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April 09, 2015 ,
I want to buy a power bank to charge my mobile devices, but I'm confused about the technology, brands and pricing. Need your help urgently to help me make a right choice. 

— S Naga Malleswara Reddy
Before you buy a powerbank — aka portable battery charger — check for the mAh capacity mentioned on your smartphone battery or the specs in your mobile's manual (in the case of non-removable batteries). For instance, if your device has a 2000mAh battery capacity, buy a power bank with at least 2500mAh. If you buy a 4500mAh model, it means you can charge your 2000mAh phone at least twice. In any case, opt for the highest capacity that your budget allows. 

Also check 'current draw'. Older phones do not draw more than 1 Ampere to charge their batteries. However, newer handsets and tablets need a 2.1 Ampere input current. Check your mobile's original plug for details on current draw. If possible, buy a powerbank with two USB ports — 1A and 2.1A. Remember: When it comes to charging your gadgets, current draw is more important than capacity. 

Essentially, pay attention to the type of cells — Lithium-ion or Lithium-polymer — used in the power bank. Li-ion is cheap and easily available. Li-poly cells, on the other hand, are more expensive, but provide twice as much charge density per unit weight. 

Ensure that you buy from a reputed brand. Low-quality lithium-ion power banks not only effect performance, but are also a potential hazard. Many times, cheap battery packs — the type available on the streets — do not list the correct mAh capacity or the proper current draw. These batteries could also explode due to heating from over charging. For improved safety and performance, buy a model that comes with over voltage protection (OVP), over charge protection (OCP) and over-temperature protection (OTP) that ensure its longevity against spurts in current, and over heating during charging and discharging. 

Can consider these ...

* Mi Power Bank (Rs 999): 10400mAh; L-ion; 2.1A (and 1A through single USB); OVP, OCP and OTP
* Adata PV110 (Rs 2,450): 10400mAh; Li-ion; 1A and 2.1A; OVP, OCP and OTP
* Portronics Charge 2 (Rs 2,900): 12000mAh; Li-ion; 1A and 2.1A; OVP, OCP and OTP

If you're looking for something over and above a plain power bank, you can consider these ... 

* Adata DashDrive Air AE400 (Rs 4,500): This device comes with a 5000mAh battery to recharge your devices. Besides, it can connect to existing wireless networks and create an internet bridge connection for up to 10 other devices. You also get a USB port that takes input from pen drives and hard drives, as well as a MicroSD card slot, allowing you to share this storage wirelessly.
* JBL Charge (Rs 6,500): This is a Bluetooth speaker that boasts of a 12-hour playback time and frequency range of 150 20000Hz. Why is it listed here? Its 6000mAh Li-ion battery can also charge your smartphones via its USB port. 
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April 09, 2015

There you are, absent-mindedly dismissing notifications from your lock screen, when all of a sudden you think you might have swiped away something that was hugely important. Or was it? Here's how you can access your notification history in the most recent versions of Android. 

In Lollipop, press and hold on a blank part of the home screen to bring up the Widgets option and tap it — the one you want is labelled 'Settings shortcut'. Drag this to a spot somewhere on your phone's home screens and you'll be asked which settings screen you want to link to, so choose Notification log from the list. 

And there you have it. Tapping on your newly created shortcut will take you to a long list of notifications, with the most recent at the top-tap through on any entry and you'll be taken to the relevant App info screen. You might want to keep the shortcut widget in place just in case you ever dismiss an alert without reading it properly. 
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April 09, 2015
This is the only way we can make you stick to the pledge that you will no longer buy gadgets in blissful ignorance!

Have you ever thought why one power bank is costlier than another? Why hard disks are passe (almost)? Why you can still trust a cheating partner, but not a pirated anti-virus? How the dude who installed the `free wi-fi router' at your place made a fool out of you? How anti-radiation chips undo the harm done by the heap of devices around you? If you don't know the answers to the above, leave everything else that you are doing right now and read this buyer's guide.

