[HighwayHopper]

Want to start the year with a special mention and appreciate my Blue Bolt (Hyundai Xcent CRDI) for been a great companion throughout the year, ever smiling, carrying lot of responsibilities without complaining and was ready to take us anywhere anytime.



What an year 2017 has been for us. All the below places visited and checked off the list.

Shiridi, Sriharikota, Madurai, Rameswaram, Kodaikanal, Valaprai, Tadoba, Goa, Mypadu beach, Chennai and Pondicherry. Not to forget couple of Team-BHP meets.

Couple of travelogues:

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...s-spotted.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...-valparai.html

We wanted to end the year at Chikmagalur and booked accommodation in early November for Christmas. But been a long holiday season and onsite team on leave (they hardly take any) coupled with few of the offshore members on leave ensured I had to cancel my vacation and be ready to support in emergency. Family was disappointed. Especially my 7year old who really wanted to go somewhere on a long holiday. Personally I too did not like this and quickly chalked out a plan to visit some place or the other to primarily satisfy my thirst to drive and family for a holiday.

Many places were considered but finalized Ramappa temple, Bogatha waterfalls and Laknavaram lake as the destination.

No. of days travelled: One day, 25/12/2017
Route: Hyderabad-Bhongir-Jangaon-Kazipet-Ramappa Temple-Bogatha Waterfalls-Laknavaram lake-Hyderabad
Total: 600 kms (to and fro)
Gear: Nikon D3400 Digital Camera Kit (Black) with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR + AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR
Route Map:



Started in the morning at 6.45 AM and stopped at a Udupi hotel for breakfast. After breakfast took the ORR. Speed limit on ORR is 100 kmph and anyone breaking this has to shell out around 1400Rs as fine. Having seen so many accidents on this wide stretch, I personally feel this is a good decision to keep away from over speeding. Exited ORR at Ghatkesar and took the Warangal highway at around 8 AM. The morning chill and the fog combined with the excellent highway until Yadagirigutta was refreshing.

Magical morning:





Somewhere near Ghatkesar





Happy kids



On the way to Warangal





4-laning is in progress after Yadagirigutta and I felt it has not progressed much when compared to my last visit in June to Warangal. There were lot of trucks plying on this highway and took sometime to reach Ramappa temple.

Entering Warangal district





On the way to Ramappa temple.





Ramappa temple or Ramalingeswara temple is around 150 kms from Hyderabad and is a Shivalaya.

Quick fact about the temple.



The temple was huge and so was the crowd.

Beautiful architecture



Outer view of the temple



beautiful carvings on one of the pillar



one more



View of the shivalinga inside the temple. Had to literally jump and take this snap and got the perfect one after many attempts.



View of the Nandi in opposite side from the temple.



Superb carving on one of the pillars outside the temple.





Energetic kids





Having a gala time



I was simply spellbound on the architecture.






We moved on to Bogatha water falls. To reach the falls we have to a cross a bridge over Godavari river which dried completely. This sight was enough to put me in the back seat and expect what to see at the falls. Reached there around 1.30 PM, parked our car and walked for half a KM to see what I had not expected.

First glimpse of the falls

[HighwayHopper]

We were very disappointed as we travelled a lot of distance just for this falls including Ramappa and Laknavaram in the Itinerary. There was nothing much we could do other than having our packed lunch and spending some time. Kids had a good time in the water.

Rest of the pics from the falls.



Very less water in the falls. Seems that the falls dries up after Feb and again fills up only after monsoons.



Nothing more to see other than leaving the kids to enjoy in the water for sometime.





Seems to be swimming but the level of the water was very less to swim.



Kids enjoyed every moment in water.



tried something but actually came out good.





We moved on to Laknavaram lake, our final destination. There was lot of crowd and there was no space to even park the cars. After waiting for some time I was able to park my car. Was happy that at last I got some space to park the car and started walking to the lake and never imagined that I parked around 2 kms from the lake, such was the crowd.

Laknavaram lake is a famous tourist spot in Warangal and is famous for a long hanging bridge. After trekking a lot, we reached the spot at 4.45 PM and were frightened looking at the crowd.

First glimpse of the hanging bridge.



Few more clicks from the lake and imagine the crowd that was present that day owing to a holiday.

Look at the crowd that day. Parking, walk way, hanging bridge, boating and the park inside was very much full.


even after 5.30PM, there was lot of crowd still coming in.



Imagine the crowd that day.



I felt that the management should step up and send the crowd in batches to prevent any untoward incidents. We happily settled in one corner until sunset.

Rest of the clicks from Laknavaram lake.

One more view of the bridge.



sunset was very beautiful





People leaving after fishing



Had to wait for this boat for the perfect snap.



Still waiting



Little more



yes, got it !


Thank you buddy !



These are the accommodations provided by Telangana tourism and can be booked online





Last view of the sunset before we started back.





We started around 7.30 PM from Laknavaram and reached Hyderabad by 11.30 PM after having a quick dinner near Yadagirigutta.

Overall it was a day well spent. Thank you !!

[ampere]

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