Places around Vishakapatnam
Major Attractions of Vishakhapatnam
Kailasagiri
Kailasagiri is located on a hilltop and is a must to visiting place for all people visiting Vishakhapatnam. The charming hill on the seafront, affords a breath taking scenic view, especially towards Bheemunipatnam.This charming hill on the sea front affords breathaking scenic views especially towards Bheemli. A well laid out hill park sprawls over an area of 350 acres, teeming with enchanting flora and tropical trees. There are magnificent statues of shiva paravati, which are illuminated at night. The 40mts high sankham, chakram and Namam are illuminated in the night and can be seen from most parts of the city.
Rishikonda Beach
Just 8 km from Vishakhapatnam is the Rishikonda Beach, a golden, unspoilt beach, washed by the sun-warmed sea.The excellent beach resort 8kms from the twon is located against the backdrop of lush rishikonda hill on the visakhapatnam - Bheemunipatnam beach road. The 14th century temple of Sri Sapta Rusheswara is also located here.
Located 13kms. from Visakhapatnam on the Visakhapatnam- Bheemunipatnam beach road, is Rishikonda, a thickly covered hill. The lovely beach here with golden sands is the best beach in Vizag. It is ideal for water skiing, wind surfing and swimming. The tourist complex here is well equipped with a tourist lodge, individual rental cottages, a restaurant and other amenities. The 14th century Sri Sapta Rusheswara Temple surrounded by seven hills is located here.
Ramakrishna Beach
One of the loveliest beaches on the East Coast, the Ramakrishna beach is a favorite resort for tourists visiting Vishakhapatnam.This magnificent beach occupies the largest part of the sea front and is one of the most popular sites of the town. The Ramakrishna Mission is located nearby and there is also an imposing Kali Temple near the beach. A aquariumk here is also worth visiting.
Rama Krishna Beach is located 5km from the centre of Visakhapatanam. This beach occupying the largest part of the seafront, is a great spot to spend time leisurely. The R.K. Beach was jointly developed by the Municipal Corporation of Visakhapatnam (MCV) and the VUDA. The submarine museum here is one of its kind in the country. Sri Ramakrishna mission Ashram is located nearby.
Lawson's Bay
It is located to the north of Visakhapatnam and is considered ideal for swimming as well as surfing.Another important beach in the city, Lawsons Bay Beach has beautiful golden sands and lush green vegetation.
Indira Gandhi Zoological Park
The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is located in Vishakhapatnam amidst the scenic eastern ghats of India, flanked by hills on either sides and Bay of Bengal on the east.The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, 6km from the city centre spread over 425 Acres of land, has over 400 varieties of animals. This is one of the largest Zoo Park in Andhra Pradesh. The well planned layout of the zoo has different enclosures for primates, carnivores, lesser carnivores, small mammals and birds close to their natural habitats. There is mini-train to facilitate people to watch the wild life. Open on all the days except Mondays.
Ananthagiri Hills
Anantagiri is a breathtakingly beautiful resort sheltered in the lush undulating ranges of the Eastern Ghats. It is considered to be a perfect head off to get away from the blistering summer months. The Ananthagiri hills are on the way to Araku Valley and are famous for coffee plantations.Ross Hill (Kanyamarykonda)
This highest hill on the Eastern Ghats is named after Me. Ross, who built a house here in 1864, which was converted into a church.Church of St. Paul
Built in 1847, the architecture is a simple neo classical theme. A semicircular arch divides the congregation from the altar, with stained glass in the apse.Darga Konda
This magnificent hill has a mosque and a shrine dedicated to the Muslim saint Ishaque Madina, who is revered for its prophecies.The north hill Darga Konda, has a mosque and the mausoleum of the Muslim saint, Baba Ishaq Madina, revered for his prophecies and venerated by Hindu and Muslim devotees alike.
Sri Venkateswara Swamy Konda
The third important hillock of the city has a temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara. According to the Telugu inscriptions, A British soldier Captain Balackmoor built this temple in 1886.Sri Venkateswara Konda or hill on the south, has a temple dedicated to LordVenkateswara. It is believed to have been built by an European Captain Blackmoor, in 1866. This temple has a small steeply pyramidal entrance gopura. The port channel, the entrance of the inner harbor for ships and liners can be seen from here.
