Traveling has always been my favorite form of recreation. It has been a long time since I last wrote about my travel experiences.
Although I wasn’t writing about my journeys, I did travel to many places during that time.
Today, I couldn’t resist sharing my recent visit to South India — my very first trip to this beautiful part of the country.
I had always dreamed of traveling to South India, but somehow I kept ending up in other parts of India instead.
This trip was suddenly planned with my daughter, sister, and brother-in-law, which made it even more special and memorable.
This visit holds a very special place in my heart, and I want to cherish these memories forever. For me, my blog is the perfect place to preserve them.
How We Reached Andhra Pradesh
I am originally from the beautiful hill station of Kurseong in West Bengal and currently live in Siliguri, in the Darjeeling district.
Travelling from Siliguri is quite convenient, as it is well connected by rail to major cities across India. The airport is also nearby, making travel easier.
We first travelled by train to Kolkata, which was an overnight journey. We stayed one night at my daughter’s apartment in Kolkata and then boarded another train the next day to Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh.
The train journey to Rajahmundry took around 16 hours. We started at 4 pm and reached Rajahmundry next day around 8 am.
South India Diaries: Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh
I truly loved Rajahmundry. It felt clean, organized, and less crowded compared to my hometown.
The people were incredibly welcoming, and I could feel the warmth in their presence. Most people I met had smiling faces — they seemed happy, calm, and peaceful.
We travelled there to meet my daughter’s friend and his family. Even though it was our first meeting, I never felt like strangers. There was no awkwardness or discomfort. Instead, I felt completely at ease — peaceful and genuinely happy.
They were extremely sweet and hospitable, making our first visit to Andhra Pradesh even more memorable.
My First South India Trip: Places to Visit in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh
We were in Andhra Pradesh for a very short visit, but we made the best use of our time—bonding with my daughter’s friend’s family and exploring the beautiful places around Rajahmundry.
We were fortunate to book our stay at Hotel Arun Palace, located close to Rajahmundry’s most famous and beautiful temple, the Sri Kaleswara Mukteswara Swamy Temple.
Sri Kaleswara Mukteswara Swamy Temple
The Sri Kaleswara Mukteswara Swamy Temple is one of the most important temples in Rajahmundry, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Devotees especially visit during Maha Shivaratri, and we were lucky enough to be there just before this grand festival.
The temple was beautifully decorated with lights. In the evening, the illuminated temple looked absolutely magnificent. Watching the temple glow under the night sky was a divine experience.
On Maha Shivaratri, devotees start standing in queues from early morning to offer water, milk, curd, and coconut to Lord Shiva.
At around 2:30 am, when I looked down from my balcony, people were already waiting in line.
We also visited the temple to offer prasad on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri and witnessed hundreds of devotees praying with immense love and devotion.
During the day, the temple has a completely different charm. The streets are filled with people traveling in autos, cars, bikes, and scooters.
Families dressed in new clothes walk joyfully to receive prasad, which is distributed at various counters across the roads.
I learned from my daughter’s friend that many families do not cook at home on this day. Instead, they eat the prasad distributed throughout the city.
I truly feel grateful that we were present on such a sacred and joyful occasion.
Godavari River
The mighty Godavari River flows through Rajahmundry and is one of the city’s most iconic attractions.
Some of its famous landmarks include the Godavari Bridge, Pushkar Ghat, and the Dowleswaram Barrage.
Godavari Bridge
The Godavari Bridge is a matter of pride for the people of Andhra Pradesh because of its unique engineering design. It attracts tourists from across the country.
We visited the Godavari River and enjoyed a peaceful boat ride. Sailing beneath the majestic bridge was a memorable experience.
The sunset view from the boat was magical and gave us a completely different perspective of the river. We truly enjoyed every moment of the ride.
Pushkar Ghat
Pushkar Ghat is famous for its evening aarti and boating activities. From here, you can enjoy a stunning view of the Godavari Bridge and the serene river surroundings.
Dowleswaram Barrage
The Dowleswaram Barrage is another important landmark on the Godavari River. It was built in 1852 by Sir Arthur Cotton and remains a significant engineering structure in Andhra Pradesh.
