Yesterday is one such day which would be tucked in my memory lane forever under contentment! It always happens with me when am surrounded by plush rustic beauty, luscious greenery, serene waters, cool breeze and slight drizzle.. Top it off with the company of loved ones, life felt never so better! Hmm.. Didn’t realize I typed this much without any details! God, Am Verbose for sure! I took a one day boat ride to Papi Kondalu from Rajahmundry along with my family and friends. Its a trip that’s long pending, and guess anticipation made it sweeter.
We booked Punnami travels for a packaged tour which promises pickup from Rajahmundry and boat ride from Pattuseema to Papikondalu and back. The itinerary included Posamma Temple, Devipatnam, Perantalapalli, and Papikondalu. The travels car picked us from home at around 6:30 AM and we headed to Pattuseema on road. Weather is exceptionally pleasant and the chilled breeze and the cozy riverside drive set the tone of the day. We reached the Pattuseema coast by 8:00 AM. There are around 4 boats which are awaiting for passengers by the shores and are scheduled to start by 9:00 AM. Well, an hour is just perfect for a short visit to the Pattisam Island which houses a Shiva and Venkateswara Temple. We boarded a small ferry boat which runs from the shore to island and did the darshana.
We boarded the Nandini boat for the Papikondalu visit. The boat has an A.C. fitted lower deck with wooden interiors. Its quite comfortable with cusioned chairs, a huge bed, a small podium, a canteen and can comfortably accommodate 40 people. The upper deck has an open terrace covered by a metal roof and can seat 20 people. The boat has to cruise its way through around three districts to reach Ppikondalu. After a sumptuous breakfast at boat, me and my sister rushed to the tip of the boat after coaxing the driver. Slowly, my family members joined us surreptitiously. We were mesmerized by the soothing comfort of the chilled breeze, numbed by the shimmery sand dunes, engrossed in the silent rhythm of the Godavari and the serene sanctity of the mountains. And now am at loss for those nice sounding expressions which can mimic the serene sanctity that enveloped me there! We touched upon a village called Tadivada (end of East Godavari District), Seenivaka (End of West Godavari District), and entered Khammam district to head to Perantalapalli to visit a small waterfall and the famous Shiva temple out there. There are a lot of tribals women trying to sell us beautiful bamboo flowers and minature bamboo houses. We bought some and then headed to the temple. This temple is little different in the terms of rules that they observe. One has to observe absolute silence in the temple and there is no official Puja in the Mandir. Its just God, You and Yourself.. That had a calming and soothing experience on me.
The whole route is blessed by lots of temples, local Gods and Godesses and we chanced upon an ancient temple where this popular song called ‘Na Gontu Sruti lona, Na Gunde Layalona’ from JanakiRamudu movie is picturized. That place is even more lovely in reality. Well, the local faith is that there is a golden temple thats underground to that actual temple on top and is visible to the Sadhus in their meditation. Also, the Pujari vehemently endorsed that there is a underground route to Kasi from the temple. Well, now no debates are encouraged on the veracity of this beliefs. The bottom line is that I loved that place, trip and am hoping to visit it again! 
Emaindi ? malli spects pettavi ?
good
I Just returned from that trip..really it was great..
But 2 things,
did you visit that temple (Janaki ramudu movie)? they didn’t stop the boat for us ;-(
wht abt pattu seema temple? when we asked them they said we don have time?
we reached paatuseema around 9:30.
Glad to see u make it to there.. Yes, I did visit the temple where Janaki Ramudu movie was picturized..
I consider that the best part of the the journey.. It a nice temple, and the local legend is that it has an underground passage to Varanasi. That place spreads a nice serene feeling around. We had to bribe our boat driver to make a quick stop over there.. 
And typically pattuseema temple is not included in the itinery, one needs to reach the boat area by 8 AM or least by 8:30 AM if they have to visit the pattuseema temple. Guess that gives enough reason for a second visit!
Yup!! we’r planning for the second trip that too we are planning to stay one day
in the middle of godavari (Konoor or some viallge)..where you’ll see some huts..near to perantapalli..hope we’ll do it soon..btw,i gave my mail id offline to you did you get that?
That sounds like a plan..
Guess you are talking about the koratur resorts on the banks of Godavari. They look awesome from the boat. The booking is handled by the Punnami guys and the resorts charge 450 Rs per day, the last time I checked.
Hi Guys,
We have visited the place 2 days ago. It is really a worth watching place and the serene atmosphere on the way really makes people forget about the concerete world behind. We are planning another trip again to Godavari .
