|
About Visakhapatnam: |
| Area |
: 11,200sqkm |
| Population |
: 35 lakhs (2001 Census) |
| Best Season |
: December to March |
| Average Climate |
: 220 C - 340 C |
| Languages Spoken |
: Telugu, English and Hindi. |
| Clothing |
: Cotton wear |
| STD Code |
: 0891 |
| State |
: Andhra Pradesh |
|
|
| The history of this beautiful town can be traced back to the early days when it was a small fishing village in the Kalinga Empire during the reign of Ashoka the Great (272-232 BC). Later on, this port town passed successively from the Andhra kings of engi to the Pallavas, Cholas and the Gangas, before it became a part of the Vijayanagar Empire in the 15th century. But it was ultimately the British who converted it into a thriving port town on the Eastern Coast. Today, the Visakhapatnam port handles the maximum cargo in the country and is likely to become a leading port in Asia. |
|
| The city has always held an important place on the defense map of India. During British rule, the city was the target of the envying Japanese in World War II. Pakistan too attacked the city during the Indo Pak War in 1972, but fortunately, there was no damage to the city. Today, Visakhapatnam is said to be the heart of the Indian Navel Defense, as the Eastern Navel Command is located here. |
|
| Visakhapatnam is thus a rare mixture of a city with a magical past and a vibrant present. A thriving industrial natural harbour, the nation’s largest shipbuilding yard, the longest metalled beach road, India’s most powerful lighthouse and the world’s highest broad gauge railway track can all be found here. |
|
| Telugu, Hindi and English are the main language spoken here. |
|
|
|
| THE SEASONS & CLIMATE : |
| The main seasons in Visakhapatnam are the hot and humid summer, pleasant winter and the much – awaited monsoon. The area is also cyclone-prone especially during the monsoon months. Like the rest of coastal Andhra, Vizag too gets both the southwest and the northeast monsoon. The first sets in early June and goes on till about September and the second from October to December. The best time to visit Visakhapatnam is from August to October and from January to March. |
|
| Visakhapatnam enjoys a typical coastal climate. Though hot and humid during the summer months, the climate here is generally mild and pleasant. The temperature here ranges from 22°C to 40°C in summer and from 17°C to 29°C in winter. |
|
|
|
| THE CULTURE AND PEOPLE : |
| Visakhapatnam is considered as one of the most peaceful cities in India, with a rich mixture of culture and religious harmony. This city is a unique amalgam of the old and new, where ancient temples now lie in the shadows of gigantic shipyards. |
|
| Thought Visakhapatnam owes its vibrance and cosmopolitan outlook to the various communities from all over India who have come and settled here, the actual credit rests with the warm and gentle original natives of Vizag (Coastal Andhrites). Almost all the religions in India such as Hinduism, Islam, Buddism, Jainism and Christianity are practiced by the respective communities here. |
|
|
|
| THE ART & ARCHITECUTURE : |
| The Dhimsa is a unique dance performed by the hill tribes of Araku Valley in Visakhapatnam District. About 15 to 20 women attired in typical tribal dresses and ornaments, dance to the beat of instruments like Mori, Thudum and Dappu, played by the male members, in praise of the local deity. Much of the traditional art and culture of this region can be witnessed during the Visakha Utsav. |
|
| Though the city of Visakhapatnam was developed mainly by the British in relatively modern times, the temples in the coastal areas are an excellent example of the architecture of the various dynasties that ruled this region. While it was the Eastern Chalukyas who developed temple architecture in coastal Andhra Pradesh, it was the Dravidian style of the Pallavas that made greater progress. The Cholas too introduced some new elements, and the Eastern Gangas introduced the Kalinga style as seen in the Mukhalingeshwara and Saripalle temples in Vizag. |
|
| Other architectural landmarks around Vizag are the remnants of Dutch architecture in Bheemunipatnam ad the excavated Buddhist monuments at Sankaram, Bavikonda, Thotlakonda and Pavuralakonda. Visakha District famous for its softwoods toys made of Ankudu wood. These colourful toys are delicately and skillfully carved from a single piece of wood. Ettikoppaka is known for its exquisite lacquer handicrafts made both by hand and on machine – run lathes. |
|
|
|
|
| THE FAIRS AND FESTIVALS : |
| The Visakha Utsav is a three-day tourism festival celebrated from the third Friday to Sunday in the month of January. The festival presents an inimitable combination of folk and classical dances and music from the region. It also showcases the resources, infrastructure facilities and future plans for the developments of the city. |
|
| The Rishikonda Beach Festival is held on the beach in Vizag from 22nd to 25th December. Craft Bazaars, Exhibition Stalls and Food Courts are the main attractions during these festivals. A Book fair is also held in Visakhapatnam in November – December. |
|
|
|
| THE SHOPPING : |
| There are so many shopping places. Jagadamba junction to the Old post office is the right place to shop for textiles and handicrafts. Silk sarees and the new and upmarket brands can be purchased at Dabagardents Road. |
|
|
|
| PLACES OF INTEREST : |
 |
Andhra University |
|
Anthropology Museum |
|
Aquarium – Matsya Darshini |
|
Dolphin’s Nose |
|
Fishing harbour |
|
Hindustan Shipyard |
|
Indira Gandhi Zoological Park |
|
Kailasa Hill (Kailasagiri) |
|
Kali Temple |
|
Keertana Vanamu |
|
Lawson’s Bay & Beach Road |
|
Mangamaripeta Beach (Creek) |
|
Mudsalova Water Park |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Railway Enquiry : |
Railway information Train Timings : http://www.indianrail.gov.in/inet_trn_num.html
Reservation availability : http://www.indianrail.gov.in/acc_avl.html
PNR number status : http://www.indianrail.gov.in/pnr_stat.html
Ticket booking : http://www.irctc.co.in/ |
|
|
|
| EXCURSIONS : (Distances from Visakhapatnam City) |
| Sl.No. |
Place |
Distance from Vizag |
| 1. |
Annavaram |
124 km |
| 2. |
Appikonda |
18 km |
| 3. |
Araku Valley |
112 km |
| 4. |
Bavikonda Excavations |
20 km |
| 5. |
Bheemunipatnam or Bheemili |
24 km |
| 6. |
Borra Caves |
90 km |
| 7. |
Dudma Falls |
|
| 8. |
Kondakarala Bird Sanctuary |
48 km |
| 9. |
Sankaram |
|
| 10. |
Simhachalam |
16 km |
| 11. |
Tyda Nature Came |
75 km |
| 12. |
Thotlakonda |
15 km |
|
|