Power Bank

Mobile makers have over committed and under-delivered on battery back-up, which is why power banks have become the new fad.Genius buys it like: I don't subscribe to the `I'll buy anything that's cheap and Chinese' school of thought because I want more than just the basics. My power bank should charge multiple devices simultaneously, not waste energy while charging the plugged-in device, and quickly charge itself and the devices. Then, it should automatically turn itself off when idle, should be certified for safety by safety certifications like EEE, 6 Way Circuit Protection or any other popular safety standard agency.



Techxpert: Sudip De, vice-president, Adata, says, "Unlike the power bank, your mobile device is not cheap, so, if you buy a faulty product, it will damage your device."

Anti-Virus Software

If you ever meet someone who has purchased an anti-virus and not downloaded a pirated version of it, most likely, you are hallucinating because such people don't exist, and this, when anti-virus is one of the most crucial computer tools.Genius buys it like: Does my system have the RAM and processor required to run the anti-virus? Is the software itself compatible with my system? Will I be able to erase the data if the system gets stolen and click pictures of the thief when he uses my system? Does it have bootable rescue?

Will the anti-virus be able to defend itself when a virus tries to disable it? If it does all of this, I will buy it.Techxpert: Pankaj Jain, director, Eset India, says, "Sadly, security comes last for an anti-virus purchaser; price is first. The biggest loss of a pirated anti-virus user is that they don't get the support from the developer, so if one fine day, the system crashes, the user will have no one to go to for help."

An anti-virus should be anti-virus, anti-malware, antiTrojan, antirootkit, antiphishing, give email and instant messaging protection, be certified by independent testing agencies and labs, be fast, scan cloud and have 24x7 support mechanism.

Mobile-scan app

With growing internet activity on smartphones, a mobile scan app will soon be a must.Genius buys it like: My scan app should not consume too much battery, it should provide add-on features like tracking over and above basic scanning, blocking inappropriate websites and prohibiting downloads from non-Apple and non-Android app-stores, Most importantly, it should let me completely wipe out the data on the phone in case of theft.Techxpert: Govind Rammurthy, MD & CEO, eScan, says, "The app should warn any transmissions of contact lists and should have the ability to block the same, detect transactions that use mobile-wallets andor other forms of mobile-money and store records, transaction details on the cloud."

Routers

Don't just blame your mobile operator for the snailpaced internet; your `free' router might be at fault.Genius buys it like: I will buy a router that is capable of handling high-speed, that lets me create small networks with limited use for guests, has parental control, is low in radiation and lets me manage media and connects multiple devices.Techxpert: Subhodeep Bhattacharya, regional director, India & SAARC, Netgear, says, "A router is the hub of the digital ecosys tem, and if it's built around an ignorantly purchased router, all the thrill that you expect from your high-end gadgets will come to a naught."

SSDs

These compact, superfast, durable and energy-efficient data storage solutions will change the way you store data.Genius buys it like: I'll buy an SSD as it's smaller, sturdier and faster than hard disks. It should preferably fit in the camera too, and have shockproof capabilities for accidental drops.Techxpert: M A Mannan, country manager - India, Corsair Memory, says, "No SSD is a poor performer but one with a 40,000 IOPS or more is better."

Radiation protection chip

With wireless gadgets starting to rule our lives, an anti-radiation chip, which protects you from electromagnetic radiation emitted by phones and other personal electronic devices, is a must-have.Genius buys it like: The chip has to be tested and approved for its capabilities at warding off the side-effects of benefits, by a medical institution in India.Techxpert: Pranav Poddar, MD, Synergy Environics, says, "A phone should not be used for more than six minutes in an hour and be kept at least 15-25 mm away from the body at all times. Since this is not possible, you need something, like an anti-radiation chip, that will let you use devices for extended time."

