Pathala Ganga Srisailam , which is only 1 km from the ancient Sri Mallikarjuna Temple , is another place worth seeing on a Srisailam tour. Pathala Ganga, located in the backwaters of the Krishna River, is considered highly auspicious and is said to have medicinal properties. Many devotees can be seen bathing in the sacred waters here. It is thought that taking a dip here can cure a variety of skin diseases.
Steps have been built to reach Patala Ganga. There are also iron chains to assist devotees in resisting the force of river water. They can hold these chains while swimming. Patala Ganga is approximately 500 steps from Hanuman Temple. There’s also the option of taking the ropeway. The ropeway, which begins near the Srisailam Haritha Hotel, is very popular with visitors.
Pathala Ganga Srisailam Entry Fee
- ₹ 50 per person for Adults (Ropeway Charges)
- ₹ 35 per person for Children (Ropeway Charges)
- ₹ 50 per person for Adults (Boating Charges)
- ₹ 35 per person for Children (Boating Charges)
The ropeway operates from 6 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. The ropeway ticket price is around Rs 50 for adults and Rs 35 for children. The ropeway ride provides a panoramic view of the surrounding hills, lush greenery, and the serene waters of the Srisailam Dam, making the trip unforgettable.
Aside from the breathtaking view, visitors can also take a boat ride here. Boat rides last approximately 20 minutes. The boating fees, which do not exceed Rs 50 per person, are also quite reasonable. Boating at Patala Ganga is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pathala Ganga is a sacred place in the Krishna backwaters located 1 km from Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple. This is where devotees can take a holy dip in the Krishna River. Steps and iron chains are provided for devotees to hold onto to protect themselves from the river’s powerful current.
From here, you can see a large reservoir and magnificent mountains covered in the lush green Nallamala Forest. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Srisailam for the best views of the Krishna River. It is situated behind the Srisailam Dam, and the floodgates can be seen from here. Pathala Ganga also serves as a boating center for pleasure rides and trips to Akkamahadevi Caves.
History of Pathala ganaga
When Bhishm was about to die, Arjuna is said to have extracted groundwater, namely Patalganga, by shooting an arrow through the ground and creating a fountain.According to the Puranas, the River Ganges has three tributaries: Swarga Ganga (Mandakini), Bhoo Ganga (Bhagirathi), and Patal Ganga (Bhagvati). The Ganges divides into several tributaries before entering the sea, where it merges with the Bay of Bengal.
The Patalganga river was mentioned in ancient vedic texts, temples in the Turade-Karade area and its banks were considered holy, and a dip in the river is considered spiritually beneficial, to name a few. Bhawanipatna is close to Patalganga, a natural hot spring revered by locals and worshippers as the holy Ganges.The Patalganga River inspired the name of Patalganga, a massive industrial area, MIDC near Karjat and Panvel. A two-lane high-level bridge on the Patalganga River has been built to help industrial entrepreneurs with traffic.