Lambasingi is renowned for its cool climate, mist-covered valleys often featured in Indian horror films (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
The southern region of India, comprising Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, is renowned for its iconic temples, such as Kerala’s Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple and Tamil Nadu’s Meenakshi temple.
It boasts a rich and flavourful cuisine, with staples like rice and coconut and regional favourites like dosa, idli, and the famous Hyderabadi biryani. The landscape is just as diverse, featuring serene hill stations like Ooty, picturesque coastal spots like Dhanushkodi, and lush green forests lining the highways.
However, this beautiful region is also known for its hot and humid climate, making the warmth as much a part of its identity as its culture and heritage.
But despite its ever-present hot weather, there is a village in Andhra Pradesh, where temperature can drop to near or below freezing and is known for its potential snowfall, which makes it a unique destination in South India, welcome to Lambasingi.
Located about 100 km from Visakhapatnam, which has the nearest airport, Lambasingi is renowned for its cool climate, mist-covered valleys often featured in Indian horror films, and rare frost and freezing temperatures during winter, that is typically from November to January. Nestled in the Eastern Ghats, a region known for its hot and humid summers, Lambasingi remains a unique exception in South India, where cold weather is a rarity.
Cold in Lambasingi (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Wrapped in a thick blanket of fog, this place has a cold, unlike the biting winters of the Himalayas. There, in the higher altitudes, the icy winds pierce through, freezing you to the bone. But here, the cold is quieter, subtle yet ever-present.
The freezing temperatures often leave a layer of frost on the ground and plants, making it look like a dusting of snow. Mornings shimmer with frost, turning the village into a winter wonderland.
With its altitude and lush greenery, the place has a cool, misty charm that lingers year-round. Because of this chilly and magical atmosphere, it is known as the Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh.
Coffee cultivation
Though southern India has several renowned coffee plantations such as Ooty, known for its aromatic coffee and Chikmagalur, for its prized Arabica beans, known for their smooth, sweet taste. There is also the rather recent arrival of Araku Valley on the global coffee map, but an underrated gem in Andhra Pradesh, Lambasingi is also making its mark as one of India’s coffee hubs.
Thanks to its cool climate and rich soil, Lambasingi produces high-quality Arabica and Robusta beans. These coffees, celebrated for their smooth, rich flavour, delicate aroma and medium body with bright acidity, thrive in the region’s lush plantations that blanket the hillsides.
Strawberry farm in Lambasingi (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Beyond its coffee heritage, Lambasingi is also a hidden gem for strawberry farming. With an altitude of 1,000 metres, its cool weather makes it an ideal place for cultivating strawberries. Visitors can explore dense strawberry plantations and even take part in fruit picking experiences, especially during the peak season from November to February. Guided tours offer insights into both coffee and strawberry farming, allowing people to witness the journey from crop to cup or berry to basket.
Hence, this small village from Andhra Pradesh defies the stereotype of a typical cold weather destination where people retreat indoors or huddle around roadside stalls with a bowl of noodles. Instead, it offers a vibrant experience beyond just one bustling mall road, inviting visitors to explore its scenic plantations, embrace the chill and immerse themselves in its unique charm.
Nature’s basket
Besides being dotted with a misty snowy climate or coffee plantations surrounded by lush green forests and rolling hills, Lambasingi is truly a nature’s paradise.
This beauty is reflected in the corner of its landmarks. Six km from this village lies a reservoir, which is known for its utility in other places, but here in this village, amidst the dewy mountains and meadows filled with mist lies an earthern dam on the basin of the Godavari River, Thajangi Reservoir.
Much like Tawang’s Jang Hydel Plant, which seamlessly blends nature with utility by providing electricity, the Thajangi Reservoir in serves as both a vital irrigation source and a breathtaking retreat. Set against a lush green backdrop, its strikingly blue waters and a mighty river flowing through create a picture-perfect setting that draws photography enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Beyond its scenic charm, Thajangi offers a peaceful escape where families and friends can unwind, if only for a day, leaving behind life’s worries to soak in the serenity of this hidden gem.
About 3 km from the Lambasangi bus stand, Susan Garden is a stunning field of black-eyed and golden-yellow flowers. When sunlight falls on it, the garden glows like a golden meadow, bringing to mind Daffodils, a renowned work of English poet William Wordsworth. It is a place where people lose themselves in nature’s beauty.
But in the stretch of Narsipatnam-Lambasingi, Yerravaram Waterfalls flows down in beautiful cascades, standing about 3 m high and 4.5 m wide, forming a peaceful pool below.
The water tumbles gracefully over rocks in multiple streams, creating a soothing and picturesque sight. Surrounded by lush green valleys, it is a perfect spot to relax in nature. Visitors can also enjoy trekking, camping, and stargazing, making it a great place for both adventure and peace.
Not far away, nestled amidst serene paddy fields, lie the ancient hill ranges of Bojjanakonda and Lingalakonda, standing on either side of the village of Sangharam. Known as ‘Hill of Buddha’, this place holds monolithic Buddha statues, which date back to the 4th and 9th centuries. This place reflects a breathtaking blend of history and nature, where archaeological marvels stand against a backdrop of golden-green fields.
From misty hilltops and coffee-scented breezes to ancient ruins and cascading waterfalls, Lambasingi and its surroundings offer a rare blend of nature, adventure, and history. Whether it is the golden glow of Susan Garden, the serene beauty of Thajangi Reservoir, or the timeless charm of Bojjanakonda, every corner of this region tells a story. A place where frost-kissed mornings meet sunlit meadows, where the echoes of the past blend seamlessly with the whispers of the wind, Lambasingi is more than just a cold weather escape. It is a hidden paradise, waiting to be explored.