Srikakulam - Tourism

Tourism

• The Temple of Sun God is located at Arasavilli (old name Harshavalli) which was a few kilometers away from the town is now merged with the town due to the geographic growth of Srikakulam. Dating back to 7th century, the temple is the only Sun God temple in Southern India and was constructed by a Kalinga dynasty king. The Sun God "Sri Suryanarayana Swami" is most worshiped in Andhra Pradesh, and tourists from all over the world visits the temple every year. The historic temple at Arasavilli, built 3000 years ago, where the Lord Sri Suryanarayana temple is, resembles the rich cultural heritage Srikakulam holds. It is popularly called the God of Health.
• Srimukhalingam is another temple in Srikakulam which is believed to have been built in the 9th century. This holy place is on the left bank of Vamsadhara. This is a group of three temples built by the Eastern Ganga dynasty kings in the 10th century AD. The deities are Mukhalingeswara, Bhimeswara and Someswara. All show evidence of the Orissa style of architecture (Indo - Aryan style). The Mukhalinga temple is a veritable art gallery. The temple entrances are marvels in themselves. There is a plethora of sculptural work and perforated windows. The Bhimeswara temple lacks such grand splendour. Someswara temple is rich in sculptural work.
• Srikurmam is 15 km from Srikakulam town. It is in the Gara mandalam on northeast. The only one temple of Srikurmanatha temple in the country is here. The sculpture of the temple is wonderful. The Vishnu temple is architecturally unique. Here the rock edicts of 11 A.D. are available. Sri Simhachalam Devasthanam adopted this temple for improvement.
• Salihundam: On the right bank of the river Vamsadhara, about 16 km from Srikakulam town, there are a number of Buddhist stupas and a huge monastic complex on a hillock amidst scenic surroundings. You can see a mahastupa, votive stupas, platforms and viharas. There is distinct evidence of the presence of the Vajrayana cult. The statues of Tara and Marichi were discovered at this site. From here, Buddhism spread to Sumatra and other East Asian countries. Salipataka and Salipetaka appear to be the early forms of the name of modern Salihundam.
• The shrine of a famous Sufi saint lies in Kalingapatnam. It has an old lighthouse. At present weather research center, Cyclone warning center are working here. The confluence of Vamsadhara is an attractive site. Kalingapatnam is 25 km from Srikakulam.
• Ravi Valasa is about 5 km from Tekkali. Sri Endala Mallikarjuna Swamy is the deity. On Maha Sivaratri and Kartika Mondays large gathering devotees worship this deity. It is believed that the linga is growing an inch every year. According to scripts it was about a foot when it was first seen and went on growing. Now the height of the linga is around 12feet.
• Teli Nilapuram is in Tekkali division, 65 km from of Srikakulam. There is a bird sanctuary here. Winter migration birds from Russia, Siberian cranes, flock here. They build nest on the tamarind trees and migrate to Russia in summer.
• Sangam is 56 km from Srikakulam. Nagavali, Swarnam Mukhi and Vegavati confluence is place here. So it is called Sangam. One of the five lingas Sangameswara is here. On Maha Sivaratri thousands of devotees throng.
• Sri Viswambhara Parampara is a centre for spiritual studies and practices in Sri Vidya, Tantra, Kriya Yoga which is located at Visakha’a’ colony, opposite water tank, Srikakulam. The programmes were conducted by Smt. B. Rama, resigned judge and B. Dhanunjaya baba by the grace of Guruji Ananda Ghana (Alipirala viswam). Ananda Ghana represents the spiritual, the poetic, the envisional, the candid, the instructive, the auspicious and the light-ful, an all-in-one multifaceted personality. He is an authority on Sri Vidya, Tantra, Kriya Yoga and several other scriptures. Ananda Ghana is Bala herself or Subrahmanya or Datta himself while for some others he is Gurudev meaning Parabrahma, Vishnu, Maheswara. This is a personal perception. But he is no man of miracles or of tall claims or of vague promises.
• Ponduru is a small village in Srikakulam, known as the land where the finest khadi is woven. Khadi from Ponduru is famous among khadi lovers of the entire country. Mahatma Gandhi is said to have been surprised at the finesse of the khadi produced here and he preferred khadi from this village. Khadi from this region is exported to countries like USA, Denmark, Japan and Sweden. It is about 20 kilometers from Srikakulam town.
• NANDIWADA BALAYOGI ASHRAMAM: Blayogi is a famous saint in the village nandiwada, ponduru mandal. by the inspiration of mummidivaram balayogiswara swamy he do the tapassu at nandiwada from childhood. He do the tapassu for 30 years continuously. He comes out of his tapassu on every sivaratri only. Many people in India visited the place on siravatri. At present he will give suggestions to the people who are interested to know about yoga and sadhana.
• Rajam is 40 km from Srikakulam. The king of Bobbili Tandrapapa Rayudu at one time stage here. This place is linked with name of the valiant. The famous GMR group started their business here.
• Palasais famous for cashew nuts. The cashews are exported to different parts of the country and abroad. It is located towards the north of the district, close to Orissa.
• Baruva is 109 km from Srikakulam town. Baruva, a fishing and coastal port, is set amidst lush coconut groves and paddy fields. The famous temples are of Sri Kotilingeswara Swamy and Janardanaswamy.
• Kaviti is 13 km from Ichapuram and Sompet. The coastal belt around Kaviti has extensive plantations of coconut, cashew and jack. The area is delightfully scenic. Here are the deities of Chintamani Ammavaru and Sri Sita Rama Swamy.
• Mandasa 180 KM distant from Srikakulam, is a historical place. 700 years old Vasudeva Swamy temple here is worth seeing. Mandasa Fort is also an additional attraction.