After my trekking expedition at Skandagiri, I continued to explore various places around my native place during week long vacation. In the course of time, I got an opportunity to explore and hike two more places. First one is Puligundu. This place is about 18 kms from Chittoor district center. It is on the way to a small town called Penumur.
Puligundu is a dual rock mountail with a height of about 1000 feets from the ground. From a distance it looks like a huge Shiva Lingam. It has a very narrow peak with the temple of Puli Gunteeswara (Lord Shiva) at the basement. On the rock top, an Ayyappa temple is under construction. There was no supporting aide available all these years to climb up these steep rocks. But with the support from govt, tourism department has installed metal ladders at places to help people to reach the peak now. Even then it is not an easy task, steepness will make anyone to shiver a bit for sure! This doesn’t happen at at just one instance, there are atleast 3-4 such points to test your fear factor for sure! There is a small and very narrow railing that paves path to move between these two rocks at the top.
Nearby villagers come to the Shiva temple at the base of this rock to offer special pooja during Makar Sankranti time, on the ‘Kanumu’ festival day. This day usually falls on January 15th of every year. One gets to see huge crowd of people coming here on that special day. Otherwise, hardly anyone goes there during rest of the year. People do make the adventure of reaching the peak and it is a breath holding experience out there. The view of surroundings in 360 degree view thrills! That too if the wind is a bit too fast moving, the feeling is just unexplainable.
There are many small hills around Penumur town. One such hill I chose to climb up on one of the evenings was Pedda beedu gutta (Large fields hill). It has that name because one can see almost all the nearby villages, lakes, farming lands and a whole range of rocky mountains around. Even the Puligundu can be spotted from the peak of this hill. See this video that I managed to capture on that evening at the time of a sun set. You shouldn’t start hiking this place with footwear. It is belived to be very sacred and nearby villagers do offer special pooja to an installed stone pillar god on every full moon day. The cool breeze makes it very special during evenings. The best thing about both the places is that you can’t find a single plastic paper/water bottle littering anywhere around. Here the Nature is in its pure form! I could only wish all the places are just as clean as these hills are…
Irala Ravindra Reddy says
Most powerful temple is present in Gunteeswaruni Konda. A holy place in Penumuru mandal, please visit without missing!
Swaroop says
I was at this site recently and it is indeed a spectacular site. The wildlife there is amazing. Thanks to the efforts of ex Chittoor MP Gnanendra Reddy to develop and preserve this monument of nature. This was his childhood dream. You really need to check your facts before you post false claims in your site. The two links that you posted are related to construction of a resort at the base of the hill and is being promoted by AP state govt via it’s tourism corp. The temple on top of the hill and the pathway including the metal ladders leading to the top of the hill were constructed entirely with personal funds from Sri. Gnanendra Reddy. He has also put in his own physical labor into the project. He even conducted a three day inaugration of the pathway to the hill and the temple on 3rd July 2010. Several prominent people attended the function incuding Swaroopanda Swami from Vizag and Giridhar Gamango, ex CM from Orissa. This was not a government sponsored function. This was well published in all of the local newspaper editions for the above dates. It is time for you to edit your posting and give credit where it is due.
ravi teja says
Hai Mohan where is pedda beedu gutta(please give me a location village of pedda beedu gutta iam also penumur people
sridhar says
hi mohan,
The information about the Puli Gundu is not fully satisfied. Now it is developed to climb to the top of the hill.
Jeevan says
Mohan, nice video; thanks for sharing.
Its just an amazing feeling of peace to be in a spot like that. Awesome views.
I came across your blog, searching for the keyword Chittoor. The image that really caught my attention was the one of the house in the little village where you were born. It has been around 10 years, since I have been to Manchoor (village), near Kalikiri. It just brought back memories and images of those times.
Mohan says
Hi Jeevan, thanks for dropping by and appreciating the video! Hah.. yes, that is my native place 🙂 Nice to have known you here!
vipin says
This work was not done by the funding given by GOVT. This has been done with the efforts of chittoor EX MP Mr. M. Gnanendra reddy.. Once confirm the information before you post it on the web plz try to change it.
Mohan says
Hi Vipin,
Thanks for dropping in and commenting on the topic. However, You may have to go through these links
1. Hindu News
2. Tender for the work
It is easy for any leader to take the credit. But the fact is, it is peoples money and not from any individuals pocket. I don’t have any issues is giving due credit for his efforts if any in getting the funds. All it matters is whether the stipulated work gets in time or not. From the two links above, it very clear that it took almost 2 years to call for the tender! Also, the leader whom you have mentioned has not been in power between 1989 to 1996. This place was not even recognized as a tourism spot by then.
I would be thankful if you could support your views with justifiable information links.
Neeraj Gupta says
Looks like a feasible option from Chennai. We will plan to visit this place sometime soon.
Mohan says
@Jennifer
Very true.. need to experience in person. Thanks for your thoughts.
@Manjunath
Oh yeah.. very much needed break from routine life. Well, I wish to do that going forward. I am not a professional in capturing the videos, if you watch it full screen, it gives a better clarity for sure.
Manjunath says
Hope you enjoyed the week end well…. video is good but it would have been nice if it was taken from a handy cam!!!!
Jennifer says
What an experience. Video is nice but capturing the essence must most likely be done in person!