Vijayawada City GuideTours | Hotels | Cities In South India
Alappuzha Tour, Alappuzha Travel, Alappuzha Tour Package, Alappuzha in South India:
Location : Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh
Best time To Visit : September To February, Especially During Dasara (Dussehra)
Also Known As : Bezawada
Attractions : Kanaka Durga Temple, Prakasam Barrage,
Amaravati, Undavalli Caves, Gandhi Stupa
Vijayawada - The City of Victory
Amaravati Stup Vijayawada, also called as "Bezawada", is 257-km from Hyderabad and is located on the banks of the Krishna River, and is bounded by the Indrakiladri hills on the West and the Budameru River on the North. Situated along the Chennai- Howrah and Chennai-Delhi rail route, this is the largest railway junction of the South Central Railway. The city forms a part of the Krishna district, spread over an area of 58-sq- kms (urban area).
Vijayawada or the "City of Victory" if literally translated gets its name from the legend, which says it was here on the Indrakiladri Hill, that Arjuna, the Pandava Prince, won the blessings of Lord Shiva for his penance. During the British rule the city experienced significant growth.
In particular, the completions of the Krishna Barrage and the Railway Bridge on Krishna have helped the region expand its agricultural and commercial base. The famous Chinese traveller Hieun T`sang has visited this city. Today, with excellent communications, perhaps the best in the South where railways are concerned, Vijayawada become one of the big business centres of the State. Commercially, culturally and industrially the city is a very flourishing one.
Best For A Temple Journey
The most luscious mangoes, the king of fruits, are grown here and the region is renowned for its tradition of pickle making. So altogether Vijayawada presents a colourful and varied picture and can be termed as a business - cum - pilgrim - cum - tourist centre.
Also accessible from Vijayawada are the towns of Kuchipudi, Mangalagiri and Kondapalli, which are famous for dance, temple and handicrafts respectively. Another important feature of the place is the Krishna Pushkaram an all-India festival that is held once in twelve years.
Prime Tourist Attractions of Vijayawada
• Prakasam Barrage
Completed in 1957, the Prakasam Barrage is an impressive 1223.5m long, modern regulator and road bridge that stretches across the river Krishna. Its panoramic lake and the three canals that run through the city give Vijayawada a Venetian appearance.
• Victoria Jubilee Regional Museum
Prakasam BarrageThe Museum of the Archaeological Department situated on Bandar Road contains beautiful sculptures and attractive paintings worth seeing. 'Buddha' Alluru inscriptions of first and second centuries, and Mahishasura Mardhani are some of the important exhibits.
• Bhavani Island
Located upstream the river Krishna, close to Prakasam Barrage, is Bhavani Island. Make sure you visit this picturesque island that is a fantastic picnic spot for holiday-lovers.
• Gundala Church
Gundala Church is situated on a hillock on the eastern side of the town, at Gundala. It attracts a large number of devotees. A fair is held annually in the month of February, in which thousands of devotees participate.
• Undavalli Caves
The Undavalli caves, in the village of Undavalli, are at a distance of 8-km from Vijayawada and nearly 280-km from Hyderabad. The high hill overlooking the Krishna river hosts fine specimens of cut-in architectural and sculptural models.
• KanakaDurga Temple
Kanaka Durga, goddess of power, riches and benevolence is considered the presiding deity of Vijayawada. The temple is set on the Indrakiladri hill. The deity in the Kanaka Durga temple is regarded as Swayambhu or self-manifested, hence is considered very powerful. It is said that Adi Sankara visited this temple and installed the Sri Chakra here.
Excursions of Vijayawada
• Amaravati
Amaravati is situated in Sattenapalli Taluk of Guntur District and it is famous as the seat of a temple to Lord Shiva worshipped here as Lord Amareswara and also for the Buddhist sculptures, which are world famous. Amareswaram is considered sacred because of three things, the Krishna River, an important Kshetra with a Sthalamahatyam and the Sri Mahalinga Murthy, which are three sacred principles embodied in one.
• Kuchipudi
Kuchipudi, 60-km from Vijayawada, is the birthplace of Siddhendra Yogi, originator of the famous Kuchipudi style of dance. The village is in an area known for artistic divine and literary pursuits. A full-fledged dance school keeps the memory of the great yogi alive by offering courses to train students in the Kuchipudi dance form.
• Manginapudi Beach
Manginapudi, situated at about 10-km from Machilipatnam is noted for its fine beach in the district. The beach possesses tremendous potential with a natural bay and comparatively shallow and safe waters. A beautifully laid park with a fountain and well-lit surroundings further enhance its reputation as a place for relaxation.
• Gudivada
Gudivada is located 45-km from Vijayawada. Gudivada derived its name from the existence of a number of temples in the past. It was also known as "Vidarbhapuri" as per Khandeyayani Kaikaluru Silasasanam of AD 1628. The place was in existence for over 2,000 years and has been flourishing perpetually from the time of the Satavahanas.
• Chandavaram
Chandavaram is located in Prakasam district, 50-km from Vijayawada. It is a Buddhist site of great significance. Take a look at a unique double terraced stupa on top of a hillock known as "Singarakonda" (beautiful hillock). It's probably the only one of its kind in elevation in South India.
Excavations here have revealed more than 30 beautifully carved limestone panels once decorated the dome, drum and railing of the stupa. Apsidal and circular 'Chaityagrihas', 'Viharas' and several minor stupas are located on the hilltop.
Places to stay in Vijayawada
A wide range of facilities for accommodation is available in Vijayawada, from Three Star Hotels to budget accommodation and Andhra Pradesh Tourism Guest Houses.
Nearby Cities of Vijayawada
• Mogalrajapuram Caves : 5 km
• Undavalli Caves : 8 km
• Machilipatnam : 68 km
• Amaravati : 64 km
• Hamsala Devi : 85 km
How to Reach in Vijayawada
Vijayawada is an important link in connecting the three regions of Andhra Pradesh and is a major transit point. Two National Highways, the National Highway 5 from Chennai to Calcutta and the National Highway 9 from Machilipatnam to Hyderabad pass through the city connecting it to other parts of the country. It is connected to other areas of the state, by state highways and district roads.
• Air
The domestic airport located at Gannavaram, about 20-km, from the city connects Vijayawada to Hyderabad and Vishakhapatnam. It's about a 30-minute flight from Hyderabad.
• Rail
Situated along the Chennai- Howrah and Chennai-Delhi rail route, this is the largest railway junction of the South Central Railway. There are a number of express and super fast trains that connect Vijayawada with almost all the important places of the country.
• Road
Good motorable roads connect Vijayawada with all the places within the state and also with the major cities in India. Transport by road from Vijayawada to all the places of Buddhist interest is available in the form of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) buses.
• Local Transport
Tourist Taxis, Metered Taxis, Auto rickshaws, and Cycle Rickshaws are available. The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) operates point-to-point bus services, which connect important places within the city with each other.
General Information about Vijayawada
• Climate : Tropical
• Temperature Range (deg C):
• Summer- Max 45, Min 28
• Winter- Max 30, Min15
• Clothing : Light Cottons
• D Code : 0866
