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Visakhapatnam or Vizag, is a very popular seaside destination among Indians and every year throngs of tourists come here to take in the beauty of the sea and the adjoining hill stations. However, most are not aware of the religious architecture of Vizag and that it is a major hub of spirituality as well. The city has had a glorious past and many eminent dynasties have ruled from this kingdom. As a seat of power, the Pallavas, the Chalukyas and the Vengis had made Visakhapatnam a formidable seat of power as well as art and architecture. Much of their love and appreciation for art has been reflected through their temple architecture and one of the first temples in the city was built in the 11th century. It was said that the Andhra kings built the temple because they were fascinated with the beauty of the place. Not only are the temples above ground, some of them have also been recently excavated at sites like Boudharamam, Saligudam and Sankaram. At present, some of the most prominent temples of Andhra Pradesh are located in Vizag and they attract throngs of devotees round the year. Here are some of the notable temples in Visakhapatnam if you are in the city.
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The ISKCON Temple in Vizag is one of the largest religious compounds in the entire city. It has been built by the branch of worshippers who worship Krishna. The priests, monks and saints who live here can be easily discerned because they wear their signature orange drapes and have a tilak on their foreheads that is very Vaishnavite. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, and his siblings Balaram and Subhadra. The idols are carved out of milky white marble and are probably one of the most beautiful ones you have ever seen. This temple was established in 2005 on the day of Akshay Tritiya. Every Sunday, a special feast is organized for the devotees of the temple. The main festivals celebrated here are of course Janmashtami and Radha Saptami. The temple remains open from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm and then again from 4 pm to 8:30 pm. There are stalls inside the temple from where one can buy books on the life of Krishna, the Gita and the books of philosophy by Swami Prabhupada.
Located on the serene and calm Srugamani Hills, the temple is located near the port area and happens to be one of the oldest temples in the city. The temple is said to be constructed by the king Sri Krishna Bhupalada in the 6th century. It is also one of the 108 Vaishnavite temples of Vaishnava Abhimana Khestrams by Sri Ramanuja. Devotees from all over the country come here to pray at the shrine and of course, to marvel at the splendid architecture of the temple. The temple has ahuge and ornate Gopura that is visible right from the port area. Located at the Beach Road, the temple can be easily accessed from Rushikonda. The temple remains open from 6 am in the morning to 12:20 pm and then from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. It is about 5 km only from the railway station. The two most important festivals celebrated here are the Kalyanotsavam and Teppotsavam and naturally this is the best time to visit.
The temple is built for the ever forgiving Sai Baba. The main attraction of the temple is the very life like and life- size idol of the saint himself as he sits on a dark wooden, mahogany throne. The image looks very lifelike and serene. The temple covers about 8 acres of ground and the surroundings of the temple is as serene as the idol of the saint himself. The temple is a huge draw for Sai Baba devotees and who follow his life and teachings. The foundation of the beautiful temple was laid in 1977. The temple remains open from 5:15 am to 8:30 pm. It is located very close to the VUDA bus stop. The main festivals celebrated here are Guru Purnima and Diwali. There are also other shrines of Lord Hanuman, Parvati Devi and Lord Sanisheshwara.
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Durgalamma, who is considered to be a manifestation of the Goddess Durga herself. The idol of the Goddess is astute and serene. It is located in the Arilove district of Visakhapatnam and the temple itself is quite compact and serene. The temple authorities have plans for expanding the temple premises on the acres of land around the temple. The temple can be visited between 6 am to 8 pm. The main festivals celebrated here are the Navaratri, the Dusshera and other important Hindu festivals. Apart from the main deity, any other shrines of other Hindu gods and goddesses are located close by.
The temple is shaped like a tower and has a stunning architecture. The tower is colored in multiple hues and that lends it a very bright and festive look. The temple is one of the oldest in the region that has been built according to the Gopura architecture. There is a spacious lawn in front which is filled with devotees when they come to visit during festivals. The temple should be a must on your itinerary because you have surely not seen such a vibrant temple. The temple remains open from 6 am to 8 pm. There is also a Gosala inside the temple where the devotees can wash off their dirt before they enter to offer their prayers. The main festivals celebrated here are Navaratri and Dusshera.
This temple happens to be one of the most prominent ones in Vizag and is located in the Steel Plant township within the city. It is one of the oldest temples in the city, as it was built in 11th century by a King called Anata Varman Choda Ganga Deva. The architecture of the temple is inspired by the Jagannath Temple in Puri and there are idols of Lord Jagannath, Balaram and their sister Subhadra. The Ratha Yatra is conducted each year with a lot of pomp and draws crowds in huge numbers. The temple remains open from 6 am to 8 pm. The temple is located in beautiful and serene surroundings and there are parks and ponds nearby where people go to relax.
The Ayappa Swami temple is one of the new temples that have come in the city, the temple is located in a very calm and serene spot and this is why many devotees come here just to experience the tranquility of the place. The temple is located on a small hill and it offers great views of the city from the top. One can see the Godavari river flowing a short distance by. The main idol here is Lord Ayappa, although there are shrines of other gods inside the temple as well. The Padi Puja is celebrated with a lot of pomp and the other notable festival celebrated here is Makara Sankranti when many devotees take a dip in the waters and offer their prayers at the temple. The temple remains open from 6 am to 8 pm. It is only about 5 km from the airport and can be reached via cab.
The temple is located on the hills of Simhachalam and the temple is very colorful indeed. The shrine inside has great aesthetic beauty and two avatars of Vishnu reside inside- the Varaha and the Narsimha. The architecture of the temple is inspired from Chalukya and Orissa cultures. The main highlight of the temple is that the deities are adorned with sandalwood paste the entire year, except during the time of the festivals, when they are adorned in full regalia. A large number of devotees come here and in terms of earnings, it comes only to Tirumala. It is also among the 32 Narsimha Kshetrams. The temple remains open from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The main festivals celebrated here are the Kalyanotsavam and Chandanotsavam. The other attractions of the temple are the Kappa Stambham I the Mukhamantapam, which is said to have healing powers and also cures the women of infertility.
One of the most prominent temples around the city, the temple was constructed by the kings of Visakapatnam in the fort area, because of which the area itself is called Burujpeta. It is said that the idol which resides inside the temple was begotten from the local well and established inside it in 1912. While a number of devotees come here, the temple is mainly visited by the women who believe that by offering their prayers, they will become Sumangalis. One of the striking features about this temple is that there is no priest in the temple and so the devotees are free to perform their own pujas to the deity just as they like. The main festivals celebrated here are Navaratri, margasira Masa Mahotsavam. The temple remains open from 11:00 am to 6 pm.
By visiting these amazing places in Visakhapatnam, you will have a clear understanding of the culture and traditions of the land and will help you acquire a deeper understanding of the place.
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April 15, 2024 