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April 09, 2015

You might not realize it, but there are now email-tracking tools that
make it easy for people to see when you open an email, what you click,
and where you're located.

"Emails appear no different to your contacts, but you get data when,
where, and how a contact interacts with your message," says a cheery
video advertising Bananatag, an email-tracking service for Gmail
designed for job seekers, advertisers, and those working in public
relations.

In response, a handy new tool called Ugly Email shows you when your
emails in Gmail are being tracked, and it starts working before you
click anything.

When Ugly Email is installed, a tiny little eye symbol appears next to
any email in an inbox that is being tracked by tools like Bananatag,
Streak, or Yesware.

Installing Ugly Email is easy. First you'll need to make sure you're
using Google Chrome as your web browser.

Next click this link to take you to Ugly Email on the Chrome Web
Store, click the "Add to Chrome" button, and you're all set.

Any email arriving in your Gmail inbox will then be vetted for
tracking tools, and the Ugly Email team promises that it is "actively
working on adding more" email-tracking services to its list.

Ugly Email just showed up on Product Hunt, so if you're looking for a
similar email-alert service that has been around for a while longer,
you can always try out PixelBlock, which does the same thing.
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April 09, 2015

Panic gripped Indian army officers over the last week after they were
unable to access salary details on the Principal Comptroller of
Defence Accounts (Officers) website which was allegedly hacked late
last month. All vital and sensitive data related to officers' service
and financial details are feared to have been stolen by suspected
Pakistani or Chinese hackers.

What most officers of all ranks are deeply aggrieved about is that
while PCDAO and army brass as well the defence ministry are aware of
the hacking, no measures had been taken to restore the website.

"It speaks of the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities. There is
no urgency on the part of the government to plug the massive hole and
retrieve the data," said a disgruntled officer with the Southern
Command venting his discontent at PCDAO authorities.

MoD and the Army have started investigation into the hacking, but the
issue has been kept under wraps for fear of an uproar among officers
some of whom apprehend that key components of their salary - provident
fund or travel allowance/dearness allowance --might have been swept
clean by the online miscreants.



"We have no clue what might have happened to our salary because we are
not being able to access our salary slips. The hackers have hit where
it hurts the officer corps the most," said a major general who did not
wish to be identified.

Indeed, the PCDAO website is central to an officer's finances. He or
she can not only access information on the salary, but also audit and
details on allowances, including leave travel allowance, receipt of
claims, proof of IT returns. Officers also apply for PF withdrawals
through the website.

Officers' individual accounts which can be accessed through a username
and password carry other details such as their exact areas of posting,
the units they belong to, PAN card numbers and bank account details
among other things.

Many officers claimed these constitute sensitive information that
foreign agencies might be interested in getting hold of. Preliminary
investigations revealed that all data of officers across regiments
have been "stolen from the Mumbai server through a remote login port."

Several officers TOI spoke to claimed that when they tried to log into
the accounts at pcdaopune.gov.in, they found that few elements of the
original website were intact, but at the bottom there were screaming
adverts on call girls. And now the website cannot be accessed at all -
a clear indication that PCDAO and MoD officials have displayed
lethargy to restore it or, for that matter, probe whether data had
been lost or online miscreants managed to transfer out money from
officers' accounts.

The defence establishment initially put up on the PCDAO website that
it would "resume shortly", saying "salary upload is in progress".
Subsequently, the website shut down completely. When approached for a
comment, a defence spokesperson claimed he had no information that the
PCDAO website had been hacked.

A PCDAO spokesperson, when contacted, admitted that several officers,
alarmed by the disruption, have been approaching officers in Pune to
make inquiries why they were not being able to access their salary
details. The spokesperson, however, claimed that the website had
crashed because of "modification of the computer system" which caused
an erroneous transfer of data.
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April 09, 2015
I would like to watch online videos on my HDTV, but it doesn't support
Wi-Fi connections. I don't want to buy a new television yet. Is there
any way to add wireless functionality to my TV?

