Simhachalam Temple: This
one of the famous Hindu temples located in the city of Vishakapatnam
and is dedicated to the incarnation (avatar) of lord Vishnu who took the
form of a Narasimha or Man-Lion in order to slay the demon
Hiranyakashyapu. This rakshasa (Demon) was blessed with eternal life and
could not be killed by a man or an animal and could not die in the
morning or at night due to the blessing bestowed upon him by Lord Bramha
(the creator). To solve this problem, myth has it that Lord Vishnu took
up the Avatar of a man-lion and killed the demon at dusk. Therefore the
name Simhachalam where simha stands for lion and achalam stands for
“that which is immovable” or a hill.
Borra Caves: These
caves are located about fifty miles from the city and have magnificent
stalagmites and stalactites, the beauty of which is accentuated because
of the lighting provided by the tourism board of Andhra Pradesh. Even
though there is nothing much to see here except for these cone shaped
projections, the caves are believed to be a million years old and many
people visit here to see nature sculpting the stalagmites and
stalactites slowly over a period of thousands of years.
Araku Hills: Situated
about sixty miles from the city are the Akaru hills and these are about
3000 feet from sea level. The journey to this place is unique
especially by train since it passes through 42 tunnels before reaching
the destination. There are numerous holiday resorts located here and
many tourists from Vishakapattnam as well as foreign travelers throng
this place in summer to get away from the heat and humidity which is
ubiquitous in the southern coastal regions of India.
Kailasgiri Hills: Kailasgiri
hills are a must-see location for religious tourists as well as nature
lovers. This hill not only has the statues of lord Shiva and Parvati,
but also has a beautiful park located on the hilltop. There are seven
different points from which a person can admire the scenic beauty of the
valley and the serene atmosphere. Another unique attraction except for
the 40 feet statue of Lord Shiva is the floral clock which is one of the
biggest in the country. The spotlessly clean and green surroundings
also make this a favorite spot for film-makers and the ride on a small
toy train is enjoyed equally by children as well as adults.
Dolphins Nose: This
is a 175 meter outcrop that is similar in shape to a Dolphin’s nose and
a person can get a breathtaking view of the city from this place. It
also serves as a lighthouse for shippers and the light-beam can be seen
as far as 40 miles.
Rushikonda Beach: This
is one of the best beaches in Vizag and also provides opportunity for
water sports such as surfing. The sandy shore of this beach attracts
many tourists and locals who can enjoy swimming in these waters.
Moreover, Andhra Pradesh tourism has built several cottages on this
beach and overnight stays are possible for those who want to spend a
couple of days enjoying the golden sands and the sea.
Ramakrishna Beach: This
is also one of the famous beaches in Vizag and is thronged by locals as
well as tourists. The beach has been developed into a tourist spot and
has a submarine museum, the Ramakrishna Ashram, a Kali Temple, and
various statues. There are numerous hotels located near the beach
including The Taj and the Park hotel which makes this place easily
accessible and convenient for tourists.
Vishakapatanam may not be the best tourist places in India but it
definitely offers many attractions for the inquisitive traveler. Some of
the other attractions in the city are the Ross Hill which has a temple,
a church as well as a mosque and is an interesting place for pilgrims
as well as sightseers. Another interesting place is Bheemunipatnam which
has the oldest Dutch cemetery and remains of 17th century Dutch
settlements. Moreover, the city is also a pilgrim site for Buddhists and
a place called Thotlakonda which has mesmerizing ancient structures
including tubs carved out of stone by Buddhist monks to store water.
This city which has rapidly developed over the years provides an
ambiance which is a potpourri of cultures, religions, and defense
establishments making it one of the unique places in India.
Bird's Eye View of Visakapatnam (Below)
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