Srikakulam, The City Of Sun God: Top Spots To Explore!

Srikakulam is a tourist destination you can visit in the southern part of India in the state of Andhra Pradesh. This city is situated on the northeastern side of the state of Andhra Pradesh. This city is famous for the Sun God Temple located in its territory.

Religious tourism is thus one of the most prominent factors you can witness in the city. Moreover, this city is quite far away from the hustle and bustle of human life providing a calm and loving vibe all around. Srikakulam is also famous for its regional delicacies. So if you are a food lover, you must take a visit to the city and try your hand at the various desserts the city has got to serve you.

Apart from all these, the handloom industry is also popular in the city. A lot of families still depend on the income from weaving Khadi clothes in their looms. Some of the best-rated destinations you can consider including in your Srikakulam itinerary are the following. 

Telineelapuram

Telineelapuram is another rural destination you can travel to while you are in the territory of the city of Srikakulam. This village got popular for the bird sanctuary inside it. It is known as the Telineelapuram International Bird sanctuary. This is one of the best places to visit in Srikakulam.

Pelicans are the celebrity species of birds spotted in the sanctuary. However, these Pelicans can’t be seen in the sanctuary around the year. It can only be seen during certain months of the year when their migration takes place. Researchers claim the presence of around 113 species of migratory birds in the sanctuary.

The most interesting feature is that these migrations happen from European countries such as Germany, Russia, Hungary, and so on. These migratory birds have seen nearby the waterbodies that are found in the sanctuary.

The Telineelapuram bird sanctuary provides an excellent breeding ground for these exotic bird species. Indulging in their peaceful life in the sanctuary can help the soft emotions bloom and flourish in your mind. 

Kalingapatnam Beach

Kalingapatnam Beach is one of the most significant beaches you can visit during your Srikakulam vacation. This beach is part of the Bay of Bengal. It is also specialized by being the end point of the river of Vamsadhara. From the city center of Srikakulam, you will be required to travel a distance of around 30km to reach the destination of the beach.

The Buddha Statue that has been built on the beach is now a perfect spot to click pictures of your Srikakulam vacation. Apart from the statue of Lord Buddha, you can also see a lot many structures near the surroundings of the beach making the entire location perfect for photography visits.

Since the waves on the beach are not that aggressive, playing with the waves the beach is also an interesting activity to do on the beach. Your daytime in the city of Srikakulam can be spent well in the location of this particular beach. 

Ponduru

Ponduru is an urban town nearby the city of Srikakulam. By visiting this vintage town in the location, you would be able to collect a lot of information about the heritage and history of the same. People in the region live by weaving Khadi in their handlooms. So that you can have an authentic cultural experience by taking a stroll through the lanes of this town.

Even in the international markets, the finest quality Khadi manufactured in the location of Ponduru has got relatively higher demand. Even before decades, Mahatma Gandhi; the father of the nation also appreciated the quality of the textile products manufactured in the region.

Single Spindle Charka is another specialty of the handlooms found in the location of this town. The fiber having top-notch quality is also quite impressive adding to the quality and perfection of the textile goods produced here. The Jamdani sarees; another signature saree variant of Ponduru town is also quite popular in the national and international markets as well. 

Arasavalli

Arasavalli is a pilgrim destination located in the city of Srikakulam in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The main deity of worship in the temple is Lord Surya or Sun. You can easily get into the location of this particular pilgrim location from the city center of Srikakulam.

From there, you just need to travel a distance of around 1 KM to reach the exact location of the temple. The temple has also got a rich heritage since its establishment in the 7^th century. King Devendra Varma is the man behind the construction of this particular temple in the city.

Devendra Varma belonged to the Eastern Ganga Dynasty adding to the royal prominence of the temple. Ratha Saptami and Maha Shivaratri are the two auspicious occasions of grand celebrations in the temple of Arasavalli.