Rohan Fernandes, Kirit Mehta, Yashpal Singh



You can invest in a digital media player for your HDTV. Your set must
have a free HDMI port (and in some cases, a USB as well) to
accommodate the device. This set-up will let you wirelessly stream
content from the internet, or connected devices, and also has the
ability to play a wide range of digital formats. Now, depending on
your budget and specific needs, you can opt for any one of the two
types of players...

Ultra-portable: Google Chromecast (available online for Rs 2,999)
resembles a USB pen drive; connects to your TV via its HDMI and USB
port (for power), and is capable of streaming content — pictures,
music, videos — wirelessly from a PC, smartphone or tablet. You will
require the Chromecast app (available for Android and iOS) to help
with the initial set-up.

You can also consider the Roku 3500R Streaming Stick (Rs 5,000), which
can be controlled via the Roku app (for Android and iOS) as well as
the included remote control. While both devices will also let you
stream content from the web, they do not come with internal storage
that lets you store content.

Box-type: These devices also have to be connected to your TV via an
HDMI port. The added advantage is that they come with extra
connectivity options, including USB ports for flash and external
storage drives, Ethernet for a wired network, optical-out for digital
audio, a slot for SD cards, etc.

Here, you can opt for the WD TV Live (Rs 8,000), Roku 3 (Rs 8,500) or
the Amkette evoTV (MC, AC or XT) (with prices from Rs 6,000 to Rs
8,500).

The WD TV is ideal for personal multimedia content and to access
pre-loaded web services like YouTube and Flickr.

The Amkette players offer greater USB connectivity (four compared to
the two on the WD TV and one on Roku) and are Android-based systems,
giving you access to the apps on the Google Play Store.

The Roku includes a microSD card slot and a remote control that has a
convenient 3.5mm jack for earphones (these are also included). When in
use, audio is streamed wirelessly to it. However, it is handicapped by
a limited support for digital file formats.

It can play MP4, MKV, AAC, MP3, JPG and PNG, when compared to the WD
TV and Amkette players, which support a wider range of AV formats like
DVD (VOB files), high-def MT2S videos, Windows Media files and
high-quality audio standards like OGG and FLAC.
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April 09, 2015

Finding a way out to avoid inconvenience to Members of Parliament at
toll plazas so that they don't have to pay the user fee, government
will provide two smart tags for their official vehicles. These tags
will be issued under the exempt category.

Sources said that the road transport ministry will start this exercise
soon since MPs in different parliamentary panels have claimed it's a
hassle in getting exemption from paying toll and also at certain
plazas they are made to pay. A couple of MPs raised this issue at the
subordinate legislation committee meeting on Tuesday. One of them said
while his vehicle gets exemption from paying toll when he is in the
car on his way to airport, his driver has to pay when he returns.

TOI on February 14 had first reported how MPs had raised concern over
the hassle that they face at toll plazas while showing their identity
cards to avail the exemption and the issue was included in the agenda
of House Committee. It was subsequently discussed at the meeting.

Road ministry officials said issuance of two tags to each legislator
will solve their problem. Sources said, the government had exempted
MPs from paying toll till 2008 but this concession was withdrawn.
Later in 2010, the facility was restored. So, there is no uniformity
across toll plazas on allowing free passage to MPs.

Sources said that some members of the subordinate committee also
raised the issue of providing some relief to the users of public
transport, particularly buses, from paying toll charges. They also
recommended that the agencies including NHAI must provide adequate
service road facility along the tolled highways for smooth flow of
local traffic.

