CHENNAI Thursday 19 May 2011

DC

20

wanderlust TRIVIA

One of the locations in Nagalapuram

The Tada falls

DISCOVER PARADISE Nagalapuram mountain range is a heaven for adventure and nature lovers PETER VAN GEIT

Ubalamadagu falls, better known as Tada falls, named ust 80km after the nearby city. It’s an from eco-tourism development proChennai lies ject by the Andhra Pradesh an untouched, forest department with good green paradise. tourist infrastructure. It’s the Part of Eastern Ghats and perfect candidate for a day out located just across the border with the family or group of in Andhra Pradesh, the trekking friends. It’s just a two Nagalapuram mountain range hour drive from Chennai and covers 300 square easily accessible from kilometers of beautiNH5, taking a left at ‘THE LUSH Tada and left again ful forest well preGREEN served from human near Varaiadahpalem. encroachment. It’s FOREST IS There are well indinature at its best sandy trails THE HOME cated with peaks up till along a scenic mounOF MANY 900m altitude and tain stream with clear crystal clear water running water in all WILDLIFE streams running seasons and the dense SPECIES’ through its valleys green forest offers a throughout the year. shady relief from the The lush green forest is the scorching sun. More experihome of many wildlife species enced hikers can trek further like snakes, fish, birds, butteralong the stream over bigger flies and many more. boulders and rocks till the botNagalapuram has a diverse tom of the 100m high falls flora and deciduous trees which offer an imposing sight. which can be found only here. Less known is the Southern Located at the Southern tip of side of the Nagalapuram range this mountain range are the which has equally beautiful

J

Trekkers enjoy themselves

N

agalapuram is 70 km south east of Tirupati. This village was designed during the reign of the king Krishnadevaraya in memory of his mother. The town has a temple of Vedanarayana swamy. Temple reflects the Vijayanagara style of architecture with the Vedanarayana idol facing west. The temple celebrates the Matysa Avatar of Lord Vishnu, who saved the four Vedas and returned them to Brahma.

streams dotted with scenic waterfalls and numerous pools where one can take a refreshing dip. One can hike inside the many valleys and climb the peaks offering breath taking views of the surrounding plains. Several streams exit at the Eastern and Western side of the mountains near the towns of Sathyavedu and Olluru. The access roads and hiking trails here are a bit more difficult to find so it’s recommended to first go along with an experienced trekking group like Chennai Trekkers before venturing out by yourself. Gears required for hiking are minimal — a comfortable pair of hiking shoes, a small back pack to carry food and water and you are ready to get out! (The author is an adventure junkie and the founder of Chennai Trekking Club)

TREKKING TIPS

Plan your trek according to your fitness level ● Trekking alone involves the risk of accident, so take an informed decision ● Travel light with basic necessities; temperatures can drop or soar without warning while mountain trekking, so layer your clothes to suit the clime accordingly ● Your backpack must contain a sunscreen, a medical kit, a day change, water and snacks ● Make sure your walking shoes provide good ankle support and prevent stiffness ●

SNACK UP

nroute to Nagalapuram don’t forget to sample some delightful local Andhra cuisine. The road to Nagalapuram divides into two near Tirupati. One could choose to enter the temple town and dine at any one of the many hotels serving typical and traditional Andhra food. If the detour is too much of an effort, the road to Nagalapuram is dotted with many small joints that dish up delicious fare in a matter of minutes. Idlis served with gonkurra chutni or aavakaya on the side are sure to make your mouth water.

E