Vijayawada Travel Guide
Location : Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh
Area : 58 sq. kms.
Attractions : Kanaka Durga Temple, Prakasam Barrage, Undavalli
Caves, Gandhi Stupa
Ideal Time To Visit : September To February, Especially During
Dasara (Dussehra)
¤ The City of Victory, Vijaywada
Vijayawada, literally means 'The City of Victory'. It is the third
largest city in Andhra Pradesh. It is located in the Krishna district,
about 275 km from the state capital Hyderabad. Sprawled over an area
of 58 sq. km, the city is also called Bezawada. It is situated on the
banks of the river Krishna and is surrounded by Indrakiladri Hills on
the west and the Budameru river on the north.
¤ History of The City
The city of Vijayawada also known as 'The City of Victory' has a
legend related to it. According to this legend, Vijayawada was founded
by Arjuna, one of the five Pandavas of the Mahabharata epic. It was
set up around the Malleswara temple and Indrakiladri hill to mark Lord
Shiva's Darsan (appearance) he had.
Vijayawada travel guide also provides information on Vijayawada as a
major religious center for Buddhists and Hindus. It is famous as the
hub of Andhra culture. This city was once conquered by the Chalukyas
of Kalyan and was visited by the famous scholar Chinese Xuanzang
(Hsuan-tsang) in 639 when Buddhism reached its peak here.
¤ Major Highlights of The City
Vijayawada is famous for its beautiful Hindu and Buddhist temples.
One of the well known temples of this region is the Kanaka Durga
temple dedicated to the goddess of power. She is also the presiding
deity of the city. Buddhist sites like Amaravati, Gudivada, Ghantasala
and others are also located nearby this city.
The city of victory is also renowned for delicious mangoes, the king
of fruits. The mangoes of this region are mostly used for pickles.
¤ Attractions In Vijayawada
 The
city of Vijayawada is famous for its temples and other culture related
travel attractions. All you need to do is to explore them.
Kanaka Durga Temple
The Kanaka Durga temple is one of the famous temples of this city.
It is dedicated to the goddess of power, Durga. She is also the
presiding deity of Vijayawada. Located in the Indrakiladri hill, the
deity of the is believed to be Swayambhu or self-manifested. It is
said that the temple was visited by Adi Sankara who installed the Sri
Chakra here. Therefore, the temple is regarded as an important temple.
Prakasam Barrage
The Prakasam Barrage is one of the major travel attractions of this
city. The dominating structure's construction was completed in 1957.
The Prakasam Barrage is amazing, with 1223.5 m long, modern regulator
and road bridge that stretches across the river Krishna. One can also
view the beautiful lake and the three canals flowing through the city.
Victoria Jubilee Regional Museum
The Victoria Jubilee Regional Museum was situated by Archaeological
Department on Bandar Road of the city. The museum exhibits graceful
sculptures and attractive paintings. But the highlight of the museum
are the 'Buddha' Alluru inscriptions of first and second centuries and
the idol of Mahishasura Mardhani.
Undavalli Caves
The Undavalli caves are located in the village of Undavalli, at a
distance of 8-km from Vijayawada. There are beautiful sculptures and
architectural specimens on the high hill overlooking the Krishna
river.
¤ Excursions
Vijayawada extends its beauty to the nearby areas also, which are
worth visiting.
Kuchipudi-60 km
Located 60 kms from Vijayawada is the birthplace of Siddhendra Yogi,
originator of the famous Kuchipudi style of dance. This place is known
as Kuchipudi, famous for it artistic excellence. A worth visiting site
here is a Kuchipudi dance school, set up in the memory of the great
yogi.
Gudivada-45 km
Gudivada is located 45-km away from Vijayawada. It is named after a
number of temples present here. This place is over 2,000 years old and
was ruled by the Satavahanas in the past . Since then, it has been a
thriving place.
Chandavaram-50 km
The Chandavaram is located in Prakasam district about 50-km away
from Vijayawada. This place is famous as an important Buddhist site.
The highlight of this place is an unusual double terraced stupa
situated on top of a hillock known as "Singarakonda"
(beautiful hillock). It is regarded as the only one of its kind in
South India.
Other worth travel sites here are the 30 beautifully carved limestone
panels. It is believed that these panels used to adorn the dome, drum
and railing of the stupa. Apart from these there are 'Chaityagrihas',
'Viharas' and various minor stupas. A must visit place.
¤ Festivals
Vijayawada is also famous as the hub of Andhra culture. Festivals are
a major part of this culture, celebrated with great pomp and show in
Vijayawada. Some of the popular festivals celebrated here are the
Krishna Pushkaram, an all-India festival held once in 12 years.
Another festivals called the Sarannavaratri Festival is celebrated for
ten days during Dasara or Dussehra (from Asvayuja Suddha Padyami to
Dasami (September-October).
The festival of Navratri is also celebrated here in the famous Kanak
Durga temple. The deity Kanakadurga is attractively draped and
decorated in different forms for nine days. On the tenth day, that is
one the Vijayadasami Day, the goddess Kanaka Durga along with other
deities, is carried on an adorned swan shaped boat in the Krishna
waters. Innumerable devotees flock the city during this time to
witness the colorful rituals and seek blessings of the Goddess.
¤ Shopping
Shopping at Vijayawada can be quite an experience. Here, you can buy
things like, antiques, handicrafts, jewelery, leather goods, pearls,
and semi-precious stones. Some of the famous markets of the city are
around MG Road, Eluru Road, Besant Road and Governorpet.
The city is also famous for toys, belonging to the nearby toy-making
village of Kondapalli and Machilipatnam. Also look forward to buy
'Kalamkari' paintings for which Vijayawada is famous.
¤ Reach Vijayawada
By Air : The nearest airport
is the domestic airport located at Gannavaram, about 20-km, from the
city. It connects Vijayawada to Hyderabad and Vishakhapatnam. It is
just a 30-minute flight away from Hyderabad.
By Rail : Situated along the Chennai- Howrah and
Chennai-Delhi rail route, Vijayawada is the largest railway junction
of the South Central Railway. There are a number of express and super
fast trains, connecting Vijayawada with almost all the important
places of the country.
By Road : The city has a good network of roads that connects
Vijayawada with all the places within the state and also with the
major cities in India. One can also go to interesting Buddhist places
by the buses of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation
(APSRTC).
Local Transport : For local transportation tourist taxis,
metered taxis, auto rickshaws, and cycle rickshaws are available. The
Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) offers bus
services, connecting important places within the city with each other.
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