Vijayawada Travel Guide

Vijayawada: Overview

Vijayawada is located about 275 km. from Hyderabad, between the Krishna river and its tributory, Budameru. This is the heart of Andhra Pradesh.
Legand has it that Arjunas penance for a boon from Lord Shiva was answered a top near by Indrakiladri hill. Hence the town came to be called Vijayawada. Vijayawada has occupied an important place in history and has plenty to offer a visitor to the town today.Located, as it was, at the hub of what is perhaps the largest railway junction in Andhra Pradesh, Vijayawada is often referred to as the gate way to the South from the North and East of India. A network of rail and air routes radiate to all parts of India from Vijayawada. The town boasts of good tele-communication facilities.Here is a guide to the sight seeing spots in and around Vijayawada.

The history of Vijayawada can be traced back to the mythological times. The history of Vijayawada or Vijayavata, as it is termed in a few inscriptions, reveals the religious importance of the place. The remains of the pre-historic man and society of the Stone Age is found all along the River Krishna, which dominates the landscape of Vijayawada.

The history of Vijayawada as a cultural and religious center marks an important episode in the history of India. Vijayawada history reveals the power of the prolonged reigns of the Chalukyas of Kalyan and the great king Krishna Deva Raya, on the society and culture of Vijayawada. Vijayawada was even visited by foreign travelers like Hu-yan-Tsang.

The religious history of Vijayawada is manifested in the temple of Lord Shiva on the banks of River Krishna. There are also some other important temples in Vijayawada which includes the Kanaka - Durga Devi Temple at Vijayawada.

The history of Vijayawada is largely shaped by the changes that were brought about in the city by the British rule. The British period was marked by significant growth in the basic infrastructure and facilities in the city. A major project, the Prakasam Barrage was completed and a railway bridge over the River Krishna that connected Guntur City and its district was also constructed.

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