Greek tourism shrugs off Eurozone woes

Throughout Greece’s negotiations with the Eurozone, bookings to Greece from the UK have continued to be stable, according to the latest research. The ‘Leisure Travel Monitor’ report for summer 2015 from British-based analyst GfK Ascent has found that bookings taken for summer 2015 up until the end of June were up three per cent when compared to the same period last year.
At the same time, bookings taken in the month of June for summer 2015 are also up three per cent. GfK Ascent’s Leisure Travel Monitor measures gross outbound forward bookings from the UK and is sourced from real booking data from a combination of travel agents and tour operators.
Moreover, according to provisional data recently released by SETE – the Association of Greek Tourism Businesses - gathered from the Greek Civil Aviation Authority, Athens International Airport, and individual regional airports, Greece has seen a 3.2 per cent increase in visitors in June 2015. There has also be a 6.7 per cent increase in airport arrivals from all international markets between January and June 2015.

Four special trains between Tirupati-Secunderabad

The South Central Railway will run four special trains between Tirupati-Secunderabad and Tirupati-Kakinada Port to clear extra rush of passengers The Train No. 07265 Tirupati-Secunderabad Tatkal Special Train will depart Tirupati 16:00 hrs on 21st June and arrive Secunderabad at 04:30 hrs on the next day. Likewise, the Train No. 07266 Secunderabad-Tirupati Special Train will depart Secunderabad at 21:40 hrs on 22nd June and arrive Tirupati at 10:15 hrs on the next day.

Enroute both these special trains will also stop at Renigunta, Sri Kalahasti, Gudur, Nellore, Ongole, Tenali, Guntur, Sattenapalli, Piduguralla, Nadekudi, Miryalguda and Nalgonda stations in both directions. These special trains will have 14 coaches viz, one AC II Tier, two AC III Tier, seven Sleeper Class, two General Second Class and two Luggage cum Brake Van Coaches.Similarly, the Train No. 07263 Tirupati-Kakinada Port Special Train will depart Tirupati 23:00 hrs on 18th June and arrive Kakinada Port at 11:15 hrs on the next day. The Train No. 07264 Kakinada Port-Tirupati Tatkal Special Train will depart Kakinada Port at 20:45 hrs on 19th June and arrive Tirupati at 11:45 hrs on the next day.

Enroute both these special trains will also stop at Renigunta, Sri Kalahasti, Gudur, Nellore, Ongole, Tenali, New Guntur, Vijayawada, Eluru, Tadepalligudem, Rajahmundry, Samalkot and Kakinda Town stations in both directions. These special trains will have 14 coaches viz, one AC II Tier, two AC III Tier, seven Sleeper Class, two General Second Class and two Luggage cum Brake Van Coaches.

Railway Lunches Mobile App for Public Complains/Suggestions

A portal on Complaint Management was launched on 2nd March 2015, both in English and Hindi. However, the mobile application which was launched on same day is available only in English on Android platform.The public complaints and suggestions are being monitored on a real time basis. Necessary instructions have been issued to concerned officials to finalize the complaints at the earliest. However, no time frame has been set to redress the complaints.

Bonafide passengers can send their valuable suggestions also through this newly launched portal. The details of the Railway Mobile App have been given wide publicity through Indian Railways’ Press Release, sharing the details on Indian Railways social networking sites such as Facebook and twitter with URL Rail Min India were also used to publicize this app.This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today. 

Oldest Yogini Temple

 MyNaa Swamy

 The Yogini Temple at Bhedaghat is the largest yogini temple in India. Chausath Yogini Temple is situated on a hilltop in Bhedaghat .Built in 11th century A.D., the temple is the abode of Goddess Durga along with 81 yoginis or shaktis considered to be the different forms of Goddess. Bhedaghat is 25kms from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh.

