A remote tribal village in the Kasipatnam area, located in the Ananthagiri mandal of Alluri Sitarama Raju district, has become a major draw for spiritual tourism, significantly affecting the visitor numbers to the nearby popular tourist destinations of Araku and Paderu. (Image: DC)
Visakhapatnam: A remote tribal village in the Kasipatnam area, located in the Ananthagiri mandal of Alluri Sitarama Raju district, has become a major draw for spiritual tourism, significantly affecting the visitor numbers to the nearby popular tourist destinations of Araku and Paderu. Upper Kondaparthi village, perched approximately 3,333 feet above sea level, is accessible via a challenging hilly road with about 36 turns. The serene village, set amidst the natural beauty of the hills, has seen a surge in devotees visiting the revered Lord Venkateswara temple.
The hilltop temple of Venkateswara Swamy offers a tranquil environment, free from noise pollution, a breathtaking view of the surrounding clouds and the mesmerising Tatipudi reservoir. This peaceful setting has attracted many devotees despite the temple's remote location.
The temple, which was constructed at an estimated cost of `10 crore over two years, stands as a testament to the hard work of the locals. About 2,000 devotees visit the temple daily, especially during the auspicious month of Kartika Masam. A priest from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams oversees the rituals, with idols of Venkateswara Swamy, Vinayaka, Anjaneya Swamy, Alivelu Mangamma, Padmavathi and Godadevi enshrined here.
To reach the temple, devotees have to travel from Visakhapatnam through the Vizianagaram district to Sringavarapukota, covering about 53 kilometres, before continuing on a hilly path for another 18 kilometres towards Upper Kondaparthi village.
Due to the increasing rush to the temple village, the tourist spots in Paderu and Araku have experienced a decline in footfall. During Kartika Masam, many tourists are opting for picnic trips to Kashipatnam instead. Gauri Shankar, the tourism manager of Borra Caves, told Deccan Chronicle that the income from visitors on recent weekends has dropped significantly. "Last Saturdays and Sundays, visitors to Borra Caves brought in nearly `2 lakh daily income. But since Monday, the influx of tourists has decreased. According to our information, most of them are heading to Kasipatnam," he said.
He further explained, “Local transport providers are working to accommodate the growing number of passengers travelling to Kasipatnam. To compete with this rising spiritual hub, Paderu and Araku valleys may need to introduce special facilities and attractions to draw tourists back to these scenic locales.”
Photo caption: Kasipatnam offers a tranquil environment, free from noise pollution, and a breathtaking view of the surrounding clouds and the mesmerising Tatipudi reservoir.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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