Vizag

Vizag!!!
The name is enough to bring a smile on our face, make us feel the pleasant breeze of the sea, the soothing touch of beach sand under our feet. Once if we visit the city we’ll happen to grow an emotional relation with it. But there are many more things unknown to the people. This city has its fair share of history and we would depict some of the countless things that make Vizag synonymous with splendidness.

The city is home for INDIA”S FIRST NAVAL BASE. The Eastern Naval Command established one of its 3 Major bases in Vishakhapatnam which is also its headquarters and is responsible for states of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Navy Day is celebrated on December 4th of every year in celebration of Victory at Sea against Pakistan in 1971 war. The event displays the power and fleet of the Indian Navy. One must attend this event, Beach Road will flood with spectators watching the Magnificent Navy fleet exhibiting the strength at the Sea. And on account of Navy day, they organize an exhibition for 3 days in the naval grounds. It is one of the best exhibition in the state. People from different places come and visit it.

It Hosts two of the Largest ports in the country. Visakhapatnam is the only city in the whole country which consists of two ports. While the Vishakhapatnam port is one of 13 major ports in India and the only major port of Andhra Pradesh which also happened to be   India’s second largest port by volume of cargo handled has been opened in 1933. The Gangavaram Port, India’s deepest port was inaugurated in 2009.

Vizag consists of first SUBMARINE museum in South ASIAIN. S Kursura is one of the first four sub marines bought by the Indian navy in 1969. It played a key role in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. It was decommissioned in 2001, Upon which it was established as a Submarine museum in Rama krishna beach of Vizag on 9 August 2002, The project was designed and lobbied to be sanctioned by Andhra Pradesh state C.M. Mr.Nara Chandrababu Naidu making it South Asia’s 1st and world’s 2nd submarine museum.

There are traces of Buddhists in Vizag,Buddhist relics found in the Thotlakonda Buddhist Complex and is estimated to be date back from the 1st century BC to 2nd century AD. I mean Buddhists used to reside at this place. The shipyard in Vizag is known to be the India’s Oldest Shipyard. Yes, you heard it right. Hindustan Shipyard Limited is India’s first and the oldest shipyard established earlier back in 1941 During the world war 2 era. As of 2009, it had built over 170 vessels and repaired almost 2000 ships and it is also known for conducting repairs for Indian Navy submarines. It is also equipped to construct nuclear-powered submarines.

It is considered as Land of Lord Narasimha, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. According to ancient scripts, Simhachalam, the Lord Narasimha temple which is located only 25 kms away from Vizag City is the place at which Lord Vishnu reincarnated in the form of Lord Narasimha responding to the prayers of Bhaktha Prahalada to end the troubles and carnage being caused by the demon Hiranyakashyapa to restore order and faith. This temple is later developed by Krishnadevaraya , The King of Vijayanagara and still it is maintained by their inherits. Here the Idol of Lord Narasimha is always covered by the coats of Sandalwood, and only once in a year this coatings are removed and actual idol is given. That particular mahotsav is called Chandanotsavam and it is quite famous. Pilgrims from many places and come and visit the real idol of Lord Narasimha and pray for his grace.

Another unknown fact is that Alluri Seetharamaraju is from Visakhapatnam district. This is the place that molded Alluri seeta rama raju a famous Indian revolutionary of Independence movement during his teen years. He enrolled at Mrs. A.V.N. College for his higher studies and it is there he was inspired to free his country. He is crowned with the title “Manyam Veerudu” (Hero of jungles) by the Telugu people.