Yogini Temple is a curious circular cloister of considerable antiquity located on singularly fine and commanding position above a hill near Narmada. The cloister consists of 84 square pillars which results in an arrangement of 81 cells and 3 entrances, two on west and one on south-east.  Most Yogini temples are dedicated to sixty-four Yoginis. Skanda and Agni Puranas also mention about sixty-four Yoginis only. But in Bhedaghat Yogini temple, there are 81 Yoginis.It is rarest Yogini Temple. Deities like Sapta matrikas, Shiva, Ganesha etc.are there. Matottara Tantra, which mentions a tradition of eighty-one Yoginis. Mula Chakra of Matottara Tantra talks about nine matrikas, Sapta-Matrikas with Chandika and Maha-Lakshmi, forming the inner circle of the chakra. Each of these nine matrikas issue nine Yoginis, thus forming a chakra of eighty-one. Bhedaghat Temple was meant for these eighty-one Yoginis.  The statues in the cloister cells can be divided into two groups, standing and seated. Standing statues, five in number, are made of purplish sandstone while the sitting statues are in grey sandstone. 

Gouri-Shankar Temple :The central temple, now known as Gauri-Shankar temple, is probably built after the original circular temple as suggested by Cunningham. It is located off-center of the inner courtyard, which is indeed very peculiar. The main image inside is of Shiva and Parvati sitting on Nandi. Looking at the dimensions of this image and the fact that it is constructed over a pedestal. An image of Vishnu with Lakshmi riding over Garuda is embedded into the wall of the temple.The temple was constructed during the reign of Kalchuri Dynasty and was mainly made with local granite. The design of the temple has been kept simple but the idols of yoginis are exquisitely carved, each one depicting a unique posture. 

Waterfalls: The Narmada, making its way through the marble rocks, narrows down and then plunges in a waterfall known as Dhuandhar or Smoke Cascade. So powerful is the plunge that its soar is heard from a far distance. The falls and the breaking of the volume of water at the crest present an awesome spectacle of Nature’s power unleashed. Narmada becomes turbulent as it plunges in a mighty water fall known as Dhuandhar.  Dhuandhar waterfalls is just 2 Kms away from Bhedaghat town.  

Elephanta Caves

The 'City of Caves', on an island in the Sea of Oman close to Bombay, contains a collection of rock art linked to the cult of Shiva. Here, Indian art has found one of its most perfect expressions, particularly the huge high reliefs in the main cave.

The Elephanta Caves are located in Western India on Elephanta Island (otherwise known as the Island of Gharapuri), which features two hillocks separated by a narrow valley. The small island is dotted with numerous ancient archaeological remains that are the sole testimonies to its rich cultural past. These archaeological remains reveal evidence of occupation from as early as the 2nd century BC. The rock-cut Elephanta Caves were constructed about the mid-5th to 6th centuries AD. The most important among the caves is the great Cave 1, which measures 39 metres from the front entrance to the back. In plan, this cave in the western hill closely resembles Dumar Lena cave at Ellora, in India. The main body of the cave, excluding the porticos on the three open sides and the back aisle, is 27 metres square and is supported by rows of six columns each.

The 7-metre-high masterpiece “Sadashiva” dominates the entrance to Cave 1. The sculpture represents three aspects of Shiva: the Creator, the Preserver, and the Destroyer, identified, respectively, with Aghora or Bhairava (left half), Taptapurusha or Mahadeva (central full face), and Vamadeva or Uma (right half). Representations of Nataraja, Yogishvara, Andhakasuravadha, Ardhanarishwara, Kalyanasundaramurti, Gangadharamurti, and Ravanaanugrahamurti are also noteworthy for their forms, dimensions, themes, representations, content, alignment and execution.

The layout of the caves, including the pillar components, the placement and division of the caves into different parts, and the provision of a sanctum or Garbhagriha of sarvatobhadra plan, are important developments in rock-cut architecture. The Elephanta Caves emerged from a long artistic tradition, but demonstrate refreshing innovation. The combination of aesthetic beauty and sculptural art, replete with respondent Rasas, reached an apogee at the Elephanta Caves. Hindu spiritualistic beliefs and symbology are finely utilized in the overall planning of the caves.

