Visakhapatnam (Vizag/Visakha/Vasaka) is a major port city and the second largest city in the state of Andhra Pradesh with an area of 540 km sq approx. The city is located among the hills of the Eastern Ghats and faces the Bay of Bengal to the east. It is primarily an Industrial City and Port City. Also Eastern Naval Command has its base in Vizag. Hence Visakhapatnam is often called “The Jewel of The East Coast” or “The City of Destiny”. Many people who live in Vizag speak Telugu. However, there is considerable concentration of Marwaris, Oriya, Punjabis, Bengalis, Malayalees, and Tamil.
Vizag has beautiful virgin beaches, reddish laterite hillocks, smooth roads and stunning landscape. The city boasts of beautiful beaches with a long beach road ending at nearly Bheemunipatnam. The surrounding area is dominated on the west by the well-forested Eastern Ghats and numerous rivers. The city is surrounded by three hills, each of which has a shrine dedicated to a different religion - Venkateswara temple on Venkateswara Konda, Baba Ishaq Madina Dargah on Dargah Konda and Church of the Virgin Mary on Rose hill.
Ramakrishna Beach : A place for fun and relaxation.
Kali Temple : Small Temple beautifully constructed situated near Rama Krishna Beach.
Visakha Museum : Situated on the shores of the R.K beach, this museum gives historic insights of the past. Visakhapatnam has volumes to talk about. The credit of preserving records about the Vizag's past goes to the Visakha Museum, also called Corportation Museum. This musuem is located near the Old Dutch Bungalow on the RK Beach road.
The Museum has some of the best and finest artistic items put on display. Portraits, some of them even at life-size depicting the members of the Royal family of the Vizianagaram and Bobbili, Two Armour suits, two stands of spears and muzzleloading guns, several ancient weapons such as steel bows, handguns that date back to the British-rule times are some of the things one should not miss.
The Visakha Museum also showcases some of the artifacts collected from other institutions. These include the 250-lb bomb that was dropped by the Japanese during the World War II. The shell bomb did not however explode. The shell bomb is now put on display at the Museum.
The Museum preserves the coconut that was broken by the then Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru when he came for the inauguration of the first ship that was indigenously built – the S.S Jala Usha.
Father of the Nation – Gandhiji has lots of connections with Visakhapatnam. The Museum has a nice collection of photographs of Gandhiji – particularly the ones during his visit to Vizag when he stayed at the Nkitam House. The desk used by him during his visit was also preserved. The desk was later used by Tenneti Vishwanatham. (Source: Vizaginfo.com )
Victory at Sea : This memorial was erected by the Indian Navy to commemorate the destruction of Ghazi Submarine in 1971 during the Indo-Pak war.
VUDA Park : This park in Vizag, is one of the significant parks of the state of Andhra Pradesh. It is popularly known as Taraka Rama Park. This park has been named after the former Chief Minister of the state. Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority looks after the maintenance of this park. VUDA Park is one of the most eminent tourists attractions in the city of Vizag. This amusement park offers many fun filled rides and people can enjoy the various kinds of water sports available. People also engage themselves with other activities like horse riding, skating, boating and camel riding. Many tourists crowd this place daily. The chief attraction of this park is its dancing fountain.
Rushikonda : One of the most beautiful virgin beaches in India. Just 8-km from Vishakhapatnam is the Rishikonda Beach, a golden, unspoilt beach, washed by the sun-warmed sea.
Kambalakonda : Kambalakonda Reserve Forest, located not too far from the city in Degalagedda, close to the Indira Gandhi Zoological park. It is located in the Eastern Ghats, nearby to Visakhapatnam and is a home for rare species of indigenous flora and fauna. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary by the Union Ministry of Forests and Environment as on September 13th 2002.
This sanctuary supports a large variety of animals like sambar, barking deer, leopard, monkeys etc. Visitors can have a pleasure of undergoing trekking over a stretch of 4.5 km or take boating trips in the reservoir. This sanctuary is spread over 7,146 hectares and has several types of birds flocking in. There are also guides who are there to guide visitors.
The Kailasagiri : A Beautiful Hill peeping onto the sea with a panoramic sea view and serene atmosphere- An outstanding beautiful spot in all of Asia. Kailasagiri is located on a hilltop and is a must to visit spot for all the people who visit Visakhapatnam. The charming hill on the seafront, and breath taking scenic view are awesome. The big idol of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi is the main attraction here.
Attention guys: There is also a rope way here and am sure you ll love it; :)
Indira Gandhi Zoological Park : (Visiting days : Tuesday - Sunday) : Situated at a distance of 9 kms, it is being developed over an area of 600 acres.
