Festivals

Chandana Yatra (or) Chandanotsavam

It is the festival celebrated at the temple of Sri Varaha Lakshminarasimha, Simhachalam. Every year the festival is held during March-April. The idol of the deity at the temple is always kept covered with sandal paste. During the Chandanotsavam festival, the old sandal paste ceremonially removed from the deity and is covered with a fresh layer of sandalwood paste. This festival attracts thousands of devotees from all over the country.

Visakha Utsav

The 3-day long tourism festival, Visakha Utsav is held every year from the third Friday to Sunday of January. Organised by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development, the festival highlights the arts, crafts and cuisine of Vishakhapatnam. Rama Krishna Beach is the main venue of the Visakha Utsav. Various cultural programmes are conducted in which the local artistes participate. Exhibitions, fashion shows, food fairs, etc. are the added attraction of the festival.

Mother Mary's Church (Rose Hill)

Among the three hills, the central and the highest mountain, the Ross Hill is named after Monsieur Ross. He built a house on it in 1864 which was later converted into a Roman Catholic Chapel 'Mother Mary's Church'. The pathway to the church is lined with statues and the stages of the cross. There is an excellent view of the ship building yard from here.