Lying on the banks of River Krishna, Vijayawada is the commercial, political and media capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh. The city is surrounded by Indrakeeladri Hills of the Eastern Ghats. Vijayawada is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country. The city is home to several ancient temples and associated with mythological legends. The word Vijayawada means land of victory. Despite a cosmopolitan character, Vijayawada is rich in its cultural heritage.
Things to do in Vijayawada
Pay your visit to Kanaka Durga Temple for the holy darshan. Go back to the ancient era by visiting the 4th-century Undavalli Caves, the 5th-century Mogalarajapuram Caves and the ruins of Kondapalli Fort. Take a tour to Mangalagiri Hill and witness the amazing views. Further, have a trip to the Rajiv Gandhi Park. Witness the natural beauty at Kolleru Lake which is one of the largest freshwater lakes in India.
Tourist attractions in Vijayawada
The top sightseeing spots in Vijayawada include Kanaka Durga Temple, Undavalli Caves, Bhavani Island, Victoria Museum, Kondapalli Fort, Subramanya Swamy Temple, Hinkar Thirtha, Kolleru Lake, Rajiv Gandhi Park, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Hazratbal Mosque and Sri Panakala Narasimha Swamy Temple.
Places to shop in Vijayawada
When in Vijayawada, things you must buy include Mangalagiri sarees, sandalwood works, Kondapalli toys, Kalamkari artworks, leather puppets and Etikoppaka toys. MG Road, Kondapalli Market and Besant Road are the prime shopping streets in Vijayawada. If you want to buy handicrafts, Lepakshi Handicraft Emporium could be an ideal consideration.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Vijayawada is from October to March.
Modes of transport
Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) and Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) maintains an extensive network of buses in Vijayawada. Further, auto-rickshaws, private taxis and app-based cabs are the convenient modes of transport in the city.
Weather in Vijayawada
Vijayawada observes a tropical climate. Summers are hot and humid with the temperature going to 47 degrees Celsius. The average humidity remains at 78% during the season. Vijayawada receives moderate to heavy rainfall between July and September under the influence of the south-west and north-east monsoons. The city experiences mild winters with the lowest temperature falling around 12 degrees Celsius.
Airport in Vijayawada
Vijayawada Airport (IATA: VGA) is situated at Gannavaram, about 13 km from the main city. IndiGo operates around 50 non-stop weekly flights between Vijayawada and cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai.