Festival · ANDHRA PRADESH
February (Maha Shivaratri) · Maredumilli
Annual tribal dance festival organized at this Eastern Ghats eco-tourism site where indigenous communities of the Maredumilli forest region celebrate with traditional Mela performances. Showcases tribal biodiversity and cultural heritage alongside forest conservation efforts.
Why it mattersCultural—preservation of tribal dance traditions; environmental—forest conservation celebration
February in Maredumilli is the technical peak. Rainfall under 15mm, daytime 28-29C, nights 15-17C, humidity 60 percent. Bamboo Chicken (Vedurupandu Kodi) at full Konda Reddy village-stall output. Jalatarangini Falls at clean flow — the 7km approach road from Maredumilli town is at year-best condition (the AP Forest Department maintains the road through the dry-season window). Madhavaramudu Falls (5km) and Amruthadha…
Live in Maredumilli
A community-based eco-tourism resort run by the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department through the CBET programme — hilltop guest house, Bison Cottages, wooden cottages and pre-fab cottages set in semi-evergreen forest near the village. Income supports local tribal communities; the authoritative way to stay in Maredumilli.
An Andhra Pradesh Forest Department community eco-camp run by the local Konda Reddy tribe — tents, cottages and treehouses on an elevated forest spur ringed on three sides by the Valamuru stream, overlooking Vali-Sugriva Konda. The immersive deep-forest option in Maredumilli.
SignatureBamboo chicken grilled over wood fire at forest-road stalls
Pick a stall that is actively roasting fresh bamboo, not reheating. The drive from Rajahmundry takes about two hours, so time arrival so the chicken is ready when you are — it needs 30-45 minutes in the fire.
SignatureForest-camp meals — bamboo chicken and local Andhra fare cooked by the tribal community
Dining is part of the cottage tariff (around ₹4000 for two, food included) — book the stay to eat here. The camp is about 4km off Maredumilli village on the Bhadrachalam road; arrange in advance, there are no walk-in tables.
SignatureRiverside bamboo chicken and biryani
Bamboo chicken is cooked to order — ask for it on arrival and it will be ready by the time you have seen a waterfall. The riverside seating is the reason to choose this over the roadside cooks.
SignatureMaredumilli bamboo chicken biryani
Order the bamboo biryani, not just the bamboo chicken — it is the rarer dish and the kitchen's signature. Cooking takes time; order first, sightsee, then eat.
50-foot cascade in a dense forest ravine 29km from Maredumilli. A 20-minute trek through tribal-managed trails leads to the base. Year-round flow with natural pool for wading.
Multi-tier waterfall 7km from Maredumilli village. Light trekking through semi-evergreen forest. Most voluminous during monsoon (July–January), with a natural pool suitable for sw…
Nestled 15km into dense forest, this remote waterfall has a reputation for perennial flow. The name means 'stream of nectar' reflecting its cool, clean waters. Trail passes throug…
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