Srikakulam Between River and History

The city of Srikakulam has two distinctive features: its historic connection to Jamia Masjid and the Nagavali, which flows through the city. In the nearby village of Arasavalli stands the Sun God Temple, while other natural and cultural attractions are found elsewhere in Srikakulam district. For orientation, it is worth distinguishing between the city, Arasavalli, and the more distant places in the district.

A garden’s name and the city’s history

The garden around Jamia Masjid once gave Srikakulam the name Gulshanabad, meaning “city of the garden.” The mosque was built in 1641 and is believed to be the oldest surviving structure in the city. The former name and the year of construction point to different historical connections: one recalls the garden by the mosque, while the other dates the structure. Srikakulam’s history thus begins with a specific place and a traditional name for the city.

The Nagavali through the city

The Nagavali River flows through Srikakulam and empties into the sea near the villages of Kallepalli and Bonthalakoduru. The two villages are five kilometres from Srikakulam. The river’s course and its mouth are therefore distinct points of reference: the river shapes the geographical description of the city, while its mouth is near the two villages. Nagavali River View Park is also associated with Srikakulam.

Arasavalli and the Sun Temple

Arasavalli lies about one kilometre east of Srikakulam; the Sun God Temple is in the village, not in the city. The Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple in Arasavalli is considered one of two ancient sun temples in India. Twice a year, in March and September, sunlight falls on the feet of the deity. Ratha Saptami, celebrated at the temple in February, is a separate event. As the exact festival date may vary, check the dates if this visit is important to your travel plans.

A wider view of Srikakulam district

Srikakulam district has a 193-kilometre-long coastline. The Vamsadhara River is also part of this broader geographical area: it enters the district and empties into the Bay of Bengal at Kalingapatnam. Kalingapatnam Beach is located at this river mouth. This coastal landscape is distinct from the Nagavali, which flows through the city of Srikakulam.

Srikurmam offers another religious and historical perspective. It is a well-known pilgrimage site in Srikakulam district. The Sri Kurmanatha Swamy Temple is 14.5 kilometres southeast of Srikakulam City and is considered the only temple of its kind in India. Its inscriptions date from the 11th to the 19th century AD. For a nature-focused visit, there is also Telineelapuram: between September and March, the place is visited by more than 3,000 pelicans and painted storks from Siberia. Seasonal birdwatching and the temple’s history appeal to different interests and each offer a distinct focus within the district.

Getting there and choosing a location

Srikakulam Road railway station is the closest station for travel to Srikakulam. It is nine kilometres from Srikakulam City and lies on the Vizag–Bhubaneswar route. The nearest airport is Visakhapatnam, 117 kilometres from Srikakulam. These distances provide a general sense of location; compare the location of a specific accommodation with your arrival point and the places you are interested in visiting.

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home, it therefore matters which part of the destination you want to focus on: the city’s history and the Nagavali in Srikakulam, the nearby temple in Arasavalli, or other destinations in the district. Consider the exact location of the accommodation in relation to that focus, rather than treating the city and the district as the same location.

For the broader travel overview: Srikakulam.