- A visit to the Nagarjunakonda Museum in Nagarjunakonda promises to be an experience of a kind. The Nagarjunakonda Museum in Nagarjunakonda has the unique distinction of being the sole island museum in the whole world. It is located in the midst of the Nagarjuna Sagar Lake in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. Nagarjunakonda was a major Buddhist center at one point of time. A large number of Buddhists lived here.
- TheNagarjunakonda Museum in Nagarjunakonda attempts to preserve the excavated remains of the Buddhist civilization at Nagarjunakonda. In fact the building of the Nagarjunakonda Museum in Nagarjunakonda is akin to that of a Buddhist Vihara. The museum is also named after the founder of Mahayana Buddhism, Nagarjuna. One can get valuable insight into the Buddhist culture prevalent in this region by wandering around the museum. It is almost like taking a walk back in time.
- One will simply be amazed to see the astounding collection of relics of Buddhist art and culture housed in the Nagarjunakonda Museum in Nagarjunakonda. The exquisite sandal stone sculptures in this historical museum are sure to impress any visitor.
- The chief attraction is the monolithic statue of Lord Buddha. The magnificent statue stands tall and the posture is very graceful. The expression of peace and poise is very amazing. Apart from this elegant statue, there are several exquisitely carved stone slabs in theNagarjunakonda Museum in Nagarjunakonda.
- The carvings in the slabs depict the life of Buddha. They adorned the Stupas at one point of time but are currently to be seen in this museum of Andhra Pradesh. In fact there is a tooth and an ear ring in the Nagarjunakonda Museum in Nagarjunakonda which supposedly belonged to the Buddha himself.
- Other valuable exhibits of the museum include tools which belonged to the Paleolithic and Neolithic age. There are coins, jewelleries and friezes (architectural ornaments) belonging to prehistoric times and these can be counted amongst the priceless possessions of the Nagarjunakonda Museum in Nagarjunakonda.
- Nagarjunakonda is open on all days except Fridays from 9.30 in the morning to 4.45 in the evening. However no cameras are allowed within the museum. Photography is strictly prohibited.
- Ethipothala Waterfalls is among the rising tourist attractions in Andhra Pradesh. Apart form the locales, it was not very famous among outside people till recently.
- But now it is frequently visited by foreigners. Nestling amid lush green surroundings, Ethipothala Waterfall is situated around 11 Km from Nagarjunasagar.
- The 70 feet waterfall cascading from Chandravanka hills is close to many Buddhist sites which attracts more people to this region. The stream of water joins a lagoon nearby.
- This site is used for breeding of crocodiles and you can easily site a crocodile just lying on the banks.
- Ethipothala Waterfall is also a great place for mild trekking and camping along with refreshing nature sightseeing.
- Tyda Nature camp located 75 kms from Visakhapatnam on the Araku road. Tyda is being developed with camping facilities at jungle bells to provide an enchanting experience in the wilderness to the tourists.
- A home for a variety of wild mammals and avifauna, Tyda is ideal for viewing wild life and bird watching.
- The main attractions include rock climbing, trekking and target shooting with bow & arrows.
- They can also learn the language of the jungle viz., identification of calls, marks etc. and understanding interesting features of various flora and fauna of eastern ghats with the help of naturalists/guides.
- Tourists can enjoy their stay in log huts and tents set in tribal environs.
- The park covers an area of 625 acres. It is presently one of the largest zoo located in the natural settings of a reserve forest about 4 km. from the Visakhapatnam railway station on the National Highway at Mathurawada.
- Nearly eighty species of animals numbering to about eight hundred are present in the zoo.The Zoo Park has different sections for primates, carnivores, lesser carnivores, small mammals, reptiles, ungulates, and birds.
- Primates This section houses various species of monkeys - the common Langur, Rhesus monkey, Bonnet Monkey and other exotic fauna like Mandrills, Olive Baboons and Sacred Baboons.Rhesus Monkey, Panthers, Tigers, Lions, Pumas, Jaguars and lesser carnivores like the Wolves, Jackals, Wild Dogs, Hyenas, etc.,
- The Himalayan Black Bear and the Sloth Bear are housed in large moated enclosures.
- The Hippopotamus is a special attraction at the zoo. The Crocodile Complex has all the three Indian Crocodile species.
- The section of Reptiles has Pythons, Tortoise, Terrapins, Monitor lizards, Snakes and Water Monitor Lizards. In the range of Herbivores, the park embraces Elephant, Bison, Sambar, Spotted deer and Thamin deer.
- Regarding Avifauna, there are Grey/ Rosy pelicans, Pied hornbills, Painted storks, Peacocks, Ducks, Love birds, Cockatiels, Macaws and various other ground birds. You can also walk beside the aviaries, which comprise a diverse collection of birds from the Eastern Ghats.
