Religious/ Spiritual

An important religious centre in the district, situated at about 85-km from Vijayawada. 5-km away from this place the Krishna joins the Bay of Bengal. It is considered as a sacred place of pilgrimage being the confluence of the Krishna and the sea. The Shrine of Venugopalaswami, constructed during the rule of the Chola Kings, is an important place of worship. A festival celebrated in honour of this deity for eight days from Magha Suddha Navami to Bahula Padyami (January- February) attracts thousands of pilgrims even from other states.

Located in the Indrakeeladri hillock, Subramanya Swami temple overlooks the city of Vijayawada and the river Krishna, and is one of the most admired temples in Vijayawada. This temple, maintained by a famous family known as Iddipilli, has the special credit of having many regular devotees hailing from Tamil Nadu.

Important day in this temple is Skanda Shashti festival and many thousands of devotees visit here during this time. It is also a famous tourist location due to the background settings of the picturesque Indrakeeladri hills.

One of the major Hindu pilgrimage temples in and around Vijayawada, which attracts many people, is Sri Nagarala Sri Maha Lakshmi Ammavaru Temple. This is located in the region of Chitinagar in Vijayawada. With main deity as Maha Lakshmi, the temple is controlled and maintained by the community named Nagarala.

The local folks believe that the goddess has miraculous powers and devotees are blessed with more comforts. Major festival observed here is Dusshera during which period thousands of devotees from in and around city visit this temple.

Kanaka Durga temple placed on Indrakeeladri hill overlooking Vijayawada, constructed by the ever-great warrior in the epic Mahabharatha Arjuna as per the legends, encloses the captivating a massive 4 ft high idol of Durga in a standing position overcoming the demon Mahishasura depicting the scene of piercing him with her trident. The idol is in position of eight powerful weapons in her eight hands and is adorned with splendid ornaments and beautiful flowers.

Hinkar Tirtha, world renowned Jain temple, is situated in Mangalagiri hills near Vijayawada in Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh. The devotees of this temple believe that the worthy blessings obtaining from the visit of this temple is praise worthy. Many devotees take shelter in this Jain temple and this is the biggest Jain shrine in the region.

This is acclaimed with the Jain style of architecture and stands as a symbol of foregone rich past of Jainism. Definitely a worth visiting place.

A major visiting place and religious place for Muslims, Hazrathbal Mosque is situated near Vijayawada in Krishna district. Numerous devotees throng to this architectural marvel, the well-known worshiping place of the Muslims every year, specially on an occasion when a sacred relic of the Prophet Mohammed is displayed. The relics was shown only once a year. This occasion is believed as very holy and is the perfect time to offer the devotion.

Gundala Matha Shrine, or Mary Matha Shrine, known popularly as St Mary’s Church, is constructed on a hilly region Gunadala in Krishna district near Vijayawada. An iron cross, erected atop the hill, stands as a rare distinction of the shrine.

Annual Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes attracts many devotees and is celebrated with much enthusiasm and devotion. Many believers throng to this place during Sundays and important occasions.

A museum inside the church is another attraction, with collection of valuable gifts from devotees and holy relics of ancient period.

Mogalarajapuram Caves, located in the proximity of Vijayawada, is famous for three cave temples believed to be as old as 5th century. One among the three cave temples adorns a spectacular carving of Ardhanariswara, which is believed as the only one of its kind in South India. These cave temple have carved deities of Lord Vinayaka and Lord Shiva in Nataraja form. This is a good ancient temple to visit and see the ancient culture and ancient style of living.

Yet another holy teertham that boast of Lord Vishnu’s greatness and benevolence, Vaikuntha teertham in the temple city gains remarkable significance in pilgrim’s itinery. Vaikuntha teertham is situated in the pretty surroundings of a lovely cave that lies north east to the main shrine. This teertham is associated with Vishnu’s incarnation of Sri Rama.

So many natural watercourses whose divinity and sanctity dates back to vedic ages, Tirumala provides an ethereal appeal to the devotees. In one way or the other this torrential water course are connected with the legendary characters in the puranas. Tumburu teertham is not an exception to this common rule.