Vijayawada Travel Guide

Once known as the political as well as publishing capital of Andhra Pradesh, Vijayawada is a vital rail and road link between the North and the South and is now known as 'the city that never sleeps. A major business centre, it is the hub of commercial activity in the coastal area. The Prakasam Barrage, the Kanakadurga Temple, the St. Mary's Church and the Moghalrajapuram Caves are some of the attractions in the city. The number of canals criss-crossing the city gives it a Venetian look. The city has heavy industries like the Thermal Power Station, Milk Products Factory, Jawahar Auto Nagar, Sugar Factory and Cement Manufacturing Units. The newly constructed Bus Station Complex is the biggest in Asia. Vijayawada, is located at the head of the Krishna delta, 70 km from the sea. Earlier known as Bezwada it was an important centre of the Vishnukundin rulers in the 5C -6C and the headquarters of the Early Chalukyas of Badami. The present name is derived from the presiding deity, Kanakdurga also called Vijaya. The city, a major railway Junction is picturesquely surrounded by hills on three sides, with the swiftly flowing waters of the Krishna river on the south. Today it is a thriving business centre and a convenient base from which to visit varied historical sites.

General Information
Population:964,578
Climate : Max. Min.
Summer 41.0C 290C
Winter 30.0C 200C

Access
Air: The airport located at Gannavaram, 20-km from the city connects Vijayawada to Hyderabad and Vishakhapatnam.
Rail: Vijaywada is on the main Chennai to Kolkatta and Chennai to Delhi lines and all express trains stop here.
Road: Well connected by good motorable roads with all the places within the state and also with the major cities in India.

Places of Interest
Amaravati
Amaravati is the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage center in South India. Known for its Great Stupa & Maha Chaitya, believed to have been 32 meters in height and 32 meters diameter, was larger than one at Sanchi, Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. The origins of the stupa go back to the 3rd or 2nd centuries BC. Col. Colin Mackenzie explored in 1797 the wonderful railings, sculptured friezes. More or less all these excavated items are placed at the museum of Madras and Kolkata. Locally known as 'Deepaladinne' or 'Hillock of lamps'.

Bhavani Island
Bhavani Island is located on Krishna River close to the city & perhaps one of the largest Islands on a river, AP Tourism is converting this 133-acre island into an attractive tourist spot and a River Front Resort. Journey to the island by boat is very pleasant.

Hazrathbal Mosque
A holy relic of Prophet Mohammad is kept in the mosque in the city and displayed once a year.

Hinkar Thirtha (Jain Temple), Mangalagiri
A Jain temple here with great artistic work, it is slated to be the biggest Jain temple in the region.

Kolleru Lake
Located 95 kms from Vijayawada, this large fresh water lake attracts several species of birds. The lake is spread over an area of 300 sq. miles and pelicans from Siberia and Fiji Island are seen here during October and November every year. The famous Peddinti Amma/ Jaladurga temple is located here. It is a great picnic spot for bird watchers and nature lovers.

Kondapalli Fort
Kondapalli village is situated 16 kms. from Vijayawada. A 7th century fort on the hill with an impressive three storeyed rock tower was witness to the glory of many dynasties. It served as a business centre. Finally the fort was used as a military training base by the British rulers. A good picnic spot, the village is famous for toy making with light-weight wood available on the hill forest. These toys are famous world-over as "Kondapalli toys".

Kuchipudi
It is the birthplace of Siddhendra Yogi, creator of the dance form. A dance school in the memory of the great yogi offers courses to train students in the Kuchipudi dance form. Kuchipudi, situated 60-km from Vijayawada, is named after the famous classical dance style Kuchipudi.

Manginapudi Beach
Located near Machilipatnam, lakhs of pilgrims take a holy dip here in the sea during Magha Poornami, as it is ideal for sea bathing. Fabric printing with natural colours known as Kalamkari and gold covering are the major village industries, famous worldwide. The Panduranga Swamy Temple, which is said to be similar to the temple at Pandharpur, is a popular pilgrim centre.

Mangalagiri
The Mangalagiri 13 km south of Vijayawada is famous for the renowned temple Lakshmi Narasimha, one of the Nine incarnations of Vishnu. This temple built by the Reddi Chiefs in the 14C on a hillock was remodelled in the 17C to 18C. The devotees believe that the deity accepts only half the quantity of 'Panaka' (jaggery dissolved in water) offered by devotees. There is a small Garuda Shrine in front resembling a chariot.

Mogalrajapuram Caves
Mogalrajapuram caves located 3km east of the city centre has five rock cut sanctuaries dating back to the 7th century AD. The Mogalarajapuram temple has an 'Ardhanarisvara' statue which is thought to be the earliest in South India. Cave 2 shows an overhanging cornice with artificial windows. The idols of Lord Nataraja, Vinayaka in one cave are still in good condition among the worn images of deities.

Prakasam Barrage
The barrage first completed in 1855, located on the outskirts of Vijayawada is one of the earliest major irrigation projects in Southern India. The barrage 1000m long was named after the first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Sri Tanguturi Prakasam. The scheme irrigates nearly one million ha, converting the Krishna delta into the richest granary in Andhra.

Undavalli Caves
The ancient Hindu cave temples of Undavalli is located about 8km from Vijayawada across the river. The temples are atop the high hills overlooking the Krishna river. There are fine specimens of cut-in architectural and sculptural models. A huge monolith of Lord Vishnu in lying position is worth mentioning.