Vishakhapatnam

Vizag, as Vishakhapatnam is popularly known is a bustling industrial and naval port. It  has India’s largest ship-building yard, the nation’s most powerful lighthouse, the longest metal beach road in the country and the world’s highest broad gauge railway track.

Vishakapatnam(Vizag),  was named after the God of valour, Visakha. Once a small fishing village, it formed a part of the Kalinga empire, under Ashoka in 260 BC., passed on successively from the Andhra kings to Vengi to the Pallavas, Cholas and Gangas. In the 15th century, Vishakhapatnam became a part of the Vijayanagar empire. It was transformed into a port town under the British. Now a bustling industrial and commercial city, it is the country's largest ship building yard. The most famous landmark at Vishakhapatnam is the Dolphin's Nose, a rocky promontory in the port that is 358 mt. in height. The Ramakrishna Mission Beach, on the east cost and Rishikonda, known for their serenity, are popular with tourists.

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Places to See:

Dolphins Nose

Traipse down to the southern part of Vishakhapatnam. Facing the cool, blue ocean, is a rocky promontory about 174 mts high and 358 mts above sea level. You'll be surprised to see the rock looks like a dolphin.

Simhachalam

Drop by at Simhachalam's famous 11th century temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha - a combination of the Varaha and the Narasimha incarnations of Vishnu. The main deity is always covered with sandal paste. The real Shape of the deity can be viewed only during Chandanayatra festival (March - April).

Sun Kissed Beaches

Walk on miles and miles of golden sands. The Ramakrishna beach, Lawsons bay, Rishikonda beach. for swimmers, water skiers and wind surfers, it's just the right setting for a holiday.

Araku Valley

Stop by the Borra Caves and move on to the sights and sounds of the lush green Araku Valley. Journey up to this picturesque valley at an altitude of 3100 feet on the Eastern Ghats in a train. Or you can have a wonderful trekking trip! 46 tunnels and bridges will greet you on the way. Watch smooth flowing, silvery streams flow by. Who knows, you may even bump into a deer or two! what's more, traditional folk dances like the Dhimsa and Mayuri are still performed here.

Borra Caves

Step into the fascinating Borra Caves - About 90 kms from Vishakhapatnam. A million years old, these caves have magnificent stalactite and stalagmite formations. Truly worth seeing!