It is a weekend jaunt from Chennai that one does not forget very easily. Two beautiful waterfalls, a never ending forest for trekking, a community operated guest house and friendly locals make this an ideal getaway .Talakona waterfalls, amidst the the Sheshachalam range of Venkateshwara reserve forest is just 50 kms from Tirupati, and is almost equi-distant from Chennai (220 kms) and Bangalore (300 kms).

We commissioned two guides as the locals offer their services and ventured into the Venkateswara reserve forest. We didn’t spot any sort of animals during the trek but there were several boards on the way with paintings of various animals and birds, with messages related to forest and wildlife conservation.

Pic : Shrinidhi

By around noon we reached the first waterfalls, named Etikoppaka falls after a break at a small stream which formed another waterfalls which we were going to see later in the day. The place is very scenic and not that crowded compared to the other falls . There is for instance the more approachable Gunjana Falls, which is very popular among tourists as it is reachable by road and there is a well laid walkaway. The Etikoppaka however is hidden,set much deeper in the forest and the trek is longer. The pond below the Etikoppaka falls is deep and has that classic blue colour one would see in movies.

After spending nearly a couple of hours at Etikoppaka falls we started for a place 30 mins away where we would stop and have lunch. During this walk we spotted a camera man recording our walk. We learnt that it was a local telugu devotional channel named SV Bhakti Channel owned by TTD (Tirupati Tirumala Devastanam) .They were doing a documentary on Talakona and wanted to feature our experiences here. It’s not every day that you get a chance to see yourself in a TV (never mind that channel is hitherto unheard of). The recording went on for about a minute and was okayed in the first shot. When we finally finished shooting, subsequent conversations and declared pack-up, rest of the team had finished their lunch and was waiting. We got our 15 minutes of fame and continued our jaunt.

Pic : Shrinidhi

As we were returning, a villager asked for some medicines, as someone is having high fever- we gave him two paracetamol tablets. He enquired us on the dosage and returned with a grateful eye. For a minute, I wondered how difficult life in the rural areas could be. A medical shop is probably something we would take for granted, but for these villagers, they would have to walk for miles before they could meet another human being-let alone basic facilities and luxuries.

We crossed a few green tracts and our guide told us that the vegetation here includes plants of medicinal value. We walked down the hill though using steps and soon landed at Gunjana Falls. This water fall forms out of the stream we had crossed in the morning uphill, and it abruptly gushes out of the rocky mountain to fall a lengthy, powerful eye catching fall. Walkways have been constructed in the middle of this falls so that tourists can walk in and take shower under the falls, Many trees had several pieces of cloths tied to them. Some religious belief or customary I assumed.

Pic : Shrinidhi

Our weekend getaway was not just a tryst with nature or soothing to the nerves, but an opportunity to connect with rustic villagers who seem far disconnected with the urban way of life. Or probably it is the other way around.

Accomodation.

The guest house here is operated by local people ,under the banner of their community and with guidance from Forest department and rates are pretty cheap. The Log hut costs around Rs 400 per day and the Dormitory costs Rs 1000 per day . It can comfortably accommodate a group of 10-15 people with extra beds. There are only 2 Log Huts and 2 dorms available, so better plan in advance. The guest house campus is very good- with a water stream flowing next to it-anytime one can go for a dip or a swim, they have a deer as a pet (named Raja), which is naturally reluctant to come close to strangers, but will shed its inhibitions and come near if food is offered.

Pic : Shrinidhi

There is a hanging bridge on which one can go for a walk anytime. Overcrowded population of monkeys is something you need to watch out for. Protect your belongings from being snatched away by them. The guest house people will provide for food and we can get lunch packed if we’re going out. Locals will also assist you as guides if you wish to venture into the forest.