Kardalivan is present at about
25 km distance from Srisailam temple. We have to travel in a private boat to
reach this place. AP Tourism is not conducting Boat trips to this place. We
have to travel 16 km distance in Krishna river. Then we will reach Kadali Vanam
ghat. It is present in the opposite bank of Akkamahadevi caves. From there we
have to climb six hills. After that we should cross a plain area which is fully
occupied by grass. The total distance is about 7 kms. After crossing the plain
area we will reach Kadali Vanam from there we have to climb down about 30 steps
to see Kadali Vanam cave.
The cave is a very big one. In
the center of cave we can see idols of Akkamahadevi in sitting and standing
positions and an idol of Nrisimha saraswati. Before these idols there is fall
of water drops. Out side the cave there is a small water tank which stores
water coming from the top of cave.
Preparing for Kardalivan Yatra.
**Have very minimum luggage with you, which you have to carry on by yourself.
(**Foam or Plastic sheet 3’x6’to be laid on floor /a Cotton Mat/Cotton Bed Sheet/
Shawl/Air Pillow /Water Bottle/**Light weight Rain Coat/Trekking Shoes/Cap
/self -utilities/Your Medicines, if any & First Aids etc.)
**A set of unbreakable Plate/Bowl/Glass, for your own use.
**Take at least 2to3 Pairs of the wearing Dresses, for Kardalivan & 1 pair for Puja,
Along with your other Daily clothes(1Pair for Rly /Bus Travelling)
**Always Keep your Identity card with you.
**Take a own Torch with you & an Emergency Light source for the Group
**Do not take any Valuables with you, Avoid Black Clothes & Leather items.
**Positively keep your own Nitya Aarti/Puja/Bhakti - Pothi with you.!
While in Kardalivan.
**Make groups of 5 to 6 persons in each group & choose your Confident Group-leader.
**Follow the sound of the whistles & order of group leader. Always help each other
through out the trip & never break the group in between till we reach the desired
Destination….
**Do not gossip. Chant Guru Naam/Vachan loudly. Have Nitya-Smaran in your mind.
**Do not take any disposable/throw away things, further to Shri Shail Lodge.
**Always make sure you are on right Track & In your group.! Wait for others, if
they are lagging behind !
**At night “Do not go out alone”. **Always wear Trekking shoes & have a Torch & a
Stick in Hand. .
**Every where in entire Kardalivan, is a Calm/Quite & Divine Atmosphere.
You may find the Existence of Shri Swami Samartha , around you.
Never misbehave with the Nature & The surroundings, you come across.
Kardalivan & AkkaMahadevi cave is located in Srisailam,
roughly 250 odd KM from Hyderabad. It took around 6 hours to reach
Srisailam
Srisailam Dam on the Krishna River in Kurnool .the 3rd
largest capacity hydroelectric project in the country
Srisailam Gopuram
Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple located in Srisailam is
one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples dedicated to Shiva
Gold Claded Shikhar of Mallikarjun Temple, Srisailam
Aerial view - ropeway till the boat
Ticket - 50 Rs one way
Here we go the boat journey begins
Coracle boat ... reuse is the best idea Indians have
...a man collecting the worshiped lamps and carpets at krishna river
Heard from the guide that this river got a depth upto 700
meters. The color of water is different on places where the depth is more.
Krishna River is the third longest river in India after the
Ganges and the Godavari. The river is almost 1,300 km (810 miles) long
The krishna river goes through chain of mountains on both
sides with lush greenery, really scenic and a wonderful experience
The water level of the river is shown by the marks at the
bottom of the mountain.At few places, I can see huts, proving some people still
live here.
The boat stopped. Muddy sand, sharp stones and a quick rain
made us to take time to get down. No idea where is the cave. It looks as if we
were dropped in the middle of a forest
Breathtaking view...
I must have burned 500 calories to climb few hundred
meters smile emoticon Very slippery. A narrow mud road welcome us.
Seems that we have to walk to the other corner of the mountain. Scary but
amazing to walk...
The big Krishna River
Scenic
Reached at Akkammahadevi cave around 8.30 pm after 6 long
climb up and down around 6 hills with thick forest.
Akkammahadevi Cave
Sreepada Sreevallabha Mahasamsthanam ( Shree Guredev Datta )
Sreepada Sreevallabha Mahasamsthanam ( Shree Guredev Datta )
Surrounding Jungle
Early in the morning start From Akkammahadevi to Swami
Praket Sthan 6 kms (walking)
Way to Kardali Ban ( where Shree Swami Samaratha were
sighted first)
Nallamala hill ranges - Krishna River
Ant Hill
Guru Paduka
Here we reached to the holy place
श्री स्वामी समर्थ .......
Swami Praket Sthan
Holy Dip at Krishna River
Local people
During 12th century A.D. this cave appears to have attained
its present name after the famous ascetic Akkamahadevi. It is said that she
(Akkamahadevi) hailed from Karnataka, a nearby state.
Though it is said to be natural cave, the outer walls seem
to be retouched. This cave is around 150 meters deep and too dark.
The width of the cave gradually decreases while going deep.
Lot of bats live here. With the help of mobile lights, we could move step by
step. At some places, my SLR stopped working due to no light.
Amazing characteristic of the cave is a natural Rock Arch
measuring nearly 200 x 16 x 4 feet that stands without any support
Natural Shiva Linga, A small statue of lord Shiva seen at
the end of this cave. It easily take hours to reach the deep end and come out.
Precautions : This place is totally interior
place and we have to travel in a deep forest. Animals will also come to this
place to drink water. It is not safe to go singly. It is better to go with a
group at least 15 to 20 members. Nothing will be available there, so that we
have to plan for our meals and medication. If any body wants to go singly, then
it is better to go on Karthika pournami day, as some Kannada devotees
will go to this place on that day and they will sleep there that night. One
more thing is, it is better to start the trek early in the morning, to avoid
strain and also animals.
Importance : Skhanda puranam, Sri pathi
Panditaradhya charitra and many Shaiva texts described its importance.
Allama Prabhu, a great devotee of Lord Shiva, did tapasya here and got
solvation. After that he was invited by Lord Basaveswara and taught Shiva
dharmas to Veera Shaivas. He advised Akkamahadevi to do tapasya in this
place. She also did tapasya here in her last days and left her
body. Nrisimha saraswati, the second incarnation of Guru Dattatreya swamy, came
here with his desciples and suddenly disappeared here to stop the activities of
his avatara. After that he appeared on Krishna river for Navikas. From that
time onwards this place also became holy place for Guru Dattatreya followers,
this story was described in Guru Charitra.
One will surely get blessings from god and from Guru by
visiting this place. This trek will become an memorable incident in your life.
These are some photos of Kadalivanam trek.
How to Reach
Route & phone nos.
Hydrabad to Shri Shailam by bus.
stay at Manikeshwari lodge at Patalganga kinara ph.
no-08524-287174.
that day you talk with boat man for Vainktesh kinara
Boat man no- Gangaya- 09703740011
Malya- 09490080968
Shrinivas- 09989240761
Krushna- 09490584318
Muthu-
09985435590
Vainktesh kinara Mr.
Aapparao-09640228783/09912860102/09666074453
From Vainktesh kinara to Akkammahadevi cave 8 kms, (Walking)
Stay at Akkammahadevi cave
Early in the morning start From Akkammahadevi to Swami
Praket Sthan 6 kms (walking)
Pujan & Dharshan..Start return to back before 1 pm.
Back to Akkammahadevi or Direct to Vainktesh kinara. Call
boat man for shri shailam.
Route Guide & Luggage carriman available at Patalganga
kinara by boat man.
