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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

Cave temple at VijayawadaThe 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.