By: T. Karnakar Reddy
Telangana Tourism is busy drafting plans to make the temple of Lord Shiva in Devaracherla a centre of eco and religious tourism, and the nearby Devarakonda and Chandempet mandals a part of tourism circuit.
Devaracherla temple, the Tourism and Archaeology officials visited the temple recently and are preparing a report specifying the enormous tourism potential of the place. District Tourism Officer M. Shivaji said that there was great scope for getting funds from the Government of India under the ‘Swadeshi Darshan’ scheme.
He said they could include other nearby destinations – the historical Devarakonda and Nagarjunasagar forts, Akkampally balancing reservoir, ‘Swayambhu’ Shivalingam at Kambalapally, Tulja Bhavani temple at Peddamunigal and the upcoming Nakkalagandi reservoir at Dindi – in the tourism circuit. The Department of Tourism is working in tandem with the Archaeology, Endowments and Forest officials to identify more tourist spots.
Since river Krishna enters Nalgonda district at Pogilla of Chandampet mandal, Mr. Shivaji said that the government was also considering having three bathing ghats during the Krishna Pushkarams next year – at Pogilla, Kasarajupally and Chinna Munigal – located around the backwaters of Nagarajunasagar reservoir. “If we can popularise this tourism circuit by improving facilities before the Pushkarams, it will attract a large number of pilgrims and tourists to Devaracherla and other places,” he said. Proposals include operation of boats on the backwaters of Nagarajunasagar from Chinna Munigal village and also in Akkampally balancing reservoir. Local tribals are to be involved in developing the circuit by having food court run by them at Devaracherla and another exclusive fish food court at Chinna Munigal village by fishermen.
Local tribal leader, Hemla Nayak, said the response from people was overwhelming. On an average, at least 50 to 100 tourists from Hyderabad visit Devaracherla, a place where no outsider had set foot in the past, with the exception of local tribals.
Mr. Shivaji said the natural beauty of Chandampet mandal and the fact that tribals live amidst the hills remind people of the picturesque Araku valley. Like Araku, Chandampet is located way higher than sea level and on rainy days, one can see several waterfalls.
Apart from the exciting 35-km drive from Devarakonda to the backwaters of Nagarjunasagar via Chandampet and Devaracherla, this tourism circuit would be a must-visit for those who wish to see tribal habitat.
Archaeological sites in tourism circuit
Assistant Director, Archaeology, P. Nagaraju, said they would make all the archaeological sites in this area a part of the tourism circuit. Also, he said proposals would seen be sent to the government for an archaeological museum at Devarakonda Fort to display various monuments unearthed during the excavations conducted in the area in the past.
Ministers adopt gram panchayats
Mandal Parishad Development Officer K. Narasimhulu said Ministers K.T. Rama Rao (IT and Panchayat Raj) G. Jagadishwar Reddy (Energy) and Zilla Parishad Chairman Balu Nayak adopted one gram panchayat each during the recently-concluded Grama Jyothi programme. This would encourage others too, he said.
Source: The Hindu