Saleshwaram----A Trek deep into the Nallamalla Forest---opens only for 5days a year

Saleshwaram-Trek  deep into Nallamala Forest!!!

Area: Telangana (Mahabubnagar District) enroute to Srisailam.

Journey: Hyderabad (MGBS)–till Tiger statue 150kms-Saleshwaram+36kms (Total=186kms)

Travel time: Hyderabad-Farahabad (Amrabad Tiger Reserve) Four hours, 36 kilometers Forest Drive through bus, One hour and trek four kilometers (for me it took 2 & ½hrs with photography breaks, (Total time 7&1/2 hours  to go to saleshwaram and 8 &1/2 hours to reach back home.)

Route: from Hyderabad (MGBS) -Chandrayanagutta-Kalvakurthi-Dindi-Lathikpur Dam-Srisailam Ghat road-Munnanur Check post-Farahabad(Tiger statue)-from here 36 kilometers forest drive & four kilometers trek to Lingamaiah cave (Saleshwaram)

Best time to visit this place: Unique feature of this is that it opens only for five days in a year. During Chaitra-Pournima, usually this falls in the month of April.

Trip members: 2

Trip vehicle: TSRTC. During this fair Telangana-RTC deploys buses directly to the place, can also go on your vehicles.

Date of Travel: 21^st April 2016

Photography: Allowed (no fee)

Vicinity: Can visit 

• Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, 
• Mallela-theertham, 
• Umamaheshwaram, 
• Akkamahadevi caves

To do List:

• Please do not feed monkeys and other animals.
• No entry from 09:00 pm to 06:00 am from Munnanur checks post.
• Do not throw plastics.
• Do not use glass bottles if broken it may hurt animals further.
• Please do not disturb forest area ,its animals habitat
• Please do not drink Liquor
• Carry sufficient water and don’t waste water.
• Please use trekking shoes to trek & get a spare dress.
• Do not harm animals.

 Accommodation!!!!

No facility to stay in deep forest, but if you want to stay during Saleshwaram fair, Please carry these things with you

• Odomos
• Mosquito coil
• Matchbox
• Light weight blanket
• Torch light
• Air Pillows

Suggestion for Photography:

• Take photography while going, because your energy levels will be on high, you will be exhausted on your return.

Food:

• There are lots of non-profit organizations offering free food and water for 24 hours during these five days.

Our Trip plan:

Saleshwaram-Abode of Lingamaiah, popularly known as Amarnath Temple of South India. A trip deep into Nallamala Forest & Tiger Reserve Area. Unique feature of this temple is that it opens for only five days in a year during Chaitra-pournima(full moon day) usually which falls in the month of April, after Telugu festival UGADI.

Journey from Hyderabad!!!

Hurray Finally I made it this time!!!! Saleshwaram..even though heard about the place earlier, could not plan for the trip as we are not aware of the  whereabouts of the place clearly.But this time planning was done almost from 2 months to cover this trip.Telangana Governmaent also deployed RTC buses directly from Hyderabad (MGBS to Saleshwaram for the 5days of fair) So we have opted for bus route .This was our 1^st trip to this place and I wanted to visit lord on (full moon day) pournami day only,So even fair started on 18^th april I waited till pournami date which has fallen on April 21^st   (pournami started at 8:22 am) & lasted till April 22^nd (10:55 am).

We have started on 21^st Morning,  from my home  around 4:30 am & reached MGBS  at 5:10 am & parked my vehicle at parking & reached MGBS bus stop , enquired about platform & reached 30^th platform.

Even though for every half an hour  direct buses ply to saleshwaram  we have opted for  srisailam luxury bus which started at 6am,in order to reach saleshwaram we need to get down at tiger statue (Farhabad) , ticket costed around 182 rupees  per head.After exactly 4hrs of our bus journey i.e 10:12 am  we reached the tiger statue  place.once we got down there we needed a small tea break and meanwhile started chitchatting with the lady at tea shop and there the lady guided us to  try to get into  Jathara (fair) special buses rather than into jeep ,the journey will be comfortable as the jeep may be conjusted to sit which is already filled by people.We thought it was good choice opting bus & waited for bus ...within very short span of 5 mins we got a bus which leads directly to saleshwaram ...a drive into the deep nalla malla forest.

Amrabad Tiger Reserve - Save Tiger!!!

At this entrance every vehicle should pay ticket amount to the forest department in order to go ahead with our journey, from the forest entry gate it is about 36 kilometers bus drive deep into forest. Forest department had dug up some water ponds for animals to survive this hot summer. Chenchulu, a local Tribe is the main people who serve the Lord Saleshwara and perform pujas (no brahmins here) finally after about an hour of the journey in the forest we reached Saleshwaram entry point.

There were about 10 to 15 Seva samithis from different places offering food for devotees’ day & night for these five days. They were providing food for devotees with Raagi malt/Water, Rice, Daal, Sambhar, Curry, Mango pickle & curd.