Description

The island of Elephanta, the glorious abode of Lord Shiva and an epitome of Hindu cave culture, consists of seven caves on an island in the Sea of Oman close to Mumbai which, with their decorated temples and the images from Hindu mythology, bear a unique testimony to a civilization that has disappeared. Here, Indian art has found one of its most perfect expressions, particularly in the huge high reliefs in the main cave.

The island of Gharapuri, the 'City of Caves', situated about 10 km from Mumbai on the east side of the harbour, owes its name to the enormous stone elephant found there by Portuguese navigators. This elephant was cut into pieces, removed to Mumbai and somehow put together again. It is today the melancholy guardian of Victoria Gardens Zoo in Mumbai, the great metropolis of Maharashtra State and India's second city population-wise.

The date of the famous Elephanta Caves is still very much debated and varies from the 6th century to the 8th century according to different specialists. They constitute one of the most striking collections of rock-art in India. There are two groups of caves. To the east, Stupa Hill (thus named because of a small brick Buddhist monument at the top) contains two caves, one of which is unfinished, and several cisterns. To the west, the larger group consists of five rock-cut Hindu shrines. The main cave is universally famous for its carvings to the glory of Shiva, who is exalted in various forms and act ions. The cave consists of a square plan mandapa whose sides measure about 27 m.

The interior is divided up into smaller areas by rows of supports. The whole shape carefully imitates a building; false profiled beams have been carved in the roof of the cave and the supports, which are complex structures, combine, from bottom to top, the shapes of the pillars, columns and capitals found in bonded stone architecture. At the very entrance to the cave, to the north of an esplanade reached by a steep flight of steps, the pilgrim or visitor to this high place of Shivaism is greeted by two large carved panels depicting, on the left, Shiva Yogisvara (Master of Yoga) and, on the right, Shiva Nataraja (King of Dance), both treated in a monumental style still close to that of the Gupta period. In a chapel on the right of the entrance stands the cylindrical lingam, symbol of the Supreme Being and principle of all energy.

This chapel has four doors, each flanked by colossal figures of dvarapala, those mediator guardians whose task was to admit the faithful and keep out ill-intentioned visitors. On each wall of the mandapa, enormous high-reliefs (maximum height 5.70 m) present further pictures of Shiva. Opposite the entrance, on the south wall, is the famous and unforgettable three-headed bust of the Mahadeva, whose three faces are the incarnation of three essential functions; to the east, Aghora or Bhairava, terrifying destroyer; to the west, Vamadeva, creator of joy and beauty, incarnated by a woman's head; and in the centre, Tatpurusha, master of positive and negative principles of existence and preserver of their harmony.

On either side of this central figure there are two other reliefs depicting, on the left, androgynous Shiva (Ardhanarisvara) and, on the right, Shiva receiving the waters of the Ganges (Gangadhara). Ten other reliefs, placed in each angle of the main hall and in the aisles to the east and west, depict further episodes from the legend of Shiva, such as the marriage of Shiva to Parvati, Shiva killing the devil Andhaka, etc. The 15 large reliefs surrounding the lingam chapel in the main Elephanta Cave not only constitute one of the greatest examples of Indian art but also one of the most important collections for the cult of Shiva.

(Source: UNESCO/CLT/WHC)

Anantapur seat for many temples

Anantapuram is the district headquarter of Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh. It was the headquarters of the "Datta Mandalam" (Rayalaseema and Bellary districts) in 1799 and Sir Thomas Manro was the first collector for ceded districts. It was also a position of strategic importance for the British Indian Army during the Second World War.

Anantapur District, also known as Anantapuram District, is the largest of the 13 districts in Andhra Pradesh. It is currently a part of the  Red Corridor.

Anantapur lies at the westernmost part of Andhra Pradesh, about 356 kilometres from Hyderabad. It is located along the National Highway 7. The town of Anantapur has embraced modernity, but has not forgotten its historical past. The town is home to many ancient temples, monuments and forts that give a glimpse into the rich historical past of the region. At every corner of Anantapur and its surroundings, there is something to stop and admire.

