Visakhapatnam, Sun-kissed beaches and emerald palms
The very name Vizag conjures up vibrating beaches and verdant green patches. And these two factors are enough to draw millions of tourists every year to Visakhapatnam. also known as Vizag.
Advantage Vizag
Though Andhra Pradesh is replete with hot toutrist spots, Vizag has an edge over the remaining. The reason is its topography.Its rich natural endowments
The state of AndhraPradesh is a combo of three regions- Coastal Andhra,Rayalaseema and Telangana. Out of all the three regions, coastal region is the largest and the districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam are located in the north coastal Andhra. These three districts, though backward, have a speciality in language, dialect and traditions. The terrains of these three districts are hilly and filled with dense forests/ There are a number of tribes who made these regions as their home.
Vizag is not just another Tourist Center
Vizag is a combination of manytourist centers. Its a famous Pilgrimcenter. Vizag is surrounded by places whose natural beauty is unaffected and untouched by the cruel civilization.Vzag and its surrounding areas are well known for handicrafts, tribalart and culture.In addition to this Vizag is the headquarters for Eastern naval command. Vizag is the only place in the country where one can see a Sub-marine holding an exhibition.
Now let's see each of Vizag's specialities one by one.
Vizag's enchanting Beaches
Ramakrishna Beach
Alsio known as R.K Beach is the most visited beach in Vizag.The Beach derives its name becaise of the presence pf Ramakrishna mission here.The famous INS Kursura Submarine museum is located at Ramakrishna Beach.This beach is centre of attraction for many tourists. Visakhapatnam urban development authority VUDA and Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation GVMC are jointly maintaining the Beach. Here one can see,all the days Beach volleyball,swimming and sun bathing activities.An Aquarium, Kali temple, Visakha museum are the main tourist pullers. A sitting provision for the tourists to enjoy the beauty of R.K Beach is arranged all along 7 km stretch along the beach.
Gokul Park and children's park are the two parks on the beach road where tourists and locals throng in big numbers during all evenings through out the year.An Aquarium named Matsya Darshini is another center that enchants both the tourists and locals alike.
Rushikonda Beach
Rushikonda Beach is 11 km away from the city.Serene ambiance is the hall mark of Rushikonda beach. Rushikonda beach surrounded by hills and is considered as much safer than Ramakrishna Beach.
Comfortable cottages overlooking the sea provided and managed by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, APTDC are the extra attraction.
Bheemli Beach
Bheemunipatnam is a small town 25 km away from Visakhapatnam. Bheemli is the condensed form of Bheemunipatnam. Once it was a Dutch settlement. Bheemli Beach is surrounded by verdant greenery making a feast to the eyes. The sea at Bheemli beach is very safe to the surfers.Dutch cemetry that dates back to 17th century, clock tower and a church are the other places that attract the tourists.
Caves
Borra caves are located at 1400 meters above the sea level in Anantagiri at Visakhapatnam, The uniqueness of Borra caves lie in its Stalactite and Stalagmite formations on the ceiling of the caves. And these formations look like a cow's udder. Deep in the caves there is a Siva lingam and the divine holy cow Kamadhenu are there. This place is considered as a holy place and local people throng here to perform pujas to Sivalingam and Kamadhenu.
Valleys
Araku Valley is located 110 km away from visakhapatnam or Vizag. Araku Valley is rich in Bio-diversity.From Visakhapatnam there is a rail and road link to Araku. Most people choose rail link as the journey to Araku by rail is more exciting. Because the train passes through the Ghat road winding through forests and coffee plantations. The train passes through 46 tunnels making the journey more thrilling and enjoyable.The train on its way touches a railway station called Shimiliguda. Shimiliguda railway station is the highest broad guage raiway station in India. Shimiliguda is located at an altitude of 996 meters above the mean sea level. There are 19 tribes in this region.
The popular dance forms among the tribals are Mayuri and Dhimsa.
Temples
The name Visakhapatnam has been derived from the god Visakheswara, Historians say the temple of Visakheswara was there long ago but was submerged in the sea.
