On the banks of the River Krishna, Vijayawada is the commercial capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh. It is the second-most populous city in the state. The word ‘Vijayawada’ means land of victory. The city is bounded by Indrakeeladri Hills of the Eastern Ghats. Home to several rock-cut temples, Vijayawada is a city of religious reverence. The city is one of the most rapidly growing metropolitan areas in the country.
Things to do in Vijayawada
Do holy darshan at Kanaka Durga Temple. Go on a tour to Bhavani Island and enjoy various fun activities like parasailing, water-skiing and kayaking. Explore historical sites such as Undavalli Caves, Mogalarajapuram Caves and the ruins of Kondapalli Fort. Visit Mangalagiri Hill and witness beautiful views. Further, go for an excursion to the Rajiv Gandhi Park. Nature enthusiasts can visit Kolleru Lake which is one of the largest freshwater lakes in India. Raise the dose of fun by enjoying the rides at VMC Disney Land and Haai Land.
Tourist attractions in Vijayawada
The major tourist attractions in Vijayawada include Undavalli Caves, Kanaka Durga Temple, Kolleru Lake, Victoria Museum, Kondapalli Fort, Rajiv Gandhi Park, Bhavani Island, Subramanya Swamy Temple, Hinkar Thirtha, Hazratbal Mosque, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple and Sri Panakala Narasimha Swamy Temple. Mangalagiri is revered as one of the eight mahakshetrams in the country. According to mythology, Lord Vishnu manifested himself in the soil of Mangalagiri and Goddess Lakshmi performed penance on the hilltop.
Places to shop in Vijayawada
If thinking about what to buy from Vijayawada, then your shopping list must include Mangalagiri sarees, sandalwood works, Kondapalli toys, Kalamkari artworks, leather puppets and Etikoppaka toys. The main shopping places in the city are MG Road, Kondapalli Market and Besant Road. Stop at Lepakshi Handicraft Emporium in the Gandhi Nagar area of the city. It is the best place for authentic handicrafts and managed by the Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation. When it comes to shopping malls in Vijayawada, PVP Square, Trendset Mall, LEPL Centro and D-Address Mall are worth to be mentioned.
Best time to visit
The period between October and March is considered as the best time to visit Vijayawada.
Modes of transport
Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) and Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) run a good network of buses in and around Vijayawada. Further, auto-rickshaws, private taxis and app-based cabs are the convenient means of transport in the city.
Weather in Vijayawada
With a tropical climate, Vijayawada observes hot and humid summers. The temperature rises to 47 degrees Celsius with an average humidity around 78% during the season. The city gets moderate to heavy showers under the influence of the south-west and north-east monsoons from July to September. The weather turns lovely in winters. The lowest temperature in this season remains 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.
