Eco-tourism, wildlife-tourism, adventure-tourism, medical-tourism- now what is tunnel-tourism? As the name signifies, it is a kind of tourism centered around a tunnel which attracts tourists from far and wide! Do we have tunnel tourism in India? Where else in the world?
Ghumakkad takes you on a tunnel tour not in a hill range or under a fort or a palace, but in a tunnel which is part of the Presidential retreat in India. In Secunderabad to be precise. Yes, we take you to राष्ट्रपति निलायम (Rashtrapapti Nilayam) which means the President's House or retreat. Located in Secunderabad, it is the winter retreat of the President of India. An imposing building dating back to 1860 when it was called The Residency, it is surrounded by acres of greenery. It has a 163-feet long tunnel which connects the kitchen with the Presidential dining hall. This kitchen tunnel which was in disuse, was restored in 2023 and thrown open to the public. It soon became a tourist attraction in Secunderabad.
Ghumakkad brings you a picture story based on a recent visit to the tunnel and Rashtrapapti Nilayam.
Hope you enjoyed visiting the kitchen tunnel in the President's Retreat in Secunderabad.
There are many other tunnels in India which give you a thrill while transiting. Whether by road or train, crossing a tunnel evokes mixed reactions. While the elderly may sit quietly, the younger generation likes to shriek and whistle (you can sample their loud excitement in a short video embedded in the story below). On the other hand, those afraid of darkness start praying fervently on entering a tunnel.
Readers may browse the stories listed below to get a feel of railway tunnels through the Eastern Ghats as well as the Vindhyachal ranges.
We also have the Atal Tunnel under the Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh India which is considered an engineering marvel. The longest tunnel in the world is in Norway. Another notable tunnel is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel in Virginia USA which goes under the sea. Similarly The Chunnel goes under the English Channel connecting England and France.
Tunnels and Caves
Tunnels have two open ends whereas caves have a single entry/exit. Ghumakkad has been to many caves which offer excitement to the visitors. You may browse the stories on caves listed below:
Undavalli Caves- An architectural marvel in Andhra Pradesh. Monolith rock cut caves with four-stories having a reclining Vishnu idol.
Next, we have Borra Caves in the Eastern Ghats in India, 90-kms north of Vishakhapatnam. But these are natural caves formed because of rich limestone rocks. Spectacular to see, specially when lighted up. Stalactite and Stalagmite create surreal shapes. You may read the following picture story.
Another cave which offers a bit of thrill and adventure is the Narsing Temple near Bidar in Karnataka. You have to wade through chest high water for half a km or so, to reach the deity in the cave. Pretty scary to say the least. Browse the last part of the story linked below to feel the thrill:
The next story takes you to Belum Caves in Andhra Pradesh India. These caves have been crafted by Nature over millions of years. Being limestone caves, flowing underground river has chiselled its way through the rocks. Like the tentacles of an octopus, underground caves also spread in multiple directions. Click here to browse the full picture story.
Parting Thought
Our mind is also like a tunnel, or multiple tunnels. Some thoughts enter our mind and exit easily. Some other concerns can't find an easy exit. In this context, we are reminded of a quote by Michael Josephson who said "The light at the end of the tunnel is your life; it's the tunnel that's temporary"
Thanks for browsing. Do visit the Kitchen Tunnel in The President's Retreat in Secunderabad, India to appreciate the restoration work and promotion of centuries-old Cheriyal art.
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- Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Akanksha Bhargava/ Secunderabad/ 1st Nov 2024
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