"Satya's Travel Guide: Vizag-The City of Destiny"

Visakhapatnam, also known as Vizag or Vizagapatam, is the largest and most populous city in Andhra Pradesh. It is located between the Eastern Ghats and the coast of the Bay of Bengal. It is a port city with a rich history and culture, as well as a variety of attractions for tourists. In this blog, I will share some of the famous places, temples, foods and industrial details of Visakhapatnam, along with some tips on how to reach them and when to visit them.

Kailasagiri

One of the most popular tourist spots in Visakhapatnam is Kailasagiri, a hilltop park that offers a panoramic view of the city and the sea. The park has several attractions such as a giant statue of Lord Shiva and Parvati, a floral clock, a toy train, a ropeway, a jungle trail and a children's play area. The park is also a great place to enjoy the sunrise and sunset, as well as the cool breeze. The park is open from 6 am to 9 pm.

VUDA Park

Another popular park in Visakhapatnam is VUDA Park, also known as Taraka Rama Park. It is located near RK Beach and covers an area of 55 acres. The park has a musical fountain, a skating rink, a boating lake, a yoga center, a gymnasium and a children's play area. The park also has various statues of famous personalities such as Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore and Mother Teresa. The park is open from 8 am to 8 pm.

RK Beach

RK Beach, or Ramakrishna Beach, is one of the most visited beaches in Visakhapatnam. It is a long stretch of sandy beach with a promenade lined with palm trees, statues, restaurants and stalls. The beach is ideal for relaxing, walking, jogging and enjoying the sea breeze. The beach also has some attractions such as the INS Kursura Submarine Museum, the TU-142 Aircraft Museum and the Visakha Museum. The beach is open throughout the day and there is no entry fee.

Rushikonda Beach

Rushikonda Beach is another beautiful beach in Visakhapatnam that attracts many tourists and locals alike. It is located about 20 km from the city center and is known for its golden sand, clear water and green hills. The beach is also a popular spot for water sports such as surfing, jet skiing, banana boat riding and parasailing. The beach has some facilities such as changing rooms, showers, toilets and food stalls. The beach is open throughout the day and there is no entry fee.

Simhachalam Temple

Simhachalam Temple is one of the most famous temples in Visakhapatnam and Andhra Pradesh. It is dedicated to Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who has a lion's face and a human body. The temple is located on a hilltop about 16 km from the city center and dates back to the 11th century CE. The temple has a unique feature that the main idol of Lord Narasimha is covered with sandalwood paste throughout the year except on one day, which is Akshaya Tritiya or Chandanotsavam. On this day, thousands of devotees flock to the temple to have a glimpse of the original idol which has 16 hands and weapons in each hand. The temple also has some other shrines such as Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Varaha Narasimha Swamy Temple and Lakshmi Devi Temple. The temple is open from 4 am to 9 pm and the entry is free.

Araku Valley

Araku Valley is a scenic hill station in Visakhapatnam district that is famous for its coffee plantations, waterfalls, caves and tribal culture. It is located about 120 km from the city center and is a popular weekend getaway for nature lovers and adventure seekers. The valley has some attractions such as the Borra Caves, the Katiki Waterfalls, the Tribal Museum, the Padmapuram Gardens and the Coffee Museum. The valley also hosts a festival called Araku Utsav every year in February or March, which showcases the tribal dance, music, art and cuisine. The best way to reach Araku Valley is by train, which passes through some of the most picturesque landscapes and tunnels. The train runs daily from Visakhapatnam Railway Station at 6:50 am and reaches Araku Railway Station at 11:05 am. 

Famous Foods

Visakhapatnam is not only a city of sights but also a city of tastes. The city offers a variety of cuisines, ranging from local to international, to suit every palate and budget. Some of the famous foods that one should try in Visakhapatnam are:

- Bamboo Chicken: A tribal delicacy in which chicken pieces are marinated with spices and cooked inside bamboo shoots over fire.
- Murri Mixture: A crunchy snack made of puffed rice, peanuts, fried gram, curry leaves and spices, which is often sold by street vendors.
- Punugulu: A deep-fried snack made of rice batter mixed with onions, green chilies and ginger, which is served with chutney or sambar.
- Kakinada Khaja: A crispy and flaky sweet made of refined flour, sugar and ghee, which is a specialty of Kakinada, a nearby town.
- Pesarattu: A savory crepe made of green gram batter topped with onions, green chilies and ginger, which is served with upma or coconut chutney.
- Ulava Charu: A thick soup made of horse gram cooked with tamarind, jaggery and spices, which is a winter delicacy.

Industrial Details

Visakhapatnam is not only a tourist destination but also an industrial hub. The city has a variety of industries such as steel, petroleum, fertilizer, shipbuilding, IT and pharma. Some of the major industrial units in Visakhapatnam are:

- Visakhapatnam Steel Plant: Also known as Vizag Steel, it is one of the largest steel producers in India with an annual capacity of 7.3 million tonnes. It was established in 1982 and employs over 17,000 people.
- Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited: Also known as HPCL Vizag Refinery, it is one of the largest refineries in India with an annual capacity of 8.3 million tonnes. It was established in 1957 and produces various petroleum products such as petrol, diesel, kerosene, LPG and naphtha.
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited: Also known as RINL Vizag Steel Plant Township or Ukkunagaram (Steel City), it is a residential township for the employees of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. It covers an area of 82 sq km and has various facilities such as schools, colleges, hospitals, banks, markets and parks.
- Hindustan Shipyard Limited: Also known as HSL Vizag Shipyard or Scindia Shipyard (earlier name), it is one of the oldest shipyards in India that builds and repairs various types of ships such as warships, submarines, merchant vessels and offshore platforms. It was established in 1941 and employs over 5,000 people.
- Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited: Also known as APIIC Vizag Industrial Park or Atchutapuram Industrial Park (earlier name), it is an industrial park that houses various industries such as IT, pharma, food processing and engineering. It covers an area of 11,600 acres and has various amenities such as roads, power supply, water supply and drainage.
- Pharma City: Also known as Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City or Parawada Pharma City (earlier name), it is a dedicated industrial park for pharma industries that produces various drugs such as antibiotics, vaccines, steroids and hormones. It covers an area of 2,200 acres and has various facilities such as effluent treatment plant, common testing lab and fire station.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Visakhapatnam is from October to March.

Vizag has something for everyone, whether you are looking for adventure, culture, history, or nature. It is a city that will surprise you with its diversity and charm. So what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to Vizag today and discover its wonders for yourself.