Top 5 Best Visiting Places in Srikakulam for Heritage, Spirituality & Nature

1. Arasavalli Sun Temple

Among the few Sun God temples in India stands remarkable Arasavalli located less than 1 kilometer east of Srikakulam. Sage Kasyapa established the Surya deity at the temple for human welfare as this Surya from Kasyapasa Gotra received the title of planetary king. The ‘Sthalapuranam’ of the temple states that Lord Devendra had the dream of constructing a sanctuary with the Sun deity idol due to his healing needs after Nandi attacked him while trying to see Sri Rudrakoteswara Swamy. The beautiful Sun God idol with Usha Chaya and Padmini as his consorts emerged from one piece of black granite stone after he regained consciousness. The temple showcases highly detailed carvings which feature Mathura and Pingala together with Sanaka and Sanatana in addition to Anura showing his role as the chariot driver. The temple welcomes visitors for routine worshipping through Sarva Darshanam between 6:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 3:30 pm to 8:00 pm while early morning special rituals begin at 5:00 am.

Location: Arasavalli, Andhra Pradesh.
Viewers should go between October and February for the optimal sightseeing experience.

2. Srikurmam Temple

Visitors flock to Srikakulam specifically to worship the Lord Vishnu depiction as Kurma (tortoise) at the Srikurmam Temple. The historic shrine features detailed artistic work surrounded by tranquil surroundings. You should experience the incredible structure together with the divine Swetha Pushkarini reservoir. Tourists can visit both the Arasavalli Sun Temple and Kalingapatnam Beach during their visit to this location. You can reach the temple by local buses and taxis as it situated about 13 km from Srikakulam town. You can reach Srikakulam Road railway station from the location through a 20 km journey. The temple is accessible through simple road trips which allows visitors to enjoy a smooth and pleasant experience.

Location: Srikurmam, Andhra Pradesh.

The ideal months to see this destination extend from October through February.

3. Srimukhalingam Temple

Kalinga architecture is on full display at the Srimukhalingam Temple which stands in Srikakulam. The temple serves Lord Shiva as its main deity while serving as a major spiritual center which displays beautiful engravings and sculptural works. Tourists should investigate both the primary sanctuary and the subsidiary sanctuaries at this site. Visitors can explore the Salihundam Buddhist site as well as Kalingapatnam Beach near the area. From Srikakulam town visitors can easily reach the temple through roads that extend 50 kilometers. Travelers can reach the site using local buses and taxis while Srikakulam Road station serves as the closest railway station at 55 km distance. Taking the journey through the picturesque regions of Andhra Pradesh produces an enriching experience for visitors.

Location: Srimukhalingam, Andhra Pradesh.

Early summer along with winter months offer visitors the most favorable conditions for visiting this destination.

4. Kalingapatnam Beach

Kalingapatnam Beach at Srikakulam stands out as a famous destination because it presents a breathtaking view that merges the Bay of Bengal with the Vamsadhara River. The beach maintains its historical value after hosting East India Company merchants in its past. Visitors find this place highly appealing because strong tidal waves regularly appear. International as well as Indian travelers visit annually to experience the lighthouse and Buddhist Stupa at this destination. The closest international airport stands at Visakhapatnam where it is situated 106 km from this location. The railway service in this town operates through Kolkata, Chennai and Visakhapatnam. Travellers can reach Srikakulam from Visakhapatnam within five hours of driving time through the options available for buses and private taxis. National highways throughout Srikakulam’s road network provide simple access to Kalingapatnam via these roads. Kalingapatnam Beach provides an excellent location for visitors who want either beach relaxation or historical sightseeings.

Location: Kalingapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

The best seasons for visitation are winter accompanied by early spring months.

5. Salihundam

Archeological explorations in Srikakulam located Salihundam as a modest village where a historical Buddhist community existed. The ASI has protected this location near Vamsadhara River where multiple votive stupas and maha stupa and chaityas and viharas are present. The key attractions at this site include the kala chakram meditation chamber as well as the central stupa which stands on a hill with its 46-foot diameter as its highest point. The Stupa enables public access between the hours of six in the morning until nine at night. The entrance of the mahavihara sali-pethaka features a swastika design which implies that Buddhism expanded towards Sumatra and Southeast Asia from this site. The caretaker will unlock the on-site museum upon visitor request to exhibit sculptures including Chathurbhuja Aparajitha and Dhyana Buddha despite the frequent museum closures. The museum features artifacts discovered in this site while they rest after their discovery in the 2nd century CE. Visitors can find Salihundam located 123 km away from Visakhapatnam Airport and 117 km away from the central railway station. The historical site can be reached by utilizing bus stops located in Narasannapeta as well as Srikakulam and Tekkali.

Location: Salihundam, Andhra Pradesh.

Winter accompanied by early spring constitute the optimal period for touring this destination.

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