Temples In Diviseema

What is Diviseema?
Diviseema is an island lying at the mouth of River Krishna.
River Krishna branches off into two arms at Puligadda and joins Bay Of Bengal forming an island, "Diviseema". One branch, the smaller one, joins the sea at Sagarasangamam in Hamsaladeevi village. The other branches off further before joining the sea at Yetimoga forming two more islands called Yedurumondi and Nachugunta.
Diviseema has rich cultural heritage and having many ancient temples. My native place Ravivaripalem falls in Mopidevi Panchayat, lies on the bank of the smaller arm of River Krishna. Earlier, a low level 1936 built road cum aqueduct on the smaller arm connecting the island with the main land used to be submerged when ever there were floods, cutting off the island with rest of the district. Now a high level bridge was constructed on both the arms of the river after Mopidevi as part of NH 214A (Digamarru-Ongole) is catering the transportation needs of the island, became the lifeline of the area. Thenceforth, the aqueduct was closed to road traffic. The rich historical heritage of this area was enticing me from so many days. So I fulfilled it by visiting some of the Temples of the area on the festival day of Dasara (6-10-2011).
Route:
Ravivaripalem-Avanigadda-Viswanathapalli-Koduru-Hamsaladeevi-Vullipalem-Koduru-Bhavadevarapalli-Sangameswaram-Barrenkula-Ganapeswaram-Nangegadda-Avanigadda-Ravivaripalem
I started at my home at 5.30 a.m. Reached Viswanathapalli first to take the blessings of Addanki Nancharamma Talli, The Eternal Mother. I visit this temple very often. It was calm and silent in the morning. But on annual festival day the scene will be different. Thousands of people, along with their vehicles and cattle, throng in the village, move in a line to have darshan of Maa Nancharamma. People come from neighbouring districts too.
Hamsaladeevi:
Hamsaladeevi is having a famous Lord Venugopala (Abode of Lord Vishnu) temple and also this is the place where River Krishna confluences with Bay of Bengal. To reach the point of merger one has to travel a further 5 k.m via Palakaya Tippa village. Villagers belive that this Temple was built in only one night by Angels. During 1977 hurricane a large number of people made it a safe place. As they thought, it withstood the killer tidal wave by making so many people live. Ancient inscriptions are there on the pillars of mukha mantapa.
Vullipalem:
This village lies in between Hamsaladeevi and Koduru. Here Srimannarayana Swamy Temple is famous as it is claimed to be the only Temple of his holiness in entire Andhra Pradesh. Temple was under renovation. Deities were in a temporary structure. The old Temple was constructed 100 years ago by a seer came from Melkote, Karnataka, the place where Srimannarayana Swamy Temple was there ages ago. Temple will be ready by February 2012.
Bhavadevarapalli:
The name itself was derived from the name of Bhavanarayana Swamy (abode of Lord Vishnu), the principal deity of a big temple here. Temple has a high, nicely carved steeple and a fine garden. Entered into the front porch after a circumambulation. It seemed old but beautiful. It opens into mukha mantapa. Lord Bhavanarayana Swamy was there in the sanctum sanctorum adorned with so many flowers and garlands. Blessed me a great darshan.
Usually I inquire about the history of the place with the priest, when ever I visit a temple. This temple is one of the Pancha (five) Bhavanarayana Swamy Temples in the state. The others are Ponnuru, Pedaganjam near Ongole, Sarpavaram near Kakinada and Pattiseema near Rajahmundry.
Sangameswaram:
This place is few kilometers from Bhavadevarapalli via Kammanamolu. The road leads straight to Sri Sangameswara Swamy Temple (abode of Lord Shiva). Priest was performing puja. This temple is an architectural marvel to witness Sun rays directly falling on Shiva Lingam during the period of March 4th to 20th every year.
Ganapeswaram:
The Temple in this village was built in 1231, in the honour of Ganapatideva, great Kakatiya King of Warangal (1199-1269), by Jayapa Senani, his CinC of Elephant corps.
The deity in the temple is Sri Durga Ganapeswara Swamy (abode of Lord Shiva). There are separate temples for Maa Durga and Sri Ganapeswara swamy in one premises adjacent to each other. There is a big circumambulatory round around the temples together. Pilgrims were entering the premises, completing the circumambulation on the vehicles they came, parking them a side and going into the temple. Priests were busy performing puja in Maa Durga Temple. Huge crowd of pilgrims was there. At the entrance of Durga Temple there was an ancient inscription studded on a pillar.
Jayapa, I consider, as the greatest person hailing from this area. He was a man with many faces. He was Commander- In-Chief of Elephant forces in Orugallu King Ganapatideva's court. Ganapatideva honoured Jayapa with the title"Vairigodhuma Gharatta" for the services he rendered during Kalinga War. He wrote a book "Nritya Ratnavali" on Indian Dance during 1253-54, in Sanskrit, first ever book of its kind on dance in Indian Literature.