Some of the major attractions in Anantapur and its surroundings are the beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Lepakshi, the birthplace of Sri Satya Sai Baba in Puttaparthi, the ancient and massive banyan tree at Gutibayalu, Chintala Venkataramana Temple at Tadipatri and the popular Lakshmi Narasimha Temple in Kadri. The region is also well-known for its booming silk and cotton weaving industry. The ancient religious legacies left behind are visible in Penna Ahobilam, Gugudu and Alurkona.

Dharmavaram

Dharmavaram is well-known for its silk and cotton weaving industry. It is about 47 kilometres from Anantapur and is world famous for its intricate and exquisite silk sarees. The place is also renowned for making puppets out of leather. The beauty of the silk sarees from Dharmavaram is renowned. They have broad borders that are adorned by gold brocade designs. The sarees are heavy and do not follow any colour contrast. Each creation is a masterpiece and people will never find two of a kind.

ISKCON Temple

The beautiful ISKCON Temple is located at Somuladoddi. The vibrant pink-coloured temple is amazing. It is constructed in the shape of a chariot and was inaugurated in 2008 by the then governor of Andhra Pradesh, Shri N.D. Tiwari. This spiritual centre is the second biggest ISKCON Temple after the one in Bengaluru, in Karnataka. The well-landscaped gardens and the serene ambience are a major attraction for the devotees. The interiors of the temple are adorned by eye-catching painting of Lord Krishna, with the Sri Sri Radha Parthasarthi being the main deity of the temple.

Lepakshi

The village of Lepakshi is located in the district of Anantapur, about 13 kilometres from Hindupur. The village is famous for its three shrines, which are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Veerabhadra. The Veerabhadra Temple was constructed by two brothers, Viranna and Virupanna. The temple is built in the Vijayanagar architectural style and has beautiful sculptures adorning the walls.

 There is a huge Nandi bull made from a single granite stone. Lepakshi has many murals from the Vijayanagar era and the famous sculpture of the snake on the Nagalinga. Local legend claims that the naga was carved from a single block of stone while the sculptors were waiting for their mother to cook lunch for them!

Tadipatri

The town of Tadipatri is renowned for its two temples. One, the Sri Chintala Venkata Ramana Swamy Temple and the second, Sri Bugga Rama Lingeswara Swamy Temple. According to local legends, the two temples were constructed by two brothers in a single day. Legends also claim that while the former temple was completed, the second was not. Had the temple been completed, it would have turned the place into Kaashi of the South.

The architecture of these temples are influenced by the Vijayanagar architectural style. Besides these two temples, Tadipatri is renowned for its granite industry. Granite mining and polishing are popular occupations. This town boasts of about 350 granite factories.

Puttaparthi

Puttaparthi is a small town located in the Ananthapur District of Andhra Pradesh. It was the home of spiritual guru, Sathya Sai Baba. The town is located on the banks or Chitravathi River and is surrounded by undulating hills. While the small town does not have much to offer in terms of natural splendour and beauty, it is a popular religious destination. The main attraction of the town is Prasanthi Nilayam, or the abode of peace, which was constructed in 1950. The beautiful architecture of the structure and the tranquility can leave visitors spellbound.

Accommodation

Sai Aramam Tourist Complex, Puttaparthi

Rediscover your spirituality when you stay at this serene and tranquil tourist complex. It has 2 air-conditioned suites, 4 standard air-conditioned rooms and 6 deluxe rooms without air-conditioning.

Northern Telangana Karimnagar

Karimnagar District is a district in northern Telangana. The city of Karimnagar is the district headquarters, and has a population of about 3 lakh. The district has two municipal corporations at Karimnagar and Ramagundam.

Karimnagar was originally called Elagandala, by its native people. The district was a major center for Vedic learning and was the heart of the great Satavahana Empire. Later, Nizams changed the name to Karimnagar, derived from the name of Syed Karimullah Shah Saheb Quiladar.

Karimnagar is a city and Municiapl Corporaiton in the state of  Telangana. The city is located on the banks of the Manair River, which is a tributary of the Godavari River.Karimnagar is situated 165 kilometres north of the state capital, Hyderabad.

