Andhara Pradesh Archives - Tourist in India

Ubbalamadugu Falls alias Varadhapalayam Falls or Tada Falls Near Chennai

January 6, 2019April 12, 2019 George T. George 2 Comments

Ubbalamadugu Falls alias Varadhapalayam Falls Or Tada Falls is situated at around 10 kilometers inside reserved forests near Varadhapalayam and Tada, in Chittor District, Andhra Pradesh state, India. It is one of the best weekend getaways for Chennai residents.

Ubbalamadugu Falls alias Varadhapalayam Falls Or Tada Falls

Varadhapalayam Falls or Ubbalamadugu Falls is situated deep inside reserved forests. Mud roads are there to go to the falls. Vehicles go through a very scenic route with a large lake on your left side.

Entry Procedure to Ubbalamadugu Falls alias Varadhapalayam Falls or Tada Falls

You need to get entry permit for each person and vehicle at the Andhra Pradesh forest department entrance gate. Entry is allowed from 6 am up to 4 pm in the evening. You need to come out by 6 pm. Entry fee per person is rupees 50. Two wheeler entry fee is also the same. Car entry fee is rupees 200. The rates are written at the entrance. There is a fee for camera also. Please confirm the rates and pay the amount, at the counter only. Forest department will issue you a receipt for the amount paid.

You need to travel around 3 or 4 kilometers from the entry gate to reach the parking lot. Some portions of the road are in off-road condition. On the left side of the parking lot, you will find a small temporary bridge to cross the stream.

You may come across a few people bathing here on one side this bridge. If you walk straight, you can see the stream on your left side. Keep walking. Whenever you feel like bathing, turn to your left and take a refreshing bath int he cold waters of the stream. A word of caution. The water flow is very powerful to even carry adults. There are rocks along the path of the stream. Hence, take care.

This falls and the stream are one of the best falls I have seen in South India. Since the falls is hard to access (which needs to be trekked for a couple of hours along the stream side), very few tourists goes to the actual falls. Entry fee also prevents many from coming here. Many of the other nearby falls in Andhra Pradesh state line Kone Falls, does not charge any entry fee, vehicle entry fee, camera fee, etc.

How Do I Go to Ubbalamadugu Falls alias Varadhapalayam Falls Or Tada Falls?

Ubbalamadugu Falls alias Varadhapalayam Falls Or Tada Falls is very close to Tada town and Sri City. It is around 90 kilometers from Chennai city. Sriharihota rocket launching station is situated very close to Varadhapalayam and Sri City.

Always go via Tada. After crossing the Varadhapalayam goverment bus depot, you will find a sign board on the left side, written “Ubbalamadugu Waterfalls”.

If you ask locals near the state border in Tamilnadu, some of them may misguide you (out of ignorance of the falls) to go via Sathyavedu town. This route is circuitous and should be avoided. Right now, from Sathyavedu to Tada road, a large number of culverts are under construction. It is very tedious to travel by this route.

Sadasiva Kona Falls near Tirupati on the Eastern Ghats

March 25, 2018December 1, 2018 George T. George

Sadasiva Kona falls is situated off the Puttur-Tirupati road in Chittor District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Its situated at around 10 kilometers distance from Majjiga Gunta.

Sadasiva Kona falls near Puttur, Tirupathi.

Sadasiva Kona falls is situated inside forest area. Amma Kona (Goddess Falls) is another falls situated very close to Sadasiva Kona falls.

There is a temple dedicated to Lord Sadasiva (incarnation of Lord Shiva) along with his wife Goddess Kamakshi, near to the waterfalls. It is believed that hte King of Karvetinagaram constructed this temple. Maha Shivaratri is the main festival celebrated here at this temple. Lot of Lord Shiva devotees throng to the temple on that day.

Ammavari Kona and Ayyavari Kona are two other nearby falls to Sadasiva Kona waterfalls.

There are no shops anywhere near this area. You need to bring water, snacks,food, etc.

You do not require any permits to go here. If you have a [amazon_textlink asin=’B01N69D9VL’ text=’Hanumex All Seasons Waterproof Adult Sleeping Bag’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’toursitinindi-21′ marketplace=’IN’ link_id=’c228f608-2f30-11e8-9822-f7bc88c773ee’] for Camping, Hiking And Adventure Trips, you may stay here in the night.

How Do I Go to Sadasiva Kona Falls?