The most popular temple of Visakhaptnam region is Simhachalam. The temple is located on a hill south of Visakhapatnam. The principal deity is Narasimha also known as Simhadri Appanna among the locals.. The Simhachalam temple is one of the seventeen temples of Narasimha in India.The main deity Narasimha will appear in his original form or " Nija Roopa Darsanam"only for 12 hours in an year. The rest of the days the deity will be covered with Sandal paste or 'Chandanam,'Narasimha was boiling with rage after killing Hiranyakasipu, the demon king. In order to cool down Narasimha sandal paste was applied all along the year. The layers of sandal paste will be removed in the month of Vaisakha every year. The occasion is known as "Chandanotsavam."
The other famous temple is Sri Kanaka Maha Laxmi Ammavaru temple. The deity Sri Kanaka Maha Laxmi Ammavaru is the family deity of the then rajas of visakhapatnam. The idol was found near Burujupeta a locality in visakhapatnam.
According to a loxcal story, the idol of Kanaka Maha Laxmi Ammavaru was found in the year1912 in a well, After taking out the idol from the well, the idol was istalled at the center of the road. When the municipal authorities planned to widen the road, the idol was shifted from the center of the road and was reinstalled at a corner of the road.
In the year 1917 an epedemic swept over visakhapatnam that resulted in many deaths. The panicked subjects immediately realized that the plague deaths are due to shifting of the idol of Sri Kanaka Maha Laxmi Ammavaru. They did n't delay further. The idol of Sri Kanaka Maha Laxmi Ammavaru was re-erected in the same place freom where it was shifted earlier by the municipal authorities i.e the present place.
Submarine Museum
INS Kursura is a Kalvari class of submarines. Kalvari submarines are the earliest class of submarines inducted in to Indian Navy. It was decommissioned in the year2001 and was kept as a museum at the Ramakrishna Beach, Visakhapatnam.Ever since it was opened to the public on 24thAugust 2002, it has become a big hit. Rama krishna beach has become more popular than before because of INS Kursura.
Kailasagiri, A hilltop park
Kailasagiri, a hilltop park is a very popular tourist attraction, spread over 100 acres offers a plethora of breath taking views of the 'City of Destiny', Visakhapatnam.
The focal point of the park is 40 feet tall Siva Parvati statue. The other spots of interest on the Kailasagiri hill are Floral clock, one of the biggest clocks in the country with 10 feet dia.
Titanic view point on Kailasagiri hill is the most soughtfter point by the tourists. It offers a breath taking view of both seaside and the hills. The name Titanic was derived from the fact that the front view of this hill resembles the famous Titanic ship.
Kailasagiiri hill park offers excellent Gliding facilities for the Gliding lovers. The Toy train that's designed to take the visitors around the hill, is a favourite for both elders and kids.
The symbols of Vishnu, Sankham, Chakram and Namam an electronic display is visiblem to faroff places.
Some non-conventional festivals
Vizag celebrates all festivals like any other place. But Vizag observes certain festivals unique to the place.
Navy Day
Being the headquarters of Eastern Naval Command Visakhapatnam celebrates 'Navy Day' every year with pomp and splendour. On this day, the Eastern Naval Command displays its weaponry,its ships and its fighting prowess to the public. The Naval day takes place in the famous Ramakrishna beach road.People in thousands throng to witness the thrilling acts of our sea protectors.
ISKCON Utsav
The venue for International Society for Krishna Consciousness ISKCON is Hare Krishna Land, Sagarnagar in Visakhapatnam. This festival will be held during Dasara Holidays. The objective of ISKCON Utsav is to promote the Indian culture.There will be Bajan concerts. There will be dance dramas on RamLeela and KrishnaLeela performed by National and International renowned groups. There will be Homam, religious especially Discourses on Geeta will be there everyday.
On the day of Dasara, a 50 feet Effigy of the demon king Ravana will be burnt to symbolize the triumph of goodness over evil.
Visakha Utsav,
This festival is held annually with an objective of promote tourism.Its a three day festival generally held in the month of December. All the aspects of Andhra Pradesh that are likely to attract the tourists are highlighted through different exhibitions, Cultural shows unique to the state of Andhra Pradesh and a treasure hunt programme which is filled with adventure and thrills.
Visakhapatnam
This place once a fishing village today bloomed into the second largest city in the state of Andhrapradesh. Its both an Industrial hub as well as a big cultural centre. APTDC, Andhra Pradesh tourism development corporation is doing an yeoman services to the tourists from all over the world.
Photos : Author