The cheering angels surrounding the deity of Surya are another peculiar feature of the temple. Considering all the other sun temples in the country, this is one of the most ancient ones. 

Srikurmam 

Another Hindu pilgrim destination is the city of Srikakulam. Srikurmam is also popular for a temple known as the Kumaranathaswamy Temple. It is also known by the name, Kumaranatha Temple or Srikurmam Temple.

This particular Hindu temple is dedicated to Kurma; an incarnated form of ‘Lord Vishnu’. According to the historical inscriptions and folklore available, it is believed that the temple was a Siva temple during its earlier days which later got converted into a Vaishnava center. The architecture of the temple is also quite impressive and intricate from almost all angles.

You can find a subtle integration of the architecture of the styles of Kalinga and Dravida. If you are someone who would like to explore the complexities of Indian temple aesthetics, you will definitely love visiting this temple during your Srikakulam vacation.

Moreover, the paintings and portraits displayed on various walls and corners of the temple are also aesthetically appealing and historically significant. 

Budhiti

Another cultural visit is possible in the city of Srikakulam. Budhiti is a village area situated in the city. It is famous for the brassware production taking place in the village. The high-quality brassware manufactured in the location has a high demand in the national and international utensils markets.

This particular village is located on the outskirts of the city of Srikakulam. So that if you would like to take a break from the hectic vacation experience nearby the city region, you can definitely consider visiting this calming location. From the city center of Srikakulam, you may need to travel a distance of around 45km in order to reach this cultural village.

If you are visiting this village, make sure you buy something for yourself or your domestic purposes from the metal artisans there. The quality of the product would amuse you moreover, it tightly competes with the import quality items available in the market. And these lamps and bells can be kept as a souvenir of your Srikakulam vacation. 

Baruva

Baruva is a coastal village situated in the city of Srikakulam in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It is also the place where the river of Mahendratanaya river meets the Bay of Bengal. This particular village is popular for the beach it has. Most of the beach lovers visiting the town of Srikakulam make it a point to visit this beach.

Nearby the beach location, there is a pillar to remind and aware the tourists of the ship accident that happened on the beach during the year 1917. History enthusiasts can connect a lot by visiting this pillar and its surroundings.

Baruva Beach is located near Palasa in Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the oldest beaches of AP.#Salihundam #Arasavilli #SriMukhalingam #TeelinelapuramBirdSanctuary #AkupalliBeach #BaruvaBeach #KalingapatnamBeach #AmazingAndhra #andhrapradeshtourism pic.twitter.com/bNbTwL7wg4

— AP Tourism (@Tourism_AP) August 26, 2021

It has also got significant associations with British imperialist rule. The import and export transactions of the British government had taken place extensively through this port during those times. This eventful harbor had its closure years back.

However, this lighthouse was there in the location until 2000. If you would like to explore the agricultural splendidness of the region, make sure you visit the paddy fields and coconut grooves nearby the location. 

Salihundam 

This is quite a different pilgrimage site you can visit during your Srikakulam vacation. Unlike the other Hindu pilgrimage locations, you can visit in the city, this location can be regarded as the pilgrimage site for Buddhist devotees. Proximity to the river of Vamsadhara also makes the shrine and the surroundings quite picturesque in every aspect.

From the city center of Srikakulam, you may need to travel a distance of around 9 miles in order to reach the destination. Buddhist devotees from all over the world travel to the location in order to pay a visit to the shrine. 1919 is the year of the establishment of this particular shrine.

Gidugu Venkata Rama Murthy is the man behind the establishment so he is also remembered and paid respects by the devotees on their visit. Excavations are extensively done in the location so that which also attracts a lot of history enthusiasts to the location. 

Best time to visit Srikakulam: November and December

How To Reach Srikakulam?

Nearest airport: Vishakhapatnam airport

Nearest railway station: Srikakulam Road Railway Station (CHE)

Conclusion

A south Indian pilgrim location with coastal picturesqueness. 

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