The city was named after Syed Karimuddin, who is thought to be its founder.Kotilingala in Karimnagar is the first capital of Satavahana kingdom.Karimnagar was formerly known as 'Sabbinadu' and inscriptions of the Kakatiya king Prola II and Prataparudra found at Karimnagar and Srisailam suggest evidence of its rich history.^[1]

The history of the Karimnagar district starts from the Old Stone Age i.e. from 1,48,000 BC. It is evident from the tools, culture and other materials found at different places in Karimnagar. The excavations at Pedda Bonkur, Dhollikatte and Kotilingalu are evidences for history.

From these evidences it is concluded that Karimnagar is ruled by Shathavahanas. After Shathavahanas Mourya Kings, Asafzalu Kings ruled over Karimnagar. The buildings, constructions made by these kings are today remarkable evidences of the history.

The Godavari River and Maneru River flow through the district and perhaps that is why it is blessed with a rich cover of verdant and green forests. The region has seen many rules. The satavahanas were the first, followed by Vishnukumdin, Vemulavada, Chalukyas, Kaktiyas, Qutub Shahis and Asaf Jahi dynasties. While the Asaf Jahis were ruling the region, Karimnagar was made into the capital. It was then that the name of the district was changed. The district and town get their name from a Muslim saint called Syed Karimullah Shah Saheb Quadri.

Kaleshwaram

The beautiful village of kaleshwaram is situated at the confluence of rivers Godavari and Pranahitha, which is a small river of the region. The village is about 125 kilometres from Karimnagar.

Although a small, the village is popular with Shaivites, who come to worship at the Mukteswara Swamy Temple. The temple enshrines two shivalingams on one Panivattam which is a rare sight. The shivalingam present in the temple is believed to be one of the three Jyothirlingams of Lord Shiva and make up the three corners of Andhra Desha. The other two shivalingams are located at Srisailam and Draksharama, which is in East Godavari. Another peculiarity of the temple is dedication to Brahma which is very rare.

Vemulawada

Vemulawada is about 35 kilometres from Karimnagar and is renowned for its Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple complex. The complex is visited by devotees of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu as well as other faithfuls.

The temple is an ancient one and was built between 750 AD and 975 AD during the reign of the Chalukya dynasty. The temple is named after the main deity housed in it, and deity is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The complex has many temples and each one is dedicated to a different deity. The open galleries of the temple and the corridor lined with idols of Lord Shiva are the architectural highlights.

Anjaneya Swamy Temple

Kondagattu Anjaneya Swamy Temple

The breathtakingly beautiful temple of Kondagattu Anjaneya Swamy is about 35 kilometres from Karimnagar. The temple is nestled amidst hills, springs and valley, making the surrounding extremely panoramic and soothing. According to a local legend, the temple was constructed about 300 years ago by a cowherd, who has lost his buffalo. After searching for the lost buffalo, the tired cowherd fell off to sleep and Lord Anjaneya Swamy, who is an incarnation of Lord Hanuman, appeared in his dreams and told him where to look for the lost buffalo. The cowherd woke up with start and looked around the hillock when saw the illuminated idol of Lord Anjaneya Swamy. He then built a temple to house the idol.

Lower Manair Dam

As the name suggests, the Lower Manair Dam spans the Manair River, which is a tributary of the Godavari. The construction of the dam began in 1974 and concluded in 1985. The height of the dam is about 27 metres and it has a catchment area of about 6,475 square kilometres.The reason that Lower Manair Dam is a popular tourist destination is its panoramic reservoir. The shores of the reservoir offer an opportunity to relax amidst the lush green environs. It is a fabulous place for picnics. Close to the dam are two other attractions, the Ujwala Park and Deer Park. Both offer a great place to relax and enjoy onself.

The Place of Citory Vijayawada

Vijayawada is a commercial city, located on the bank of Krishna river in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. It is the second largest city in Andhra Pradesh after Visakhapatnam with an area of 261.88 km. According to 2011 Census, the city had a population of 1,048,240 and the population of metropolitan area is 14.91 lakh.

