Crafts tourism is one of our favourite programs and now it is the need of the hour !
During Vasantham, our exhibition platform, we planned and sponsored a day trip for the participants to nearby weavers societies near Vijayawada. Some of them were quite surprised to see the variety that is available.
Some of our CCAP members from Vijayawada embarked on a three night trip across Nellore and Chittoor District starting with breakfast at Ongole. We reached Venkatagiri by lunch time and spent a couple of hours and heading towards Tirupati for the night stay. Udayagiri is off Kavali if one wants to include it in the itinerary.
Next day was a visit to a 2200 year old Shiva Temple known as Parasurameshwara Swamy Temple in Gudi Mallam.
Wood crafts of Madhava Mala and the (extinct) glass bead works of Papanaidupet can be visited on the way.
Next is the School of carving and sculpting by TTD Devasthanam near Alipiri Tirupati. They provide a 4 year course in these disciplines in different materials.
One should not miss a visit to Sri Kalahasthi for pen Kalamkari crafts and master craftsperson Shri Niranjan’s facility too.
After a night stay at Tirupati we headed towards Orbison Society Palamaneru to see the famous Terracotta pottery facility. Ariveni embroidery and pottery by Vikram Paruchuri is a must visit while at Madanapalle. How could we not visit the handloom silks of Madanapalle, streets strewn with colourful sarees beckoning the enthusiastic buyer.
Sundown took us to a small hill station Horsely Hills for a night stay. People look forward to the sunrise and sunset and the fog. This is famous for Rishi Valley School started by J. Krishnamurthy.
Still up to visiting then Paturu handloom cluster that is close to Nellore town then do so on your way back.