Simhachalam Hill Temple
Vishakhapatnam is Simhachalam, famous for the temple of Sri Varaha Lakshminarasimha. Architecturally this ancient temple deserves high praise.About 2 km from the city is the famous Simhachalam hill temple of the 11th century, where the presiding deity, Varaha Lakshminarasimha is always covered with sandalwood paste. The actual form of the idol is viewed only in a year, during the Chandana Yatra. Simhachalam, which is visited by lakhs of devotees every year, is being developed as a 'Divya Kshetram', to make it second only to the Tirumala temple.
Simhachalam or the 'Lion's Hill' is famous for the 11th century Varaha Lakshmi Narasimhaswami temple, one of the most important shrines of Lord Vishnu. Lord Narasimha - a combination of the Varaha and the Narasimha incarnations of Vishnu is the presiding deity and the idol is always covered with sandal paste. During chandanayatra Festival (Mar-Apr), the sandal paste is removed and the real shape is idol is visible. It is also one of the best sculpted shrines in Andhra Pradesh.
Simhachalam is a major Hindu pilgrim centre located 16 km from Visakhapatnam. Located on a Hill top popularly called the 'Hill of the Lion Lord', is the 11th century temple of Lord Vishnu in his lion incarnation of Sri Varaha Narasimha. The temple built by King Sri Krishna Devaraya, attracts devotees from all over the country especially during the 'Chandanotsavam' Festival held in March- April, every year. On the Chandanotsavam day, the deity is covered with a new fresh layer of Sandalwood. The shrine has inscriptions dating back to 1098 AD on its walls.
Dolphin's Nose
The most famous landmark at Vishakhapatnam is the Dolphin's Nose. This huge rock, 174 metres in height and 356 metres above the sea level, is shaped like a Dolphin's nose The rock juts out into the sea, forming a headland on which is the lighthouse. This lighthouse has a beam that can be seen 64km out at sea.The massive dolphin shaped promontory jutting into the sea is located in the southern part of the town. This most conspicuous landmoark of Visakhapatnam is 174 metres high and has a vey powerful lighthouse.
Dolphin's Nose, the rocky promontory with a cliff rising 174m above the sea is the most prominent sight in Vizag. It also shelters the harbour, from where manganese and iron ore are shipped out. The lighthouse here has a beam visible more than 60km out to sea.
Visakha Museum
It is housed in a 150 years old "Dutch Bungalow" on the beach road.Submarine Museum
This unique museum is housed in the INS Kusura, a Russuan built submarine and is the first its kind in Asia. It is located at the Ramakrishna Beach and was set-up on 27th Feb 2001.Other attractions are - VUDA park, Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Mudsarlova Water park and Anthropology Museum.
Araku Valley
About 115 km from Vishakhapatnam is the beautiful Araku Valley, with its bracing climate, orchards, and the Ananthagiri Ghats, which present an enchanting view to the visitors, is attracting tourists not only in India but from abroad too.The picturesque valley in the Eastern Ghats is popularly known as andhra's Ooty. It extends over an area of 36 sq.km and is rich in exotic flora and fauna. The valley is inhabited by 17 colourful tribes still untouched by modern civilization and is a favourite out-door location for the Telugu film makers.
The Tribal Museum in Araku valley houses rich tribal tradition and number of artifacts and displays related to Eastern Ghat Tribal Culture.
The Aruku valley, situated 30km north from Borra caves is home to a number of tribal communities. It is a beautiful valley with pleasant climate, lush greenery, waterfalls and streams. The tribal wear colourful dresses and their songs and dances are spectacular. There are Cottages and Resorts for tourists.
Borra Caves (90 km)
Borra Caves At a distance of about 90 km from Vishakhapatnam are the Borra Caves, which attained historical and religious importance.Located around 100 km from Vizag, these caves at Anantagiri mandal in the Eastern Ghats have geological and historical significance. Water drips onto a Shivalingam deep in the caves, and this drip is said to be the origin of the river, Gosthani.
The spectacular caves believed to be over 1 million years old are located on the way to Araku valley. These caves cover an area of over 2 sq.kms and where formed as a result of the action of the waters of Gosthani river on the limestone terrain. The fascinating stalagmite and stalactite strctures in the caves are truly amazing.
