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Pandavulagutta comes to life with rock climbers
Pandavulagutta, the hillock that boasts engrossing rock paintings of pre-historic age to medieval times came to life on Saturday, thanks to the district administration that finally got its act right by organising rock climbing fiesta to promote tourism in the region.
Bhupalpally: Pandavulagutta, the hillock that boasts engrossing rock paintings of pre-historic age to medieval times came to life on Saturday, thanks to the district administration that finally got its act right by organising rock climbing fiesta to promote tourism in the region.
Although, the hillocks located in Tirumalagiri village under Regonda Mandal, 190 km northeast of Hyderabad and 50 km from Warangal, have a mythological significance that once Pandavas spent their time here during their vanavasam (exile); the place had been lying in utter negligence for a long time. The priceless indigenous rock art found in eight caves here manifests the fact of human settlement in the region from pre-historic times. The rock art here depicts the lifestyle of aboriginals, animals and other symbols.
With no one to look after the caves, the rock paintings have been defaced with graffiti by unknown vandals. Against this backdrop, the Forest Department had come up with an idea to attract attention of tourists and adventure seekers by organising a rock climbing festival so that Pandavulagutta gets wide recognition in the State.
Speaking to The Hans India, DFO T Ravi Kiran said, “The rock climbing festival is aimed at popularising the hillocks that offers a fascinating peek into human history. Henceforth, efforts are on to organise rock climbing at least once in two weeks.”
The adventure sport organised on Saturday attracted 100-odd students of NIT Warangal. The students took part in rock climbing and rappelling under the guidance of Bhongir Government Rock Climbing School instructor Paramesh and famous mountaineers B Shekhar Babu and Sadhanapally Anand Kumar. It may be noted here that Shekhar and Anand have successfully scaled the Mt Everest.
Apoorva Chandravamshi, MCA student of NIT said, “It was awesome and exciting. While climbing and rappelling, I felt comfortable, this despite my first attempt.” Thanking the rock climbing crew for giving tips, another MCA student of the NIT, V Abhishek, said that he will never forget the experience. Earlier, Speaker S Madhusudhana Chary had inaugurated the festival and said the government is committed to promote tourism in the region. FRO G Nageshwar Rao and district eco-tourism coordinator Kalyanapu Suman were present.