It is one of the commercial hub of Andhra Pradesh with a GDP of 4 billion (US$66 million).  Vijayawada has been recognised as a Global City of the Future by McKinsey Quarterly. and is classified as a B-1 grade city. It occupies 3%  of Krishna district’s geographical area and accommodates 33% of Krishna District's population.

The city is politically active, agriculturally rich, and is an industrial transportation hub, having one of the largest railway junction in India.  It is popularly known by its historic name "Bezawada" and is also known as the "The Place of Victory". According to Ministry of Urban Development, it is the cleanest city in the state of  Andhra Pradesh with a total of 49.060 points.

Vijayawada history reveals that Bezawada (Vijayawada) was ruled by King Madhava Varma (Ancestor of Pusapatis of Vizianagaram).^[8] The remains of the pre-historic man and society of the Stone Age is found all along the River Krishna, which dominates the landscape of Vijayawada.

The history of Vijayawada is largely shaped by the changes that were brought about in the city by the British rule. The British period was marked by significant growth in the basic infrastructure and facilities in the city. A major project, the Prakasam Barrage was completed and a railway bridge over the River Krishna that connected Guntur City and its district was also constructed. The famous Chinese Huin Tsang had visited this place in 639 A.D. when Buddhism was at its zenith

The moment you mention Vijaywada to locals, they will talk about beautiful springs, mouthwatering sweets and juicy mangoes. Also, known as Bezawada, this city is located on the banks of Krishna River and overlooks the Bay of Bengal. The Indrakeeladri Hill forms a spectacular backdrop to the city on the west.

The city name has mythological connections, as it is claimed that Arjuna was blessed by Lord Shiva at the top of the Indrakeeladri Hill and after that Arjuna created Vijayawada. According to another myth, Goddess Durga rested here after killed a demon and that is why the place got its name. Nonetheless, Vijayawada is a veritable paradise for people to learn more about the region's history and culture. The city is renowned for some beautiful temples, Buddhist shrines and of course, the famous Prakasam Barrage.

Accommodation

Berm Park

Discover the wonders of Vijayawada and its neighbouring areas when you stay at Berm Park. The hotel boasts of beautifully decorated suites, deluxe rooms and standard rooms. The location of the hotel is beautiful with hills enveloping it.

Kanaka Durga Temple

The temple of Kanaka Durga is located in Vijayawada and leaves visitors spellbound. The beautiful and picturesque temple lies on top of Indrrakiladri Hills and enshrines Goddess Kanaka Durga. The hill offers some amazing vistas of the city. There are two routes to the temple. One can take the stairs leading to the temple which can be difficult and arduous. The one route is driving up the Ghat road. Along both routes there are ancient inscriptions that reveal the stories from the ancient times. Local legend claims that Arjuna, the mighty warrior from the Mahabharatha, received his divine weapon, the Pasupatha, at this site and after getting the weapon, he constructed the temple to honor Goddess Durga.

Amaravati

Amaravati is a small town located on the banks of Krishna River. It is about 33 kilometres from Vijayawada and has historical importance. It used to be the site of an ancient Buddhist settlement, which was known as Chintapalli. The stupa at this site was said to be bigger than the one at Sachi. This stupa was built in the 3rd century BC during the reign of King Ashoka. It had gateway at each cardinal point. While these structures are no longer there, one of the gateways was meticulously reconstructed. The carvings on the gateway highlight the life of Buddha. There is a small museum that has collections right from the 3rd century to the 12th century AD and one of the images of Buddha has lotus symbols on the feet with long ear lobes and tight curls. The museum is fascinating.

Bhavani Island

Spread over an area of 133 acres, Bhavani Island is a river island that offers a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is a place to rest, relax and enjoy oneself with its mangroves, well-manicured gardens, pristine woodlands, rolling meadows and shimmering water bodies. Bhavani Island is a popular picnic spot, where children can run around carefree while adults can enjoy the energising and refreshing ambience. Situated in Krishna River, the island is quite close to Prakasam Barrage. There are great boating facilities, which allow visitors to explore the river. The swimming pools on the island are well-maintained and clean. Visitors, who do not want to spend time in the pools, can opt for other watersports or try their hand at fishing and angling.