Puttur is the nearest major town to Sadasiva Kone falls. Puttur is at around 33 kilometers from Tirupati Temple town. There is a railway station at Puttur town.

Buses are available from Putter private bus station (near Puttur railway station) to the falls, at 2 hours intervals. You need to get down at Nagileru bus stop. It may take around 45 minutes to reach Nagileru bus stop by bus. Sadasiva Kone falls is at around 2.5 kilometers distance from the bus route.

Uthukkottai, the border town on the Tamilnadu – Andhra Pradesh inter state border, is at around 34 kilometers away from the falls. Bengaluru is at around 250 kilometers and Chennai at around 100 kilometers from Sadasiva Kona waterfalls.

Kailasakona Waterfalls is another major falls at around 27 kilometers from Sadasiva Kona falls.

Little Known Facts About Undavalli Cave Petroglyphs

December 16, 2017October 9, 2018 George T. George 14 Comments

Undavalli Caves are a group of monolithic rock cut cave Hindu temples and monuments. Carvings and Sculptures of Hindu deities and traditions are the main attraction of the caves, along with a huge Lord Vishnu statue. These caves are situated in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh state, India.

Undavalli Caves

You will be spellbound on seeing these magnificent rock-cut architecture, which are among the best ones anywhere in the world. Dedicated to Lord Narashimha and Anantha Padmanadha, the current petroglyphs are associated with Vishnukundi kings, who reigned between 420-620 A.D.

The largest cave is a four story cave measuring 29 meters long and 16 meters wide. It is the best one among the caves here. It has a sculpture of Lord Vishnu, in a reclining posture, made of a single block of granite.

Indian rock-cut architecture finds one of its best forms, here at this magnificent cave temples. These caves are protected monuments of national importance.

Before these caves were converted into Hindu temples, Buddhist monks used these caves as Buddhist Bhikkhu Monastery. Remains Buddhist artifacts can be seen in some of these caves.

Even before that, these caves were believed to be Jain cave temples. These caves resembles the architecture of Udayagiri and Khandgiri rock-cut temples. The first floor of the four story cave temple still retains the Jain style. It exhibits Jain monastics. Tirthankara (Jain savior) sculptures can be seen in this cave.

How Do I Go to Undavalli Caves?

Undavalli caves route map can be accessed by clicking the above google map.

Undavalli village is situated on the southern banks of Krishna River. It is at around 34 kilometers from the state capital, Amaravathi. Vijayawada – Amaravati road passes through Undavalli.

The nearest railway station is Vijayawada Junction railway station, at around 11 kilometers away. Railway Station code for this station is BZA.

NTR Amaravati International Airport at Vijayawada is the nearest airport to these magnificent caves.

Vijayawada and Guntur cities are at around 6 and 22 kilometers distance respectively.

Simple Guidance for You In Chandragiri Fort and Museum

December 3, 2017October 9, 2018 George T. George 2 Comments

Chandragiri Fort is very ancient fort at Chandragiri near Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, India. This for has a history of a millennium to its credit. The fort is mainly associated with Vijayanagara Kings.

Chandragiri Upper Fort, Near Tirupathi.

Chandragiri was built by Yadava Naidu kings in the 11th century. The Raja Mahal Palace is situated inside the fort. It is a fine example of Indo-Sarcen style of architecture, which was patronized during the Vijayanagara period. The palace was build using brick, stone, lime mortar.

In 1367, after three centuries of its construction, this magnificent fort came into the hands of Vijayanagara rulers. When Golconda sultans attacked the capital city of Penukonda, Vijayanagara Emperor Rayas shifted the capital to this fort in Chandragiri city. Chandragiri fort and the surrounding city was the fourth capital of Vijayanagara Empire.

The heydays of the fort was during the reign of Vijayanagara emperor, Saluva Narasimha Rayalu. The most prominent Vijayanagara emperor, Srikrishna Devaraya, was confined to this fort, when he was the prince, till his coronation.

Chandragiri was annexed to Golkonda in 1646. Thereafter, it came under Mysore sultans. After 1792, this fort went into oblivion.

Raja Mahal Palace Archaeological Museum Inside Chandragiri Fort

The Raja Mahal Palace is now converted into an archaeological museum. It has a very large collection of stone and metal sculptures, dating as back as, to the 2nd B.C.

