Vijayawada Vacations

Golden temple Vijayawada

 One of the most popular temples in and around Vijayawada, it is located on a hill Indrakeeladri overlooking the city as well as the River Krishna. One can either motor up the ghat road or take to the steps on foot. Inscriptions of different dynasties are found in the temple. During Dasara (Durgashtami), lakhs of devotees from the city and its environs throng the temple after a holy dip in the River Krishna close by.

 

The abode of Koanaka Durga, goddess of power, riches, and benevolence, is the presiding deity of the city. The temple is set on the Indrakiladri hill. The deity in the Kanaka Durga temple is regarded as Swayambhu or self-manifested hence is considered very powerful. It is said that Adi Sankara visited this temple and installed the Sri Chakra here.

The beauty of this temple is seen to be believed. The temple is situated on a hill on the banks of the Krishna River. The origin or installation of Kanaka - durga Devi at Vijayawada is unknown. She is said to be Swayambu or selfmanifest. She also takes the aspect of Chandi or destroyer of the demon Durgama who was causing havoc among the peace - loving inhabitants of Dakshinapatha.

       Mother Kanakadurgeswari seated atop the Indrakilaparvatha at Vijayawada is the supreme Goddess of  Andhra Pradesh, attracting lakhs of tourists since time immemorial. This temple occupies a covetable place in the scriptures; for several of the Sivalilas and Saktimahimas were enacted on and around it, making the region a place of unparalleled spiritual eminence of everlasting significance.

Durga Vijayawada

Temple Timings:

4:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Dharshanam Fare:

Dharma Dharshanam    Free
Mukha Mandapam Rs. 5/-
Anthralaya Dharshanam Rs. 20/-
Break Dharshanam Rs. 100/-

Location:

Lesser than 2 km for Vijayawada central bus stand & Railway Station

Gandhi Hill Vijayawada:

Gandhi Hill

The first Gandhi Memorial with seven stupas in the country was constructed on this hill at a height of 500 ft. The 52 ft. stupa was unveiled on 6th October, 1968 by Dr. Zakir Hussain, the then President of India. Gandhi Memorial Library, a Sound, and Light Show on Mahatma Gandhi’s life and a planetarium are the other attractions.

Where: Tarapet main road, Back side of Railway Station, Vijayawada Onetown.

Timings: 4pm - 8:30pm (Tuesday Holly day)

Entry Fee: Rs. 3/-

Impotence: Mahatma Gandhi's Photo exhibition, Train & Planetarium

Train Fee: Rs 5/-

PLANETARIUM
Entry Fee: Rs. 10/-
Below 5 years children not allowed

Rajiv Gandhi Park:

Rajiv gandi park

Created by the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation with great care, this park welcomes the tourists at the entrance of the city with its impressive horticultural network. A mini zoo and a musical water fountain are added to it.

Where: Pandit Javaharlal Nehru Bastand spielautomaten back side, Vijayawada

Timings: Weekdays 2pm - 9pm
Saturday & Sunday 2pm - 10pm

Entry Fee: Adults Rs. 3/-
Children Rs. 2/-

 

Undavalli Caves:

Undavalli Caves 8 kms. From Vijayawada, these caves are said to be carved in 7th century A.D. Buddhist monks used this two-storeyed cave structure as a rest house during the monsoon. A huge monolith of the Lord Buddha in reclining posture is a magnificent sight.

Prakasam Barrage:

Prakasham Barrage

Prakasam Barrage is built across the Krishna River and is located at the outskirts of Vijayawada in Krishna District. Prakasam Barrage is 1223.5 m long and was completed in the year 1957.

The barrage across the Krishna, first built by "Sir Arthur Cotton" more than a hundred years ago and later reconstructed in the 1950s, had been in a state of disrepair since the construction of the Vijayawada Thermal Power Station (VTPS) in 1979, as water level up to a minimum of 17.42 metres has to be maintained to facilitate the passage of water into the cooling canal which carries water to the thermal plant at Ibrahimpatnam.

As VTPS with a capacity of 1,260 MWs (six units of 210 MWs each) is one of the major sources of power to the power-starved State, the barrage could not be depleted for the past 22 years.

prakasham barrage vijayawada

This modern regulator and road bridge stretches across the Krishna River and is named after the first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Sri Tanguturi Prakasam. Prakasam Barrage is one of the earliest irrigation projects of south India and the scheme has transformed Krishna delta into the granary of Andhra Pradesh.

