Have you heard of the Mini Maldives in Telangana? Yes, there is such a thing. Somasila, a small village in Telangana’s Nagar Kurnool, some 200 km from the capital city of Hyderabad, is a quaint offbeat getaway you have, most probably, not heard of.
Somasila is located on the banks of the Krishna River, and has an island-like appearance to it. The place is also a popular religious destination, thanks to 15 temples dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva. The most famous of them all is the Sri Lalitha Someswara Swamy Temple. The temple complex is where all these temples are located, and all of these 15 temples house a Shivalinga.
The temple is believed to be from the 7th century. Visit during the occasions of Mahashivaratri and Karthika Pournami to really understand how important this destination is for the devotees.
There is one more thing that is very big here in Somasila. It’s the festival of Pushkara Snanam where devotees take a dip in the Krishna River, and is considered very auspicious. Here’s the interesting part – the festival is observed once in 12 years!
Did you know that the present-day temple was shifted from the old Somasila village? It was shifted to a higher ground to make sure that it stayed safe from flooding of the Krishna River.
Religious importance aside, the place is also a much-loved picnic and day outing spot. This is one of those cases where pilgrims mix faith and fun. After all, it’s not an easy task to ignore the stunning scene that the backwaters of Krishna River create.
Somasila, being just under 200 km from the bustling capital of Hyderabad, is a convenient day trip to take. And that’s what many tourists do. Looking at the popularity of Somasila among tourists from Karnataka and Maharashtra, the Telangana Tourism Department is operating several water-front cottages to accommodate the visitors. These riverfront resorts offer scenic views of the river and also great opportunities for boating and angling.
Somasila is still one of those places that enjoys lesser footfall, hence quieter holidays
Fun fact: Visitors can also take a boat ride in the backwaters to reach Srisailam, a popular pilgrimage destination in India.
Apart from the temples and the riverfront resorts, visitors can also make the most of the place by visiting the Somasila View Point. From here you can get stunning panoramic views of the river and the surrounding landscapes.
Source : Times Of India
