Somasila village is a famous tourist attraction in Kollapur Mandal, Nagarkurnool district, Telangana. Somasila is home to 15 temples that are dedicated to Lord Shiva and are enshrined with several Shiva Lingas. The banks of the Krishna river are present in Somasila and can be a spot for tourism development.
So, the Telangana Tourism department has launched Pontoon Boat services on the Krishna river from Somasila of Kollapur Mandal in Nagarkurnool District to Srisailam. The boat launched was named Somasila and it will traverse 110 km in five hours in river Krishna. The open surface of the boat allows the tourists to view the scenery around them from the open deck while traveling.
Telangana State Tourism Department Corporation (TSTDC) has launched a road-river-road circuit that offers tourists an exciting journey with a combination of a long drive, a pilgrimage, a glimpse of the forest and wildlife, and a river cruise with lunch on board.
The package of the trip offered per individual by the Tourism corporation is Rs 2,800. The package includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and accommodation for the tourists. Tourists who would like to go on a launch from Somasila should pay an additional Rs 600.
Somasila is famous for the variety of water sports available for tourists. Some other tourist attractions in the Nagarkurnool district are Sangameswara temple, Somasila temple, ancient temples at Jataprolu, and Kadilivanam.
The tourist package includes a visit to Mallela Teertham waterfalls and Srisailam dam. The government has constructed two beautiful Harita hotels with a serene atmosphere one at Jataprolu and the other at Somasila. The cost of construction of the two hotels is 99 crores.
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How to reach Somasila
You can opt for bus transportation from Hyderabad as it is more convenient and easy. After crossing the Forest Department check-post at Mannanur, the first stop is at Farahabad. You can witness breathtaking viewpoints along the journey. After traveling for a few kilometers, you will reach the dense Nallamala forest.
As you approach Mallela Teertham, you’ll get to witness the waterfalls in the middle of the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve. This is a favorite spot for tourists to take photographs. On the way, there come another two waterfalls called Paaladhaara and Panchadaara. The temple present here is Sakshi Ganapati where you can seek the blessings of the god.
You’ll reach Srisailam in no time from there. Once you reach Srisailam, check into rooms and quickly freshen up before heading out for a darshan of Lord Mallikarjunaswamy. All of these one day. On the second day of your trip, you can go on for a boat launch on the Krishna river. The five-hour cruise over the waters of the River Krishna has a visit to Akka Maa Devi temple before reaching Somasila.
At Somasila, you can book a room at the Haritha Resort run by the TS Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC). The serene view of the backwaters from the rooms is gorgeous.
TSTDC Chairman Pervaram Ramulu says, “A trip to Somasila could possibly be a one-of-its-kind combination of a long drive, a pilgrimage, a glimpse of the forest and wildlife, and a river cruise with lunch on board”.
Currently, one trip a week is planned. Daily packages will be implemented depending on the regular tourist arrivals. The government is looking forward to developing tourism and the route between Hyderabad and Somasila.
