HEADLINES:  

INTRODUCTION

The "city of lakes" is perhaps the most romantic and beautiful cities of India. In contrast to its neighborhood it stands out with an enchanting image of white marble palaces, placid blue lakes, gardens and temples surrounded by hills and mountains. It was founded by Maharana Udai Singh in 1559 A.D.on the shores of lake Pichola.

The most striking landmarks of the city are the City Palace and the Lake Palace.Udaipur is the most colorful city in Rajasthan. Festivals and celebration, music and dance punctuate its barrenness.Udaipur, not only the city is lovely and full of tourist places, city around also offers some of worth visiting places in vicinity.

ORIENTATION

Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh is located on the eastern shore of India, nestled among the hills of the Eastern Ghats and facing the Bay of Bengal to the east.

HISTORY

Vishakhapatnam was a part of the Vijayanagar Empire.Initialy Vishakhapatnam belonged to the Kalinga Kingdom and was ruled by Ashoka in 260 B.C. followed by the Andhra Kings of Vengi.Later it was under the reign of the Pallava, Chola and Ganga dynasties. Soon Visakhapatnam became a major port and a trading center for the Europeans, the Dutch, the French and the English. Around the 17th century Vizag became a major exporter of textiles, ivory, tobacco; indigo etc.Visakhapatnam played a major role as a coast during the reign of the Asaf Jahis and the Golcondas.History documents that Visakhapatnam got its name from the god of 'Valor-Vishakha'.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

Chandanotsavam or Chandana Yatra

This festival falls in the month of March and is celebrated in Sri Varaha Lakshminarasimha temple. During this festival the deity of this temple is fully covered with fresh layer of sandalwood.

Visakha Utsav

This is a major utsav which is organized by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development in the month of January. The festival highlights the arts, crafts and cuisine of Vishakhapatnam.Various cultural programmes like exhibitions, fashion shows, food fairs are conducted in the Rama Krishna beach.

PLACES OF WORSHIP

Simhachalam

One of the most exquisitely sculpted shrines of Andhra Pradesh and is located at a distance of about 16kms from Vizag among thickly wooded hills. The beautifully carved 16-pillared natya mantapa and the 96 pillared kalyana mandapa bear testimony to the architectural briliance of the temple. A thick layer of sandalwood paste covers the image of the presiding deity's Lakshminarasimha Swamy.

Mother Mary's Church ( Rose Hill)

Among the line of three hills, the central and the highest mount Ross Hill is named after Monsieur Ross. He has built a house on it in 1864 which was later converted into a Roman Catholic Chapel 'Mother Mary's Church'. The pathway to the church is lined with shrines of the stages of the cross. There were excellent views of the ship building yard from here.

Sri Venkateswara Swamy Konda

Though this is a Hindu temple archeology excavations says that it was built by a European Captain Blackmoor in 1866.The main feature of this temple is the steep pyramidal gopura.It is built in such a way there is a clear view of the inner harbour from this temple.

Darga Konda

Darga Konda, the north hillock of the line of three hills has a mosque and the mausoleum of the Muslim saint, Baba Ishaq Madina who was revered for his prophecies. It has been visited and venerated by Hindu and Muslim devotees alike.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Rushikonda

This beach is just 8kms from Vizag and has goden sand and surf with sea and has hill cottages overlooking the grand ocean.

Dolphin's Nose and the Port

The captivating symbol of Vizag that charms the young and old alike is the headland Dolphin's nose. At 358 metres above sea level, with a lighthouse atop the hill, Dolphin's nose is aptly named.

Bheemunipatnam

The 25km stretch of road literally hugging the coastline from Visakhapatnam to Bheemunipatnam has a view that is simply breathtaking.Bheemunipatnam known as Bhimli is the second oldest muncipality in the country.

Lawson's Bay

A beautiful beach that falls on the way to Kailasagiri hill, Lawson's bay is an ideal spot or sea bathing and surfing.

Appikonda

Appikonda is a small village located 18-kms from Visakhapatnam which houses the Appikonda temple whose presiding deity is Lord Shiva. Records tells that it was in this place Kapila Maha Muni has installed the idol of Somalingeswara Swamy and thus the name - Kapilakonda which was over the ages changed to Apillakonda and further to Appikonda.

Legacy of The Buddha

Vishakhapatnam is surrounded by ancient Buddhist sites, most of which have been excavated recently.

Submarine Museum

Submarine Museum, 'Smritika' set up nearby the Vishakapatanam port, is located at the serene beach named the Rama Krishna Beach. The museum started functioning in 2001 was converted from INS Kusura, a Russian built submarine. Only one of these kinds in India and Asian continent, this Submarine Museum attracts many

Ramakrishna Beach

JIt is Vizag's favourite evening sojourn. An aquarium, the Kali temple, Visakha museum, a rare submarine museum and roadside restaurants offering seafood are the other attractions.

Kailasagiri Hill

A charming hill on the northern side of the city, Kailasagiri offers a spectacular view of the long shoreline and the cityspace of Vizag.

VUDA Park

This park is a place for leisure and amusement for the urban dwellers. A well equipped gym; pleasure rides on horses and camels, skating rink, boating, musical fountain are the enticing attractions of the park.

Indira Gandhi zoological park

Spread over 450 acres, the Indira Gandhi zoological park houses exotic species of birds and animals in natural habitat.

Borra Caves

At a distance of about 90-95-km from Vishakhapatnam are the Borra Caves, which attained historical and religious importance.

SHOPPING

Though Visakhapatnam is a big industrial area the list for shopping here is quite interesting. And for the tourists for come here it is very easy to shop for the shops are mostly concentrated in the same area.Visakhapatnam is also famous for jewelry, handicrafts, clothes and traditional South Indian metal utensils.Vizag is also known for its woodcarvings and sculptures. The shoppers list in Vizag includes spices, pickles, spices, soaps, perfumes, musical instruments, handmade paper and Indian tea. Some common area for shopping is

Lepakshi Emporium Eastern, Art Museum and Girijan Co-operative Society - handicrafts.
Dabagardens - sports gears, ranging from cricket sets to skates.
Kurupam Market - gold and silver jewelry.
Markets at Waltair
RTC Complex
TSR complex
Jagadamda Junction
Kurupam
Dwaraka Nagar

HOW TO REACH

By Air

Visakhapatnam airport is connected to many cities in India including Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad. Airport is nearly 16 km away from the heart of the city.

By Rail

Visakhapatnam is the centre point for trains plying between Chennai and Howrah and Howrah and Secunderabad. It is well connected to Hyderabad and other leading towns in the state, as well as to Bhubaneswar.

By Road

Vizag is well connected by the road transport public bus services. Many tourist bus service providers offer deluxe, super deluxe and A/C bus services from Visakhapatnam to many major cities in South and Central India, including Chennai, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Bangalore and Mumbai.