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Sri Venkateswara Swamy
Konda
The hill on the south of the line of three hills, called Sri Venkateswara Konda
has a temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara. It is believed to have been built
by an European Captain Blackmoor in 1866, according to the Telugu inscriptions.
This temple has a small steeply pyramidal entrance gopura. The port channel,
the entrance of the inner harbor for ships and liners can be seen from here
Mother Mary's Church
( Rose Hill)
Among the line of three hills, the central and the highest mount Ross Hill is
named after Monsieur Ross. He has 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 shrines of the stages of the cross. There were excellent
views of the ship building yard from here.
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Darga Konda
Darga Konda, the north hillock of the line of three hills has a mosque and the
mausoleum of the Muslim saint, Baba Ishaq Madina who was revered for his prophecies.
It has been visited and venerated by Hindu and Muslim devotees alike.
Simhachalam
The Hindu pilgrim centre, Simhachalam with enchanting scenic beauty is situated
about 16km from Visakhapatnam. The 11th century temple dedicated to Sri Varaha
Narasimha (man lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu) is situated at the top of the
Simhachalam range of hills popularly called the 'Hill of the Lion Lord'. The
temple built by King Sri Krishna Devaraya is a marvel of architecture with a
square shrine surmounted by a high tower, a portico in front with a small tower,
a beautifully-carved l6-pillared Natya mantapa facing the portico and an enclosed
varandah, all made of dark granite.
The shrine has inscriptions dating back to 1098 AD on its walls. Here, the idol
of the presiding deity is always kept covered with sandal paste giving the appearance
of a sandal wood Shiva Linga. The actual form of the deity in the tribhanga
posture (i.e two hands with the head of a lion on a human torso) can be viewed
only during the 'Chandanotsavam' alias 'Chandana Yatra' festival held in March-
April, every year which attracts thousands of devotees from all over the country.
Other festivals celebrated here are the kalyanam of Varaha Lakshminarasimha
(March-April) and Visakha Poornima (May)
Kali Temple
The Kali Temple located on Rama Krishna Beach road is a modern architectural
edifice built on the model of the skeletal structure of a coral using bamboo
reinforced cement concrete. Constructed in 1984, this shrine of the goddess
of power (Shakti) is famous for its splendid architecture depicting tall pillars,
arches and minarets. The temple complex houses an office, a quarter for the
priest and a temple kitchen.
Adjacent to the Kali temple there is another temple dedicated
to Lord Siva. The uniqueness of Siva Temple is its 'rasalinga' which is made
of 10 Kgs. single stone.
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