Visakhapatnam – also called Vizag, is a coastal city overlooking the Bay of Bengal. The city is famous for its steel and it’s beautiful natural harbor. Between December and February’s holiday season there's a distinctly kitschy vibe, with camel rides and thousands of bathers. Along Ramakrishna the pedestrian promenade is pleasant for a stroll. During mid-January the city hosts Visakha Utsav, a festival with food stalls, exhibitions and cultural events.
TOP 8 PLACES TO VISIT
1.INS KURSURA SUBMARINE MUSEUM
The museum is the only Submarine Museum in the entire of Asia. The Soviet built-I-641 Submarine was inducted into the Indian Navy on 18, December 1969. Former employees of the Navy will make your trip more interesting with anecdotes and titbits from naval history. Also visit the Visakha Museum, which is located in an old colonial Dutch bungalow, and houses old artifacts and naval displays.
2.MATSYADARSHINI AQUARIUM
The aquarium houses countless species of fresh and salt water marine life captured in glass tanks including the long horn cow fish, butterfly fishes, surgeon major, peacock wrasse, the lion fish, stone fish, red squirrel fish, perch dusky, trigger fish, clown fish, damsels, sweet lip rabbit fish, angels, electric ray, porcupine fish and many more. The aquarium also houses uncommen marine invertebrates including the carpet anemones, starfishes in different colors, tentacle anemones in white and orange, sea anemones in varying colors are all gives a pleasant view.
3.SIMHACHALAN TEMPLE
The ancient temple is an ornate shrine in dedication to Lord Narasimha, who is an incarnation of Vishnu himself. The detailed stone carving in the entire temple make it an architectural marvel. The temple is a treasure of traditional Vaishnavite culture and some of the routine can be studied in various inscriptions that it houses. The temple with its rich history and strong traditional values has been a huge source of inspiration to may poets.
4.WAR MEMORIAL
Located facing the submarine museum, the memorial is dedicated to the 'Victory at Sea', during the Indo-Pak war in 1971. Many war related materials are displayed here, including a fighter plane, missiles, few bombs and a tank.
5.BUDDHIST EXCAVATION
Havi Konda, Thotla Konda, Bojjana Konda, and Salihundam were places of Buddhist excavations in 1906. Many stupas and chaityas was brought out during the excavations. It is believed that some of the corporal remnants of the Buddha were conserved at these sacred Buddhist places. Another Buddhist excavation at Dantapuram has been placed at the confluence of river Vamsadhara with the Bay of Bengal. The excavations in this holy place have exposed many stupas and antiquities.
6.VUDA PARK
The park close to the Ramakrishna Beach, is a popular and favorite attraction amongst the tourists. The musical waterfall The Park is one of the main attractions. There is also a skating rink and many small playing areas for kids. It is an ideal spot for a late evening snack, especially if you are with kids.
7.BORRA CAVES
Located on the east coast of India and situated in the Ananthagiri hills of the Araku Valley. Ever since it was discovered by British geologist William King in 1807, the million year old cave has been a tourist favorite. Breathtaking hilly terrain, beautiful landscape, semi-evergreen moist deciduous forests, and wild fauna of the caves are a visual feast. The most striking feature of the caves is its exquisite variety of speleothems ranging in size and irregularly shaped stalactites and stalagmites. The combination of sunlight and dark conjures amazing dancing shaped in the depths of the caves while natural skylights make way for kaleidoscopic imagery that imparts them a unique enigma of their own. You will find bats as well as golden geckos hiding in the shadows of the niches.
8.KONDAKARLA BIRD & KAMBALAKONDA WILFLIFE SANCTUARY
Located about 50 km from Vishakhapatnam, the Bird Sanctuary is home to migrating birds in the summer. Take a ride on an interesting contraption made by joining two logs together with a cot – surprisingly quite stable and a pleasure to go on the lake with. No mechanized boats allowed.The Wildlife Sanctuary has a dry evergreen forest with meadows and scrubs. It houses leopards, the Indian Pangolin, chitals, Indian jackals, sambar deer, spotted deer, barking deer, jackal, wild boar and wild dog, and multiple species of snakes and birds.
OTHER PLACES TO SEE
- Kailasa Giri
- Araku Valley
- Dolphin’s Nose
- Indira Gandhi Zoological Park
- Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy Vari Devasthanam
- Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Ammavari Devasthanam
- Tenneti Park
- Matsya Darshini
- Ross Hill Church
- Visakhapatnam Zoo
- Araku Tribal Museum
- Vuda City Central Park
- Katiki Falls
- Bojjana Konda
- Visakha Musem
- Swarna Jyoti Naval Museum
- Thotlakonda
- Lakshmi Devi Temple
- Pudimadaka LighthouseS
- imhavali Tayaru Temple
There are various modes of transportation available in Visakhapatnam - it includes auto rickshaws, bicycles to mass transit systems - such as buses and trains.
Due to its coastal location, Vizag has bright, scorching summers from March to June. IThe best time to travel to Vizag is from November to February when the weather is pleasant.