Cycling

I do cycling most often in surrounding areas of Vijayawada.

Route #1

It's a 45+ km ordeal around Vijayawada. I start from my home at Poranki and cycle 14 km to reach Gunadala. Another 6 km of cycling takes me to Nunna. 8 km is the distance between Nunna and Ambapuram which is on Vijayawada - Mylavaram SH. This stretch is the scenic of all stretches. Road goes along Mango and other fruit gardens. In Ambapuram village a rock-cut Jain Temple is situated on top of a hill. Path to this temple starts from the middle of the village. I visited it twice. I reach Inner Ring Road (IRR) just after Ambapuram. Here route bifurcates. Choosing to go on IRR takes another time to Gunadala thus reaching Poranki. Or continuing further on Milk factory-Kaleswara Rao Market-Police Control room route lands me on Bunder Road, to continue to Poranki. This encircles the city.

Route #2

River side biking to Amaravati. This is a route with amazing views.

Route #3

Vijayawada-Undavalli Caves-Krishnaya Palem-Yerrabalem-Tadepalli-Vijayawada

There are two Dhabas serving yummy vegetarian food on Mangalagiri-Tadepalli route in Yerrabalem village.

Amaravati

Date: 11-1-11
Amaravati is a pilgrimage and historic place about 40 km from Vijayawada City. This is one of the most important Buddhist sites in Southern India.
It was the capital of Satavahanas, the first great dynasty of Andhra Kings, ruled between 2nd Century B.C to 3rd Century A.D.
I visited this place twice before, along with my friend Ramana Babu initially, another time on a cycling trip and now with my family. Both the places Amaravati and Vijayawada are on the banks of River Krishna. Vijayawada is on left bank and Amaravati is on right bank. There are two routes to reach this place. One is conventional bus route and another one is an ancient narrow river side road on western levee. On all occasions I chose the latter because it goes through some of the scenic places. These two routes join at Harischandra Puram. On two motor driven bikes we started our journey in the early morning to the place which has 2200 years of history.
We crossed River Krishna on Prakasam Barrage and at the end of it took right to cross Krishna western canal head sluice and joined the road that laid on levee. Journey on this road was a bliss. Since the road was elevated, we had a vivid view of surrounding fields. Land was very fertile here. We traveled through Jasmine, Chrysanthemum, Banana, Turmeric and Indian Corn plantations. Since the road was laid long back it was having a lot of chuckholes. Seemed comfortable for two wheelers ride only, forced four wheeler traffic to a halt, thus making an idyllic ride.
Surroundings between Harischandra Puram and its neighbouring village Vaikuntha Puram were marvelous. Though a smaller one, Venkatesh (My eldest son) enjoyed ride a lot on this stretch. Lord Venkateswara Temple is there on a hill in Vaikuntha Puram. People park their vehicles at another temple at the foot of the hill and begin trekking to reach the temple. River Krishna flows beside the hill. Devotees enjoy a good panorama here. From this place Amaravati is visible at far of a distance. I visited this temple during my cycling trip.Reached Amaravati and headed straight to the Temple.
Temple is on the right bank of River Krishna. Some of the devotees were bathing there. Took darshan tickets and entered into massive temple complex. The Temple was on an elevated platform with high raised walls. That might be built to safeguard the Temple from River Krishna flood waters during monsoon season. Cleared steps to enter on to circumambulatory round the main Temple. On each corner there was a peripheral sub-shrine. Lord Amareswara is the presiding deity here, an abode of Lord Shiva. Entered into the Temple from East entrance gallery. Columns of the gallery were consisting old Telugu inscriptions. At the left side of the entrance there was a large Lord Ganesha's statue. Lord Amareswara blessed us his darshan. We moved on to reach Archaeological Survey Of India museum.
Museum:
This little Museum stores some of history's most treasured Buddhist relics collected from nearby Maha Stupa. This area was an exponent of Amaravati School Of Art. This School finds adequate mention in the chronicles of The Satavahana era. The exhibits here range between 3rd Century B.C to 12th Century A.D.The Lotus and Purnakumbha Motifs, the sculpting and the art forms that once upon a time adorned the ancient Buddhist Mahachaityas are displayed in the Principal gallery. Drum slabs, Swastikas and relics of Jataka Stories occupy first gallery. The second gallery is dedicated to life size image of Gautama Buddha.The other Buddhist sculptures that were excavated from here now adorn the Chennai Museum and at Room No.33a of The British Museum, London.
The Museum remains open all through the week from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Entry fees is Rs.2/- per visitor above the threshold of 15 years.
Maha Stupa:
The road beside The Museum took us to this place. Colonel Colin Mackenzie discovered this remains of The Stupa in 1797. There after so many Archaeologists worked on it.
Only remains of the Stupa are existing. It was defaced at large by the locals before this was taken over by the Authorities. Locals say so many large bricks used in the construction were lifted from here to construct their houses, thus history became history. The British and Indian Rulers also did their best to make this priceless monument convert into tiny objects of exhibition in the galleries of Museums across Europe and India. The artefact's still remained were kept in the local Museum. Replica of this Maha Stupa is in the local Museum.
Kalchakra 2006 was performed here. Interestingly Lord Buddha taught the first Kalachakra root tantra here in Amaravati to King Suchandra up on his request that would allow him to practice the Dharma without renouncing his worldly enjoyments and responsibilities.
On the eve of Kalachakra 2006, authorities reconstructed Stupa and took up Dhyana Buddha Project scheduled to be opened at the time of Kalachakra which can be seen from this site, a kilometer away, still to be completed. We visited that and continued our journey back this time on Bus route to visit Undavalli Caves.
Undavalli Caves: The Caves are just 8 km from Vijayawada. The caves were sculpted in 2nd and 3rd century A.D. Caves are four storied and built in a cluster. In one of the caves we visited Sri Ananta Padmanabha Swamy, an abode of Lord Vishnu, a 5 meter long reclining statue carved out of single granite block.


Other Buddhist sites that can be covered from Vijayawada are Ghantasala and Jaggaiahpeta

