The History of Visakhapatnam
According to the history, the city was named after the god of
'Valor-Vishakha'. It was a part of the Kalinga Kingdom, under Ashoka's rule
in 260 B.C. It passed on later to the Andhra Kings of 'Vengi'. After this
Pallava, Chola and Ganga dynasties ruled the city. In the 15th century,
Vishakhapatnam became a part of the Vijayanagar Empire.
The Europeans, the Dutch, the French and the English established themselves
from the 17th century onwards and used this as a major trading center to
export textiles, ivory, tobacco, indigo etc. This port is well documented in
the histories of these colonial powers as well as in Indian historical
records. This coast played a major role during the reign of the Asaf Jahis
and the Golcondas.
The City Of Destiny - Visakhapatnam
Vishakhapatnam is built along the seashore of the Bay of Bengal, and is
bounded and broken by the bold headland called the Dolphin's Nose (357m
above the sea level). The city boasts of a beautiful beach with a long beach
road ending at nearly Bheemunipatnam on the northern end. The surrounding
area is dominated on the west by the well-forested Eastern Ghats and farther
east is drained by numerous rivers, among them the Godavari and Indravati.
The city is also known as "Vizag" and is surrounded by three
hills, each of which has a shrine dedicated to a different religion -
Venkateswara temple (also spelt as Venkateshwara) on Venkateswara Konda,
Baba Ishaq Madina Dargah on Dargah Konda and Church of the Virgin Mary on
Rose hill.
A Prominent Shipbuilding Centre
Vishakhapatnam is an important shipbuilding centre; the first steamer to be
built in India was launched in Vishakhapatnam's harbour in 1948.
Vishakhapatnam's port has grown greatly in importance because it has the
only protected harbour on the Coromandel Coast. Agriculture is the mainstay
of the region's economy. There are major industries like Ship Building, Oil
Refinery, Fertilizer, Petro Chemicals, Steel Mills and a Naval base. The
suburb of Waltair, at the north end of the bay, is the site of Andhra
University.
Vishakhapatnam is the true spot where one can find the beauty of Andhra.
From lakes to cool beaches, from beautiful hill ranges to caves and valleys
enclosures, Vishakhapatnam has them all. A visit to Vishakhapatnam will
definitely be exciting, enriching and refreshing experience with all its sun
kissed beaches, caves and temples.
Major Attractions of Visakhapatnam
- Kailasagiri
Kailasagiri is located on a hilltop and is a must to visiting place for
all people visiting Vishakhapatnam. The charming hill on the seafront,
affords a breath taking scenic view, especially towards Bheemunipatnam.
- Rishikonda Beach
Just 8-km from Visakhapatnam is the Rishikonda Beach, a golden,
unspoilt beach, washed by the sun-warmed sea.
- Ramakrishna Beach
One of the loveliest beaches on the East Coast, the Ramakrishna beach
is a favorite resort for tourists visiting Vishakhapatnam.
- Indira Gandhi Zoological Park
The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is located in Vishakhapatnam amidst
the scenic eastern ghats of India, flanked by hills on either sides and
Bay of Bengal on the east.
Festivals
of Vishakhapatnam
The annual tourism event, the 'Vishakha Utsav' is held in Vishakhapatnam
for three days from the third Friday to Sunday in the month of January.
Shopping in Vishakhapatnam
Vizag is better known as an industrial centre, but in reality it is a city
of shopkeepers. For some reason shops in the same trade tend to be located
next to each other, which makes shop hopping and bargain hunting easier.
Earlier the area around Kurupam market with its narrow lanes and poky shops,
was famous for Gold and Silver shopping.
Of late jewellery shops have sprung up in the area in Dwaraka Nagar on the
other side of TSR complex. The entire stretch of road extending from
Jagadamba Junction to the Old Post Office has literally countless shops
selling a wide variety of items. Chandana Brothers, Bommana, Puchala, are
the famous shops, which sell almost all sari varieties. The government owned
/ run Lepakshi is the place for handicrafts.
Places to stay in Visakhapatnam
- Daspalla Hotels Limited
- Dolphin Hotels Limited
- Green Park
- Hotel Jyothi Swaroopa
- Hotel Meghalaya
- Hotel Prince
- Palm Beach
- Hotel Taj Residency
At a distance of about 90-95-km from Vishakhapatnam are the Borra Caves,
which attained historical and religious importance.