The statues of Parvati and Shiv atop Kailashgiri mountain

Legend has it that a local king, on pilgrimage to Kashi (Varanasi) from deep down south in the 4^th century was so fascinated by the beauty and the spiritual calm of the place, that he built a temple of Goddess Visakha right on the beach. Hence the name Vishakhapatnam, or just Vizag. Though the temple, it is believed, was later engulfed by the notorious waves, known to hit the Coromandal coast with appalling frequency and adamancy, the calm and beauty of the place that had fascinated the king has stayed intact ever since. But the human mind, not contained by the tranquility of the picturesque coastal town, has, over a period of time, lent its splendour a rejuvenating infrastructural twist that is hard to miss. And the result: Not only has the endeavour served to intensify the appeal of the place for the traveler, it has also accorded the place unmistakable and sustaining eco-sensitive vibrancy.

Today, watched over by a rolling landscape of a string of low but determined mountains of the Eastern Ghats, the deep blue waters of the Bay of Bengal gently sweep the golden shores of this bursting port city that is the second largest in the state of Andhra Pradesh with a frothy excitement. In short, Vizag is a perfect getaway for the ever evolving Indian tourist who is increasingly demanding more from a business trip pleasure. Because there is a lot of it here.

Impressed to the hilt by the several exciting shopping options, numerous places of interest, a fiery but flavourful local cuisine, broad roads and unpolluted city offering many staying options from five stars to budget options and friendly locals, I would like to strongly recommend Vizag as a perfect getaway for a weekend. Connected well by air, road and rail from all major towns of South India and most town of north India, it is hardly a surprise why the town was vied by so many before independence: the Hindus, the Dutch, the British, the Mughals and finally once again the British, in that order.

The rope way to the Kailashgiri hill top

Located atop a 365 feet hill amidst the undulating green humps of the Eastern Ghats, just outside the town is the most famous visiting spot called the Kailashgiri hill. Though one can access the hilltop hula-looping the beautiful leveled road all the way right up to the top, a 2004 commissioned is a better option that provides the traveler a 360 degrees view and that felling of exhilaration that only capsule lifts can bring. If one thing that impresses the visitor are the superb handmade sculptures that adorn the 380 acres of the park area, the 80 feet plus statues of lord Shiv and Goddess Parvati towering over the entire area simply takes the breath away. There are more than a dozen points that offer stupendous views both of the town and the sea beyond on one side and the stretch of the mountain range on the other. Be prepared to take at least fifty snaps (no exaggeration!) from your shutterbug.

An enchanting view of the beach and the town from Kailashgiri

The war memorial at the Ramakrishna beach

A giant turtle on the beach

An aquarium at the beach

You will find everyone at the Ramakrishna beach or simply the RK Beach. So it is not a problem if your group has got dispersed and you are worried. From cuddling couples, to city walkers, to tourists, everyone just loves this beach and the adjoining road. The road runs a fair distance of about five kilometers with broad sidewalks, gently kissed by sun sizzled sand. Right next to it is the sea. Just a stroll on the road will smear the sweet smell of sea through an invigorating message by the gentle winds that blow onto you directly from the sea. And while the poetic lobe of your brain will wander out of hibernation, your eyes will sample some of the most unusual spots the city has to offer. From a beautiful war memorial that stands to commemorate the Indian win in the 1971 war over the Pakis, to giant dragons, animals, a beautiful temple right on the beachand an aquarium,the beach road offers a lot.

Kursura submarine museum

Heralded as first of its kind in the entire south Asia, Kursura submarine Museum was inaugurated in 2002 and has a real Soviet built I -641 class of sub, INS Kursura, at display. The 1969 commissioned and 2001 decommissioned submarine, that is 91 meters long and 8 meters wide, is placed right on the beach with its entire weapon system and compartments that can be accessed by the visitors.

Pochampalli sarees

No one can leave the city without being bowled over by the sensuous drape: the Pochampalli saris. Though made by the weavers located within a distance of about 100 kilometers from capitol Hyderabad, there are many big stores that sell the Pochampalli variety of saris here. From subtle shades and hues to vibrant colours, the design and feel of the pattern is simply too difficult to resist.