- The animals like Himalayan Black Bear and Sloth Bear are kept in separate huge enclosures. Apart from other animals and birds, the special attraction at the park is made by the Hippopotamus and the Crocodiles, which can be seen basking in the sun.
- It is for sure that an expedition to this park would be fun for both, old and young. On your trip to Andhra Pradesh, Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is certainly a place worth-visiting.
- The Park houses almost eighty species, numbering to eight hundred animals, in its expanse. Infact, it has special sections for primates, carnivores, lesser carnivores, small mammals, ungulates, reptiles and birds in their natural replicated enclosures.
- Amongst the primates, the extra attention is gained by Rhesus monkey, Bonnet monkey, Mandrills, Olive and Sacred baboons, whereas Panthers, Tigers, Lions, Pumas, Jaguars, Wolves, Jackals, Hyena, Ratel, etc are the major ones in Carnivores.
- This 625 Acres Zoological Park by named after The Former Prime Minister Of India. Indiragandhi Zoological Park is situated in Visakhapatnam amidst the scenic Eastern Ghats of India.
- Surrounded by Eastern Ghats on 3 sides and Bay Of Bengal on the Fourth this park is home for 80 species of Birds and Animals caged in their natural ambience.Adjoining Kambalakonda reserve Forest is an added attraction and must see too.
- Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is one amongst the largest zoos of India, sited in the natural surroundings of a reserve forest. Sprawled in an area of 625 acres, the park was named after Indira Gandhi - the former Prime Minister of India. It was opened to the public in the year 1977.
- Located amidst Kambalakonda Reserve Forest in Visakhapatnam, the zoological park is surrounded by the Eastern Ghats on three sides and the Bay of Bengal on the fourth.
- The fauna observed in the caves are predominantly bats, as well as the golden gecko.
- The type of bat reported is the fulvous fruit bat (Rousettus leschenaultii) – a species which roosts in large caves, old buildings, dungeons and dark areas of old forts. This species has short and slender musculature with large, well developed eyes.
- They feed on flowers and fruits, particularly jamun, guava, silk, cotton and mango.The forests in the area are of semi-evergreen deciduous type. The flora in the cave consist of mosses and brown-to-green algae.
- Since many of the species found are endangered, mining operations are considered to be in violation of the Environmental Protection Act.
- The caves are located in the Araku Valley of the Ananthagiri hill range and is drained by the Gosthani River. At the entry, the cave measures up to 100 m (328.1 ft) horizontally and 75 m (246.1 ft) vertically.
- Stalagmite and Stalactite formations are found in the caves. The average annual temperature of Araku hills, where the caves are situated, is about 25 °C (77.0 °F). The average annual rainfall reported is 950 mm (3.1 ft) (mostly occurring during the northeast monsoon).
- The Gosthani river provides water supply to the Visakhapatnam city.
- On the discovery of the caves, there are several legends, which the tribals (Jatapu, Porja, Kondadora, Nookadora, valmiki etc.) who inhabit the villages around the caves narrate.
- The popular legend is that a cow, grazing on the top of the caves, dropped 60 m (196.9 ft), through a hole in the roof. The cowherd while searching for the cow came across the caves. He found a stone inside the cave that resembled a Lingam, which he interpreted as the Lord Shiva who protected the cow.
- The village folk who heard the story believed it and since then they have built a small temple for Lord Shiva outside the cave. People flock to the temple for worship and the cave to get a glimpse of the Lingam .
- The Borra Caves, also called Borra Guhalu in Telugu language (‘Borra’ means something that has bored into the ground and ‘guhalu’ means caves), are located on the East Coast of India, in the Ananthagiri hills of the Araku valley (with hill ranges elevation varying from 800 m (2,624.7 ft) to 1,300 m (4,265.1 ft)) of the Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh.
- The Caves, one of the largest in the country, at an elevation of about 705 m (2,313.0 ft), distinctly exhibit a variety of impressive speleothems(pictured) ranging from very small to big and irregularly shaped, stalactites and stalagmites.
- The Caves are basically Karstic limestone structures extending to a depth of 80 m (262.5 ft) (considered the deepest cave in India). In 1807, William King George of the Geological Survey of India discovered the caves.
- Araku valley is a famous hill station of AP. It is located at a distance of 120 KM from Visakhapatnam ( Vizag )is famous for its scenic beauty. Located on the eastern ghats , it has valley, water falls and streams flowing by the side of the train track and roads .
- The journey to Araku Valley is the most enjoying as the rail passes through tunnels, hill sides and streams. . It is better to go to Araku by train and return by road. You can see the local tribal dance at if you are on APTDC package tour. If you are at Araku then you must see Borra caves.
- Padmapuram Gardens: One of the main attraction is tree top cottages located in the middle of green surroundings of Araku valley. These tree huts ( hanging cottages ) are ten feet above the ground level and one can experience rare swing along with trees. Huts are attached with toilet and continuous water supply.