Accommodation

Haritha Resort, Bhavani Island

Enjoy boat tours and lush natural beauty when you stay at the Haritha Resort at Bhavani Island. Guests will enjoy the unique wooden architecture of the treetop cottages that are elevated on stilts. There also are regular air-conditioned suites that will win guests over with their décor and outstanding service.

Prakasam Barrage

The Prakasam Barrage is built across the Krishna River and is imposing in appearance. It stretches 1,223.5 metres across the river, over a lake and is the largest barrage in Asia. The barrage also serves as a road-bridge. The barrage was built in 1855 and was enhanced in 1957.The three canals that run into the barrage traverse Vijayawada to give the city a Venetian look. The barrage makes a wonderful place to walk leisurely and enjoy the shimmering lake and balmy breeze. Prakasam Barrage is responsible for transforming Krishna Delta into a fertile area and is major grain producing-region of the state.

Undavalli Caves

The Undavalli Caves date back to the 7th century BC and are prime example of rock-cut architecture. The caves are about 8 kilometres from Vijayawada and offer a unique perspective into ancient religious practices. The caves are carved out of sandstone on the side of a hill. While there are many caves, the largest is the one that is most popular for its huge monolith of Lord Vishnu in the reclining posture. This monolith is made from a single granite block and is located on the second storey of the temple, which has a total of four stories. It is believed that the caves were originally used by Jain monks because of its Udayagiri and Khandgiri architectural styles. The main cave is a prime example of Gupta architecture style, which concentrated on primitive rock-cut monastery cells.

Kuchipudi

The ancient hamlet of Kuchipudi is renowned as being the birthplace of one of the most popular dance forms of South India, the Kuchipudi dance. This beautiful and serene village is about 60 kilometres from Vijayawada and is home to the Kuchipudi dance school. According to the locals, Siddhendra Yogi, the founder of Kuchipudi dance, used to live in this village. He is responsible for establishing a base for the dance form and over the years, Kuchipudi not only flourished in India, but also around the world. Visiting this hamlet, visitors can marvel at the site where this extremely expressive dance form originated. The experience of visiting the site of the dance school can be very enriching.

St. Mary's Church

St. Mary's Church, Gunadala, also known as The Mother of Good Health, Mary Matha's Shrine and Gundala Matha Shrine is built on a hillock. Located in Krishna District, close to Vijayawada, this church houses a museum, which has many valuable gifts as well as ancient relics. Most of the gifts housed in the church were presented by devotees. It is said that Father Arlati Pime, who was the rector of St. Joseph Orphanage, made a pathway leading to the hillock and place small statue of Our Lady in 1925. This paved way for the local devotees to visit the statue and laid the foundation for the shrine. On February 11, every year, the church hosts an annual feast to commemorate the appearance of Mother Mary at Lourdes. People from all faiths participate in this festival, which attracts more than 50,000 devotees each year.

Rajiv Gandhi Park

Although a fairly recent park, the Rajiv Gandhi Park in Vijayawada is a major attraction. Located at the entrance of the city, the Park is renowned amongst the locals for its beautifully landscaped lawns and lush greenery. The park has many walking trails, a mini zoo and replicas of pre-historic animals and dinosaurs. The fertile soil of the Park was specially brought in from the banks of Krishna River and it is claimed that because of this the greenery in the Park is flourishing. Many locals are attracted to the Park for its musical fountains, which operate from 7.30 pm until 8.15 pm from Tuesdays through Sundays. The Park stays closed on Mondays. The vibrant flowers, skating ring, aquarium, mini train, target practice area, playpen for kids and a rock fall are other attractions of the zoo.