Our short trip to Rajahmundry turned out to be spiritually enriching and culturally beautiful.
From witnessing the grand celebrations of Maha Shivaratri at Sri Kaleswara Mukteswara Swamy Temple to enjoying a sunset boat ride on the Godavari River, and the best part enjoying the South Indian cuisine at my daughter’s friend which they prepared with love, every moment was special.
If you are planning a South India trip, Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh definitely deserves a place on your travel list.
Vishakhapatnam (Vizag)
We stayed one night in Rajahmundry, but we carried immeasurable beautiful memories from that place.
The next morning, after saying goodbye to the lovely family and enjoying a delicious South Indian breakfast, we took a bus to Vishakhapatnam.
It took nearly four hours to reach Vishakhapatnam from Rajahmundry, although the usual travel time is about three and a half hours.
Due to the festival of Shivratri, there was heavy traffic in some parts of the city.
How to Spend Two Days in Vizag
We were in Vishakhapatnam (Vizag) for just two days. Since we wanted to make the best use of our trip, we selected some of the most important places to visit in the city. Naturally, the beaches were at the top of our list.
Our two-day plan in Vizag:
Day 1
Ramanaidu Studio
Kailasagiri Park
Tenneti Park
Rushikonda Beach
Day 2
Yarada Beach
Ramanaidu Studio
Ramanaidu Studio is located on a lush green hill overlooking the Bay of Bengal.
It is one of the popular tourist attractions in Vizag and offers beautiful panoramic views of the sea and surrounding landscape.
Kailasagiri Park
Kailasagiri Park is situated on a hilltop and is one of the most famous viewpoints in Vishakhapatnam. Visitors can either walk up to the park or take a ropeway.
We chose the ropeway. The view from the ropeway was magnificent. From above, you can enjoy the mesmerizing view of the sea and the breathtaking panorama of the city.
The main attraction of the park is the 40-foot-tall statue of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, which overlooks the Bay of Bengal.
Tenneti Park
Tenneti Park is a must-visit park while in Vishakhapatnam. The park offers a beautiful open view of the Bay of Bengal.
While sitting there, you can watch tiny squirrels busily feeding themselves and simply relax while enjoying the sea breeze.
One funny moment I noticed was some husbands sleeping peacefully on the benches while their wives and children were happily exploring the park.
Perhaps the husbands were tired after taking too many photos of their wives!
Rushikonda Beach
Rushikonda Beach in Vishakhapatnam is one of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches in the region. Surrounded by lush green hills, the beach offers stunning scenic views.
Our first day in Vishakhapatnam ended joyfully. We were very satisfied with our driver for safely taking us to so many beautiful places around Vizag.
Yarada Beach
The next day, we had a train from Vishakhapatnam Railway Station to Kolkata at 3 PM. However, we did not want to miss visiting another beautiful beach—Yarada Beach, located on the outskirts of the city.
The distance from the city to the beach is about 30 km, and the drive took around 40 minutes. The journey itself was worth it.
The road goes downhill through Dolphin’s Nose and near Gangavaram Port, offering scenic views along the way.
Yarada Beach is less crowded, greener, and incredibly beautiful. If you have extra time while visiting Vizag, Yarada Beach is definitely a must-visit destination.
Final Thoughts
My first visit to South India, especially Andhra Pradesh, was truly a memorable experience.
From the warm hospitality of the people to the delicious South Indian food and the breathtaking coastal scenery, every moment of the journey felt special.
Rajahmundry gave us beautiful memories and heartfelt connections, while Vishakhapatnam impressed us with its scenic hills, peaceful parks, and stunning beaches.
Watching the endless Bay of Bengal from places like Kailasagiri, Tenneti Park, and the quiet shores of Yarada Beach made the trip even more unforgettable.
What I loved most about this journey was the perfect mix of nature, culture, and kindness from the local people. Even though our time in Vizag was short, the experience left a lasting impression on us.
South India welcomed us with open arms, and Andhra Pradesh showed us a beautiful side of India that we will always cherish.
I hope to return someday and explore more hidden gems of this wonderful region.
Travel truly creates memories that stay in the heart forever.
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