The million year-old limestone Borra Caves, is situated at about 56 miles north of Vizag. The caves, at a height of 1400 mts above sea level and occupying an area of 2 square kilometers is filled with fascinating stalagmite and stalactite formations of calcium deposits. The Gosthani river flows through the caves between the formations. William King George of the Geological Survey of India discovered the caves in1807. Among the formations can be found a 'Shivalingam' and an idol of a cow (Kamadhenu), which has given a religious significance to it. The caves are beautiful and are brightly illuminated. The best time to visit the caves is November- December. The Train journey from Vizag to the caves(5-6 hrs) through the thick vegetation of the Eastern ghats is splendid.
Bheemunipatnam or Bheemli (25 km)
About 25 km from Vishakhapatnam is Bheemunipatnam. The most important aspect of interest at the place is the beach, which is perhaps matchless for its beauty all along the east coast.This is a beautiful sandy beach and is picturesquely situated at the confluence of Gosthani River into the Bay of Bengal. It is one of the finest sea resorts of India and is well-known as Bheemli. It is the safest of all the beaches here. It's a beautiful beach and has an invigorating climate coupled with the pleasantness provided by the lush green palm groves that add to its immense attraction. A ruined fort and an armoury remain sequestered among the plantain and palm groves. The Dutch cemetery has 13 tombs which marks a span of time from 1661 to 1770 AD. The Dutch influence can be seen from the architectural style of the houses built there There is Dutch cemetery called Hollanders Green, which overlooks the ocean. The evidence of the British presence in Bheemunipatnam can be seen from the 19th century clock tower and the church of St' Peter. Bheemunipatnam was a major Dutch port in the past.
The historical town at the mouth of river gosthani is said to be named after Bhima, one of the five Pandava brothers of Mahabharta epic. He is believed to have killed demon Bakasura over here and installed an idol of Lord Narasimha at the temple atop the Narasimha hill. Bheenli was under the Dutch occupation during 17th century and has some relics of a Dutch fort and settlement. A cemetery here has tombs embossed with the skull-and-cross bones motif of the sea pirates. The tranquil Bheemunipatnam beach is very safe for swimmers.
Bheemunipatnam popularly known as 'Bheemli' is located at a distance of 24 Kilometers North east of Visakhapatnam. Once a Dutch settlement, the 17th century ruins of a fort and cemetery built by the Dutch are seen here. The cemetery at the mouth of the river Gosthani has some tombs embossed with the skull and cross bones motif of sea pirates. The beautiful beach at Bheemli is considered to be one of the safest and calmest for swimmers. The beach and invigorating climate coupled with the pleasantness provided by the lush green palm groves makes it a popular sea side resort. There is a small shrine on the top of a hill dedicated to Lord Narasimha.
Sankaram
This is a small village about 3km from the banks of the river, Sharada. The name Sankaram appears to have been derived from the tern 'Sangrama', which means a monastery. At Bojjannakonda, numerous images of Buddha can be seen carved in caves in the hill. Similarly, at Lingaalametta, innumerable rows of rows of rocks and monolithic stupas are spread all over the hill.Thotlakonda
Situated 16 km from Vishakhapatnam, also known as Vizag, along the Vizag-Bhimli beach road, this Buddhist settlement has a number of stupas, chaityas, viharas, congregation halls, and a refractory of the Hinayana school of Buddhism.The Thotlakonda Buddhist Complex situated on a hilltop in Mangamaripeta village is 15 km from Visakhapatnam on the Vizag-Bheemili beach road. The complex has a number of stupas, Chaityas, Viharas, a congregation hall and a refectory belonging to the Himayana School, mostly excavated during1982-92. Excavations at Thotlakonda comprise pottery, beads, bangle pieces, tiles, stuccos, iron objects, sculptural remains, moulded bricks, inscriptions, coins, etc.
Bavikonda
Located 20km to the Northeast of Vishakhapatnam, this Buddhist settlement at Bavikond a consists of religious and secular constructions. The religious monuments include stupas, chaityagrihas, a congregation hall and platforms. The secular constructions include viharas (accommodation) and kitchen-cum-stores complexes.Bavikonda is located 16 km.away from Vishakhapatnam along the beach road leading to Bheemunipatnam. The hill acquired the name Bavikonda due to the existence of wells on the hill to collect rain water for drinking purpose.Excavations on the hill-top brought to light an extensive Buddhist establishment consisting of a Mahachaitya, stupas, chaityagrihas, a congregation hall, platforms, viharas, kitchen-cum-store complex, pottery, relic caskets, tiles, stuccos, iron objects, moulded bricks, coins etc.