Gulbarga Fort

Date: 28-12-2010
Today I chose to tour Gulbarga City. Reached there from Yadgir (Karnataka) on train(on Chennai-Mumbai rail route). Called once as Ahsenabad during Bahmani Sultanate period, now as Kalburgi in native language Kannada has its own culture and heritage. I visited Gulbarga Fort and Khwaja Bande Nawaz Durgah.
Gulbarga Fort was known to be built by Raja Gulchand of Warangal. It served as Capital of Bahmani Empire during 1347 to 1424 AD. This fort consists around 75 acres and 2 rounds of fortification. The outer wall is of lesser height and the inner wall is slightly higher and also had a moat around it. It has 15 bastions and 26 cannons. Most of the fortification was in a ruined state and encroachers were living happily in side the fort with full amenities.
I entered in to the fort through east entrance. There was a tallest stone built structure within a close distance from the entrance. A bifurcated path was going beside that structure from the entrance. Another one was leading towards Jumma Masjid. The stone built structure was 50 feet height with raised walls on all 4 sides and having an array of steps that were covering half of it's height at one corner beside the path, were leading inside. At the end of the steps there was a huge open top space still covered with walls on all sides. Up to this it was basement area. Open space area was only 1/5th of the total structure and the rest of it on the left side was further heightened. There were some openings to the left side wall, but they were sealed off with stones. At the other end of the floor there were another series of steps leading to the top. Atop there were 3 cannons placed strategically. So this must be a security post. From its top stared the most of the destroyed fortification, Jumma Masjid and another security post at a distance with a big cannon.
Came out of it and walked towards a bastion. On the way there were houses. People in those houses were not happy as I was inquiring about the path that was leading to the bastion. They were telling there was no way. But at last they agreed to go on. Thorns were lying in large on the path. It looked like officials cleared all the bushes. While I was approaching bastion a guy called me and yelled don't go. I told him to come there. He came and said, don't go up. It's a dangerous place. A wrong foot will make you collapse, like that. But I continued and asked him to come along with me. There was cannon on that bastion. I asked him about the cannons on other bastions. He told some were missing. Came down and marched towards Jumma Masjid.
This was a great mosque that can accommodate about 5000 worshipers at a time. It was built by an architect Rafi from Iran in 1367. Masjid is supported on 140 pillars. It has 250 arches and 5 large domes. The central dome was 80 feet in diameter and its interiors were decorated with flowers and creepers. There were 63 smaller domes also and they look like pots up on the mosque. This mosque was said to be fashioned on the lines of the famous Mosque of Cardova City in Spain. This was a silent place except for some chirps and tweets. Sat there in silence escaping urban chaos for a while.
Came out of Masjid, walked toward another security post in the fortification. This post was round and has 29 foot cannon, longest in this fort's artillery. Both the security posts were on same line. Walked along fortification until I had a all dome view of the Masjid. From the back also it has an attractive appearance. Except in the three structures area, everything was untidy. One can't even walk along the fortification. Path was full of thorns and human excreta. It seemed a few days ago authorities or care takers of the Fort or may be encroachers might have cut all the thorny bushes. So that I could have roamed here and there. Otherwise I wouldn't have made that adventure. At some places there were tiny passages in the inner fort wall to reach outer fort wall. Earth was filled to the wall height all along the inner fort wall, might be because it would be a repellent to enemy artillery.
Impression: The fort before decades was in ruining stage. Because there were no care takers. But nowadays everyone is there and all are allowing the fort to ruin in a rapid pace. Some of the places in the fort are not accessible now, thanks for the people who were residing in peace, happily erasing nearly thousand years of history. Archaeological Survey Of India washed its hands by putting a "trespassers are prosecuted" like thing. It seemed the fortification was being defaced in large in the last two to three decades time. This great fort withstood nearly for a millennium against all odds like wars, conflicts, change over between dynasties, unnoticed during British rule, face lift afterwards and now it is fighting for its existence in this peace time.