Victoria Museum

This beautiful archaeological museum was established in 1887 in Vijayawada. It houses many artefacts and archaeological treasures that are extremely well preserved. The main attractions of the Museum are Mahishasura Mardhini (Goddess Durga) and Buddha images. In addition, the Museum has exhibits of pre-historic tools, stone and copper plates, gold and silver coins, weaponry, textiles and pottery. The Museum is home to a huge granite image and a white limestone image of Lord Buddha. The latter shows Lord Buddha in a standing position and was excavated in Alluru. In addition, there are some magnificent sculptures dating back to the 4th and 5th centuries of Lord Shiva that are worth checking out. The Museum is open from Saturdays through Thursdays, from 10.30 am until 5 pm. Entry into the Museum is free.

Gandhi Hill

As the name suggests, this hill is a homage to Mahatma Gandhi, who is the Father of the Nation. The memorial was inaugurated on October 1968 by the then president of India, Dr. Zakir Hussain. Located in Vijayawada, Gandhi Hill is home to seven stupas. One of the stupas, known as High Gandhi Stupa, stands at a height of 500 feet and has inscriptions of Mahatma Gandhi's teachings, just like all the other stupas on the hill. In addition, visitors can visit the Gandhi Memorial Library and planetarium. There is even a sound and light show that is held at the hillock. Gandhi Hill offers an amazing and breathtaking view of Vijayawada, especially in the evenings.

Mogalarajapuram Caves

The Mogalrajapuram Caves are renowned for three temples, which are said to be constructed in the 5th century. One of the temples in the cave has an amazing carving of Ardhanariswara and is supposed to be one-of-its-kind in Southern India. The temples have beautifully carved images of Lord Vinayaka and Lord Shiva in the Nataraja appearance. The caves are located about 5 kilometres from Vijayawada and although in ruins, the Mogalrajapuram Caves offer a unique opportunity to take in the beautiful treasure trove of carvings and sculptures.

Hazratbal Mosque

The beautiful white Hazrat Bal Mosque is located in the heart of Vijayawada city. This mosque holds a special place in the lives of Muslims, as it houses a holy relic of Prophet Mohammed, the founder of Islam. As the Muslims consider the Prophet to be the last messenger of God, this mosque is considered extremely sacred and holy by Muslims. The relic is displayed once and year and attracts people of all faiths. Thousands of believers throng to the Mosque to get a glimpse of the holy relic, as believers consider this day to be auspicious for praying and paying respect. The fact that Muslims and non-Muslims pray side by side on this day is a true indication of the communal harmony that exists in the city of Vijayawada.

Kondapalli Fort

This fort was constructed in the 14th century and has served many dynasties ruling the region. It is located in Kondapalli village, which is about 16 kilometres from Vijayawada. The fort was used as trading centre and during the colonial rule, it served as a base for military training. The area around the fort is a relaxing picnic spot.The fort has three entrance gates. The main gate is known as Dargha Darwaza and is made from a single granite block. It is about 12 feet wide and 15 feet high. The gate gets its unique name from Gulab Shah's tomb. The other notable gate of the fort is the Golconda Darwaza, which is fortified with battlements and towers. This gate functions as a gateway to the neighbouring village of Jaggaiahpet.

 Mangalagiri

Located on Vijayawada-Guntur road, Mangalagiri is an elephant-shaped hill. It is considered to be an auspicious hill by the Hindus, as it houses the extremely beautiful Sri Panakala Narasimhaswamy Temple. The main deity in the temple is Narasimhaswamy, who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This holy temple has the honour of being one of the eight main holy temples in India. At the foothill of Mangalagiri, there is another temple called the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, In addition, the hill is home to a massive Jain temple, which is known as Hinkar Tirtha. Mangalagiri is popular for its religious structures and the lush greenery, which is extremely soothing and beautiful.

Manginapudi Beach

The massive coastline of Andhra Pradesh is one of the main attractions of the state, and this attraction can be enjoyed at Manginapudi Beach, which is located close to the city of Vijayawada. The beach is renowned for its historical heritage and calm, shallow waters, which are ideal for swimming, boating and other water activities. The beach is about 11 kilometres from Machilipatnam, which used to be a thriving port centuries ago, as it served as an entry point into India. Manginapudi Beach has a natural bay, which makes the beach very attractive. In addition, there is a park on the beach which has lush greenery, fountains and lighting features.