|
FACT FILE Best time to visit Through out the year INTRODUCTION The history of Vishakapatnam or Vizag tells about the transformation of a small fishing village into the major commercial harbor of India. For any visitors who want to enjoy the scenic beauty of the land, the silver beaches here are inviting as well as infatuating. The Ramakrishna beach, which constitutes a large part of the seafront, is a popular promenade at dawn and dusk. Ramakrishna beach is usually known for spending recreational evenings for the city-folks. But those who want to enjoy the sun and surf the beach offers much more. It is situated on the coast of Bay of Bengal. LOCATION Ramakrishna Beach is in Vishakapatnam, a south Indian harbor city of Andhra Pradesh's isolated Northeast corner. Andhra Pradesh is the Southeastern state of India on the shores of Bay of Bengal. The coast is also known as Coromandal coast. |
Geographically Vishakapatnam is located in an important zone hence a moderate climate is enjoyed by the city and the beach areas. Average Temperature here is 30-35 degree Celsius.
HISTORY OF POPULARITY
Since the emergence of Vishakapatnam as a major port of the Bay of Bengal, the Ramakrishna beach has also won popularity. Vishakapatnam is one of the major sectors in the popular tourist itinerary of Andhra Pradesh. For most of the tourists visiting the Vishakapatnam city, Ramakrishna beach is the favorite spot for beach holidays. The popularity of the beach has really won after the emergence of Andaman & Nicobar Islands as a major tourist destination of the Eastern coast of India. The cruise ships are operating to the Islands from the Vishakapatnam harbor. Hence the importance of Ramakrishna beach is also to be noted.
|
ACTIVITIES Of course, the Ramakrishna beach is specially noted for sunbathing, surfing and other kinds of marine activities. Sea cruises can be arranged by the fisher folk on the traditional fishing boats. Apart from this, sunrise sunset cruises are also popular here. One can persuade the fishermen for a trip for deep-sea angling. Some private companies are arranging water sports facilities here. The Rishikonda Beach, a golden, unpolluted beach, washed by the sun-warmed sea, is located 8 km from Vishakapatnam, which is ideal for swimmers, water skiers, and wind surfers. Tourists can enjoy a holiday in picturesque settings. The Bheemunipatnam Beach, located 25 km northeast of Vishakapatnam is one of the safest beaches on this part of the coast. |
As the Ramakrishna beaches are becoming a point of attention among the visitors, many private holiday beach resorts are mushrooming here. But presently there is only one resort in the Ramakrishna beach with a resort ambience having a private beach.
VICINITY
The historical spot Bheemunipatnam is an Old Dutch settlement, which is 25 km away to the Ramakrishna Beaches. For those who are interested in historical importance of the region there are ruins of a fort, armory and an oldest Dutch cemetery called Hollanders Green.
The Borra caves are fascinating, which is about 90 km north of the Vishakapatnam city. Geologically, these caves have magnificent stalactite and stalagmite formations. The caves are also a million years old hence anthropological evidences can also be seen in the form of cave paintings.
Just 16 km away to Vishakapatnam Simhachalam , is known for a 11th Century temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha- a combination of Varaha and Narasimha incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The peculiarity of the temple is that the main deity is always covered with sandal paste. Only during the festival time in March- April the original form of the deity can be seen.
The Araku Valley, 110 km away is a picturesque valley at an altitude of 3100 ft on the belt of Eastern Ghats. The valley is ideal for trekking, bird watching etc.
LIST OF FESTIVALS
The Vishaka Utsav & Rishikonda Beach Festival is celebrated on the golden beaches of Vishakapatnam is rather a festival of folk dance and music. This festival is celebrated on every year during second Friday, Saturday and Sunday of October.
LOCAL TRADITIONS & DRESS CODE
A decent dress code is advisable once a visitor is in the public. In the beaches swimming suites are allowed but topless parade of ladies and nudity is also prohibited.
SHOPPING
One can find some locally made handicrafts items in the beach shops. The items available are local dress, seashell and coconut shell made crafts.
ACCOMMODATION
At the northern end of beach road there are some deluxe hotels. The Deluxe hotels are belonging to the Taj and Welcome groups of hotels. These hotels are equipped with neat and clean executive rooms. All modern facilities are available in these hotels. Apart from this some midrange and budget hotels are available in the vicinity of beach. But most of the hotels are located on the Vishakapatnam city.
HOW TO REACH
By Air: Vishakapatnam airport is connected with Hyderabad, Calcutta, Mumbai, Chennai, Bhuvaneswar and New Delhi by Indian Airlines flights.
By Rail: Indian Railway provides a number of convenient connections from Chennai, Hyderabad, Vijayavada, Bhubaneswar and Calcutta. New Delhi is daily connected by Link Express.
By Road: National Highway-5, which connects Calcutta- Chennai, is passing through the city of Vishakapatnam. Andhra Pradesh Transport Corporation operates buses from all major parts of the state to Vishakapatnam city.
OTHER FACILITIES
All the modern facilities are available on the beach side. The hotels provide good communication facilities such as STD, ISD, FAX, and Internet. Good medical facilities are also available here.
SECURITY PRECAUTIONS
Deep-sea swimming should be avoided. The areas separated with red flags should be avoided for swimming. Not in the case of Vishakapatnam beaches only, keeping one's ears and eyes wide open while roaming in an unknown place always pays. It is advisable to keep the belongings well locked and should not left behind carelessly.
DO'S AND DON'TS
Possession and consumption of illegal drugs are strictly prohibited. Causing any form of damage to the ecological balance of the beaches such, as littering, polluting etc must be avoided.
