Kakinada

Kakinada Island is a beautiful port city in Andhra Pradesh situated in the East Godavari District of the state of Andhra Pradesh. Situated on the Bay of Bengal, this city is one of the popular places in Kakinada. Known as Kakanadivada in the past, the city rose to prominence during the European colonisation of India; with the Dutch being the primary inhabitants followed by the British. The Westerners named the city Co-Canada which was renamed to Kakinada during the time of Indian Independence.

Popularly known as the City of Fertilizers, this city harbours an assortment of factories that of artificial fertilizers, natural gases, petroleum, sugar, edible oils and biofuels. The city also serves as an integral part of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Due to its well-planned nature and architecture, the city is also called as Second Madras or Pensioners Paradise.

Apart from being an important industrial centre, the city has its fair share of glorious history, beautiful pilgrimage sites, natural bliss as well as a rich tradition. Some of the important Kakinada places include - Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Hope Island, Godavari Delta, Annavaram Satyanarayana Swamy Temple, < a href="https://www.makemytrip.com/tripideas/attractions/draksharamam-temple">Draksharama Shiv Mandir, Pithapuram, Kotipalli Kotilingeswara Temple, Bhavanarayana Swamy Temple, amongst many others.

Kakinada Overview

Best Time to Visit Kakinada

Being in an important place of glorious history, holy pilgrims and scenic landscapes, Kakinada receive massive footfall. As a matter of fact, you may visit this enormously gorgeous city at any point of the year, the weather in Kakinada stays humid during the summer.

The monsoon stays overwhelming as well since Kakinada weather becomes intolerably humid during the rainy months.

Therefore it is recommended to embark on a journey to explore Kakinada during the winter season, especially between October to March. The weather in Kakinada is even more pleasant this time around, and the landscape looks comparatively more enchanting. The Kakinada temperature also says in a bracket of 15 degrees Celsius to a maximum of 24 degrees Celsius. Kakinada places can be best enjoyed in this weather.

How to reach the places to visit in Kakinada?

This city can be easily visited via airways, roadways as well as railways. Let us see how:

The nearest airport to the city is Rajahmundry Airport, which is situated 60 km away from Kakinada Andhra Pradesh. Another proximal airport is the Vizag International Airport which stands at a distance of 160 km away from the city.

This city is also well connected to other cities like Shirdi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Vizag, Chennai, Vijayawada, Tirupati and Bengaluru via trains.

You may even choose to resolve to use public buses run by the state government of Andhra Pradesh under the banner of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC). These buses follow a regular route at regular intervals of time, are easy to get, and are affordable as compared to trains and flights.

What are the things to see and do in Kakinada?

This city is quite popular for its sweet called Kaja. It gradually became a household recipe in South India by the name of Kakinada Kaja. In general, as well, the city is madly popular for its exotic food items. People from nearby towns and cities especially come to visit the city to taste its amazing and one-of-a-kind cuisine. Furthermore, the city is a well-planned one, ad hence attracts a lot of industrialists and the working class.

There are roads assigned for various places of entertainment, worship and shopping. For example, there is a famous road called Cinema Road which has all the movie halls of the city aligned in one line. Similarly, there is Temple Street, which has all the important shrines aligned in one line.

The city is also blessed with a natural green cover and harbours an assortment of sanctuaries and mangrove forests. The weather of the city remains pleasant most of the time as well.

Places to Visit in Kakinada

Situated in the middle of lush greenery and dense forests, Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary is home to this citys flora and fauna. The Sanctuary is spread over a massive area of 235 square kilometres.

Shri Bhavanarayana Swamy Temple is an important place of worship in the area. The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Vishnu in his Bhavanarayana avatar.

Pithapuram is known to be the oldest holy centre of India and is the most famous one out of the five Mandava Kshetras. People come here to seek spiritual blessings and healing.

Situated in the Samalkota area, the Bhimsevara Temple is known to attract pilgrims and tourists alike, thanks to its beautiful architecture. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Bhimesvara Temple is constructed in the shape of a rectangle.

Uppada Beach is one of the safest beaches present on the Eastern Ghats. It is no less than a paradise for solo travellers, couples, families, and more! People especially visit the Kakinada beach to enjoy the waves, horizon, sunrises and sunsets.

Draksharamam is an important temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is regarded as the second most holy place in Shaivism, after Varanasi. Also known as Dakshina Kashi, the temple comprises four massive entrances.

Adurru is an important archaeological site which harbours various excavated monuments, temples and shrines. It is a protected site by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Various Buddhist Stupas, Hindu Temples and small monuments have been dug out in the area ever since it was discovered.