Photos

Jujjuru-Mulapadu Trek

Date: 21-11-2010
Today started our trek an hour behind the schedule at 10.00 at Jujjuru. As we reached the destination our guide and one helper were waiting at designated location. Started walking toward hills through our co-trekker Mr.Nagabhushana Rao's Subabul plantation. Nagarjuna Sagar Project Canal was flowing beside his field. Crossed it to enter in to reserve forest. Within 10 minutes we reached foot of the hill and began ascending. At 100 meters of ascend we heard noise of water flow. After another 100 meters there was a path leading to the stream.We deviated our path to have a look at that. Spent some time here and moved further in the path to reach another deviation toward the stream again. After a brief interval moved to cross the stream.Started again and met 2 persons who left their cattle in the forest. The cattle remain there for the next 3 months. Up to here path was boulder studded and steep uphill. From this point trail was flat. Here we contemplated what our next course of action would be with the guide for a while, about various options like what are the destinations we can reach from that place. He told the team can reach Kondapalli. We were happy to hear that. This was what we were looking for since long. Entire Vijayawada trekker's team was looking for this moment. This trail Jujjuru to Kondapalli is an end to end trail upon the hills in Kondapalli Reserve Forest Area.
Entire team was now on a brisk pace to reach the destination. Eventually we came through some beautiful locations en route. At 2.00 we stopped for our lunch beside a stream.
After a brief walk from lunch point we reached Mulapadu Hanuman temple. En route we spotted spiders of robust size. Are they dangerous? Guide said no. Right from the beginning up to the temple we walked under the shade of trees. Rains were abundant this year, so greenery was plentiful. Today is Kartika Punnami. An auspicious day, on this day annual temple mahotsavam was organised at Hanuman Temple. A large number of devotees were present. After hectic conversations Ramdas decided to cut short the trek to reach Mulapadu village. We came to know Mulapadu village on N.H 9 is 11 km from the Temple. Reached N.H 9, crossing Mulapadu village at 7.00 in the evening. Ramdas noticed a stone that read the distance between the Temple and the village as 16 km.
Photos
23-1-11
Today we came another time to Jujjuru with same guide and helper and tried another hill which is directly in front of the path we came. It seemed like a steep one. This time we started at 9 a.m sharp. Initially we took more than an hour to clear the first uphill to stop for a short break. it was not that much steep in the second leg, which we tried to summit from the side of the hill and reached the point where tree line ended. Up to here we were moving under the shade of trees. Now we have to clear the rocky part of the summit which it appeared to a small one but a straight one pointing into the sky. It looked as if a large boulder placed on the summit of the hill. Searched for suitable route for an ascend and went through. During this stretch we were exposed to intense heat radiation emitted by rocks.
An awesome 180 degree view was awaiting us on the summit. There was a bastion type structure on one side of the summit. The top was 50 meter long and some of the villagers posted two flags on either sides. Villages like Narasimharao Palem, Jujjuru and factories around those villages were visible. You will have Krishna River view on a clear day, guide said. Spent half an hour on the summit. During Gulbarga Fort visit my Camera has gone for a sixer, so I wasn't able to picturise this magnificent trip.
Descended to cross two stone walled structures, may be part of fortification. Another time after coming down the boulder we were in intense shade of trees. We passed between two hill tops, to join the way toward our first trek's route and at the place where we finally crossed the stream to go uphill. Journey was very delightful with some steep ascents and panoramic views. Had sumptuous lunch beside the stream, thanks to Mr.Nagabhushana Rao for providing us generously.
Today's trek was a great one. Every one was extremely pleased.
6-2-11
This was the 3rd time we were venturing into this hills in another route. This time our endeavour was in Gottumukkala village vicinity. Our guide and helper came to the designated point. We stopped our vehicles after crossing NSP canal. A pleasant hike brought us to the foot of the hill after crossing a check dam. Guide was searching for the path. Mean while we ascended a small rocky elevated area and saw a waterfall in far of a distance. Reached the place with excitement. There was a very thin flow from top of that 20 foot fall and ascended from the side way. Water was flowing on rocky path. At some distance there was a temple.
Photos

Daida Cave Temple and Guttikonda Bilam

We planned to visit Daida Cave Temple on 14-4-2008, which is in Guntur District. In the early morning, 3 of us Gopi, Ramdas and I on two bikes hit the road toward Guntur. One of my friends, along with his family went here some time ago. He told it was barely around 80 km. So we ventured it on bikes. I was told to reach Gurajala first and then some driving directions.
We passed Guntur and Perecharla on Guntur-Hyderabad State Highway and so on. Our trip meter already passed 90km, but there was no sign of our destination, even Piduguralla Village where we have to take a diversion from State Highway. At last we reached Piduguralla, packed puris to break our fast after visiting Daida Temple. Diverted on to Piduguralla-Karampudi road to reach Gurajala. Just before entering Gurajala Village there was an arch on the right side of the road. It was Daida village's welcome arch. From Gurajala it was a single BT road. That road was still going somewhere after crossing Daida village. We took a diversion on to a gravel road toward River Krishna to reach the Temple.

We first went in to the river. The way was a sloppy one. Asked some body there about the Temple history. This was the story.

Herdsmen from Daida Village leave their cattle in the forest beside their village. Among them, one lost his cattle. He searched all day and at dusk he put his efforts aside and took rest on the bank of River Krishna. At night he listened some people performing bhajans. He searched for the place where those sounds were coming from. At last he found the cave.

