Vizianagaram tourist places

Vizianagaram district General information

One becomes nostalgic when one looks at the proud and undestroyed forts of antiquity. The land, inhabited by high spirited rajahs, passionate poets and writers is not a stone, which is everywhere. Ipso facto it is a diamond, which is rare.

If India is a land of precious stones, one such jewel embedded on the Indian soils is the district Vizianagaram. It is one among the north circars in Coastal Andhra with 34 Revenue Mandals, 12 Towns, 1524 Villages and 22,45,103 population.

Besides its rich cultural heritage the Vizianagaram district has the potential to attract the eyes of the tourists. Nestling between the Bay of Bengal and the eastern Ghats, the landscape of Vizianagaram with its captivating intensity would undoubtedly attract the overwhelming response of tourists. The Eastern Ghats, which is the source of the scenic Thatipudi reservoir, is an eternal inspiration to the admirers of nature. Still some where in Vizianagaram something is awaiting to be known by the naturalists and the ornithologists and spiritualists.

Bobbili is another historical town where the famous Bobbili battle was fought on 24th January 1757. A war memorial was erected on the battleside in 1891. The Government of Andhra Pradesh has recognized it as a protected monument. Bobbili Fort is situated in this ancient town. It stands as a silent testimony to his hard fought battle. The Venugopal Swamy temple located in Bobbili is renowned through out the North coastal districts. There are many more potential for tourists who visit Bobbili.

 The archeological explorations and excavations conducted at places such as Ramatheertam 12 KMs from Vizianagaram are unique and the representative of all three faiths Jain, Buddhist and Hindu. The three hills of Bodikonda, Gurubhakta Konda� and Durga Konda at Ramtheertam contain Jain and Buddhist� relics. It was the abode of both Hinayana and Mahayana, Schools of Buddhism. Commemorative types of inscriptions, seals, remains of chayas, stuphas and monastic cells have been discovered at the site. In the modern period Ramatheertam became famous as the abode of Vanavasa Rama.
Location and Composition

Vizianagaram district was formed on 1st June 1979, with headquarters at Vizianagaram as per G.O. Ms. No 700/revenue (U) Department dated 15th May 1979 with portions carved from Srikakulam and Visakahapatnam Districts.
Vizianagaram District is situated with in the geographical co-ordinates of 17- 15 and 19 -15 of the northern latitude and 83-00 and 83-45 of the eastern longitude.
The district is bounded on the east by Srikakulam District on the west and south by Visakhapatnam district, on the south  east by the Bay of Bengal and North West by Orissa State.
The areas transferred from Visakhapatnam district are mostly picturesque especially in the north. The agency track mostly consists of the hilly regions covered by the Eastern Ghats which run parallel to the coast from the North - East to the South  West. The average height of these hills is over 914 metres, although there are several peaks of even 1,219 metres high.

Soils

The main soils in the district are Red soils, Sandy loams and Sandy clay and they constitute 96 % of the total area. The soils in the district are predominantly loamy with medium fertility. There are mostly red loamy soils, as far as dry lands are concerned and clay loamy in case of wet lands.
Climate

The climate of Vizianagaram district is characterized by high humidities nearly all the year round with oppressive summer and good seasonal rainfall. The summer season is from march to may. This is followed by South West monsoon season,� which continues up to September, October� and November constitute the post monsoon or retreating monsoon season. December to February is the season of generally fine weather. The climate of the hill parts of the district is different from that of the plain.

Rainfall

The normal rainfall of the district for the year is 1,131.0 MM as against the actual rainfall of 740.6 MM received during 2002-03. The district� gets the benefit of both the South West and North- East monsoon.

Flora

The floristic composition of the forests of the district is of much interest. The forest types found in the district are

      Southern tropical moist mixed deciduous forests.

      Northern tropical dry deciduous forests.

      Southern tropical dry mixed deciduous forests.

       Dry deciduous green forests.

       Dry evergreen forests.

Forestry plays an important role in the economy of the district.

Fauna

Fauna in the district is fairly high in the interior hill regions, but it is heavily threatened with extinction. The reasons for the depletion are mainly shrinkage of habitant and uncontrolled poaching. The principal animals and birds found from the seacoast to high plateau are yellow bat, Sloth bear, Wild buffaloes, Fox, Hare, Hyena,� Jackal, Mongoose and birds of the Blue rock pigeon., House crow, House sparrow, Common myna pitta etc. Consequent on the enactment of the wild life protection act of 1972, it is hoped that wild life would improve and attain the past glory.


