| Weekend Getaways | Services |
 |
| Pochampally in Andhra Pradesh | ||||
| Accommodation | ||||
 |
||||
 Spread
over an attractive corner of the Deccan plateau, Pochampalli is 50 km
from Hyderabad. It is the largest centre for Ikkat, the intricate
tie-and-dye craft for silk and cotton weaving. Ikkat is the process of
resist dyeing with the sequence of wrapping and dyeing sections of
bundled yarn to a predetermined colour pattern, prior to weaving.
Gurukul learning of Ikkat will specially interest the visitor, seeking a
live experience of the craft, combined with local culture and cuisine.
Pochampalli was also the launch pad for Acharya Vinoba Bhave's Bhoodan
(donation of land for community use) movement. The Acharya's Ashram,
bordering a large waterbody, is open to visitors and as indeed is the
local community's warm dispositionThe world renowned land donation movement (Bhoodan Movement) by Acharya Vinobha Bhave started from this village on 18 April 1951. Vinobha Mandir (Ashram), filled with the memories of Acharya Vinobha Bhave, the statues of Acharya Vinobha Bhave and first land donor Sri Vedire Ramchendra Reddy, and the Bhoodan Stupam (Gangotri) exists as a great reminiscence of the land donation movement. There are two beautiful lakes. They provide water for irrigation and support livelihoods of fishing communities, washermen communities etc. Angling and boating in the main lake, and nature walk on the tank-bund, trekking etc., are some of the natural attractions. Other attractions: Other popular attractions around Bhoodan Pochampalli include Ramoji film City, Mount Opera, Venkateswara Padmavathi Temple and Viswa Shanthi Dhamam-a resort. The tourist circuit includes - Hyderabad - Ramoji Film City - Bhoodan Pochampalli - Bhongir Fort - Yadagiri Gutta Laxmi Narasimha Temple - Kolanupaka Jain Temple - Hyderabad. Yadagiri Gutta is like Tirupati of Telangana. Kolanupaka also hosts an archeological museum of the excavations from 1500-2000 years ago.
SRTRI - Swamy Ramananda Thirtha Rural Institute: SRTRI provides computer-aided weaving design services, in addition to the vocational training to rural youth. It also offers budget accommodation, meeting and training facilities for the interested. 101-Darwaja House: The 80 year old house with 101 openings. Places of worship: Bhhodan Pochampalli is a home to a number of religious places of significance. These include: Markandeya Temple - Markandeya is the main deity of the weaving community. Bhajans are held thrice in a week and special pujas are performed on important days. A Jatra (Carnival) is held in February. Sri Laxminarayana Temple - A 16th Century Temple of Lord Vishnu. Sahasra Deeparadhana (worshipping Lord Vishnu with one thousand and eight lamps) performed around Deepavali in October/November is a treat to watch. Basavalingeswara Temple - 300-year old temple of Siva. This temple is home to Swayambhu Lingam - Lingam discovered while ploughing the land. Lingabhisekham (worshipping Siva Lingam with water) is believed to bring rains. Mahammayamma Temple - Rathostavam Jatra (Chariot Carnival) in February brings Pochampally to life. Ayyappa Temple - The deity and the temple architecture is a true replica of Lord Ayyappa and his temple at Sabarimalai, Kerala. The temple explodes with devotees during Ayyappa Deeksha (austere practice with devotion for a certain period) in December-January Art & Craft Bhoodan Pochampalli is famous for IKKAT Tie & Dye fabric 'IKKAT' means 'Tie & Dye'. The uniqueness in Pochampalli weave is the transfer of design onto the warp and weft first, which are then woven together to get the required design. This is in contrast to the normal practice where the design is put on the woven cloth. This is a patented weave - Geographic Indication. Pochampalli is a story of transition - from ordinary weave to cotton tie and dye to silk tie and dye. A choice of Ikkat fabrics - silk and cotton sarees, dress materials, towels, bed covers, pillow covers and ready-made garments - are available for the shopping enthusiasts. Products made by traditional artisans - Baskets (made of palm stock), Mats (made of Palm leaf), pots (made of mud) and Neera (Unfermented palm sap - a nutritious drink). Utility and stationery items from Ikkat fabric are also available, such as bags, file folders, purses etc. The following Local Art forms are still alive in Bhoodan Pochampalli:
Local Culture Culinary Delights: Staple diet - Rice, Dal (Lentils) and fresh vegetables. Popular delicacies - Roti (Bread/Tortilla) made of Jowar (millet) flour along with cucumber-based vegetarian and non- vegetarian delicacies like lamb meat curry, country chicken curry and fries. Sweets include boorelu (stuffed sweet chapathi), Taadkal Pasham (made of mix of rice flour& wheat flour, milk, jaggery). Fairs/festivals: Bhoodan Pochampalli retains its rural cultural flavour through its festivals and fairs. Batukamma Panduga: This is the mass folk festival for women, known for its group dance performances and traditional songs. In this event women decorate Bathukamma (Goddess of Life and Energy) with colourful flowers, which are immersed in the near by tank on the last day. This is celebrated for a duration 9 days. Bonalu: One of the major festivals for villagers, the festival has women folk seeking blessings for good health of the entire village. Women carry colourfully decorated pots containing sweet rice on their heads. Traditional Ugadi (Telugu New Year), Ganesh Chaturdhi, Utla Panduga (Krishnastami), Dasara, Deepavali, Sankranti (Pongal) are some of the additional festivals celebrated elaborately with enthusiasm in the area. Ayurveda and Oggukatha (story telling) are important oral traditions in the village How to Reach By road: Bhoodan Pochampalli is well connected to Hyderabad, which is just 35 km away. It is 10 km away from the highway point, Kothagudem X on the NH-9 (Hyderabad-Vijayawada Highway). By train: The nearest railway station is at Bibinagar (16 km from site) and is located on Secunderabad - Kazipet Broad Gauge line. Preferred railway station, however, is Secunderabad/Hyderabad. By air: Nearest airport is at Hyderabad, which is well connected with all major cities in India. After reaching Hyderabad, one needs to travel by road to reach Bhoodan Pochampalli
|
museum, amphitheatre to perform local art forms,shops, cafeteria to
have refreshments and lush green lawns to relax.