Vontimitta around 8.30 am. On the way, stopped at Brahmam Gari Matham where Potuluri Veebrahmendraswamy(who wrote the Kalagyanam) spent his last few days. Roamed around the village and had lunch. From there reached Vontimitta around 5 pm. Had the head shaven for the two kids and had Darshan at the Sri Kodanda Rama Swamy temple. It is quite old temple and TTD took over the maintenance few years back. Went to Kadapa for the night and slept at a hotel.

Day 3: Woke up in the morning and started off to Ahobilam temple which was our next destination. Reached Lower Ahobilam around 11 am and planned to cover the Narasimha temples that we could not cover int he last trip. First had darshan at the main temple of Diguva Ahobilam and from there went to Sri Chatravata Narasimha temple and from there went to Sri Yogananda Narasimha swamy temple. From there, had lunch and headed to Pavana Narasimha temple by engaging an SUV as the road was not good and could not go in our own vehicles. It was indeed bumpy ride of 12 kms. Had Darshan there and came to the last of the nine Narasimha temples in Ahobilam that we had to visit, Sri Bhargava Narasimha temple. From there started off to Orvakallu Rock garden near Kurnool and had halts at Banaganapalle village where Sri Potuluri Veerabrahmendra Swamy spent most of the years and also Yaganti temple. Reached Orvakallu around 9 pm and stayed at the Haritha resorts inside the Rock garden.

Day 4: Woke up in the morning and went around the Rock garden which has quite a few natural rock formations and some art work made of automobile waste parts. There were a few monkeys around and had come to the cars.

It is a good 4 day Rayalaseema trip for those who are looking for a getaway with family/friends from Hyderabad. Click here for more road trips.