SECUNDERABAD - NAGPUR.
The MAP- PHO - GRAPH gives complete : Secunderabad - Nagpur Trip.
This is a screenshot of that map.It shows complete Trip done between 12 Nov 02 to 18 Nov 02 Unfortunately it does not open by clicking on it nor is it an interactive one . To open,interactive map GO HERE.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=15A7RPaHbwNGz3GElnLVzk90bnRDO7j86&ll=19.153810651311584%2C77.31679009202844&z=16
With this URL Interactive map should open in a new window.
For photos go to Album 23 and 24..
After trip to Warangel, rested on 11th. Started for Nagpur on 12 Nov 02.
Route followed was : Secunderabad - Nagarjunkonda Island - Anupu - Ethiopthala Falls - Nagarjun Sagar - Shikharam - Srisailam - Kurnool - Alampur - Mantralya - Adoni - Alur _ Hosepet - Hampi - Hosepet - Khustagi - Gagendra Garh - Banashankari - Badami - Mahakoot - Pattadakal - Aihole - Kudala Sangam - Bijapurr- Solapur - Tuljapur - Nanded - Umarkehd - Wardha - NAGPUR. Reached on 18 Nov 02.
Our places of interest , Nagarjun Sagar Dam and archaeological sites in the vicinity of Nagarjun Sagar Dam, Ethiopthala Falls a scenic spot down stream from the dam. Shikhram famous religious shrine. Shrisailamone of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Temples of Alampur. Mantralya, had heard about it but it was a mutt being run by deciples of Raghavendra Swami, Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal all world heritage sites. Banashankari, Mahakoot, Kudala Sangam, Tuljapur all famous religious places. Bijapur a historical city. Nanded famous Gurudwara. So full use was made of return trip.
Nagarjunkonda Island : After reaching Nagarjun Sagar Dam we crossed the rive and went to jetty to catch ferry to Nagarjunkonda Island. The valley where there is deep reservoir there was ancient buddhist civilisation . Traces of which were found by archaeological dept. Before the water levles rose due to dam construction, archaeological relics were dug out and taken to higher ground on the hill. Work was planned to reconstruct them on on hill to In 2002 the archaeological ruins were still being developed. There were no guides, at least we could not find any. Also the museum, seen on the map today, was also not there. Took photos of whatever we could find. Caught return ferry and came back on shore.Left for Anupu.
Anupu. Plenty of relics from the valley were brought to place called Anupu . The sites were reconstructed. Here large number as well as far more work seemed to have been done. saw some good ancient sites reconstructed.
Ethiopthala Fall. Had to travel a bit before we could reach the falls. Almost 11 odd kms down stream of Dam but not on the main river on which dam has been constructed. Efforts have been made to make the site tourist friendly by making paved pathways and constructing a viewing platform with safety railing . It was quite ok . In monsoon and wftr rains must look beautiful,
Shikharm. The road passed through Nillamala Forest. When we had travelled it was a dense forest with canopy of the trees covering tne forest . Foilage was so thich that even noon sun could not penitrate and there limited light . Hardly any traffic. In fact we did not see any other vehicle during our journey through forest. In fact a thought came if we have a breakdown help may not come readily. A scary thought. Good climb on well constructed stais, Shiva Temple and huge rotating Nandt at view point so finley balanced that Priti could rotate it at the top. Breathtaking view of Srisailam dm from view point.
For more info on Sikharam GO TO.
Sri Sailam. Before rached Srisailam saw Pal dhara/ Panchdara, ans Sakshi Ganapati. Sri Sailam is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. The Deity is called Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna. It is significant to the Hindu sects of both Shaivam and Shaktam as this temple is referred to as one of the twelve Jyothirlingas of Lord Shiva and as one of the eighhteen Shakti Peethas of goddess Parvati. Shiva is worshiped as Mallikarjuna, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Brahmaramba. It is the only temple in India which is revered as both Jyotirlinga and Shaktipeeth.
Temples of Alampur. Thanks to the Star in our TTK maps we went to Alampur. It is a village with hardly any city facilities or comfors. Initially thought may be the star was misleading but when we reached the temple site we were in for a surprise. Alampur is the meeting point of the sacred rivers Tungabhadra and Krishna and is referred to as Dakshina Kashi (also Navabrahmeshwara Theertha) and the Western Gateway of Srisailam, There were more than 9- 10 temple . Also close by there is Jogulamba Temple which is a Shakti peeth. Checked three sites 1./en.wikipedia.org. 2. /www.trawell.in/t 3. http://templenet.com/Andhra/alampur.html.
Third was best ,Well worth looking up. Got accomodation in Govet Rest House. Stayed the night.
Hampi - Badami - Pattadakal - Aihole. All beautiful places World heritage sites. We had seen them all on 2000. Were happy to see that Archiological Survey of India was doing a good job . In two years not only the earlier excavated site were vastly improved and worked upon bur many more new sites were under exploration and excavation.
Banashankari, Mahakoot, Kudala Sangam. Banashankar ther was hardly and change in the temple itself but were shocked to see that the watre resivor was totaly dry not a drop of water in it . Felt sad as it had lost not only its beauty but soure of water as well. Mahakoot wae a Shiva temple wighere gharbhgraha was submerged in wate . Kudala Sangama . as the name suggests ig on sangam of Krishna and Malprabha Rivers. Quite an engineering feat as the temple it self is much below the water level of nearby flowing rivers.
Bijapur. Bijapur, officially known as Vijayapura, is the district headquarters. Bijapur city is well known for its historical monuments of architectural importance built during the rule of the Adil Shahi dynasty.
Bijapur, one of the popular heritage city in Karnataka. Bijapur, the land of five rivers and the domain of different cultures, is an ancient city. The city established in the 10th and 11th centuries by the Chalukyas of Kalyani was known as Vijayapura (City of victory). Stayed Sainik School. Next morning set course for Tuljapur But before leaving Bijapur saw. Ibrahim Roja, , .Malik - e - Maidan, Bara Kaman, Gol Gumbaz,& Archaeological Museum at Col Gumbaz. Description of all these places are given with their photos.
Tuljapur. This is the home town of Tmple of Tulja Bhavani. She was Devat of Shivaji Maharj . It is said that she had given him Bhavani Sword. It so happenen that we ah approached the temple from the rear gate. As we were pressed for time we asked around if we could gae early darshan. Even this place money talked and for 200 we jumped the 'Q' gor a garland,acoconut and prasad..
Info on Tuljapur can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulja_Bhavani_Temple.
Nanded. By the time reached Nadded it was prety late . Found out about guest houses . Located an Irrigation Dept Guest house. Luckly got accomodation. Considering distance to Nagpur startd very early. By luck and sheer coincenedence it was Guru Purub and our path took us roght in front of very well lit and decorated Gurudwara. It happend to be Takhta Sachakhand Sahib. This happens to be one of the five takhta's which are revered by Sikhs. Went in. Had Darshan and were given piping hot Kadha Prasad dripping with pure ghee and scaldinh Hot . Till date can not forget the taste not the experience.
Reached Home, Nagpur by evening.
