The ghat road journey gave us a plethora of scenic views of the Nallamalla forests and valleys.These forests are home to abundant wildlife.But spotting monkeys and rabbits was the only wildlife experience we encountered though.
As we neared Srisailam,the Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy Dam on the river Krishna greeted us on the way.The water level was below the usual level when we visted but we could imagine what a sight it was when all the gates were opened last year.We just hoped we would have a great monsoon this year so that we could come again and witness the marvelling sight of water gushing out of all the twelve gates of this magnificent dam.
That evening we had darshan at the famous Bhramarambika Mallikarjuna Swamy temple.The river Saraswati that originates in the Himalayas is believed to be flowing underground in this area.The temple architecture left us spellbound.I always felt our ancestors had some divine power in them that reflects in these architectural wonders.The Srisailam temple architecture has reinforced my belief.
When we enquired with the locals about places worth visiting here,two names kept cropping up in many discussions.One was the Akka Mahadevi cave and the other was the Ishtakameshwari temple.The next day, after a sumptuous breakfast we set out on our journey to the Akka Mahadevi cave.To reach this cave,one has to descend about 800 steps to reach Pathala Ganga and from there take a boat journey for an hour.Then we have to trek for about half an hour to reach the cave.This is a natural cave and it is believed that Akka Mahadevi,a woman saint and devotee of Lord Shiva meditated in this cave.The only word that describes this cave experience is THRILLING..It is pitch dark inside the cave and you need either a candle or a torch to make your way in.There are bats too and it is difficult not to get lost if you go alone.There is a crevice deep inside the cave with a Shiva Ling.The narrow passage that leads there allows only one person at a time and it is bewildering and also astonishing how the saint Akka Mahadevi could meditate here for many years.The trek back to the boat and return journey were equally exciting,though we all were a little tired.One thing that would be a memory for many years to come is that we drank the water directly from the river krishna when the boat was almost amidst the river.The water tasted perfectly pure and sweet.We understood that nature has its own water filtering systems.At the same time it was sad to know what we are doing with nature's precious resource near the banks by polluting it and littering it with filth.This was a valuable lesson learnt.
The next day we embarked on our journey to Ishtakameshwari temple in the dense forest range of Srisailam.Private vehicles can never travel to this place.So we hired a Jeep and started to this place.After a journey of half an hour,we took a turn into the forest area.This started the breathtaking experience which we later called a back breaking experience too.This is truly an experience for those high on adrenaline.The bumpy journey literally had all of us jumping out of our seats.The drivers driving these vehicles have amazing experience and deft hands.It is unimaginable to even the most accomplished driver on city roads to even think of such driving.A small temple dedicated to the goddess Ishtakameshwari is the main attraction here.It is said that while applying kumkum to the deity's forehead,you feel as if touching a human forehead.But the pestering pujari inside didnt let us have a leisurely experience of this wonderful phenomenon.Here we also tried our hand at archery with the traditional bow and arrows of the Nallamalla tribals.The drive back was even more thrilling,climbing up inclines and avoiding ditches on the way.We returned to our guest house totally exhausted but also exhilarated because for people like us with a sedentary lifestyle,this was nothing short of testing our limits.Situated on the highest point here,our guest house offered a wonderful view of the dam and the valleys.it made watching the dam a real delight,enjoying the pure air.
Overall this was a wonderful way to unwind.A friendly restaurant owner who served us food which tasted almost like home,the endless cups of tea,a funny driver breaking into a song every now and then-all these added to the special experience of this journey.It took all us of us into a wonderful world where we forgot the mobile phones and mp3 players.Who cared,when nature was singing a sweet song in many voices of the air,water and the birds.It was indeed a vacation that will be cherished for long.
