Simhachalam
The Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha temple on Simhachalam hill, inside Visakhapatnam itself. A short drive from anywhere in the city, and the usual first stop on a temple itinerary.
Temples and the coast
Simhachalam, Annavaram and the beach road
A two-day trip taking in the hill temple inside the city, the Satyanarayana Swamy temple at Annavaram down the coast, and the Buddhist site and beaches north of Visakhapatnam.
A trip built around the two temples people most often come to this coast for, with the quieter northern beaches on the second day.
Day one is Simhachalam in the morning and the coast road south to Annavaram. Day two turns north for Thotlakonda and Bheemili, with time at Rushikonda on the way back.
If you intend to perform a vratam at Annavaram, tell us when you enquire: the slot decides the shape of the first day and is better arranged before the trip than on the morning.
The route
- Visakhapatnam → Simhachalam
- Simhachalam → Annavaram
- Annavaram → Bheemili and Thotlakonda
- Bheemili and Thotlakonda → Rushikonda Beach
- Rushikonda Beach → Visakhapatnam
Driving time only. A tour does not drive straight through.
Day by day
- Day 1Simhachalam in the morning, then the coast road south to Annavaram and the Satyanarayana Swamy temple on Ratnagiri hill.
- Day 2North out of the city to Thotlakonda and Bheemili, with time at Rushikonda beach before the end of the day.
Where you will go
Annavaram
One of the most visited temples in Andhra Pradesh, on Ratnagiri hill above the Pampa river, about two and a half hours down the coast road from Visakhapatnam.
Bheemili and Thotlakonda
The coast road north of Visakhapatnam runs past the Thotlakonda Buddhist complex on its hill and ends at Bheemili, an old Dutch trading port at the mouth of the Gosthani.
Rushikonda Beach
A sheltered sandy bay on the Beach Road north of Visakhapatnam, and the beach most people in the city actually swim at.