Vishākhapatnam, India
Region: Andhra Pradesh
Geographic Coordinates: 17.704200, 83.297800
Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 35.0°C (68°F to 95°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 2035922
Language: Telugu
Vishākhapatnam, Also known as Vizag, Is a beautiful coastal city located in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. It is situated on the eastern coast of India and overlooks the Bay of Bengal. The city has a rich history dating back to the 6th century BC when it was ruled by the Kalinga dynasty. Today, It is one of the fastest-growing cities in India and is known for its stunning beaches, Lush greenery, And vibrant culture. One of the most popular tourist attractions in Vishākhapatnam are its pristine beaches.
The city has several beautiful beaches such as Ramakrishna Beach, Rishikonda Beach, Bheemili Beach, And Yarada Beach that are perfect for relaxing and soaking up some sun. These beaches are also great for water sports such as surfing and jet skiing. Another must-visit place in Vishākhapatnam is Araku Valley which lies about 120 kilometers from the city center. This picturesque valley boasts breathtaking scenic views with lush green hills covered with coffee plantations that produce some of India’s best coffee beans.
The city also has several historical sites such as Borra Caves which are natural caves formed over millions of years due to limestone deposits. These caves have unique formations that attract tourists from all over India. The Submarine Museum located on Ramakrishna Beach showcases INS Kursura – a decommissioned submarine that served in the Indian Navy for over 30 years before being converted into a museum after retirement. For those interested in wildlife conservation, Vishākhapatnam offers an opportunity to visit Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary where visitors can see various species like leopards, Hyenas, Wild boars among others amidst thick forest cover.
Vishākhapatnam’s cuisine reflects its diversity with influences from Andhra Pradesh’s traditional food combined with flavors from other parts of India. The city is famous for its spicy Andhra biryani, Seafood, And street food like pani puri and vada pav. Vishākhapatnam is a vibrant city that has something to offer everyone. From its stunning beaches to historical sites, Wildlife sanctuaries to delicious cuisine – it’s a city that should be on every traveler’s bucket list.
Important Landmarks
- Kailasagiri Hill Park
- RK Beach
- Simhachalam Temple
- Submarine Museum
- Borra Caves
- Araku Valley
- Visakha Museum
- Indira Gandhi Zoological Park
- Yarada Beach
- Tenneti Park
Primary Industries
- Steel Industry: The Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) is one of the largest steel plants in India and is a major contributor to the city’s economy.
- Port and Shipping Industry: The Vishakapatnam Port Trust (VPT) handles various types of cargo including iron ore, coal, petroleum products, and containers.
- Information Technology (IT) Industry: Vizag has become a hub for IT companies with several software development centers and BPOs operating in the city.
- Pharmaceuticals Industry: Several pharmaceutical companies such as Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., Divis Laboratories Ltd., Aurobindo Pharma Ltd., etc operate in Vizag.
- Fishing Industry: Fishing is an important industry for Vizag due to its location on the coast of Bay of Bengal with several fish processing units operating in the city.
- Tourism Industry: Tourism industry has been growing rapidly over recent years due to beautiful beaches like R.K Beach and Rushikonda Beach along with popular tourist destinations like Araku Valley and Borra Caves nearby.
- Chemicals & Petrochemicals Industries: Several chemical industries have set up their manufacturing units around Vizag due to availability of raw materials from nearby areas & port facilities available at Visakhapatnam Port Trust which makes it easier for them to export their products globally at low cost.
- Construction Materials Industries: With rapid urbanisation taking place across Andhra Pradesh, there are many construction materials industries that have set up shop here. These include cement plants, ready mix concrete plants, bricks and tiles manufacturing units etc.
Noteable History
- The city was ruled by the Kalinga Empire, the Maurya Empire, and the Andhra Satavahana dynasty.
- The famous Buddhist scholar Nagarjuna is said to have lived in this region during the 2nd century AD.
- The city was a major trade center during British rule in India and was known as Waltair.
- During World War II, Vishākhapatnam played a crucial role as it served as an important naval base for the British Indian Navy.
- The city is home to several ancient temples such as Simhachalam Temple, Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Vari Devasthanam, and Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Temple.
- Notable people from Vishākhapatnam include former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin, film actor Ravi Teja, and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Nara Chandrababu Naidu.
- The city has also produced several renowned artists such as K Viswanath (film director), Ghantasala (playback singer), and Akkineni Nageswara Rao (actor).
