Anantagiri - Vikarabad (Weekend trip from Hyderabad)

Anantagiri 

Anantagiri is green hill situated in Vikarabad which is almost 67KM from Hyderabad city. The environment is green and free from pollution. The route from Hyderabad to Anantagiri is beautiful and crosses two small towns Moinabad and Chevella. While close to anantagiri you will encounter lots of banyan trees. I first travelled to Anantagiri in the year 2016 and found it really fantastic. 

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Anantagiri is rainy and winter season if you love nature and greenery. If you love kayaking then visit there between November - March. Summer is not recommended as summers are too hot in entire Telangana.

Tourist attaraction

Ananta Padmanava Swamy Temple

The temple is situated above the hill and is an excellent tourist attraction. You can see the idol of lord Vishnu (Padmanavaswamy) idol below rock inside temple. There are steps from the temple which goes down to musi river. There are big trees around the temple areas and like all other Indian temples you can notice monkeys which are considered to be sacred in Hinduism.

Nagasamudram Lake (Kotipally reservoir)

Around 20KMs from the temple towards the other side of the hill is the reservoir, you can enjoy kayaking there. There are small temporary shops which sells fried rice, omlet, pav bhaji. You can also get sugarcane juice there. If you are carrying food with you then please keep a cover with you and put the left over garbage and dump that in city so that the place should remain fresh and beautiful.

The Rama Lingeswara Swamy Temple

On the way towards vikarabad from kotipally reservoir through the other side of the hill, you will find the temple. the route from the reservoir to the temple is awesome. Its calm and free from traffic.

The temple premise is peaceful and you hear the sound of the birds. There is sun temple also beside the main temple.

You can complete the entire journey in 1 day and come back to Hyderabad.

Gandikota (Kadapa) - The grand canyon of India

Gandikota

Gandikota, a beautiful destination in Andhra Pradesh is known as the Grand Canyon of India. It is famous for its fort and the 'Grand Canyon' like gorge. Situated amidst beautiful landscape and wild forests, it is endowed with vast natural resources. Surrounded by a deep valley and impassable hills and with massive boulders of red granite and the river Pennar that flows about 300 ft. below on the west and northern sides, its location affords strong natural defense to the occupants of the Fort.

When you go to Gandi then don't forget to visit the Anjaneya Swamy Temple.

Gandi Kshetram Anjaneya Swamy Temple Kadapa

Gandi Kshetram Anjaneya Swamy Temple located on the right bank of Papagni river. In Telugu, Gandi means a narrow valley with a running river.  Sri Ramakrishna Ananda Swamy of Bhumananda Ashram had given the name of Gandi Kshetram to this place.

Temple is located in Veerannagattupalle Village, Chakrayapeta Mandala, Kadapa district.

Food/Restaurant

There is a beautiful restaurant by AP tourism, you can have delicious food there.

How to reach Gandi

If you are trying to reach from Hyderabad then take the Hyderabad Bangalore highway and drive till Kurnool . from Kurnool take the road which leads to Bethamcherla, banaganapalle and reach till dommara nandayala. It very close from there. From Anantapur you can take the tadipatri route to reach Gandi. If you are coming from Bangalore then you can take the Bangalore Hyderabad highway till Gorantala and from there take right turn and move on the hindupur kadiri road.