Srisailam Day Trip

Srisailam is one of the great pilgrimage sites of southern India, a temple town high in the Nallamala hills on the banks of the Krishna river, about 215 km south of Hyderabad. Its Mallikarjuna Swamy temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the most sacred shrines of Shiva, and the town also holds the Bhramaramba Devi temple, one of the revered Shakti Peethas. Together the two make Srisailam an important destination for Hindu pilgrims, and the temple complex, with its tall walls, carved gateways and bustling courtyards, is also of interest to visitors who want to see living tradition. The journey is part of the experience. The road from Hyderabad climbs through the Nallamala forest, which is part of a large tiger reserve, and the scenery of hills, ravines and dense woods is a pleasant break from the city. Near the town the Srisailam Dam holds back the Krishna river in a deep gorge, and the reservoir and the long dam wall are among the sights on the drive. The tour linked here is a guided private day trip by car from Hyderabad, which provides a driver and guide for what would otherwise be a difficult trip.

A visit to the temple means joining the queue of devotees, so plan accordingly. Waiting times vary widely, and festival days, especially around Mahashivaratri and on Mondays and weekends, can be extremely busy. Special darshan options can reduce the wait, and the guide can explain the choices.

The temple has rules on dress, with traditional clothing often required for certain rituals and modest clothing in all cases, shoes must be removed, and leather items and mobile phones may be restricted, so check the current rules before you go and be prepared to leave electronics in the car.

The day is long. Allow about four to five hours of driving each way, so the tour is best started very early and finishes late, and be prepared for a tiring day. Because of the distance and the forest road, some operators recommend an overnight stay in Srisailam, and there are a number of guesthouses managed by the temple board and private operators.

Ask about the schedule of the tour, whether it includes meals and entry fees, and what you will do if the queue is long. Roads through the forest can be restricted at night, so daytime travel is preferred.

A few more points make the trip easier. Winter and the post-monsoon months, from roughly October to February, are the most comfortable, with green forests and cooler weather, while summer is hot and the monsoon can bring heavy rain and landslide risk on the ghat roads. Carry water and light snacks, dress modestly and bring a small amount of cash for offerings and small purchases.

Respect the sanctity of the place by keeping quiet and following the instructions of the temple staff. This trip suits pilgrims, scenery lovers and visitors with a taste for long drives, but if you are short on time or prefer city sights, the other day trips in this guide are shorter.

If you prefer scenery to ritual, ask the guide about time at the dam viewpoint and the forest road. Birdlife is rich in the hills, and with luck you may see deer and langurs beside the road. The Nallamala is tiger country, but sightings from the road are very rare, so enjoy the forest for its atmosphere rather than for wildlife spotting.