Tourist Place

Ramatheertam: Ramathirtham is famous for the 1000 years old sri rama temple situated on the bavikonda hill. The beautiful koneru lake is in it's vicinity. constructed by the pusapati kings during 1650-1696 A.D.,the unique feature of the temple is that it is built entirely upon a huge rock. Nearby on a hill, known as Gurubukhatakonda are the remains of enoromous buddhist mahasthupa, which is 19 feet high and 65 feet in diameter,a monestery,chaitya, monastic cells, two votive sthupas, a solid stone stupa,an enclosed courtyard and a pillered hall. In the vicinity are the ruins of a brick shrine with images of Jain Thirtankaras. Furhter up on the hill under a massive hanging rock one can see several jain sculptures Located at 13 Kms from Vizianagaram.

Jami Vruksham: Legend has it that the Pandavas hid their weapons on a "Jami Tree" before embarking on the final year of their exile (Agnathavasam). During their stay, King Dharmaraj and Kunthi installed the idols of Sri Thirupuranatha Swamy and Sri Janardhan Swamy, at this place. 500 years ago villagers found an idol of Sri Madhava Swamy and established it between the earlier two temples and named it Sri Venugopalaswamy Temple The jami tree at the Tripurtantaka Swamy temple is considered to be holy for its miraculous properties. The temple is said to be thousands of years old. Falklore says that the local inhabitants tried to shift the temple but they could not uproot the sivalinga. Modern day gelogists estimate that the Shivalinga extends more than 179 feet deep in to the earth. Located in Jammi on the banks of the river Gowthami, 10 Kms from Vizianagaram

Punyagiri: One of the oldest Shiva temples is situated here.The sanctum has an underground water source which ensures that the Shivalinga is perpetually bathed with water.In the nearby Trimurthi cave,three lingas are installed over which water constantly drops.Considered to be a very holy spot, a large numbers of devotees flock here during the Mahasivaratri festival.Legend has it that one bathes in the waterfall nearby and then has Darshan of Lord Shiva,he attains Moksha. Located at 4 Kms from Srungavarapukota and 25 Kms from Vizianagaram

Kumili: This small village is famous on account of a huge complex of temples built by local devotees over a period of 10 years. The temples are unique with extremely attractive sculptures, paintings on the walls and idols. The temples within the complex are of Ganapathi, Shiva, Kalika Devi, Navagrahalu, Satyanarayana Swamy, Subramanyeswaraswamy, Seetharamaswamy, Anjaneya Swamy and Venu Gopalaswamy. Incidentally, The village was the former seat of the erstwhile Vizianagaram Kingdom and ruins of a mud fort still exist. Located at 20 Kms from Vizianagaram

Govindapuram: Govindapuram is situated in Pusapatirega Mandal at distance of 30 K.Ms from Vizianagaram Town. The magnificent temple here is renowned for its sculptural beauty and is based on the essence of Bhagawat Gita. Gyana Ratham with Lord Krishnaon the chariot is an impressive image which enthralls the visitors. Located at 20 Kms from Vizianagaram

Vizianagaram: The imposing fort foxrmed the nucleus around which grew the town of Vizianagaram. Depicting the past glory of the rulers, the quadrangular stone fort is evident of the knowledge and skillfullness of the builders and architects of those days.An ancient temple of Pydithalli Ammavaru is situated in this town. Legend has it that one of the daughters of the Pasupati royal family was the reincarnation of the pressing deity, Pydithallamma. The local believe that with the blessings of the Goddess one can lead a happy & prosperous life. The idol of the Goddess was discovered on Vijayadasimi day way back in the year 1752. To mark the occasion, an annual jatra is held on21st and 22nd October which attracts large crowds. The Moddukovillu temple is unique in that the Shivalinga in the temple has two different colours, symbolizing the male and female aspects of the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The temple was built by an old woman who dreamt about it on her way to the holy city of Kashi ( Banares). Located 60 Kms from Visakhapatnam

Gosthani Sarovar Vihar: Gosthani Sarovar Vihar is situated at Thatipudi reservoir at a distance of 20 KMs from Vizianagaram town. It is a picnic spot.

Saripalli : Saripalli is famous for “Dibbi Lingeswara Swami” temple. The Chanukyas constructed this temple. This is 1000 years old. The sculpture carved on the temple is beautiful.