Vijayawada is an important port city situated in south India and is considered to be the cultural capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh. The biggest railway junction in the South Central Railway leading to major cities like Chennai, Calcutta, Delhi and Hyderabad, Vijaywada is full of the tourists coming from all over. Being a busy port and a major junction on the Calcutta-Chennai railway line, this city has emerged into an important industrial centre.

Situated at the head of the Krishna Delta, Vijayawada, at a distance of 70 km from the sea and is surrounded by bare granite hills. The place is famous for its rock mountains and the rivers that cut through them. Vijayawada is famous for its delicious mangoes and pickles as also its delicious, spicy cuisine. Attractions in and around the city include the Mogalrajapuram caves, the Kanakadurga Temple, the Prakasam Barrage and Gandhi Hill.

Sightseeing at Vijayawada

Prakasam Barrage : Established in 1957, the Prakasam Barrage is an impressive 1223.5 m long, modern regulator and road bridge that continues across the river Krishna. Its beautiful lake and the three canals that run through the city give Vijayawada a Venetian look. 

Mogalrajapuram Caves : About 5 km from Vijayawada are the Mogalarajapuram caves having three cave temples, dating back to the 5th century AD. Out of the 3 cave temples built here only one is still in better condition with the idols of Lord Nataraja, Vinayaka and others. The Ardhanareeshwara Murthy found here is considered the only one of its kind in south India. 

Hazrathbal Mosque : Hazrat Bal Mosque, a site of religious significance in Vijayawada. A holy relic of Prophet Mohammad is kept here and displayed once a year. 

Kanaka Durga Temple : Kanaka Durga, goddess of power, riches and charity is considered as the presiding deity of Vijayawada. The temple is set on the Indrakiladri hill. The deity in the Kanaka Durga temple is regarded as Swayambhu (self-manifested), hence is considered very powerful. It is said that Adi Sankara visited this temple and installed the Sri Chakra here. 

Akkana and Madanna Caves : En-route to the Kanaka Durga Temple are the rock-cut caves dedicated to Akkana and Madanna, who were ministers in the court of Abdul Hasan Tanashah in the 17th century AD. A short distance away is another cave that dates back to the 2nd century BC, which hosts the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. 

Malleswaraswami Temple : Close to the Kanaka Durga temple is the shrine of Malleswara Swamy on the Indrakiladri hill. Mallikarjuna or the Malleswara as he is known in the Puranas is said to have been installed by Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Panch Pandavas, as a token of their victory of the South. 

Vijayeswara Swami Temple : The Vijayeswara temple is set on the Indrakiladri hill in Vijayawada. The installation of Vijayeswara is said to have been done by Arjuna, to commemorate his victory with Lord Shiva in the form of 'Kirata' (hunter). 

Best Season to Visit : October to March