Vizianagaram

Vizianagaram is located in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh in South India. Vizianagaram is an ancient city of 500 years. The coastal city is bounded on the south-eastern side by Bay of Bengal.

The history of this ancient city is as old as the Kalinga Dynasty of Orissa.In the 4th century B.C the Kalinga Empire extended up to the Vizianagaram.Later it was ruled by the Mauryas, the Chedis, the Satavahanas, the Pitribhaktas, the Marathas, the Chalukyas of Vengi and many other royal dynasties. Thus the city is the witness of many important historical events. In the post-independence time after the formation of the Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam districts, Vizianagaram district was formed in 1979 taking portions of land from the neighboring two districts of Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam.

The city has been the home of many eminent personalities. To name a few:Sri Gurajada Apparao-one of the most famous writer of Telegu literature, Dwaram Venkata Swami Naidu- the famous violinist, Sri Kodi Rammurthy-an excellent wrestler and many others.

Vizianagaram Tourist Attractions

Ramathertham: One of the major tourist attractions of this city is Ramatheertham-a thousand year old temple devoted to Lord Rama .The distinctive feature of this temple is that it was carved out of a single piece of rock. The festivals of Ramnavami and Vaikuntha Ekadashi are celebrated with much pomp and grandeur.

Ramathertham

Bobbli: The famous Bobbli fort stands in testimony to the numerous historic battles fought in the region between the Raja of Bobbli and his enemies.

Bobbli fort

Punyagiri: One of the oldest Shiva temples of the country is located in Punyagiri.The sanctum receives an underground water supply through out the year which ensures that the Shivalinga is perpetually bathed with water.

Punyagiri oldest Shiva temple

Kumili:South India is known for the ancient temples and temple architectures. The Kumili temples are no exception to this.Kumili has temples of Ganapathi, Shiva, and Kalika Devi, Venu Gopalaswamy, Sathyanarayan Swamy, Seetharama swamy, Anjaneya swamy and Navagrahalu within the temple complex.

Kumili Temple

Venkateswara Alayam Govindapuram: Venkateswara Alayam Govindapuram is famous for its sculptural beauty, especially for the sculpture of Lord Krishna on a chariot. Located 20 km away from Vizianagaram, Govindapuram is a village. One of the most prominent attractions of this village is the Gita Mandir. This 90 feet long, 45 feet wide and 63 feet high temple is visited by people from across the world.

Venkateswara Alayam Govindapuram

Jami Vruksham: Jami Vruksham is located about 10 km away from Vizianagaram on the banks of the River Gowthami. According to legend, it is believed that the Pandavas hid their weapons during their ‘agnatavasam’ (exile) in this tree.

Jami Vruksham

During the same time, Dharma Raja and Kunti Devi installed the idols of Sri Tripuranatha Swami and Sri Janardhana Swami (Lord Vishnu) at Jami. Later in the 14th and the 15th centuries, the local people discovered an idol of Sri Venu Gopala Swami. On discovering the idol, they installed it in between the two existing shrines.

According to another legend, in order to shift the temple, the people tried to uproot the Shivalingam but failed. This Lingam is 179 feet long and is fixed deep in the earth.

Gosthani Sarovar Vihar: Gosthani Sarovar Vihar is a famous picnic spot near Vizianagaram city. Situated at the Thatipudi Reservoir Project, this spot is located near the Thatipudi village in the Gantyada Mandal.

This reservoir was constructed in 1968 across the River Gosthani and hence, the site is known as Gosthani Sarovar Vihar. The river originates at Ananthagiri Hills of the Eastern Ghats.

Saripalli: Saripalli, located on the banks of the Champavathi River, is a village in the Nellimarla mandal of the Vizianagaram district. This village is known for the Dibbi Lingeswara Swami temple, which is believed to be constructed by the Chanukyas.

Best time to Visit Vizianagaram: February and October

How to Reach Vizianagaram

Vizianagaram is an important railway junction. It is well connected by road. To reach this place by road from Visakhapatnam, you need to cover 60 km distance.

By Road : The place is connected via roads to other states and cities

By Rail : A rail junction is present at Vizianagaram; it lies on the southeastern railways. The trains connect the place to other parts of the sate as well outside it.

By Air : The airport that lies at shortest distance from here lies at Vishakhapatnam.