9 Best Lakes & Backwater in Andhra Pradesh

At a distance of 160 km from Nandyal, 181 km from Kurnool, 229 km from Hyderabad, 263 km from Vijayawada and 527 km from Bangalore, Srisailam is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva situated on the banks of River Krishna in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the most important pilgrimage centers of Lord Shiva in India and also one of the top Places to visit in Andhra. Srisailam is also one of the most popular weekend getaways from Hyderabad.

Srisailam is famous for Srisailam Dam & Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The sanctum enshrines Lord Mallikarjuna in the form of a linga protected by a three-hooded cobra. This ancient temple built in the Dravidian style with lofty towers and sprawling courtyards is one of the finest specimens of Vijayanagara architecture. Though the exact origins of the temple are not available, the Satavahanas of the 2nd century AD have referred to it. The Kakatiyas and the Vijayanagara kings have made several endowments here.

The unique feature of this kshetram is the combination of Jyothirlingam and Mahasakthi (in the form of Bhramarambika) in one campus, which is very rare and only one of its kind. The great religious leader Aadi Sankara is said to have visited this shrine and composed his immortal Sivananda Lahiri here.

Srisailam is ...

...read more

At a distance of 60 km from Rajahmundry, 180 km from Vijayawada, 20 km from Polavaram, 260 km from Vizag & 410 km from Hyderabad, Papi Kondalu is a breathtakingly beautiful hill range bounded by River Godavari in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Papi hills are a set of three hills which form a beautiful gorge on the Godavari River spread across East Godavari and West Godavari districts. Entire area of Papi Kondalu is covered by tropical rain forests and it was recently declared as a protected National Park and is one of the top places to experience the Tourism in Andhra Pradesh. Papikondalu is one of the top attractions you must include in Vizag tour packages.

The original name for this hill range was 'Papidi Kondalu'. Papidi is a rough translation for partition in Telugu. It is believed that the place was visited by Lord Rama and goddess Sita during their exile. Papi Kondalu has to be reached by boat from Rajahmundry, Pattisam (35 km from Rajahmundry), Polavaram (40 km from Rajahmundry), Kunavaram (50 km from Bhadrachalam) or Sriram Giri (60 km from Bhadrachalam). The boat service from Rajahmundry to Bhadrachalam is a wonderful experience and it is operated in post monsoon season.

Apart from enjoying the view of the hills, valley ...

...read more

At a distance of 154 km from Vijayawada, 207 km from Vizag, 186 km from Guntur, 64 km from Kakinada, 151 km from Machilipatnam and 430 km from Hyderabad, Rajahmundry, formerly called as Rajamahendravaram, is a beautiful city located on the banks of Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. It is also known as the 'cultural capital' of Andhra Pradesh and is one of the popular Tourist places in Andhra Pradesh. It is the birth place of Adikavi Nannayya who developed script for Telugu language. Rajamundry is one of the top attractions you must include in Vizag tour.

Rajahmundry is ranked amongst the oldest cities in the Indian subcontinent. The earliest rulers of the region were the Eastern Chalukyas. It was built by Chalukya king Rajaraja Narendra during 11th century. It was part of the Madras Presidency and was made into the District of Rajahmundry in the year 1823, during the British rule.

Rajahmundry is a blend of various qualities like picturesque landscapes, monuments of cultural importance, ancient temples and adventurous tourist spots that make the place unique, interesting and suitable for tourism for all ages. This is one of the major Pushkara Ghats on Godavari River. Pushkaras, held once every 12 years, is a holy congregation which sees millions of devotees taking a dip in the River Godavari. The last Pushkara was held in 2015. Godavari Bridge, Sir Arthur Cotton Museum, Dowleswaram ...

...read more

At a distance of 10 km from Gandikota, Mylavaram Dam is a medium irrigation project built across Penna River near Mylavaram in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the beautiful reservoirs on River Pennar and among the must visit Gandikota Tourist Places.

Also known as Tatireddy Narasimha Reddy Reservoir, Mylavaram Dam is an earthen dam constructed for providing irrigation potential to an extent of 75,000 acres. The construction of the project and formation of canals were completed by the end of 1981-82 and the distributary system was completed by 1985-86. The reservoir has a gross storage capacity of 9.96 tmc. The reservoir consists of two main canals viz. MR South Canal & MR North Canal having an extent of 25,000 acres & 50,000 acres of ayacut respectively. With the completion of Srisailam right bank canal, Krishna River water would be fed from Srisailam Dam to this reservoir.

The dam view is amazing and one can see a museum nearby. It is a nice place to visit in the evening so that you can see spectacular sunset. Recently, AP Tourism has set up a boat club in the backwaters of Mylavaram Dam in order to attract tourists. Tourists can indulge in various water sports activities like speed boat, kayaking etc.

Timings: 9 AM - 6 PM

Boating Cost: Rs. 200 per Person for Speed Boat (Max 4) & Rs. 200 for Kayaking (Max 2)

...read more

At a distance of 9 from Sullurpet, 50 km from Srikalahasti, 105 km from Nellore & 88 km from Chennai Central Railway Station, Pulicat Lake is the second largest brackish water lake in India, after Orissa's Chilka Lake. It lies at the border of Thiruvallur district in Tamil Nadu and Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh states. The island of Sriharikota (home for famous ISRO) separates the lake from the Bay of Bengal. This is one of the popular tourist places to visit near Chennai and an ideal weekend getaway near Chennai.

