Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam, also known as Vizag, is a port city in Andhra Pradesh in India. It is also known as The Jewel of the East Coast. The city is located along the shores of Bay of Bengal and is headquarters to the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy, and a district of the same name. It is also an industrial city. The city is named after God Vaishakh (Kartikeya), the lord of Valour. The city is built along the seashore of the Bay of Bengal and it is bounded and broken by the Bold headland called the ‘Dolphin’s Nose’. This place is also known as Black Mores hill. It is a bustling Industrial and commercial centre.

Visakhapatnam is also blessed with natural beauty, with hill ranges, pristine beaches along its coastline and lush, natural valleys. The undulating terrain within the city is emphasised by three hills - Sri Venkateswara Konda, Ross Hill and Dargah Konda, which are important destinations for the Hindus, the Christians and the Muslims respectively. The Venkateswara Konda is home to the Vekateswara Temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara that makes it important religious place of the Hindus. Ross Hill is important destination for the Christians because it houses the Church of Virgin Mary. For Muslims, Dargah Konda is important because it is home to the tomb of a Muslim saint Baba Ishaq Madina.

The city was part of the ancient Kalinga Empire and was ruled by renowned kings, such as Ashoka (260 B.C.) and Krishnadeva Raya. It passed on later to the Andhra Kings of Vengi. After this Pallava, Chola and Ganga dynasties ruled the city.In the 15th century, Vishakhapatnam became a part of the Vijayanagar Empire. During the 18th century, the city was a Dutch colony.