Being an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva I first wanted to have the Darshan of the lord and then have the food. My friend had his lunch here. He said food was with good taste!!!!!

We need to start our walk from entry point. We see alot of banners  welcome us by forest department , some banners welcome us to Saleshwaram/Chenchulokam by a tribal community group (who welcome us into their world).

Basic idea about our overall trek which is around 4kms!!!!!

1km  slant hill trek-------1km normal way------1km slant hill trek---- then around 30 steps-------then 3/4^th km normal way at the edge of hill---- then 1/4 th km slant hill trek ----- then walk of 60 feet between 2 mountains --- then here we reach waterfalls---- then cave of lord lingamaiah swamy…..

From here our forest trek started!!!

We see huge  Snake pits while walking in the forest .Indians believe worshipping snakes in this mud pits god bless them with children. So often we see  every mud pit of snakes will be covered with turmeric ,vermillion,diyas & threads wrapped around mud pits of snakes.  

We need to  descent hill on rocky terrain which will give us a peculiar experience, locales walk without footwear & some walk with footwear but I suggest get good trekking shoes so that the walk will be comfortable. While walking we have many shops who sell soda’s for Rs.30, water bottle for Rs.30, buttermilk Rs.10, coconuts for Rs.50. At the beginning of our trek coconuts, which we break at temple as offerings were sold at Rs.30 at mid way of our trek it was Rs.50 and near temple it was Rs.80. You can also find forest medicinal herbs being sold by local people here.

I have seen one saint where he was a master in blowing conch; we have taken some photos of him such a kind people really impressed by their hospitality,I wish god bless them with all needs …and headed towards our darshan. We see lots of sadhu’s all over the route they are all masters in blowing conch, taking blessings from them we headed towards our darshan.

In mid of the way at one point after three kilometers we reach the tip of the hill,here some fence was built for the safety of the people . from here we need  to take a U-turn down the edge of the hill and descent 30 steep steps downwards, and again start walking at the edge of the hill  for about 3/4^th kilometer. The fencing and these steps were built by the Chenchus (tribal people) by the money collected during these fairs. At this fence lot of people leave there footwear, there was a instruction on banners like devotees leave your foot-wear at Metla Mysamma.I hope this is the place,I am not sure about it,I decided to leave my foot wear at entrance of temple.

Now walking on curved stone at hill edge!!!

Walking at the edge of mountain thrills but be careful. In this trail, you will find mini water falls at some places on your way...watch out!!! the walking path is  slippery. On our way at one place there is a small siva linga exactly down of the small water fall which flows in a series of steep drops on to siva linga which gives us a mesmerizing scenic view and left us speechless to explain... reverberating the chant om nama sivaya we resumed our journey . Lots of devotees pray loudly “vosthunamu vosthunamu lingamaiah swamy” (which means lord siva we are coming for your darshan bless us).

While moving at some places some locales started pairing up stones as hills , they strongly believe  that by pairing stones one on another in layers they build their own house in their life time itseems with lords grace.

Now after some area again we get a steep slant  hill this is final one!!!!

Finally reached the entrance of the saleshwaram... we decided to leave footwear here. So we left our footwear at one shop near tonsure area and said them we will pay them after we are done with our darshan.

Here we see forest officer guards in civil dress, carrying big artillery guarding the forest and to protect devotees towards any undue events.

At around 02:00 pm we reached the saleshwaram entry point.from here we need to cross a small bamboo bridge and then turn left where we get a gateway, we entered on to that , by the side of our path we  see mini water flow where devotees were taking bath. Take U-turn and pay  entrance ticket and enter into the premises; from here we should walk between two mountains on sharp rocky edges. Finally after 50 feet of walk you get nearer to waterfalls.

The walk can be challenging for the some but it is worth it when you arrive down to the bottom of the gorge.

Why lord siva known  by the name Saleshwara Lingamaiah ???

As Hearsay  ,actually lord was named as sarveshwarudu but these tribal community people (chenchu’s) could not pronounce it properly and used to call him  as Saleshwarudu.Anyway you call him by any name he attends you. He is the Supreme Divinity!!!!

Lord siva resides here in Saleshwaram in a cave... deep in nallamalla forest. As hearsay this was the route used by people in ancient days to come to Srisailam when there was no bus facility.

Frolicking waterfalls!!!
The jaw dropping site of this huge waterfall dropping to a pool below will leave us awe struck...

The waterfall is surrounded by forests and cliffs on all the sides,we can take refreshing dip in the pool.
Lingamaiah cave is located beautifully; the water falls are famous for its wedge shaped formation, near the temple we see the frolicking waterfalls falling down from almost 300 meters. Even in hot summer, the water flowing from mountains gives you the ice chilled water.

It’s a belief that----water falls heavily as the float of people increases and if the devotees are less  water flow is less but never a scarcity of water…… miracle of god

Thanda Thanda cool cool !!!!!!

