Delights of Vizag
D.B.N. Murthy

Nestling in the foothills of the Eastern Ghats, with a natural harbour formed in the Bay of Bengal and beaches, Vishakhapatnam has lots to offer. One can begin exploring the city by going up the Simhachalam temple nestling on the top of a hill, 26 km from the city. The temple is an architectural marvel with its towering gopuram, 96-pillared Kalyam Mantap and the 16-pillared Natya Mantap. The presiding deity is Lord Laxminarasimha Swamy, whose idol is covered with sandal paste. The hill is thickly wooded from where one gets a view of the city and its environs.

One might get confused with the name Dolphin Nose for a landmark on the outskirts of the city which is a land projecting into the blue waters of the ocean, shaped like a dolphin’s nose. A lighthouse at the top sends out powerful light beams into the ocean. A modern radar station and navy men’s quarters are located nearby, emphasising the importance of the city as an important port on the East Coast.

The Yerada beach managed by Brook Fields Beach Resort is open to the public on payment of an entry fee. It has a restaurant, playground for children and a beach to walk and enjoy the sun, sand and surf. However, the road is tough to negotiate over the hill and the approach road is not asphalted.

The port of Vishakhapatnam, with an inner harbour, outer harbour, a container port and a fishing harbour, makes it unique. The seven-km-long giant conveyor belt that carries iron-ore from the Baildila mines is an engineering marvel. The ore is discharged directly into waiting bulk carriers for export. What amazes a visitor is the Ross Hill that has a church, a temple and a mosque all close-by, a testimony to religious tolerance.

Vizag, that’s how people still call this charming city, has plenty more to offer the visitors. The Rishikonda beach has sand, sea and surf inviting everyone to come and enjoy its beauty. The RM beach has a long promenade with multi-storeyed buildings. The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, with its toy train, is a must for children and elders alike. The Kailash Giri Park with its beaches and their golden sands, surf, hills gives a bird’s eye-view of the city. The hill has a cable car as an attraction. MGM Selvee World is for children with its many attractions.

Vishakhapatnam is accessible by road, rail and air from important cities. There are AP tourism resorts and guest houses, private hotels and lodges to suit every budget. The weather is hot and humid. The best months to visit are October to April.

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