Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Tada water falls - Ubbalamadugu vagu

These waterfalls are better known as Tada falls but actual place is in Ubbalamadugu in Chittore district, Andhra pradesh, India. Tada is a place in Nellore district.

These falls are approximately around 80 KMs distance by road from Chennai, where I live .

I visited this place on 08 Dec 2004. Normally I travel alone. But when I woke up on that day at 4 AM, I thought a bit whether to start the journey alone or visit that place on a later date with colleagues. May be ... I was scared a bit by a friend on the previous day. But I know that I can't wait to see the place.

I packed all required items: Camera,Blanket, Towel, Mosquito repellant, Pain releif spray, Cotton, Dettol, two water bottles, biscuits and a pack of 'atukulu'.

After reaching the Bus station complex,I bought a Transistor radio as I need somebody talking to me during trekking.I boarded the bus No.114 - 'Chennai to Kalahasthi'. The bus is full of pilgrim families to Kalahasthi. Next to me a little girl dressed as Santa Claus doing lot of mischief. The bus travelled 60 kilometres on National Highway no.5. After reaching the village 'Tada', it took left turn to catch the road to Kalahasthi. After 10 KM travel, I got down at a village called 'Varadayya palem'.

After taking the breakfast in a small hotel, I took an auto to reach the forest gate. The forest gate is approximately 7 KMs from Varadayya palem. During this time, the auto driver kept on telling me not to go alone inside the forest as people visit rarely this place as the route is difficult. I reached the forest gate at 9.30 AM.
I got down at the gate and started walking inside while listening to the radio. The path is very narrow with lot of rubble and rocks. Few motorcycles and jeeps passed by. Few looked curiously at me but moved on. I was sure that I can meet them near the falls.
After trekking the hilly area, I reached a small Siva temple, 3 KM distance from the forest gate. Next to the temple I saw the stream and found few guys who decided to stop there only.
I crossed the stream. From there , I started climbing the hill. Somebody told me the falls are around 2 KM from there. The way is very rocky and steep. I had to cross the stream again and again. Lot of boulders are submerged in the water and I crossed the stream over them. In between I saw a beautiful mini waterfall. it is excellent. while crossing over that,I fell down in water. It took almost 15 minutes find out how to step from one big rock on to other.
After climbing over the rocks of mini falls, I trekked further. Finally I could spot the main waterfalls, seperated by a mini lake. Carefully I stepped on a submerged wooden log and reached the main water falls. The waterfall is very exciting. I spent an hour there and took lunch .
I wanted to findout from where the water is coming to the falls. Is it a lake above the falls or a stream coming from some other place? I found a steep 20 Ft. high rocky walls. One can reach the top of water falls after climbing that only. I felt disappointed as I cannot climb that height. I got a bag with me and already my left hand was paining ( as earlier I slipped down into the stream from the rocks). Then I saw a batch of boys arrived that place by climbing down. They appeared to be well trained trekkers with ropes, wooden sticks with them.

Then I decided I have to visit this place again with a group. But don't know when ? Anyway, I am very lucky to reach the waterfalls alone, without losing the path.

I started coming down. This time along with me four boys were there. One of them requested me to take their photograph and post to them. I took few photos of them. Later we reached the stream near Siva Temple. There I found more people. I decided to spend some time near the stream. The four boys gave their postal address to receive the photo, thanked me and left.
I stepped into the stream. The water is very clear and cool. I spent almost an hour taking the bath in the stream. Then I put on my clothes and started walking. By 5 PM, I was at the forest gate. As there was no transport available, I decided to walk 7 KMs upto the village - Varadaiah palem. Few vehicles passed by. They were already packed with people. Otherwise , somebody might have offered me lift. After walking for 2 KM, one car stopped and I was offered lift.

I reached the village , took some snacks and waited for the Chennai bus. I reached Chennai by 9.30 PM and was at home by 10:30. Then I made phone calls to my family at my native place and friends to tell them that I am safe & returned safely.
1. Near Forest gate



2. Starting Point


3. Stream-1


4. Stream-2

5. Narrow path-1
6. Siva Temple-1
7. Siva Temple-2
8. Resting place near the pond
9. Relaxing in cool water
10. Water coming from the stream into the pond
11. way ahead after the pond
12. Small water falls
13. I slipped down at this small waterfalls
14. before reaching the main water falls
15. Main waterfalls , lucky to reach atlast
16. Near the falls-1
17. Near the falls-2
18. School Children
19. Rockywall near the falls
20. Returning back
21. pleaseant and lonely evening .
22. Looking back
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Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary

When I was transferred to Chennai in 2004, I decided to visit as many places as possible during weekends. This place is the first one I visited ( during November 2004). It is well connected by road and rail.

Nelappattu Bird Sanctuary is near Pulicat lake at Sullurpet at the border of Andhra Pradesh & Tamilnadu states. It is one of the largest pelican habitats in Southeast Asia. It provides fine breeding ground for rare and endangered species like Spoted Billed Pelican, Open-Billed Stork, Painted Stork, Little Cormorant, Spoon-Bill, White-Ibis and Night Heron.

Nelapattu has an environmental education centre, museum, library and an auditorium with audio-visual equipment. During Sundays & hoildays many people visit this place.

1. Map at the entrance



2. Forest Office




3. Lake view




4. Right Side of the Lake


5. Lake View-2




6. The path alomg the lake



7. Watch tower for viewing the birds



8. School Kids




9. School Kids -2



10. Submerged trees



11. Lake View - 3