Nallamalla Hills are the part of the Eastern Ghats of India, which spread over various districts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states. The forests which included in the mountain range of Nallamalla hills are Nallamalla Forests, which are beautiful and at the same time adventurous and sometimes dangerous too.
As our family planned for a spiritual trip in Kurnool district where the famous Lord Shiva temples are situated, we had to cross the Ghat roads of Nallamalla Hills in between the thickest Nallamalla forests. The Ghat road travel is always exciting and thrilling for any person. But it is also one of the dangerous roadways to hit on. Most people avoid Ghat roads to travel because of some health issues and because of phobias too. But, one cannot skip the Ghat road travel if one wants to visit the famous temple of Srisailam.
Fortunately, our family trip was fun on the ghat roads of Nallamalla hills. We started in the mid noon, after we visited Mahanandi temple on the foothills of Nallamalla. The roadway from Mahanandi to Srisailam was more about the Ghat roads in the middle of the Nallamalla forests. Normally the temperatures range from warm to hot in and around the hills, but due to rainy season, we have witnessed the rarer side of Nallamalla forests. Though we didn't get drenched so much in the rain, but the scene where our vehicle was travelling on the ghat roads of Nallamalla hills was unforgettable. The scenic view of mountains, trees, thick forest, the black roads, the vehicles on the roads was fabulous. The drizzling was an added flavor for our trip.
It's simply a poetic description of the nature where the mountain range was never ending and the huge forest trees were welcoming us to the continuous route of Ghat roads towards Srisailam. The Nallamalla forests are thick and huge. They seem scary and hardly the existence of life is witnessed here. The human life in these forests is very rare. Only the travelers and visitors move in and around the forests. These forests got some tragic yet interesting spots.
One can find the spot where the ex chief minister of AP Dr. Y.S .RajaSekhar Reddy lost his life in the middle of the forests near Pavurallu Gutta. And one can also find the place called Jungle Safari where the tourists, travelers and visitors can explore the jungle view of the forests with animals and various birds and creatures.
Due to too many turns and twists at the corners of the hills, the travel on these ghat roads are a bit dangerous. The aspect of life threat must be kept in mind during traveling on these ghat roads. The government has maintained the roads in a very well mannered way. The roads are clean, well constructed and safe to travel.
The distance between Mahanandi Temple and Srisailam temple is around 170 plus kilometers. The beauty of the route is unmissable. One should get ready with the cameras and phones to click the mountain range. Though each and every spot resembles same, the feel will be surely different. During our travel, the scene where our vehicle was on ghat roads covered by the thick forest trees on either side of the roads and the wiper of our vehicle wipes the drizzle drops on our glass, that was so epic. Hardly anyone can get a chance to witness such a moment in middle of Nallamalla Hills.
Unlike other ghat roads, Nallamalla hill ghat roads have to be dealt with following a few safety measures:
Be conscious about the route and travel on one side of the road as the breadth of the ghat roads are very limited.
Be careful during the turns and twists. Follow the road signs and milestones which exists on either side of the road.
Be cautious about your luggage and belongings if you tie your baggage on the roof of your vehicles. It is believed and also proved that thieves may steal the luggage by hanging on trees upside down.
Never stop vehicles all of a sudden on the roads because of the ghat road travel, all the vehicles will be travelling consequently one after another. This may create disturbances on roads.
Do not stop your vehicles unnecessarily to click pictures, especially in the places where there is no human life exists.
The Nallamalla forest area is sort of popular for notorious Naxals. So, try not to get down off your vehicles at any cost. But we haven't found any disturbances. It is just said and it is always safe to believe every fact, when you travel on ghat roads.
The Ghat roads will be closed from 9 Pm to 6 Am everyday. So, try to hit the check posts before the closing timings.
Mostly, avoid night time travel on ghat roads. The roads are quite safe in the night times too, but until and unless you are going in a group, don't opt for a night time travel on Nallamalla Hills ghat roads. It's surely chilling to travel in the night times.
Keeping all these safety measures apart, the travelling part is the most interesting thing in Nallamalla forests. The route is so peaceful, calm and serene. The greenery is the attractive part. Due to forest range, one can find many varieties of plants, trees, birds, animals and creatures. If you are a nature appreciator or a nature lover, wildlife photographer, nature photographer, or a mountain person, then Nallamalla hills must be on your bucket list to explore.
Because the huge range of Nallamalla hills is the vast among Eastern Ghats, which spread till Chittor district. The Nallamalla forests in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, got many specialties like highest mountain peak in Nallamalla hills, many temples in and around the forests like Mahanandi, Ishta Kameshwari, Shikareshwaram, Srisailam, Sakshi Ganapati temple, Ahobilam, Yaganti and many more spiritual places. Hence, Nallamalla Hills and Nallamalla forests in Kurnool district are one of a kind to explore the rawest and wildest forms of Nature.
So, what are you waiting for, even though you aren't a spiritual person, you can still visit these hills to explore the scenic beauty of nature. Solo travelers must be more cautious and Group travelers will surely have fun if you visit this place with friends. Imagine, going on the ghat roads of Nallamalla hills with your gang in your vehicle with the loud volumes of soulful yet entertaining songs. Isn't it just amazing??