Bronze gallery has a large collection of coins, utensils, etc, dating back to the 10th century A.D. Idols of Hindu gods and goddess like Vishnu, Raman, Seetha, etc, are found in this gallery, along with other temple wares like bells, plates used for taking Aarti (Hindu religious ritual of worship).

The Museum also has a good collection of ancient armory like dragons, knifes, swords, head shields, etc, used during ancient days.

The stone gallery has many sculptress related to Hinduism, like Lord Shiva’s marriage to Parvathi, Lord Vishnu in seated posture, etc.

The model gallery has a collection of ancient coins, tools used during the Vijayanagara period.

There is a laser light show. Chandragiri fort sound and light show is in the evenings.

How Do I Go to Chandragiri Fort in Andhra Pradesh?

Chandragiri Fort in Andhra Pradesh is near to Tirupathi, the famous temple town. Chandragiri fort to Tirupati distance is around 15 kilometers. There are regular government bus services to the fort from Tirupathi bus terminal. It takes around 30- 40 minutes or a little longer, by bus.

Chandragiri railway station is the nearest railway station. 16 trains stops here. Its small railway station with just one platform. There is only a single railway line track in this route. Tirupati railway station is a nearby major railway station.

Renigunta Junction railway station is another major nearby railway station to the fort. This railway station’s code is RU. Renigunta town is at around 26 kilometers from the fort.

There is a small airport at Renigunta. The nearest major international airports are at Chennai and Bangalore, at around 160 and 240 kilometers distance, respectively.

Chandragiri Fort Timings

Chandragiri fort in Andhra pradesh state is open from 9 am to 5pm. The Fort is closed on Fridays.

#ChandragiriFort #ArchaeologicalMuseum

Lepakshi Veerabhadra Temple Ceiling Paintings

Why Is Lepakshi Veerabhadra Temple So Famous?

November 20, 2017October 13, 2018 George T. George Leave a comment

Veerabhadra Temple is a 16th century temple situated at Lepakshi, in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh state, India. This temple at Lepakshi is famous for its sculptures, carvings and paintings. This temple is one among the divyakshetras (holy temples) for Lord Shiva devotees.

Veerabhadra Temple.

The temple is constructed in Vijayanagara style of architecture. It is constructed in 1530 or 1540,during the reign of King Achutaraya of Vijayanagar dynasty. It was constructed by two brothers, Virupanna Nayaka and Viranna, who were governors under King Achutaraya.

Lepakshi Veerabhadra Temple Ceiling Paintings

Lepakshi Temple mural paintings includes scenes from the great epics, Ramayana & Mahabharata and also from Puranas, depicting the Vijayanagara pictorial art in its full grandeur. The fresco paintings inside the ante chamber is said to be largest such painting in Asia. These Lepakshi fresco paintings are well preserved.

Veerabhadra temple at Lepakshi has two enclosures. The outer one has three gates; northern gate is the one which is normally used. The eastern inner gate takes you to the assembly hall, at the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum (sanctum sanctorum means innermost sacred place in Hindu temple). Sculptures and paintings adorn every inch of the hall and the ceiling. 14 avatars of Lord Shiva are depicted on the pillars here in this hall. Small statues of goddesses Ganga and goddesses Yamuna can be seen at the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum.

Carvings of Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu in Veerabhadra temple.

Carved images of soldiers, horses, etc, can be seen on the exterior columns of this hall. Pictures of Goddesses Parvathi, Lord Shiva’s consort, flanked by female attendants can be seen on the southwest part of the hall. North eastern part of this hall has the paining showing Natesha with by Brahma and a drummer on each side.

There is a “hanging pillar“, an engineering wonder, in this temple. One out of the total of seventy pillars hangs from the ceiling. You can pass thin objects like a sheet of paper or a piece under this pillar.

Veerabhadra temple at Lepakshi is classified as a Monument of National Importance, by the Archaeological Survey of India.

At around a 600 meters from this temple, there is a colossal statue of Nandi, carved out of a single stone. It is one of the largest Nandi statues in the world.

How Do I Go to Veerabhadra Temple and the Nandi Statue at Lepakshi?

Veerabhadra Temple is situated on the southern side of Lepakshi town, at around 600 meters from the city center.

Lepakshi Temple is at a distance of around 140 kilometers from Bangalore. Lepakshi Veerabhadra Temple is at around 35 kilometers from Penukonda Town, a nearby major town in Anantapur district. Hindupur is another nearby city.