Food to Try in Places to Visit in Kakinada

The food of this city consists of South Indian dishes which predominantly include loads of coconut as well as rice-based delicacies. A few of the most popular and sought-after food items of Kakinada are Idli, Vada, Dosa, and Sambhar, amongst many others. Kakinada Kaja sweet is an important sweet dish here. You may get to taste it in almost all the good restaurants in Kakinada in close proximity to all the best places in Kakinada as well as important markets within the cityscape.

North Indian and Chinese cuisine are also quite popular in this city, and have their own dedicated fan base!

Some of the notable names include Subbayya Hotel, Grand Kakinada, Kadai Biryanis, Yati Foods, Haveli Restaurant, amongst many others!

Adventures to do in Kakinada

Kaaja is the most famous and authentically original sweet delicacy of this city. It is available in each household and restaurant (quite literally!) The two famous variants of the same are Gotham Kaaja and Madatha Kaaja. If you would like to taste the kind that is too close to the original ever Kaaja, then you must only eat it at Kotaiahs Sweets, which is a 128 years old in the business.

After having a good amount of sugar rush, it is not at all a bad idea to have a long long walk over the longest coastline in India, at Uppada Beach. Clear blue sky, crystal blue water and silver sand of the beach can win the heart of anyone at ease! Enjoy beach sports, have fun with friends and family, and enjoy loads of delicious seafood!

You can definitely plan a nature trip and visit the second-largest mangrove forest in India, the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary. The forest is an abode to rarely spotted seagulls, pelican flies, herons, otters, crocodiles, jackals, and various migratory birds.

Places to Stay in Kakinada

Being one of the prime locations to visit in the state of Andhra Pradesh, the city is bestowed with an array of luxury and affordably good hotels to stay in.

Royal Park

The Royal Park Hotel is one of the best hotels in the area. It is an affordable stay place that provides visitors with some of the best amenities.

Venky Residency

Venky Residency is simply put, one of the most sought-after hotels to stay n this city. It is because the hotel provides the best hospitality services in the area.

Grand Kakinada by GRT Hotels

The Grand Kakinada by GRT Hotels is one of the hotels run by the hotel tycoon GRT. Due to the status that the hotel has earned due to its legacy, the Grand Kakinada draws a lot of visitors seeking a stay. Hence it remains of the best in the area!

Lotus Park

If you had been looking for a hotel that provides the best stay facilities without burning a hole in your pocket, then Lotus Park must be the one that tops your list.

The Central Suites Inn

The Central Suites Inn remains one of the best picks amongst hotel seekers in the city of the Central Stay Inn. It is because it is one of the most reputed stay buildings as well

Things to Buy in the Places to Visit in Kakinada

This city consists of a lot of places to shop, right from shopping malls to main bazaars to city haat and plazas. Kakinadi food, ordinary necessities, South Indian clothing, and books are easily available in the city. Some of the most famous shopping destinations within the city include

Spencers Hyper Store

This retail store offers an extensive range of personal care and homecare items. You can also find colourful garments and electronics here.

Kakinada Main Market

The Kakinada Main Market is packed with a lot of shops from where you can purchase an extensive range of garments.

Super Bazaar Complex

Here, you can purchase a wide range of oils, gifts, steel items and more at Super Bazaar Complex.

But when one does arrive at that fresh frontier, there are ways better than others to begin your journey of discovery. Follow these steps and see the world with a new light.

• Discover a new city through a food tour. Food tour's are the easiest way to take a tour, learn about the local delicacies, and the best of all, get great tips that aren't just "local" tips for tourists, but sometimes, lessons for a lifetime too
• Use Public Transportation. When you are in a new city, you can possibly see places and people that you wouldn't normally see when simply walking to the places that checks your list. Some buses or rails take you to parts of the city you wouldn't get to see otherwise. Whilst using public transportation, just ensure that you are following the local norms and do remember to watch the locals!
• Find a local festival. Go beyond what other tourists might do while visiting a place. Look for the unique things you would want to do. Use social media or the local tourism website to find out what's going on locally. You may have to move out of the center of the city to do some of the less popular but more unique things, so just keep that in mind!

Conclusion

Other than being a very important industrial city and a well-planned urban model, this city comprises a plethora of ancient and important shrines, age-old cinema halls and a unique beautiful tradition. Famous for its food items, the city attracts thousands of visitors from across the country and beyond to enjoy delicious delicacies in their authentic form. So, if you are a foodie, who enjoys travelling city landscapes in quest of good food, this city is just the right place for you!