Among the revered pilgrimage sites in Andhra Pradesh, Srisailam is a place you wouldn’t regret visiting. There are several places to visit near Srisailam which town dates back to the 10th century and is a popular town that you can visit with your family to explore the spiritual Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple. Beyond the spiritual aspect, Srisailam is also popular for being home to historical sites like the Akka Mahadevi Caves and Sri Bhramaramba Devi Temple. Get ready to immerse yourself in the spiritual aura of the temples.
10 Places To Visit Near Srisailam
Here is a list of places to visit near Srisailam, to enrich your travel experiences by including beautiful sightseeing spots like waterfalls, reservoirs and caves.
1. Mallela Theertham Waterfall
Photo: Deependra Singh Tomar / Wikimedia Commons
The first and probably one of the best places to visit near Srisailam is the Mallela Theertham Waterfall. The waterfall is located inside the Nallamala Forest Range and falls in a cascade, adding to the charm and beauty of the place. It falls from a height of 150 feet and the surrounding lush green landscape and the rocky hills add to the adventure and the beauty of the place. It is a perennial waterfall, meaning that you would get to witness the beauty of the waterfall any time of the year. |
Distance From Srisailam: 57 km
Major Attractions: The waterfall, forest trekking, and wildlife spotting
2. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
Photo: Munna Aawara / Wikimedia Commons
Although a little farther out from the Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is another one of the must-visit spots that you have to add to your travel plans. This masonry dam has 26 gates in total, each measuring up to a height of 124.663 metres. During the monsoon season when the gates are opened and the water gushes out, it creates a marvelous site. Also, the dam is built across the Krishna River and the area around is well-maintained with gardens and beautiful vantage points that enrich your experience further.
Distance From Srisailam: 176 km
Major Attractions: Dam gates, surrounding vantage points, sunsets, and panoramic views of the dam
3. Akkamahadevi Caves
Photo: రహ్మానుద్దీన్ / Wikimedia Commons
If you are a history buff, Akkamahadevi Caves is one of the best places to go near Srisailam. Located inside the Nallamala forest range, the caves are located on the banks of Krishna River and you need to embark on a boat ride from Patal Ganga, followed by a short 10-minute trek to reach these caves. The caves are dedicated to Akka Mahadevi, who was a renowned philosopher, dating back to the 12th century.
Distance From Srisailam: 44 km
Major Attractions: Boat ride, trekking, and exploring the caves
4. Ethipothala Waterfall
Photo: Tejashwini3101995 / Wikimedia Commons
Another beautiful natural wonder that you must add to your travel plans from Srisailam is Ethipothala Waterfall. The waterfall is fed from the Chandravanka River, which is a tributary of the Krishna River. The waterfall falls from a height of 70 feet and is a high river cascade that is surrounded by dense forests and lush greenery, which add to the beauty of the place. The waterfall is roughly 12-13 km from the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, so you can combine these two sightseeing spots in a day.
Distance From Srisailam: 166 km
Major Attractions: Waterfall, surrounding lush green and, natural streams
5. Srisailam Tiger Reserve
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Being the largest tiger reserve in India, Srisailam Tiger Reserve is another one of the good places to visit near Srisailam. Beyond spotting the Bengal tigers during jungle safari, you can also immerse in the rich biodiversity that exists inside the sanctuary. It is located in the Nandyal district and is spread across an area of 3,728 sq. km. The main tiger reserve is spread across 1200 sq. km and is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. As for the wildlife, you might spot leopards, sloth bears, Ussuri dhole and sambar deer, among many others.
Distance From Srisailam: 28 km
Major Attractions: Tiger spotting, wildlife safari, and exploring the flora
6. Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: Gary Whyte / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Yes, one more wildlife reserve, Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary is another destination to visit near Srisailam. It is a lesser-known yet quite fascinating wildlife sanctuary that is spread across an area of 1,194 sq. km and located in Nallama Hills in the Kurnool district. It is a tiger reserve and is home to a wide range of other animals and birds too. Some of the wildlife you might spot during safari include Tufted Gray Langur, Panthers, Mouse deer, Marsh crocodile, Cantor’s black-headed snake, Russell’s viper, and common skink.
Distance From Srisailam: 162 km
Major Attractions: Wildlife spotting, trekking, and nature walks
7. Alampur Jogulamba Temple
Photo: రహ్మానుద్దీన్ / Wikimedia Commons
Alampur Jogulamba Temple is another ancient Hindu temple that is a must-visit from Srisailam. It is one of the Maha Shakti Peethas and is dedicated to Goddess Jogulamba. Inside the temple, the main shrines are dedicated to Jogulamba and Balabrahmeswara, which is a form of Lord Shiva. One of the most alluring parts of this temple is the idol of Goddess Jogulamba who remains seated on a corpse and has a scorpion, frog and a lizard on her head. It is one of a kind temple and it is said that Sati’s upper teeth fell on the site of this temple.
Distance From Srisailam: 166 km
Major Attractions: Jogulamba Temple, Chalukya architecture, and riverbank views
8. Macherla
Photo: Manjuap / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Another one of the places to see near Srisailam is Macherla, which is a quaint city that is located in the Palnadu district. It is a treasure that is home to numerous sightseeing spots, the majority of which are natural wonders like the Ethipothala Waterfall, Nagarjunasagar Dam, Nagarjunasagar Wildlife Sanctuary and Nagarjunakonda Museum. Also, don’t miss out on visiting the Chennakesava Swamy temple, which is an ancient Hindu temple that dates back to the era of the Haihaya Kings.
Distance From Srisailam: 153 km
Major Attractions: Ethipothala Waterfall, Nagarjunasagar Dam, Nagarjunasagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagarjunakonda Museum, and Chennakesava Swamy temple
9. Kadalivanam Caves
Photo: Naga Praveena Sharma P / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Around 22 km from the city centre, Kadalivanam Caves are one of the most ancient caves located in the area. It is said that there are mentions of these caves in ancient texts like the Skanda Purana, Shiva Bhakta vijayam and other Hindu texts, which is fascinating to witness in real life. Some legends depict that Akka Mahadevi and Allama Prabhu, who were ardent devotees of Lord Shiva had reportedly meditated inside these caves. Also, there are beliefs that Guru Dattatreya Swamy came to this place and then vanished from the face of the Earth.
Distance From Srisailam: 44.6 km
Major Attractions: Explore the mysteries inside the cave, and learn about the history
10. Saleshwaram
Photo: Chandan Parihar / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Renowned for the Saleshwaram Lingamayya Swamy Temple, this is another one of the tourist attractions near Srisailam. It is believed that the temple itself dates back to the 6th or 7th century and is roughly 2-3 hours from the main city of Srisailam. One of the most interesting parts of visiting this temple is that it’s open only for five days a year, during the Chaitra Purnima Festival.
Distance From Srisailam: 66 km
Major Attractions: Saleshwaram Lingamayya Swamy Temple
There are various places to visit near Srisailam, each catering to the diverse interests of the travellers. From ancient Hindu temples to waterfalls and forest reserves, you can explore a variety of unique spots around the religious city. For a smooth travel experience, ensure that you plan a trip with TripXL to get access to the absolute best deals and discounts.
Cover Photo: Yousuf R / Wikimedia Commons