Beyond The Maps

  Day 1 – Hyderabad To Tirupati We started our South India journey at dawn, taking the roads with the excitement of adventure and piety. While driving through Shadnagar, we pulled over at a petrol station for a hasty breakfast and some stretch. Our first significant stop was the Vontimitta Kodanda Rama Swamy Temple in Kadapa — an ancient wonder of architecture. It is thought that this is where Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita spent time during their exile and that the temple was constructed by a worshipper who carved out the idols from one stone. The temple is a beautiful example of Vijayanagara architecture. There is a heavenly narrative that the mandapam (wedding pavilion) of Lord Venkateshwara's heavenly wedding with Padmavathi Devi started right in this region of Kadapa and went on right up to Tirupati. Even now, folks feel that the spiritual energies here are leftovers of that heavenly wedding procession. By 6:30 in the evening, we arrived at Tirupati and stayed at a g...

  Vijayawada — a vibrant coastal city nestled on the banks of the sacred Krishna River , is often referred to as the heart of Andhra Pradesh. This city, blessed with spiritual significance, houses the Kanaka Durga Temple atop the Indrakeeladri hill — a site of immense devotion and grandeur. At night, the temple illuminates the skies, casting its golden glow on the Krishna Barrage, creating a surreal scene of peace and divinity. The first time I visited Vijayawada turned out to be the most adventurous and unforgettable trip of my life. We began our journey early morning from Hyderabad , packed into a classic tempo traveler , unaware of the wild ride ahead. The weather forecast warned of heavy rainstorms, but being our usual spirited selves, we chose to go ahead — rain or shine. As we crossed into the Andhra Pradesh border around 9:30 AM , we were welcomed by a torrential downpour and news of a red alert due to rising floodwaters and closed highways. But nothing could st...