KURNOOL: The beautiful scenic beauty of Nallamala forest at Srisailam Hills with changing climate is attracting pilgrims. Tourists arriving in Srisailam are pleasantly surprised with cool breeze as present rains have brought down the temperature.
With schools set to reopen on June 12, many parents have taken their children to Srisailam and Nallamala forest area for sightseeing. They are enjoying cool weather and also bathing in the waterfalls. June is the month for respite after hot summer.
Nallamala forest spread over the districts of both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, is a delight for nature lovers. The place is located in Eastern Ghats with rocky terrain and surrounded by dense forest. Thick forest cover, mountains, valleys and crisscrossing Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers are major tourist attractions.
Nallamala forest temples like Srisailam, Mahanandi and Ahobilam in Kurnool district are bliss for the tourists and also the local people, especially students during summer holidays. Srisailam is popular hill shrine among the Nallamala forest temples. It is renowned as Dakshina Kasi (Varanasi of the South) and one among the 12 Jyotirlingas. The presiding deities Mallikarjuna Swamy and His Consort Bhramaramba Devi are worshipped at Srisailam.
The temple premises also has Sivalingas installed by Pandavas, Triphala Vruksham believed to bestow babies to childless couples, River Saraswathi, Mallika and Manoharagundas known as Antarvahini, Vrudha Mallikarjuna Lingam and Sahasra Lingeswarudu installed by Lord Rama and Sita also attract pilgrims in large numbers.
Apart from these, there are Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Spoorthi Kendra, Pancha Mathas, Patala Ganga, a water reservoir, power generating unit and a ropeway for the amusement of the tourists. Situated 180 km away from Kurnool district headquarters, one can reach Srisailam via Dornala in Prakasam district.