It was a sunny afternoon in winter, done with visiting the main temple in Srisailam. We were a group of five, walked ahead to find more interesting places. And found "Pathala Ganga" was the obvious place to go next. Walked down 500 odd steps to the bath ghat of Pathala ganga, which is also a dock of sort for the AP tourism boats that takes the pilgrims around the river for half an hour. Since a boat ride sounds very curious thing for city slickers, we opted. We got into a not so impressive boat and took our seats. It was very humid, waiting for the boat to start. A private boat driver next to our's, asked us if we would like to take his boat for ride. We asked him, what's the difference, how is a private boat better than AP tourism's. The private boat driver, who is also a guide for the place said, he would take us to a different place called "Akka mahadevi caves" which is 16 km from here and a hour long journey on his boat. In a very promising tone, he say's , "it's Adventurous Sirrr. There wouldn't be anyone esle than you". 'Oh! how is that adventurous ? ', a question , I asked myself. Nevertheless, my friends were convinced and negotiated cost for the trip.
The boat guy started the boat, all of us had a little fear inside, about our safety. We wore life jackets, although sweating. Here we go, the Atmosphere gets calmer and more calmer. The only noise we hear is our's and the boat's. Guys started taking pics. As we move on, the nature welcomed us with cool breezes in a hot afternoon.
It makes a connection with you and you start losing the fear. Soon we threw our life jackets aside. The sun light shimmered on the river. Nature unfolded it's beauty as we go along .
After a few minutes, the boat makes a strange sound, the guy moves it to the bank. He gets to bottom of the boat, and does some quick fix. We asked him," problem ?!". He replies, "small problem, but fixed". We were all smiles. We go ahead few kms, then again the strange sound, the boat guy repeats the feat. We go ahead another few kms ,and the same thing repeats.We ask the boat man," man, tell us, if anything is serious about the boat ,should we call another boat ? ". He replies ," No guys , don't worry .We are so much used to it " .But we were not convinced of his answer. Yet no real fear inside us, as we lost it, a while ago. This time the boat guy uses all his marine engineering and fixes the problem forever, as he says. We again start our journey soaking up the serenity of the place.
The otherwise talkative group chooses to stay quiet and experience the beauty. While the sun played hide and seek with us, behind the mountains.
Through a few more minutes of amazing climate and beauty, we reach the place called Akka mahadevi caves. A strange red rocky place, seen only in Discovery, Nat geo channels so far. We were all shouting, making strange sounds to express the happiness.
There is an idol of the
ascetic called Akka maha devi, who took penance here for Lord Shiva. The place is named after her obviously. And our boat driver cum guide, takes us inside the cave with a dozen candles lit. The dark cave extends about a 100 ft deep and hardly 4 ft in hight. We walked almost on knees. There were Bats flying in the cave, but they don't harm. The cave was all watery. At the end of the cave ,was a Shiva linga, which the saint meditated upon. The now guide, told us the story behind the place but then he forewords us that he is not exactly sure about it. So I refrain from reproducing it here. And slowly we came out of the cave, refreshed and looked like steam bathed.
The guide also took us to another cave on the other side. Which was not really deep inside, but what's special about it was, a natural formation that resembled a five hooded snake. We were amused to look at it .
After another photo session with the great rocks, we returned in the boat. The return journey was also a delight, with the sun setting, the climate getting even cooler.
Looked at the same picturesque from a different direction. After an almost hour long journey we reached from where it all started. We took the steps to go up, with a sense of satisfaction and rejuvenation. Talking about the beauty of whole journey, we finished the whole staircase without a trace of strain or discomfort.
I felt this journey was worth blogging and inspiring. Of course connected with environment, so it's up here.
Thanks .
