That  the  place  merited  mention by  the Chinese traveler Huen Tsang in his travelogue speaks volumes for the  prominence it  enjoyed for long.  As the legend goes, Arjuna under went penance  on  this  Indrakeeladri  mountain  to  appease  Lord  Siva  and  obtained  the invincible  " Paasupathasthram ".  The Fort on the " Konda "   (mountain)  was built in 1760, during  the  time  East  India  Company ruled the country.  On way to the 465' long and 216' high mountain, there  are  tunnels  known  as " Madanna Guhalu ". The middle tunnel, with three rooms, has a Siva linga and four lines written in `Brahma lipi'. The word Thersa in the script  suggests  that  the temple  is built  in 2nd Century A. D. and the script indicates that Buddhists built it during the time of Sathavahanas. There are writings in Telugu too.

      Believed to be powerful, the reigning deity Kanaka Durga is resplendent on the Indrakeeladri mountain. Dasara is celebrated on a grand scale here with traditional gaiety and fervor. Durgashtami, Maharnavami, Vijayadasami and Siva raatri are special days when millions of people throng the place to pay their homage to the Goddess and take a holy dip in the holy river Krishna.  During  the  9 days of  Vijaya Dasami Sarannavara-
atri   festivals,  the deity is decorated in 9 different attires and worshipped.

The Gandhi stupam, on the Indrakeeladri attracts many tourists. Standing atop, one can have a breath taking view of the whole city. Inaugurated by late Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Sastry in 1964, it has preachings of Gandhiji carved on stone slabs.  There is a Gandhi Library and a planetarium.

Asia's biggest bus stand,with modern architecture,planned during NTR's time,was commenced in the city sometime back.

   Another place of tourist attraction, without which the visit is incomplete, is Prakasam barrage, an engineering marvel, on the Krishna River, built in 1858 by Sir Arthur Cotton. An evening walk here  is  sure to reinvigorate  the stress filled  minds of the locals. The cool breeze coming from the sacred  waters of  Krishna  refreshes  both  tourists  and evening promenaders drifting their minds to serenity.

Vijayawada, the third largest city and commercial nerve center of Andhra Pradesh  is  located on the  banks  of  the river  Krishna. The city is a part of Krishna District and is spread over an area of 58 sq. Kms.This site is presented by the Mani & Sarat from Vijayawada.

Altitude : 125 metres.

               Temparature (deg C): Summer- Max 45, Min 28; Winter- Max 32, Min 18.
               Best Season : September to February.

HOW TO GET THERE:

                    Air : Vijayawada is connected to Hyderabad & Rajamundary by Vayudoot services.
                    Fare: Vijaywada - Hyderabad Rs.965/-
                    Rail: Vijayawada is connected by rail with most parts of the Country.
                    Road: Good motorable roads connects Vijaywada with major cities in India. Some distances are 
                    Amaravati (66 km), Bhubaneswar (792 km), Bombay (1010 km),  Calcutta (1245 km), Delhi (1724 
                    km),  Hyderabad (271km), Madras (433 km),  Rajahmundhry (167 km), Tirupati (380 km), 
                    vishakapatnam (366 km), Warangal  (253 km) etc.
                    Bus Services: Regular bus services from Amaravati, Annavaram, Guntur, Kodad,
                    Hyderabad, Kakinada, Machilipatnam, Madras, Nellore, Suryapet, Rajahmundhry,
                    Tirupati, Tuni, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Warangal amongst other places
                    connect Vijayawada.
                    Local Transport
                    Coaches: Contact the Transport Unit, Andhra Pradesh Travel and Tourism
                    Development Corporation, Motel Krishnaveni, Guntur Road, Near Prakasam
                    Barrage, Sitanagaram, Tel: 63270. Tourist Taxis, Metered Taxis, Autorickshaws,
                    Cycle Rickshaws available.
                    City Bus Services: The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation
                    (APSRTC) operates point to point bus services which connect important places
                    within the city with each other.

CONDUCTED TOURS

               Available. The Andhra Pradesh Travel & Tourism Development Corporation runs city
               sightseeing tours covering Kanakadurga Temple, Prakasam Barrage, Gandhi hill and
               Planetarium, etc. The tours are subject to sufficient bookings.

WHAT TO SEE

               Akkana & Madanna Caves, Gandhi Hill, Haxrathbal Mosque, Kanakadurga temple, Mary's
               Temple, Milk Powder Factory, Mogalrajapuram Caves, Prakasam Barrage.
               MUSEUMS & ART GALLERIES: Victoria Jubilee Regional Museum, Bunder Road.

EXCURSIONS

               Agripalli (40 km.), Amaravati (66km.), Chilkalapudi (71 km.), Gudivada (45 km.) Hamsala
               Deevi (85 km.), Kandapalli (16 km.), Kuchipudi (60 km.), Mangalagiri (12 km.),
               Manginapuri (83 km.).

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE

               Andhra Pradesh Travel & Tourism Development
               Corporation, Motel Krishnaveni, Guntur Road,
               Near Prakasam Barrage, Sitanagaram, Tel.63270