RISHIKONDA – WHERE WAVES KISS THE MOUNTAINS

 

We often find tourists seeking information about a location where they could find beaches and mountains on the same spot so as to enjoy them both in one stroke. The first name which comes to our mind is Goa or few beaches of Konkan coast. However, too much publicity and the onslaught of tourists from all over India and abroad has changed the locations like the crowded city of Mumbai or any other metropolis. The cost of stay has skyrocketed especially in the peak seasons and the solitude that one seeks for from the tensed city life is found to be missing in those places. 

But don’t be so disheartened. Everything is not lost. There are still a few locations where you can really find the same type of environment and can view the same type of scenery where the waves kiss the mountains. It is Rishikonda or pronounced as Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh which is equally palatable for the tourists who want to enjoy the serenity and tranquillity of nature. The only difference is Goa is on the west coast of India where the Arabian Sea touches the feet of Western Ghats and Rishikonda is in the east coast of where the Bay of Bengal kisses the feet of Eastern Ghats.

How to Reach Rishikonda

Rishikonda Beach is accessible from Visakhapatnam railway station covering a distance of around 14 km and from Visakhapatnam airport at a distance of around 16 km. Both the railway station and the airport are connected with all the big cities of India.

Where to Stay

The superb staying arrangement in Rishikonda is Haritha Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Resort which overlooks the ocean from the top of the hill with a panoramic view of the entire beach and beyond. There are around forty rooms of various standards with the cost varying from Rs.2500/- to Rs.5800/- per day for a couple rooms with children. Majority of the rooms are having a direct view of the blue water enjoying the strong breeze blowing from the sea. There are two ways of reaching the beach from the resort viz. by motorable road covering a distance of around 500 meters or climbing down 200 staircases from the resort arena. The rooms can be booked directly from the website www.aptdc.in and the rooms can be selected based on the requirement.

Though there are few hotels including luxury hotels near Rishikonda beach, it is preferred to stay in APTDC resort because of the location and also transparency in deals.

  

Where to Eat

The resort is having a beautiful restaurant in its compound wherefrom breathtaking view of sea and mountains can be enjoyed along with delicious food. The food served in the restaurant is commonly south Indian, but continental and Chinese food is also available based on pre-booked order. Further, there are few standard food and snack joints near the beach, the quality of which are found to be equally good.

How to Enjoy

Like any other beach, strolling on the sand along the cooling waves is most enjoyable. The tourists can take a long walk along the beach without being scared of quicksand or any other problem. The Bay of Bengal is comparatively rougher than the Arabian Sea. Hence, the size and sound of waves will be an added attraction. But that does not prevent bathing of the tourists on the beaches during morning and afternoon. There are several sea sports including water scooter, kayaking, sea gliding and other games which are being enjoyed by gen-next.

If one does not want to remain confined in one beach, one can easily move to a Yarada Beach which can also be enjoyed for some time. Further, first-timer can earmark a day or two for the visit of the following sightseeing.

Ramakrishna Beach (12 km from the city centre)

Submarine Museum (12 km from the city centre)

Kailashgiri (15 km from the city centre)

Dolphin’s Nose (4 km from the city centre)

Simachalam Temple (9 km from the city centre)

Matsyadarshini Aquarium (11 km from the city centre)

Bheemili Beach (34 km from the city centre)

Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary (16 km from the city centre)

Zoological Park (16 km from the city centre)

Vuda Park (14 km from the city centre)

Bojjannkonda (10 km from the city centre)

Lawson’s Bay Beach (14 km from the city centre)

Gangavaram Beach (8 km from the city centre)

Sagar Nagar Beach (17 km from the city centre)

A couple of days can be spared for covering all the above locations in a comfortable manner.

My Experience

Since I reached Rishikonda at night around ten o’clock, I could only enjoy the view of the entire Vishakhapatnam city on one side and the white foams of the wave bumping on the shore with glittering phosphorous. The roaring sound of the waves was insisting me to touch the water of Bay of Bengal at that moment but somehow I restricted myself in the room and called it a day with the delicate cuisine of the restaurant.

The sunrise at Rishikonda was marvellous. Since the eastern side of the hotel was absolutely open with cool easterly blowing from the sea, sprinkling moisture particles on our body. Staring at the rising sun with a cup of hot tea sitting the balcony of our room had been the ultimate luxury. The blackish colour of the mountains gradually turned to green with the touch of the first rays of the sun, fading away from the mist and creating a bright atmosphere.

Climbing down the staircase, we reached the beach and had stroll for hours together witnessing the enjoyment of young generations either bathing in the sea or throwing water at each other. The small vendors had opened their outlet serving tea and breakfast.

Since we had visited all the sightseeing locations a couple of times, we decided to spend the entire schedule enjoying the changing colours of the sea with the change of position of the sun.

It was purely a leisure holiday and our objective was to spend a couple of days in the resort and on the beach, far away from the madding crowd and rat race of civilization. In the afternoon a tribal troop organized a traditional dance programme sponsored by the department of tourism in the resort arena itself.

After enjoying a couple of days in Rishikonda, we proceeded for Araku Valley by train that would be another part of the story.

Friends, I admit Goa is always a coveted destination for any national or international tourist. But why not enjoy once the other side of the country where some other natural beauty is waiting for you. 

   Backlinks 

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ytejI1VcwM

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Num0_punqXI