TOI has learnt that some of the members raised the issue of truckers
bypassing toll plazas by taking village roads to avoid paying user
fee. They also quizzed officials about the steps being taken to end
this menace. "We raised this issue since all the future projects will
be built with 100% government funding. Any loss in toll collection
will impact the government's revenue," said Congress MP, T Subirami
Reddy, who is also chairman of the panel.
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April 08, 2015 ,

Kurnool

The District of Kurnool is located in the western central part of Andhra Pradesh and its capital is the town of Kurnool. The town, although laidback, is home to many ancient monuments, palaces and temples.
This is the perfect town for people, who enjoy exploring ancient architecture and historical monuments. Kurnool has plenty of them! There are ruins of a mediaeval fort that was constructed during the reign of Vijayanagar Empire. These ruins have inscriptions in Arabic and Persian. The other places of interest are the mausoleum of Abdul Wahab, the remains of the palace belonging to the last Hindu king of the region and the Kondareddy Buruz.The flood wall that was constructed to protect the city from the rising river waters is considered to be an engineering feet. The wall forms a part of a fort wall. There are even important temples in the area, such as Nagereswarswami Temple and Peta Anjanyeswami Temple.

Accommodation

Haritha Hotel, Kurnool The hotel is located in a well-landscaped parcel of land and offers 6 air-conditioned suites, 12 air-conditioned rooms, 6 standard rooms and a dormitory with 7 beds. The hotel is equipped with a banquet hall, making it perfect for parties, conferences and meetings.

Belum Caves

Belum Caves

Belum Caves, running a length of 3,229 metres, are the second longest caves in India and are popular for their stalactite and stalagmite formations. The caves have long passages, fresh water galleries, siphons and spacious chambers. These caves have been formed naturally due to constant flow of underground water. At their deepest point, the caves descend to 150 feet from the entrance level and this point is referred to as Pataalaganga. The caves are about 110 kilometres from Kurnool. There is a giant Buddha statue located just outside the caves, which is an indication that the Buddhist monks worshipped here thousands of years ago. However, it is the shivalingam that is present inside the cave attracts devotees and visitors.
Accommodation

Haritha Hotel, Belum Caves

Guests can enjoy discovering the marvel of Belum Caves when they stay at the Haritha Hotel here. The hotel offers a 22-bed dormitory and is comfortable and clean.
Mahanandi

Mahanandi

The picturesque village of Mahanandi is located east of Nallamala Hills, near Nandyal, in Kurnool District. The village is enveloped by dense verdant forest. About 15 kilometres from the village are nine shrines to Nandi. Mahanandi is one of the nine shrines. The other eight are Shivanandi, Vinayakanandi, Somanandi, Prathamanandi, Garudanandi, Suryanandi, Krishnanandi (also known as Vishnunandi) and Naganandi The Mahanandiswara Swamy Temple is about 1,500 years old and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The shivalinga in the temple is considered to be unique because it is formed by a rough, uncut rock containing two cavities. Devotees are allowed to touch the shivalinga. There is a huge Nandi located in front of the main shrine. The tower above the shivalinga is what makes this temple unique. It is constructed in the North Indian style of architecture.
Accommodation

Haritha Hotel, Mahanandi

This hotel offers air-conditioned rooms, air-conditioned deluxe rooms, standard rooms and a dormitory with 5 beds. The staff is courteous, polite and friendly, making holidays unique and memorable.

Mantralayam

Mantralayam

The town of Mantralam is located on the bans of Tungabhadra River in Kurnool District, along the border of the neighbouring state of Karnataka. The town is popular for the Samadhi of Saint Raghavendra Teertha and is a highly sought-after religious destination by devotees of Lord Vishnu. The followers of the saint believe that he was the incarnation of Bhakta Prahlad, who was character from the Hindu epic Mahabharatha and an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. Raghavendra Teertha Swamy was a great scholar, humanitarian and a dedicated devotee of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that he performance many miracles during his lifetime.