చాలా బాగా రాసారు. నేను వెళ్ళినప్పడి విషయాలు రాయమని ఎవరో అడిగితే, పున్నమి ట్రావెల్స్ గురుంచి గూగల్ బాబాయి ని అడిగుదామని వచ్చాను. ఇంతలో మీరు రాసింది కనబడింది. చాలా విషయాలు నాకు రాయలనిపించినట్లు ఇక్కడే చదివేసాను. మొత్తానికి చాలా బావుంది. ఆ ట్రిప్ లో తీసిన కొన్ని photos చూసి తరించండి. Photos
@ Siri Glad to see you enjoy it.
@ Chandamama. That’s amazing photography of Papikondalu. Really enjoyed your snaps.
@ All. Those who want to steal a glance at the abundance of natural beauty at store, do checkout Sudhakar’s photo album at http://flickr.com/photos/chandamama/sets/72157605567994008/
Very nice story about the papikondalu.
Get more information about papikondalu at this website – http://www.kakinadainfo.com
Professionally organized and Economical Packages for Papikondalu, Bhadrachalam, Rajahmundry in A/c & Non A/c Cruise ranging from Rs.350/- onwards are available with highly rated operator – Mr.Srinivas – 9440082627, 9490942788.
Hi
I am Raja and live in Sharjah, UAE. I am planning to visit india in July and also planning to visit Papikondalu trip. Please let me know the details like Cost, Days involved, Places, Boat details and mostly any package to take and people to contact.
Thanks in advance.
Raja
Hi Raj,
We have visited Popikondalu in 2008 December. You can check the details at My blog. I have written the rates etc. there. If you have any more questions you can comment there and I will reply.
Happy trip.
Savitri
Mr.Srinivas – 9440082627, 9490942788.
cheated us, we paid Rs. 350 for ordinary launch. during sankranthi season we visited badrachalam to papikondalu and back, please beware of Mr. Srinivas of Global Tourism Promotions
The Comment posted on 10/12/2008 clearly mentions that the cruise package start from Rs.350/-. And the travel of Mr.Satya was on peak Sankranthi, where with great efforts we had accommodated him inspite of last moment request.
Hi,
0n 22 nd October,we went to bhadrachalam in the cruise from pattiseema.we stayed overnight in a small village “Kolluru”.The journey is unforgettble.
On day1 :We started from Hyderabad in godavari express.we reached Tadeapalligudem at around midnight.we stayed overnight here.But actually it is better to stay at rajamundry,then catch a boat operator.but our boat operator arranged overnight stay in an hotel in gudem for his convience.The hotel belongs to an local MLA.It is very near to railway station.As it is new Hotel,it is very clean and green.Also it is very cheap compared to HYD
).We enjoyed a lot in the night BY playing anthyakshari,dum-sherads(Iignore spelling mistakes) etc.Only problem here is,there are no toilets and bathrooms.for families it is very difficult,otherwise bachlors will enjoy a lot.In this village everthing is costlier,because they have no access to anything except the boats.Here no mobile works.The resort owner owns a satelite phone.you can request the phone on demand.
On day2:After having breakfast,we started from tadepalligudem and reached pattiseema at around 9:00.Then our journey started in “Jaabili” boat.The boat is very nice.with in 10 minutes they served Idli,Vada and tea.Breakfast is very good.after around 1 hour,the boat will stop for gandi pochamma temple visit.here the tender coconut water is very sweet.after 15 minutes break,again boat will start.before reaching “Papi Londalu” Hill area point,boat will stop for a police check.the papikondalu is huge hill range with thick forest.In the boat,we had a good entertainment also.There are young guys will entertain with their dance for some cinema numbers.Then they serve lunch at around 1:00 pm.At around 2:00 pm,we reached a small village “Kolluru”.Here there is a bamboo hut resorts.its not actually a resort,just a sixteen bamboo huts on the beds of river bank.Before taking a halt for overnight stay here, we have visisted “parentala palli” which 15 mins away from koullu.Around 3:30 pm we reached kolluru.After settling ,they served evening snacks.Then started playing volleyball for an 2hours on the river bank.After taking a bath in small stream which itself merges with godavari.Do not take a risk by trying to enter river.the godavari here is around 200 feet depth.It is too dangerous.after a taking dinner(they served chicken fry and riveer fish),we have celebrated our friends birthday on that night(with drinks
On DAy3:After taking breakfast,we went to hill area where actually the stream has enough water to take bath by waking an hour.i am repeating do not try to enter godavari.after taking lunch,(again they served chicken and tasty fish)we went to sri rama giri in another boat for.the journey is around 3 hours.then after catching a vehicle,we reached bhadrachalam at around 8:00 pm.
after having darshan of lord Rama,we caught a train at kothagudem(bhadrachalam route)around 10:15 pm to reach Hyderabad.the journey is unforgottle in my life.