Museums and Things To See
- INS Kurusura Submarine Museum
- Kailasagiri Hill Park
- Simhachalam Temple
- Araku Valley
- Borra Caves
- Visakha Museum
- Matsyadarshini Aquarium
- Indira Gandhi Zoological Park
- Thotlakonda Buddhist Complex
- Yarada Beach
Sports Teams
- Vishākhapatnam, also known as Vizag, is a city located in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India.
- Cricket is the most popular sport in the city and there are several sports teams and clubs that promote it.
- One of these teams is the Sunrisers Hyderabad, a franchise cricket team that represents Vishākhapatnam in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Founded in 2012, they have won one IPL title so far.
- The Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) promotes and organizes cricket activities not only in Vishākhapatnam but also across Andhra Pradesh. It has helped develop young talent from the region and produced notable cricketers over time.
- For those interested in rugby football, there’s Vizag Rugby Football Club which was established to promote this sport among young people. They organize training sessions and tournaments for both men and women.
- Chess enthusiasts can join Visakha District Chess Association which conducts coaching camps, tournaments, and other events to promote chess among students across Vishākhapatnam district.
- Aspiring tennis players can get professional coaching at Vizag Tennis Academy founded by former national-level tennis player Raja Venkatraman.
- Lastly, Visakha Strikers FC was recently established with an aim to promote football among youngsters across Vishākhapatnam district through coaching camps, tournaments, etc.
Cultural Events
- Visakha Utsav is a three-day festival celebrated every January to honor the cultural heritage of Vishākhapatnam. The event features traditional dance performances, music concerts, food stalls, and exhibitions.
- The Beach Festival is a popular event held in December on the beaches of Vishākhapatnam. It offers water sports, beach volleyball, food stalls, and live music performances.
- Ratha Yatra is an annual Hindu festival commemorating Lord Jagannath’s journey from Puri to Gundicha Temple in Vishākhapatnam during June or July.
- Lumbini Festival is a Buddhist celebration that takes place every December to observe Lord Buddha’s birth anniversary. It includes cultural programs, meditation sessions, and exhibitions on Buddhism.
- Andhra Pradesh Food Festival occurs annually in November and showcases the diverse cuisine of Andhra Pradesh with food stalls serving traditional dishes from across the state.
- Vizag Navy Marathon happens around October-November each year and attracts runners from all over India as well as international participants.
- International Fleet Review takes place once every five years (last one was 2016) showcasing India’s maritime capabilities with naval ships from around the world participating in a parade at sea off Vishakhapatnam’s coast.
- Kite Festival celebrates Makar Sankranti (January) by flying colorful kites high over beaches and open fields across Vishakhapatnam city and beyond!
Cuisine
- Andhra-style biryani at Biryani House
- Seafood delicacies at Sea Inn Restaurant
- South Indian breakfast dishes at Idly Factory
- Spicy kebabs and tandoori dishes at Barbeque Nation
- Authentic Andhra-style thalis at Rayalaseema Ruchulu
- Chinese cuisine with an Indian twist at Ming Garden
- North Indian vegetarian food at Kamat Hotel
- Coastal seafood dishes at Dakshin’s Kitchen
- Traditional Andhra snacks like punugulu and mirchi bajji from street vendors
- Filter coffee and sweets from Sri Kanya Sweets
- Kailasagiri Hill Park offers stunning views of the city and the Bay of Bengal. It has a toy train, cable car ride, and a giant statue of Lord Shiva.
- Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is home to a variety of animals such as tigers, lions, elephants, and bears.
- Ramakrishna Beach is a popular beach in Vishakhapatnam with numerous food stalls and water sports activities like jet skiing.
- Yarada Beach is a scenic beach located about 15 km from Vishakhapatnam that offers breathtaking views of the Bay of Bengal.
- Simhachalam Temple is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha located on top of a hill that offers panoramic views of the city.
- Rishikonda Beach is an ideal spot for swimming and surfing with its clear waters and golden sand beaches.
- VUDA Park is an excellent place for families with children as it has various rides like toy train rides, swings etc.
- Bojjana Konda is an ancient Buddhist site known for its rock cut caves containing beautiful sculptures from the 3rd century BC.
- Rushikonda Hills Trekking takes you through lush green forests where you can spot rare species like Indian Bison etc.
- Dolphin’s Nose is a rocky promontory resembling a dolphin’s nose offering panoramic view points over Vizag city.