In the morning he went into the village and told villagers about the thing he saw. Villagers decided to pay a visit to the cave at night. He showed them to the cave. There were Sages performing puja to Shivalingam and some were chanting. Upon seeing this populace they stopped all and decided to leave the place and never came back. All this happened centuries ago. Thenceforth people from many places visiting this temple.

There was small hole to the bank of the river. That is the opening of the cave. We entered in.Due to power cut there was no electricity. In that dark we just were passing through the way by sensing it with the help of our hands. We raised one hand to know the height. So that where ever necessary we can bend our selves to avoid collision with the top. At one point we bent so much, literally we were sitting and moving forward for 2 to 3 meters. After that path was not that much low. Right from the beginning path was mud filled, some times we stepped in puddles. After a short advancement we saw light from a short distance. Deepams around Shivalingam were emitting that light. We preformed puja. We came out of the cave from the other end. So,that is a continuous one, no need to go back to come out. Up on coming up we noticed Pujari came from Daida Village. He invited us another time into the cave. This time we were having electricity and pujari performed puja for us. But we felt, after coming out, our first darshan without electricity gave more spiritual joy. Because of lights this time we noticed the cave is branched at some places. We ventured into one of them.

We were now having a torch light (Thanks to Mr.Ramdas). It went deep inside and became narrow. There were rock formations and bats also. Floor was sandy and water current marks were there. Can't go through those narrow passages, so we ended up our mission.
Had our breakfast in one of the mandapams. Time was just 10.30 a.m. We thought initially this trip as a glittering one. But it was not. Then Mr.Ramdas came up with an idea. "If you guys agree we will visit Guttikonda Bilam. We had lot of time.We can continue our journey to Vijayawada right from that place via Narasaraopet. No need to come back." We instantly assented.
We reached Gurajala. We now took right from here to continue our journey toward Karampudi. As soon as we entered on the road some people stopped us to have Panakam. That day was Srirama Navami. Usually every village in the state performs Sitarama kalyanam on that day.I also should be in my native village Ravivaripalem. The Sun was angry upon us today. So we had a lot of Paanakam (this is made of water, jaggery, black pepper and cardamom) there. Reached Guttikonda Village after crossing NSP Canal, and turned our vehicles toward hills. We came to a halt when NSP (Nagarjuna Sagar Project) Canal prevented us to go further. We parked our vehicles on its bank, crossed the canal on a bridge and hiked up to the hill on a well laid road. Even buses also come there up to the hill, if they take NSP Canal right bank road from the State Highway just after Guttikonda village toward Gurajala. The place was surrounded by hills with good greenery. At one point road diverted to right at the base of the hill.
There was a temple after a brief ascend.We inquired about Bilam there. Pujaris here were very helpful. One of the Pujaris agreed to accompany us. They inquired about our lunch. As we told we didn't, they told they will prepare for us also. We walked past the temple and entered a small opening of the hill, descending few steps. We didn't even believe what we saw there. There was a very huge hall inside, carved out of that hill. 500-600 people can easily sit on the floor. An elevated area at right hand corner was bearing a Shivalingam. So many bats were hanging from the ceiling. Air was filled with the smell of their excreta. Electric bulbs were glowing, so that we were able see the place without much effort. There were tunnels going inside. At the end of each tunnel there was a pool. The first one is directly in front of the hall opening. A pond was visible from the middle of the hall on right hand side. Second tunnel's path starts beside Shivalingam, down slope toward the pond. These two tunnels branched into so many while they go in and each one ends with a pool. You can swim in any of these ponds. It is believed there are 108 ponds like that in this marvelous, unimaginable piece of land, Pujari told.
