Ghumakkad in Hindi means 'the wanderer'. That is what I am. On the move any time anywhere!
This blog chronicles Ghumakkad's travels/teachings/learnings around the globe as picture stories. In addition, there are Picturesque Quotes (PQs) created using my pictures. Enjoy it.
If you have also been to the places/topics described here, please feel free to add to the content.
Your comments/ suggestions are welcome.
Day temperature hovering around 40 degrees Celsius. Is it a pleasant time for a hike? The weather Gods were listening. And it drizzled in the evening. We, a dozen odd hikers in the age group of 15 to 71, set off next morning. Destination: Devarakonda Fort, 125 kms SSE of Hyderabad. A convoy of four cars in dead of the night. Flagged off from RSI at 4 AM, yes 4 AM! That shows the passion of these young and not-so-young hikers.
Our pictures will do the talking shortly. But before that a bit of history of the Fort courtesy Telangana Tourism and our guide Younus Farhaan from Devarakonda.
Built in 1278 AD by Padma Nayaka Veluma Rajas and ruled by them till 1482 AD
Thereafter, conquered by Maada Naidu who made many additions to the Fort
Fort named after the village Devarakonda in Nalgonda district. See the map courtesy Google.
Built across seven hills having an area of 525 acres
Apart from Rani and Raja's Mahals, it has reservoirs for rain water harvesting
Rama temple on hill top and Shiva temple at a lower level
Entire fort built using local stones
Has multi-layered security with gates and bastions
Imposing ramparts
It is a perfect getaway from Hyderabad with a 2.5 hours drive on Nagarjuna Sagar road. We did it in one day but if you have the time, an overnight halt would be less fatiguing. The fort is partly in ruins. But thanks to Anjan a local journalist, with his volunteering effort a large part of the fort has been restored. Do support the drive for restoration of the Fort. Now let our pictures enthrall you.
We in India suffer from a National malaise of defacing national monuments, trees, rocks, walls, staircases, elevators, rest rooms and what not! We engrave our name as if it is a big achievement! Shame on these guys who did it. See the pictures below. One person seems to have defaced number of trees. Such people should be punished with their faces scratched with a sharp needle with their names!
Gates of the Fort
Here is a 55-second video showing the Tortoise Gate of the Fort. It also shows the royal insignia 'Kalash' a water container carved on the front wall of every gate to the Fort. Click here to view the video.
Moving on, here are more pictures of the Fort and our hike.
You can see the hikers approaching the next gate called the Fish Gate in the video below:
In this short video, you can get a feel of the in-built security through the design of the gates to the Fort
Anjan the Saviour
Ram Mandir
Here is an all round view of Devarakonda from Ram Mandir Hilltop.
This short video clip highlights the architecture of Rani Mahal and its imposing gate.
Shiv Mandir
All Weather Water Reservoir
You may appreciate the scene around the water reservoir in this short video.
The Fort Needs Your Support
Women Empowerment
We also met a lady in Devarakonda town who had lost her husband 15 years back. Her story from being a homemaker to learning a technical skill and then taking charge of her husband's business of repairing electrical appliances, is truly inspiring. You may browse her story of grit and determination. We titled it 'Who Empowers Women?'
Cultural Street Art
Another attraction in Devarakonda is a series of wall paintings done by Prem Esram and his team from JNAFAU (Jawahar Lal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad) on a street now known as Cultural Street. The paintings depict the history of the Fort and few other scenes. See the video below or click the link here.
Ghumakkad took a selfie at the Cultural Street.
Lord Venkateshwara Temple
A temple is being built on a hill top in Devarakonda. We are sharing a few pictures of the work in progress. It promises to be a big tourist attraction in future.
Here is a short 30-second video showing the interiors of the temple.
Sai Baba Temple
Mid-way between Hyderabad and Devarakonda there is a Sai Baba temple. Next to the temple is an Annapoorna restaurant with nice food and clean rest rooms.
Previous Hikes
We, the members of Palmette Bicycling Club (PBC) undertake bicycle rides and treks around Secunderabad regularly. You may browse a video capturing one of the recent rides.
More Hikes Near Hyderabad
Those keen on hikes near Hyderabad, may browse our previous stories. Just click the link to read the picture story with embedded videos. You will enjoy it.
Hope you enjoyed our picture story. If you have been to any of the getaways mentioned above, feel free to share your pictures and/or information. Your feedback is welcome.
Thanks for browsing. Stay connected for more picture stories.
Kudos to you Harsh!!! Great pics too, though only 2 videos were available. I'd love to join you in one of your hikes while I'm still in decent health and able to do it. Reminds me of all the hikes my husband, kids, some friends and I have done from 2009 to 2019 in Sedona, Arizona.
Thanks Anita. Hiking, anytime! With pleasure. Just sound out your India dates. Oh, Arizona and Utah are great hiking destinations. Our trails may not be as scenic! Will check on the videos.
Excellent Harsh
ReplyDeleteThanks much Aditya.
DeleteWe can hike there when you are here next.
Great capture in pursuit of a great cause.
ReplyDeleteThanks much Lalit.
DeleteAnother Inspiring and remarkable journey sir. Way to go.
ReplyDeleteThanks Raghu. You are always generous.
DeleteVery well illustrated with fascinating pictures !
ReplyDeleteThanks much General. Appreciate.
DeleteWonderful Harsh! Impressed with your boundless energy. I support your view that those senseless people who deface structures must be taken to task
ReplyDeleteThanks for augmenting my anguish against the 'defacing' maniacs!
DeleteGREAT PICTURES
ReplyDeleteThanks Vinod.
DeleteKudos to you Harsh!!! Great pics too, though only 2 videos were available. I'd love to join you in one of your hikes while I'm still in decent health and able to do it. Reminds me of all the hikes my husband, kids, some friends and I have done from 2009 to 2019 in Sedona, Arizona.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anita. Hiking, anytime! With pleasure. Just sound out your India dates. Oh, Arizona and Utah are great hiking destinations. Our trails may not be as scenic! Will check on the videos.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visual tour sir.
ReplyDeleteYour blogs are such a pleasure. I get to go to so many places virtually (without moving my lazy butt 😂😂
Thanks for being a regular reader of out stories Jai. Much appreciated 🙏
DeleteBeautiful pictures and well knowledgeable stories put in the blogs. Well narrated Sir...
ReplyDeleteThanks for your appreciation.
DeletePraiseworthy unique effort.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
Delete