Timings : 9 am to 5 pm
Entry Fee : Child - Rs. 2/-, Adult - Rs. 5/-, Car - Rs. 200/- with 5 occupants.
Photogarphy : Still Camera : Rs. 50/- Video Camera : Rs. 75/-
Timings : 9 am to 5 pm
Entry Fee : Child - Rs. 2/-, Adult - Rs. 5/-, Car - Rs. 200/- with 5 occupants.
Photogarphy : Still Camera : Rs. 50/- Video Camera : Rs. 75/-
Simhachalam :
Simhachalam - the hill of the lion is located at a distance of 18 km from Visakhapatnam refers to the 11th century temple of Lord Narasimha - an incarnation of Vishnu. Millions of devotees from round the world visit this temple every year. The presiding deity here is Varaha Lakshminarasimha, combining the iconographic features of Varaha and Narasimha. The image resembles a Shivalingam covered with sandal paste. It is only once a year, during the Chandana Visarjana that the sandal paste is removed, and the image is seen by pilgrims. The artwork here has elements of similarity with that of Konark. Elephants, flowers and plants are portrayed in plenty. The outer walls of the sanctum depict images of a royal personality (said to be King Narasimha) in various postures. The Kalyana Mandapa within the temple has 16 pillars depicting the incarnations of Vishnu.
Bheemunipatnam : The calm and serene Bheemunipatnam Beach is located at the confluence of Gosthani River and the Bay of Bengal. Bheemunipatnam is featured by the ruins of a 17th century fort and cemetery, and history reveals that this was a Dutch settlement earlier period.
The beach, known also as 'Bheemli', is renowned as the safest and calmest location for swimmers.
The beach and refreshing climate united with the agreeable nature with the lusting greenery all around and the lined palm groves makes it an admired beach.
Shivajipalem Park : Covers around 3 acres of land and is open in the evenings. Main attractions are a Skating Rink, three fountains and beautiful gardens. Can also be a picnic spot.
Mangamaripeta Beach (Creek) : An ideal place for developing water sports.
Dolphin's Nose : Dolphin's Nose, a mammoth rocky headland of about 174 meter high, is situated in the southern part of Visakhapatnam city. The rock resembles a dolphin’s nose is nicely placed at an altitude of 358 meter with its projection to the Bay of Bengal in Visakhapatnam. This is a verdant attraction for many visitors as it is nature’s gift in its rarest form.
A renowned powerful light house highly useful for the shippers and has a light beam that can be seen as far as 64 km out at sea is also placed nearby. One can have a panoramic view of the city from this place.
Yarada Beach and Valley : Surrounded by hills, full of greenery and a beautiful beach.
Gangavaram Beach : A beautiful beach situated very close to the Steel Plant.
Paderu : A picturesque and rich valley with an altitude of over 900 m situated 74 kms away from Visakhapatnam.
Mudasarlova Water Works and Park : Situated 10 km from the city. It is beautiful and the valley is framed by hills with a lake that supplies water to the city. There is also a scenic 18 hole Golf course belonging to East Point Golf Club.
VUDA Children's Theatre : Located in the heart of the city, this wonderful theatre (air-conditioned) is built in the shape of Dolphin where a lot children's movies are screened over the weekend (absolutely free) and other public functions are also held. There is also a play area with swings, slides etc. and a mini-zoo with rabbits, tortoises, geese and pigeons for children to enjoy.
Kondakarla Ava : Situated in Achyuthapuram mandal, 48km from Visakhapatnam, Kondakarla is famous for its natural lakes attracting migratory birds in summer.
Fishing Harbour : Most modern in the country and provides accommodation for 15 trawlers and 150 mechanised boats.
Ross Hill : Ross Hills, an erstwhile Roman Catholic Church known as ‘Our lady of the Sacred Heart’, is the peak mount in Visakhapatnam.
Presently Mother Mary's Church, built in 1864 after the name of Monsieur Ross, is a unique place to see the panoramic view of the surrounding shipbuilding yard and the Visakhapatnam Port. To add the value for the place, a temple in Sri Venkateswara Konda and a mosque attached to the tomb of the Muslim saint, Sayed Ali Medina alias Ishak Medina are also available nearby.
Sri Venkateswara Swamy Konda : Lord Venkateshwara abode the place Sri Venkateswara Konda in Visakhapatnam, also known as the hill on the south. The main attraction is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Venkateshwara).
An impressive pyramidal gopura at the entrance welcomes the visitors to this abode of Vishnu. Sri Venkateswara Konda gives a majestic view of the port channel, which is the gateway of the interior harbour for ships and liners at Visakhapatnam Port.