One can easily recognise first tunnel. If you go along electric bulbs hanging from the ceiling, you will reach a tiny pond. Just before the pond tunnel branches(Electric bulbs also) left and takes you to a big pool. We had a nice time there. Water was very cool. It refreshed us a lot. A farmer from nearby field came to cool off his senses. Time was running out. But our bodies were not giving assent to go out of water. At last refusing our body's intentions to be in the water for some more time we moved out. Had a dip in tiny pond also. Came into hall and had a dip in the pool which was beside the hall. Brahma Naidu after Palnadu Battle came here and went into this pond and vanished in, Pujari said. We proceeded to second tunnel. We decided to put our cloths somewhere in the hall. We were feeling some discomfort in keeping our clothes along with us while venturing into water. During my revisit we changed into bathers as soon as we reached temple area.
Second tunnel was a very narrow one. One has to incline forward, keep a hand up to know the tunnel's top surface, and move forward. Right from the beginning of this tunnel we bent forward and moved on. Unlike first tunnel its width also was very narrow. Only one can go at a time. If we moved our body a little bit side ways we sensed the walls rubbing our shoulders. We already had some experience in Daida, so we were moving cautiously. Pujari brought a torch. So we were moving comfortably. We reached the pond. Pujari turned off light. Then we experienced absolute darkness. Usually we have to close our eyes to feel darkness. Here you can do that with our wide opened eyes. Pitch black, because no light was peeping in. Pujari said so many people come here for meditation. Atmosphere here takes them into deep meditative mood immediately. This tunnel branched somewhere and we took bath in that pond also.
So we had dipped in five ponds. What about the rest 103? Pujari told they are believed to be there. No one saw all those. But all those ponds are interconnected and some paths were believed to be under water. Brahma Naidu went inside through one of them. So many enthusiasts lost their way who ventured in, to discover new ponds. So Pujaris, ages ago, closed the routes by putting boulders to their openings. Normally same water levels were noticed in all the ponds you saw, he added. In summer level may recede a bit. Excess water oozes out somewhere and it is used for cultivation purposes. We came out of Bilam, dried our selves, and had darshan of Lord Shiva.
Pujari invited us into the kitchen for lunch. It was one of the delicious meal I ever had in my entire life. Usually they can arrange food for 3 to 4 people depending on groceries they are having. If visiting people provide them with necessary groceries, they cook for them. They didn't charge for our meal, even asked any thing. We inquired about this with Pujari. He told they won't ask. But if we offer anything for food, they accept. Had a wonderful time there, at the place which is considered as one of the geographical wonders in the state, and with generous people. Here there are two dormitories serving devotees, who want to spend more time there.
Moved our bodies and vehicles this time to Gundlapalli, Nakarikallu (Not Nakirekal on N.H9) Narasaraopet, Guntur and Vijayawada. Trip meter read 340 km.

