Visakhapatnam

Primarily an industrial city Visakhapatnam, as per the Hindu Mythology the city named after the god Vaishaka, is popularly known as Vizag. Visakhapatnam city, head quarters of the Eastern Naval Command, has in the credit of the biggest ship building yard in the country. The major port in Vizag handles huge volumes of Cargo day by day. It is an industrial main centre in South India with many industries flourish.

Visakhapatnam has a rich cultural and historical heritage. Once part of the ancient empire of Kalinga, it has been ruled by eminent kings such as Ashoka and Krishnadeva Raya. It had also been a Dutch colony in the 18th century. Now a comfortable urban hangout, the city offers the best of both ancient and modern worlds.

It is a paradise for tourists of all kinds, whether natural lovers, environmental lovers, wild animal enthusiasts, bird watchers or those who look for physical modern entertainments. Natural beauty is abundant in this majestic city, with ranges of pretty big hills, golden beaches along the Bay of Bengal coastline and natural valleys. The city has maintained its greatest appeal to the tourists all along the centuries. The beaches are against a setting of low ranges of scenic hills and lush greenery spotted with quiet coves and creeks.

Vizag is surrounded by three amazing hills, Sri Venkateswara Konda, Ross hill and Dargakonda. Each hill carries the legacy of housing the shrines dedicated to three different religions. Venkateswara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva on Venkateswara Konda; Church of the Virgin Mary on Ross hill and the tomb of a Muslim saint, Baba Ishaq Madina Dargah on Dargah Konda.

The popular tourist attractions are Kailasagiri Hill Park, VUDA Park, Mudsarlova, Dantapuram, Simhachalam Temple, Rishikonda Beach and Araku, a scenic hill-station. The city breasts a submarine museum known as 'Smritika' at Rama Krishna Beach, the first of its kind in South Asia.