As the first rays of morning began to illuminate the city streets, we revved up our bicycles and embarked on a journey that we had been looking forward to for a very long time. Our destination was Kohedagutta, a picturesque hilltop location on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The fresh morning breeze energized our spirits as we cruised across the city, beginning in Moosapet, a peaceful residential area in Hyderabad.
We made a brief halt at Ameerpet with the intention of picking up my business colleagues, Sandeep and Prakash, who were just as enthusiastic as I was for this bike ride.
The idea was straightforward: we would go on a trip in the morning to a location that was not too far away but was promising enough to provide us with a sense of pleasure and excitement throughout the day. The rocky hills and peaceful temples of Kohedagutta made it the ideal place to spend a weekend getaway.
The Journey Begins
We had to take a detour through the city innards because bikes are not permitted on the Outer Ring Road (ORR). This resulted in a slight increase in the amount of time it took us to complete our journey, but it also provided us with a peek at the morning life in Hyderabad. The streets were just beginning to awaken, and the chai booths were bustling with customers who had arrived early. We had been driving through the city for approximately an hour when we finally caught sight of the rocky hills of Kohedagutta in the distance. These hills stood in stark contrast to the urban scene that we had so recently left behind.
The fact that we were able to park our bicycles among a number of other people upon our arrival suggests that we were not the only ones who were drawn to the hill that morning. The Koheda Hanuman Temple, which was positioned on the top of the hill, was the first item that attracted our attention when we approached it from our parking location.
A fascinating orange hue (Kesariya) was painted on the face of the statue of Lord Hanuman, which merged nicely with the clear blue sky above the temple. The statue was painted in brilliant hues and included four sides.
In this location, we paused for a while, taking in the spiritual atmosphere and taking a multitude of images. With each click, we attempted to capture the potent energy of Hanumanji amidst the natural beauty that surrounded him.
Climbing the Cliff: The Iconic View
Having said that, this was just the beginning. The expansive Outer Ring Road serves as the backdrop for the iconic viewpoint that Kohedagutta is famed for. This viewpoint is distinguished by the fact that it is located at a place where the cliff abruptly meets the horizon.
Due to the fact that this particular photograph, which depicts a person standing on the edge of a cliff, has become a trending topic on social media, we couldn’t help but take a picture of it ourselves.
As we made our way towards this location, we went by the Navagraha Temple, which is a charming location that features exquisitely carved sculptures of the Hindu planetary deities.
Our hearts were bent on reaching the cliff, so we swiftly proceeded on our way, even though the temple, which was tucked away amid the rocks, provided a little reprieve and a few more opportunities for photographs.
Following a brief ascent that was only moderately steep, we were eventually able to reach the brink of the cliff, where people were already congregating in anticipation of their time to take photographs at the historic location. I could understand why it would be appealing; the view was really stunning! With the ORR running like a silver thread in the distance, the horizon stretched on forever, and the huge open sky wonderfully framed all that was going on around them. It was time to take that all-important shot, and Prakash and Sandeep were both just as excited as every other person.
A Photographer’s Challenge: The Perfect Shot
As the person who was assigned the responsibility of taking photographs for the group, I went to a nearby cliff with my camera in order to capture the ideal perspective. In terms of tasks, it was not the easiest.
While I was dangerously balancing on uneven rocks, with one leg perched on a pointed rock and the other leg resting on a fractured ledge, I had to concentrate not only on the shot but also on my own safety.
One simple mistake may have resulted in my falling down the rocks with my camera attached to my body. I was able to keep going because of the rush of adrenaline that I got from taking that flawless shot.
I was able to capture some great photographs of Prakash standing on the edge of the cliff, silhouetted against the backdrop of the highway and the sky. I did this by combining my determination with caution. Getting that ideal shot was an experience that could not be compared to anything else, and the entire situation had a strange quality to it.
A Monkey Misadventure
However, our journey did not come to an end there. During the time when Prakash was sitting on the brink of the cliff, taking in the scenery and appreciating the moment, an unexpected event took place.
A swarm of inquisitive monkeys materialized and made suspicious eye contact with his backpack. Unbeknownst to us, my bag, which was now being carried by Prakash, contained some goodies, and the monkeys were determined to take possession of them.
The subsequent few minutes were filled with complete and utter mayhem, with Prakash attempting to drive them away while simultaneously ensuring that he did not lose his balance and fall off the cliff.
With the camera still in my hand, I observed the scene from a distance, feeling both amused and concerned. Prakash was successful in preventing the monkeys from getting into my bag, and more importantly, my bag and all of its contents were not damaged in any way. In retrospect, we all had a nice chuckle about it, but at the time, it was a little bit nerve-wracking!
Wrapping Up at Sanghi Temple
Following this heart-pounding adventure, we made the decision to bring our journey to a more tranquil close by paying a visit to the Sanghi Temple, which is located not too far from Kohedagutta.
When compared to the roughness of Kohedagutta, this stunning white temple, which was dedicated to Lord Vishnu and included black steps leading up to the deity, served as the ideal contrast.
It was peaceful and tranquil, and it provided us with the opportunity to contemplate the happenings of the day while interceding with the gods for their help.
The Perfect Weekend Getaway
In the end, our excursion to Kohedagutta in the morning was everything we had hoped for: it was thrilling, it was picturesque, and it was full of memories that we would never forget. There was a tale to be told about every aspect of the trip, from the difficult photo opportunities to Prakash’s misadventure with the monkey.
If you are searching for a quick weekend escape from Hyderabad, Kohedagutta is the ideal destination because it provides the ideal combination of excitement and peace & quiet. Early morning is the finest time to visit, particularly during the cooler months of November through February when the weather is comfortable and the clear skies accentuate the panoramic vistas. There is no better time to visit than early in the morning. It is certain that Kohedagutta will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime, regardless of whether you go there for the temples, the cliffs, or simply to get away from the city for a few hours.
Prepare yourself to capture the beauty of this hidden gem that is located just outside of Hyderabad by packing your bags, charging your camera, and getting ready to go. There is no telling what the future holds; you might even have your very own adventure with the local fauna!
