Go camping at ancient caves

Bhupalpally: Nestled in the verdant and countryside environs of Regonda mandal in Jayashankar-Bhupalpally district, the Pandavula Gutta that houses ancient rock art gallery is a treasure trove of history and lore. The outdoor enthusiasts will now have a perfect hideout in Pandavula Gutta, one of the exhilarating locations the district has. Thanks to the Forest Department that has plans to introduce night camping and rock view safari. While the night camping is to be rolled out from Wednesday, the rock safari will soon be a reality.

Pandavula Gutta, a chain of hillocks that believed to have given shelter to Pandavas for some time during their vanavasam (exile) period, also has engrossing rock paintings of pre-historic to medieval times. Eight of its caves that have indigenous rock art manifest that human settlement existed in the region. The rock art which depicts the lifestyle of aboriginals, animals and other symbols tells that they belong to pre-historic age. Rock formations such as Nandi, Shakti, Jyothy, Bheemuni Gundu, Mekala Banda on the hillocks are also highly attractive.

Spicing up its stupefying beauty, the forest department has been organising adventure sports and other activities to attract the tourists, especially youth, as part of its ecotourism calendar for the last one-and-a-half-year.

The idea is to harness tourism potential in the district by promoting the local exotic locations through adventure sports - include trekking, rappelling and rock climbing - which quickly catch the imagination of the youth. Continuous activity in the region would help in increasing the footfall of the tourists and thereby local economy.

Speaking to The Hans India, DFO SV Pradeep Kumar Shetty said: “Although we are successfully organising rock climbing, rappelling and trekking in the hillocks, a sizable number of tourists have asked us to introduce night camping. In addition to this, we have plans introduce rock safari in a fortnight or so.”

Tourism Coordinator Suman Kalyanapu said that the administration has plans to cover rock climbing, rappelling, trekking, bonfire and night camping in a two-day package priced at Rs 1,500 per head. Efforts are on to make the package more attractive adding other activities such as interactive programmes.

B Tech final year student of SR Engineering College, Harika, one of the 45 students, who participated in the rock-climbing event on Tuesday, said: “It’s thoroughly enjoyable and exciting. The indigenous rock arts and the serene environs are a perfect foil for the adventure sports.”

The hillocks, located 190 kilometers northeast of Hyderabad, can be reached Warangal by road only. For further information, interested tourists can contact 73826 19363 or 94415 55524, or browsewww.ecotourism.bhupalpally.com