The impressive structure of the Prakasam Barrage stretches 1223.5 meter long across the Krishna River. The barrage serves also as a road bridge and spans over a panoramic lake. The three canals associated with the barrage, run through the city of Vijayawada criss crossing it and giving it a Venetian appearance.

The idea of constructing a barrage across Krishna dates back to 1798. But it took some shape in the hands of captain Buckle and was revised in 1839 and 1841 by captain Best and captain Lake. After the endorsement of Major Cotton, the board of Directors of East India Company approved it on 5th January 1850. The barrage was started in 1852 and completed in 1855. Later the State Government constructed a new regulator cum-round bridge that was named after Sri Tanguturi Prakasam, the first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Completed in 1957 it helps irrigating over 12 lakh (1.2 Million) acres of land. One of the first major irrigation projects of South India, the Prakhasam Barrage in Vijayawada was completely successful in its mission.

Andhra Pradesh largely owes its richness in agriculture to the Prakasam Barrage as the project has helped in the irrigation of huge agricultural lands. The barrage provides gorgeous view with the shimmering lake. The balmy breeze and the placid waters make it one of the major travel attractions in Vijayawada. It is the largest in the Asian continent.

Bhavani Island Vijayawada:

Bhavani Island - Vijayawada

Perhaps one of the largest Islands on a river, Bhavani Island is located on Krishna River close to the city. AP Tourism is converting this 133-acre island into an attractive tourist spot and a River Front Resort. Journey to the island by boat is very pleasant.

Mangalagiri:

12 kms from Vijayawada is the renowned temple of Lord Narasimha in Mangalagiri, on a hillock. The unique feature of this temple is that the mouth of the idol accepts half the quantity of Panakam (jaggery dissolved in water) offered by devotees, irrespective of the size of the vessel.

 

Victoria Jubilee Museum Vijayawada:

Victoria jubilee museum - Entrance

Victoria Jubilee Museum is located on Bandar Road in Vijayawada City. It was constructed in ashlar masonry and is a classic example of the Indo European architectural style. The foundation stone fro the building was laid by Robert Sewell, the then District Collector, Krishna on June 27th 1887, to mark the occasion of Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Queen Victoria’s coronation. The building was constructed to house the industrial exhibition. Later it came under the control of the Zamindaras of Nuzivid, District Board, Krishna and Zilla Parishad of Krishna. In the year 1962 the Department of 

Archaeology & Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh took over the building and established an Archaeological Museum.

In 1921, the All India Congress Committee met here, when Sri Pingali Venkayya of Munagala Samsthana presented the tri-colour falg to Mahatama Gandhi in the presence of other great National leaders like Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhai Patel, Lala Lajapati Roy, Babu Rajendra Prasad, Tanguturi Prakasham Pantulu etc. To this tri-colour flag Mahatma Gandhi added the Chakra (wheel) symbol and declared it as the Indian Notational Congress Flag which was declared as the Indian National Flag by the Constituent Assembly on 22nd July, 1947. Galleries in the Museum are Pre Proto Historic Gallery, Painting Terra Cottas, Bronzes, Bidri Ware, Coins, copper plate inscriptions, Porcelain & Celadon ware, Enamel Ware, Portrait wall, Queen Victoria, napoleon Bonaparte, Madaonna Della Codellino, Mother Mary Adoring Christ, Rembrandt, Rubens Self Portrait, Annexure Gallery, Arms & Armour, Origin of arms and armour, Bows, arrows and quivers, Swords, Daggers, Body armour, Shields, Fire arms, Ornamentation, Sculpture Garden.

Location: The Museum of the Archaeological Department situated on Bandar Road, Near PWD Grounds, Vijayawada
Timings: 10.30am to 5.00pm
Holidays: Every Friday & Public Holidays.

Kondapalli Fort Vijayawada:

Kondapalli Fort

Kondapalli village is situated 16 kms from Vijayawada. A 7th century fort on the hill with an impressive three storeyed rock tower was witness to the glory of many dynasties. It served as a business center. Finally the fort was used as a military training base by the British rulers. A good picnic spot, the village is famous for toy making with light-weight wood available on the hill forest. These toys are famous world-over as “Kondapalli toys.”