We all remember Vizag thanks to our geography lessons that spoke of the Vizag Steel Plant. Yet, this young city has a lot more to offer – a glorious and historical maritime past, a corporate and promising present and an IT-driven and ‘good-standard-of-living’ future. Blessed with a natural topography of lush-green hills and the azure sea of the Bay of Bengal, Vizag boasts of an interesting travel and tour diary, a busy port and natural harbor, warm and tolerant people, a good lifestyle and a cosmopolitan culture that still holds on to its Indian heritage.
The past
So what are the origins of Vizag? References to ancient texts point towards the existence of Vizag during Vedic times. The other historical links are the mention of Vizag as a small fishing village during the reign of the Kalinga Empire and during the rule of the Chola Emperor Kulottunga I(between 1070 and 1118 AD) when the Emperor built a Lord Kartikeya(Visakha) temple on his break journey here, during the Northern Expedition. In due course of time, Vizag came under the rule of local kings, Dutch traders and the invading British. Vizag, being host to the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy, also played a vital role in the 1971 Indo Pak War. Earlier known as Waltair, today, Vizag is a thriving center for maritime trade, and commerce and industry, making it one of the fastest growing cities in Asia. It is home to the Simhachalam temple, to several Buddhist relic sites like Bavikonda, Thotla Konda and Sankaram, and to the first-of-its-kind(in South-East Asia) INSKursura Submarine Museum.
The present
The arrival of brands in any city works like a meter, marking the potential growth of the city. Going by Vizag’s recent surge in malls(Big Bazaar, Spencer’s Hypermarket), branded shops(Levi’s, Adidas), fast-food joints(Pizza Hut, Marrybrown), spas(Tangerine), salons(Jawed Habib, VLCC, Lakme), bookshops(Pages, Crossword), gyms(Talwalkars), pubs(Chrome, 10 Downing Street) and fine-dining options(Vista, Dusk), the meter needle is ticking fast and clear. Vizag’s on the move – forward. Corporate businesses like HSBC and IBM too have made their mark on the city’s working population. Prominent schools(Visakha Valley School and Timpany School) and low-key ones too(Jassver), along with colleges like GITAM, are ensuring that education continues to be in line with international standards and, at the same time, adheres to basic Indian value systems. Healthcare facilities too have attracted big names like Apollo Hospitals, and the local Seven Hills Hospital is an equal match.
Vizag’s a hot favorite on every traveler’s itinerary. Be it either the Araku Valley or the Borra Caves – these are popular getaways for tourists and locals alike.
The future
Vizag’s main city centers at Jagadamba and Dabagardens are turning into hives of commercial complexes. New malls, new multiplexes and new housing schemes are in the making. The Vizag-Bheemili stretch, a scenic drive, which goes along the Bay of Bengal coast line is now home to a huge IT Park and the Ramanaidu Film Studios. The entire stretch is also ‘hot’ property in terms of real estate and housing. Vibrant Vizag is indeed turning into a happening place.
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