The sanctuary is home to wide range of migratory birds that migrate in large numbers in winter. It is one of the best places for bird watching in the vicinity of Chennai city and at the same time experience the memorable boat riding in Pulicat Lake. The entrance to the sanctuary is situated on Sullurpet - Sriharikota road.

The lake is 60 kms long and width varies between 0.2 to 17.5 kms. It is an important stopover of migrant birds and approximately 15,000 flamingos visit the lake each year, along with pelicans, kingfishers, herons, painted storks, spoonbills and ducks.

Pulicat village, which is 60 km from Chennai (via Ponneri), is also an alternate place to experience the beauty of the lake & sanctuary. Boating is available in the lake at Pulicat ...

...read more

At a distance of 6 km from Owk, 10 km from Belum Caves, 34 km from Yaganti, 56 km from Jammalamadugu and 70 km from Gandikota, Owk Reservoir is an earthen dam built across Paleru River near Owk in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. It is one among the popular places to visit in Gandikota.

Built in 1946, Owk Reservoir is a balancing reservoir comprising of three smaller dams namely Paleru, Gollaleru and Thimmaraju Cheruvu. Previously the Paleru and Thimmaraju earth dams are the tanks feeding water to Owk village ayacut of approximately 600 acres and 2000 acres respectively. These tanks were converted into Owk Reservoir by raising its bund to 220 feet height. Now, the reservoir has internal area of more than 1000 acres and it is main source of irrigation in Rayalaseema region and also providing drinking water facility to nearby villages and towns.

Recently, AP Tourism has set up a boat club in backwaters of Owk Reservoir in order to attract tourists. Tourists can indulge in various water sports activities like Cruise Boat, speed boat, etc. There are two water falls namely, Gollaleru and Paleru in the catchment area of the dam.

Timings: 9 AM - 1.30 PM & 2 PM - 5.30 PM

Boating Cost: Rs. 150 per Person for Cruise Boat & Rs. 200 per Person for Speed Boat (Max 4)

...read more

At a distance of 95 Kms from Vijayawada & 349 Kms from Hyderabad, Kolleru Lake is a large freshwater lake spread over an area of 300 Sq. Miles between Krishna and Godavari delta. It is home to migratory birds between October and March every year.

Now declared as Bird Sanctuary, the lake is a great picnic spot and a paradise for birdwatchers. The lake was an important habitat for an estimated 20 million resident and migratory birds. The visitors include Open Bill Storks, Painted Storks, Glossy Ibises, White Ibises, Teals, Pintails, Shovellers, Red-Crested Pochards, Blackwinged Stilts, Avocets, Common Redshanks, Wigeons, Gadwalls and Cormorants, etc.

The lake is approachable from all four sides of the lake by road: Atapaka - 2.5 Kms from Kaikaluru & 25 Kms from Eluru, Murthiraju Tank - 8 kms from Nidamarru & 45 Kms from Eluru, Gudivakalanka - 15 kms from Eluru. Watchtowers are available at these places for bird watching. Eluru is connected by frequent buses from Vijayawada.

...read more

At a distance of 65 Kms from Vizag, 55 Kms from Araku & 632 Kms from Hyderabad, the Tatipudi Reservoir is located near Srungavarapukoda (also called S Kota) town situated between Vizag and Araku Valley in Vizianagaram district.

The Reservoir was built in 1963 across River Gosthani to provide drinking water facility to the Vizag City. This location is very beautiful with lush green mountains on all the sides. Boating facility is available. Several migrant birds make this reservoir their home in the months of April/May.

The Reservoir is about 10 Kms from S Kota and can be reached via Kothavooru and Krishnapuram (while coming from Vizag), or via Tennuboddavara and Tadupudi village (while coming from Araku). Private vehicles can be hired by S Kota town to reach this place.

This place can be visited while going to Araku or during return to Vizag with 1-2 Hours additional effort.

...read more

At a distance of 4 km from Rampachodavaram Bus Stand and 21 km from Maredumilli, Bhupathipalem Reservoir is an earthen dam situated at Bhupathipalem near Rampachodavaram town in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the popular Maredumilli Tourist Places.

The Bhupathipalem Reservoir Project is a medium irrigation project constructed on Seethapalli Vagu, which is a hill stream and tributary to river Godavari. The project is intended to provide irrigation facilities to an extent of 11,526 acres of tribal ayacut and to also provide drinking water to 32 villages in Rampachoadavaram & Gangavaram Mandals of East Godavari district.

The reservoir is surrounded by lush pine and coniferous trees. The reservoir has a tiny island and submerged trees with tall mountains as the back ground. Every curve along lake presents a different view of the scenery. There is a parking and boating facility for visitors. Only paddle boats are available here. The absences of mechanized boats make the waters still and reflections of the mountains can be seen as a big natural mirror.

Boating Timings: 10 AM - 5 PM

...read more