Papikondalu Information
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We will see many panoramic views of nature while traveling in a boat in the Stream of Godavari River (one of the largest rivers in India, and dominant in South of India), Papikondalu are situated in Eastern Ghats. The river Godavari flows through Papikondalu. This is the place from where Alluri Sitharama Raju has fought the Britishers. He fought Britishers with the help of Koya tribal people and by raiding police stations for weapons.
As the mighty Godavari River races past the hills taking the course that resembles a narrow gorge, it appears to be in hurry. The launch ride from Kunavaram to to Papikondalu- the confluence Point of Shabari River with Godavari where from the river turns brown and turbid- is a pleasant experience. As the launch gets closer to the jungles which cover the river route all along, it would be a visual delight and feast of colors for a naked eye. The jungles are inhabited by colorful tribal people. Papikondalu is believed to be a place where all the sins are cleansed.
During the Boat journey from the width of Godavari in between the two banks will be less than one km thereby getting narrowed up to the nearest minimum at Papikondalu. A kind of sweetest experience that journey goes on in a way in between the two towers will be enjoyed at the spot.
During the journey, one can have the darshan of Lord Yoga Rama at the pilgrimage center Sri Rama giri. A legend about Papi Kondalu is the Lord Rama and goddess sita dwelled here during the vanavasa. People believe that Lord Rama used to be under Yoga Samadhi while he was spending the days in Dandakaranya. The bird “Jathayavu” (A Bird in Ramayana epic) was stated to have fought against Ravana nearer to Sri Ramagiri and fell tired getting its wings broken While Seetha was being taken away. Hence this place was used to be termed as Sokkanapalli at first and later as Rekhapalli.
The Shiva temple, located atop a hill of Perantalapalli, is sacred to the resident tribal’s and one needs to follow their traditions strictly. For an hour or so, we dropped anchor here to discover the gushing waterfalls and lush greenery that surrounded the place. The downstream journey from Parantalapalli was all about refreshing the hours gone by. By taking a both in the water fall (Small water streams) will be cool one, thick rain forest and other flora and fauna adds to scenic beauty of PapiKondalu.
The journey is expected to take about 7 hours along the downward stream. One of the challenges parts of the journey is the negotiation with the drifting sand which makes the path of the boat extremely dynamic. It is the skill and experience of the local sailors that makes the journey look easy while in reality it is very tough. Clean river water with the reflection of lush green hills, gentle breeze flowing across the river, can be your picture perfect setting for sure. Papikondalu range is especially popular due to their co-existence with the river. Except during summer, the river is full of life with people. However, several tribal communities fill the hills with life from ages in search for their livelihood by agriculture, fishing and handicrafts. One of the interesting things that can happen in the journey is a possibility to camp on the river side in tents in Kolluru village.
Staying in the Bamboo Hut Cottages at the bank of river Godavari in Kolluru village is a very fantastic experience. Camp fire on the bank of the river Godavari, Seeing the fishermen fishing in the river in the nights, playing the beach volleyball, Kabaddi in the sand of the river, Fishing, Trekking the Pap hills, spending with the tribal peoples and going deep in to the forest will be mind blowing. Star gazing while sleeping on the banks of the river Godavari will surely bring out poet in you.
Many tribal communities infuse life in the hills, which are their homes and the only source of livelihood by agriculture, fishing and handicraft. The journey to Papikondalu is dotted with temples and scenic points. There are tribal areas around Papikondalu. So many tribes are living in this forest. The tribal sells the handicraft made by bamboo wood will available Munivatam, Perantalapalli. Papikondalu is the one of the finest representative forests of the Eastern Ghats known for the big cats like Tiger, Leopard, wild pigs, deer and the large herbivores is also a treasure trove of the birds.
The Papikondalu are a place apart, we will find acres of green fields, white smooth sand, Green color water in the river, panoramic view of sun raise and sun set, occasional toddy toppers, smiling villagers, beauty and honest tribal. It has become the favorite destination for hundreds of nature lovers. Pilgrims and tourists going on weekend launch ride in Godavari. The trip down the river from Kunavaram would lead to a different world where the nature delights the naked eye with grand spectacles. The hilly countryside patch-worked with tiny farm plots, the landscapes dotted with tribal habitations, the river banks forested with the timber reserves, the fresh air and the deep river all blend tighter to make it a magic place. They present ideal settings to enjoy the nature.
A wonderful tourist location will no longer available, when government completes the 100+ feet height Polavaram Dam to be built in the Papikondalu range that will engulf most of the villages due to raising levels of water. An estimated 30 odd villages will be endangered due to this however it is being constructed to bring millions of acres of land into cultivation. It can also be the case that by 2010 or so, most of the places in Papikondalu that we are going to visit will be a history. Our future coming generations will see the Papikondalu by virtual imagine of photos and articles.
The people are lucky who visited or going to visit the Papikondalu.