Even though its hot summer,the water falls out of mountains gives you the ice chilled water flow,we cant directly bath underneath this waterfalls because of too chillness.

There are 2 routes here to enter into the premises

         1) to go to waterfalls and then to cave

    2)  to return back

     

Just standing near to the waterfall will leave you drenched,so dont forget to carry clothes to change later.
For us there was no plan of bathing here so we did not get any spare clothes, but after seeing waterfalls couldn’t stop ourselves bathing underneath this fall. Lord Siva makes sure that nothing happens to us even on that sharp edge mountains,, but be careful standing on edges of rocks while bathing, it’s a beautiful experience...,thought of swimming  but stopped myself and took bath underneath the waterfalls and stood there for 20 mins.our clothes dried in no time because of scroching summer.

Now we got down from one hill to the path which leads us to another mountain where lord houses. exactly opposite to the waterfalls there was a cave of Lord Lingamaiah. As it was Pournami day, it was flooded with devotees, around 03:00 pm we reached the temple entrance. Locals say that the temple would be crowded with devotees in the mid night to watch Pournami moon rays in this water pool that reflects on Lord Shiva in the top of the cave .Truly a miraculous thing but i missed out this moment as i was not made any preparations to stay at this place so i moved out  from this place sooner after darshan.

Darshan time!!!!!

Meanwhile in queue they were sending 20 members as a batch as the cave was very small.Here chenchus(local tribals) worship siva.

Finally at the entrance they take coconuts from devotees... break them and give us theertham in the queue itself near the main cave. We headed inside the cave, all volunteers were shouting not to take any photographs; somehow I managed to take one picture by requesting them. After offerings & worship we came out of the temple .I carried with me 2 more coconuts as it was pournami I want to offer lord coconut lamps so done it successfully. After coming down five steps, there were three women sitting on raised platform and giving us theertham and vibhudhi & vermillion on our forehead. Awesome!!!!These people are so kind hearted .No priority based darshans here,all are treated equally ,felt very happy!!!!

After sitting for sometime here at the temple, at around 04:00 pm we started our trek back thanking the lord for his blissful darshan. We brought a laddu for Rs.40/- to calm down our hunger.

!!hara hara mahadev!!!

Returning back!!!

After sitting near temple for sometime we got our footwear and started trekking back. thanking lord for his blissful darshan..hope coming years he give us  darshan too !!hara hara maha dev!!!

laddu for 40/- not at all costly becoz these people get the laddu packed boxes all over from starting point carring till saleshwaram cave ,hats off  to these people…

From here the trek starts for returning back!!!!!

The trek is around 4kms back (same route)..but now the hill should be trekked upside steep hill ,its too tuff time ..take a stick for the support to walk, it helps you to balance your stamina

1/4th km steep hill trek upwards-------3/4^th km normal way on hill edge------ around 30 steps steep upwards -------1km steep  hill trek upwards -----1  km normal way-----Again 1km Steep hill trek upwards ------finally back to starting point.

After trekking some way, in mid way we have taken a small tea break, 10/- per cup and offered saint’s also with tea…after trekking of steps i.e at metla mysamma   while going back lots of devotees shout with devotion  “velivostham lingamaiah swamy “(which means thanks for great darshan again we come to you for the  next fair)

We have taken 2^nd halt at butter milk shop and chit chated with him regarding this place and started climbing steep upwards hill.After reached normal way suddenly I got remembered my dad was asking me to get gachakayalu for some ayurvedic medicine,so I bought them from local people sellers..

After several small breaks at 06:45 pm we reached the starting point.We went to a tea shop ,there we have seen a navar bed ,I couldnot stop myself and wanted to take small nap  and relaxed for some time at entry point in forest  till 8 pm.

AT 8 pm we went to one seva samithi and had our dinner ,thanking god for all blessings he showered on us,after sometime got into a bus that took us to Mannanur cross roads.

We have seen sunset and moon rise awesome feel!!!!!!

Due to pournami night heavy rush of traffic so it took almost 2&1/2 hrs to come out of deep forest & reach the place,by then we missed out our last bus to hyderabad which was at 10:30 pm.we were not aware that it was the last bus,but luckily there was a sitting area where locales sleep at night in summer & chitchat in evening times,we sat there till 2:30 am with locales chit chatting in mean while they said till morning 07:00  there will be no bus ,we were in dilemma but we dont want to giveup and tried our luck and reached munnanur checkpost area by paying auto 10/- which is ½ km away as we noticed buses were not halting at night at munananur cross roads.

Finally we reached a tea shop at munananur checkpost and had tea . At around 03:00 am, luckily we got a Jatara (fair) special bus to Hyderabad, We got into the bus and slept and at around 6:30 am we reached MGBS bus stop and took our vehicle from parking-lot paying him 40/- and reached home by 7:30 am and relaxed!!!