Buddhist influence

The epic city

The city has been mentioned in the Indian epics Rāmāyana and Mahābhārata, as well as the forests of the Eastern Ghats where the two brothers Rama and Lakshmana wandered in search of Sita, wife of Lord Rama. According to the epics, Rama formed his army of monkey men in the region with the help of Hanuman and Jambavant. The monkey army of Rama later defeated the King Ravan to claim back his wife Sita. An episode of Mahābhārata when Bheema killed the demon Bakasura, was believed to have happened in the village Karmanvati, just 40 km from the city.
This place is been blessed abundantly by Holy Son, Father & Holy Spirit. It has been home to many Christ worshippers & many revival sessions happen in Vizag to spread the word of Jesus in to peopl who has not realised him. There are lot of christians in this city especially in places like Bheemili, Vizag main city, Steel plant etc.

Statue of lord buddha Thotlakonda

Famous Personalities from Vizag: It has been the place for many famous personalities like SriSri (Great Poet), Devika Rani, Sandeep Royal Bhaktula who has taken the name of Vizag to next levels @ international arena.

[edit] Buddhist influence

The religious Hindu texts mention that the region of Visakhapatnam in the 5th century BC was part of the vast Kalinga territory which extended up to the Godavari River. The relics found in the area also prove the existence of a Buddhist empire in the region. Kalinga later lost the territory to King Ashoka in the bloodiest battle of the time which prompted him to embrace Buddhism.

[edit] Sankaram

One of the most significant Buddhist sites in Andhra Pradesh, Sankaram is located some 41 km away from Visakhapatnam. The name Sankaram derives from the term Sangharama. Sankaram is famous for the whole lot of votive stupas, rock-cut caves, brick-built structural edifices, early historic pottery and Satavahana coins that date back to the 1st century AD. The main stupa here was initially carved out of rock and then covered with bricks. In close proximity lies yet another significant Buddhist sites, Bojjannakonda, where you can see a number of images of the Buddha carved on the rock face of the caves. At Ligalametta, there are hundreds of rock cut monolithic stupas in rows, spread all over the hill. Among other Buddhist attractions here are relic casket, three chiatya halls, votive platforms, stupas and Vajrayana sculptures. The Vihara was functional for around a millennium and saw the development of the not only Theravada form of Buddhism but also Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism.

Etymology and history

Etymology and history

3rd century BC Buddhist ruins of Thotlakonda

Visakhapatnam was ruled by King Visakha Varma during BC's, according to Hindu Puranams. It was a part of the Kalinga Kingdom, under Ashoka's rule in 260 B.C.Till 16th century it was part of Utkala Kingdom. It passed on later to the Andhra Kings of Vengi and later to Pallavas. Another story of this place is it was named after Subrahmanyeswara, the deity of valour, the second son of Lord Shiva. The beauty of the place was often compared to the beauty of Sakhi Visakha. The legend is that Radha and Visakha were born on the same day and were equally beautiful. Locals believe that an Andhra king, impressed by the beauty, built a temple to pay obeisance to his family deity, Visakha.

Overview

Overview

Sunrise at Tenneti park in Visakhapatnam of Andhra Pradesh, India

Aerial view of Visakhapatnam port

Apart from being a major seaport on the east coast of India, Visakhapatnam is primarily an industrial city. It is also home to the Eastern Naval Command.
The city sometimes goes by its now mostly defunct colonial British name, Waltair. During the colonial era, the city's hub was the Waltair Railway Station, and the surrounding part of the city is still called Waltair.

Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam (Telugu: విశాఖపట్నం  pronunciation (help·info)) also called as Vizag is a major port city on the south east coast of India. With a population of 1,435,099),^[1] it is the second largest city in the state of Andhra Pradesh and the third largest city on the east coast of India after Kolkata and Chennai. It is located 625 kilometres (388 mi) east of the state capital Hyderabad. Visakhapatnam is home to several state-owned heavy industries, a major steel plant, and has one of India's largest sea ports and its oldest shipyard. It has the only natural harbour on the east coast of India.
Visakhapatnam was named after Visakha, the Hindu god of valor. The city is nestled among the hills of the Eastern Ghats and faces the Bay of Bengal to the east. It is the administrative headquarters of Visakhapatnam district and is also headquarters to the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy. Visakhapatnam is often referred to as The City of Destiny^[2] and more recently also as the Goa of the East Coast. Just like its west coast counterpart, it offers attractive beaches, laterite hillocks, and a dramatic landscape. It is also the focus of rapid urban and tourist development.