Uppalapadu Bird Sanctuary

Uppalapadu near Guntur is one of the only three places in India where Spot-Billed Pelicans nest, while they reside at other places too.Karnataka, Kerala-TN Border are the other two places where these large winged creatures nest. Some nesting grounds of Burma, Malaysia and Vietnam got destroyed or were deserted for various reasons leading to increase in numbers at Uppalapadu.
And also this sanctuary is home to 60 species of migratory birds like Painted Stork, White Ibis, Heron and Cormorant. Birds like Rosy Pastor travel hundreds of kilometers to come to this place. The number of birds touches 20,000 during the peak season between September and February. The unique aspect of this place is that the birds can be spotted throughout the year. The number of birds inhabiting this small stretch of land also makes it one of the densest areas occupied by birds at any given time, any where in India.
I revisited this place on February 10, 2009 and found these Pelicans and Painted Storks have found a new tank at Garapadu for nesting. For the past several months this panchayat tank is being inhabited by about 700 pelicans and 50 painted storks due to shortage of space at Uppalapadu. To reach Garapadu, take a left turn at Sibar Dental College, if you are coming from Uppalapadu towards Guntur, and the road straight away takes you to Garapadu Tank.
In Uppalapadu a Zilla Parishad School is housed in a small island inside the tank on a 2.5 acre site and there is sufficient water around the school, but due to regular visit of human beings, these birds have not nested on some of the trees that are most suitable for their purpose. If the Gram Panchayat agrees and gets an alternative land with the help of Zilla Parishad and District Administration for the School Building, this could become country’s largest nesting ground for Pelicans. At Uppalapadu first half of February is the best time for visitors see young chicks making efforts to fly out and by June-July a new species of birds -- Open Bill Storks and White Ibis will take over the space and fly out sometime in October.
Route: From Guntur City this place is 10 km and is nearer to N.T.R Manasa Sarovaram on N.H-5.