Vijayawada is the major centre for commerce, politics and media in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Situated on the banks of River Krishna, the city is surrounded by Indrakeeladri Hills of the Eastern Ghats. The word Vijayawada means the land of victory. There are several rock-cut temples in the city that trace back to the 4th-century. Vijayawada presents a perfect balance between its modern cosmopolitan character and rich cultural heritage. Vijayawada is one of the rapidly growing metropolitan areas in the country.
Things to do in Vijayawada
Go on a trip to Bhavani Island and pander to various fun activities like parasailing, water-skiing and kayaking. Visit Kanaka Durga Temple for the holy darshan. Walk through the lanes of history 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 experience the amazing views. Further, enjoy an excursion to the Rajiv Gandhi Park. Nature lovers must have a jaunt to Kolleru Lake which is one of the largest freshwater lakes in India.
Tourist attractions in Vijayawada
The major sightseeing spots in Vijayawada include Undavalli Caves, Kanaka Durga Temple, Kolleru Lake, Rajiv Gandhi Park, Bhavani Island, Victoria Museum, Kondapalli Fort, Subramanya Swamy Temple, Hinkar Thirtha, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Hazratbal Mosque and Sri Panakala Narasimha Swamy Temple. Mangalagiri is one of the eight mahakshetrams. As per legends, Lord Vishnu manifested himself in the soil of Mangalagiri and Goddess Lakshmi performed penance on the hilltop.
Places to shop in Vijayawada
The prime shopping hubs in Vijayawada are MG Road, Kondapalli Market and Besant Road. If you want to buy authentic handicrafts, then make a visit to Lepakshi Handicraft Emporium in the Gandhi Nagar area of the city. The store is 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 ideal 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) 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
Vijayawada has a tropical climate. Summers are hot and humid with the temperature rising to 47 degrees Celsius. The average humidity remains at 78% during the season. Between July and September, Vijayawada observes moderate to heavy rainfall under the influence of the south-west and north-east monsoons. The city weather turns quite pleasant in winters. The lowest temperature in this season falls 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.