Srisailam

Srisailam

Srisailam Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Mallikarjuna, is located on top of the Nallamalai Hills. The hills are towards the right side of the Krishna River in Kurnool District. The hill is a popular pilgrimage site for Shaivites. The temple is one of the most ancient kshetras in the country. The unique feature of this temple is that it houses both the Jyothirlingam and Mahaskthi which is rarely found in Shaivite temples.The other attraction of Nallamalai Hills is the presence of the Srisailam dam. This dam spans the Krishna River and is located in a deep canyon in the forest of the hills. The dam is about 512 metres in length and lies at an elevation of 300 metres.
Accommodation

Haritha Hotel Srisailam

With a beautiful landscaped garden and lush greenery, the Srisailam Haritha Hotel offers a tranquil setting. It has air-conditioned, non-air-conditioned and dormitories for guests who are looking for rest and relaxation.

Ahobilam

Ahobilam

Ahobilam is located in the Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh and is considered to be one of the 108 Vaishnava Divyadesams in the country. The region is famous for its two beautiful temples located in lower Ahobilam and upper Ahobilam. According to local legend, this was the spot where Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, blessed Prahlada and slayed Hiranyakshipu. The region gets its name from the local language and is based on a famous shloka.

Accommodation

Haritha Hotel, Ahobilam
Guests can enjoy the history of the region when they stay at the hotel in Ahobilam. The hotel has 4 air-conditioned rooms and 4 standard rooms.

Oravakallu

Oravakallu

Orvakallu is a natural landscape of regal rock formations around a long, meandering body of water. It is located about 25 kilometres from Kurnool, on National Highway 18. It is relatively easy to find. These natural rock formations are perfect for trekking, as visitors can climb up the rocks, which are of multitude shapes and sizes. On reaching the highest point, visitors are rewarded with a breathtaking view of the water body that has wide open spaces and clear blue skies as its backdrop. Orvakallu is a great place to enjoy a picnic under the shade of the mighty rocks; and it also offers a great photo opportunities for visitors who want to take back souvenirs of their memorable holiday in Andhra Pradesh.             Readmore
Yaganti

Yaganti

Located in Kurnool District, Yaganti is about 100 kilometres from the city of Kurnool. It is home to a famous temple, Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple that is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Nandi Bull, Lord Shiva’s trustworthy steed. The distinctive feature of the temple is the presence of Pushkarini, which is a small pond in the premises of a temple. The water flows into the pond from the mouth of Nandi Bull and comes from the surrounding hills. While it is not known how the water makes its way into the pond, it is full throughout the year. Besides the marvellous pond, the temple architecture is also worth checking it. It showcases the skills of Viswakarma Sthapathis.
Rollapadu sanctuary

Rollapadu sanctuary

Spread over an area of 614 square kilometres, the Rollapadu Sanctuary is located in Kurnool District, about 60 kilometres from the city of Kurnool. It is teeming with wildlife and deciduous forests. The Sanctuary is situated along the Eastern Ghats and is home to many different species of birds and animals. Visitors can spy black bucks, bonnet macaques, Indian bustards, Indian rollers, sparrows, myna, Russell’s vipers, Indian cobra, wolves, foxes, jackals and many other creatures that call this sanctuary their home. This sanctuary is well-known for its Great Indian Bustard population and is considered an endangered species. The thorny bushes and open grasslands provide the perfect habitat for birds and animals.

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April 08, 2015 ,

Vijayawada

The moment you mention Vijaywada to locals, they will talk about beautiful springs, mouthwatering sweets and juicy mangoes. Also, known as Bezawada, this city is located on the banks of Krishna River and overlooks the Bay of Bengal. The Indrakeeladri Hill forms a spectacular backdrop to the city on the west.
The name of the city translates to 'place of victory' and it holds and important position in South India because it is home to the region's largest railway junction. The city name has mythological connections, as it is claimed that Arjuna was blessed by Lord Shiva at the top of the Indrakeeladri Hill and after that Arjuna created Vijayawada. According to another myth, Goddess Durga rested here after killed a demon and that is why the place got its name. Nonetheless, Vijayawada is a veritable paradise for people to learn more about the region's history and culture. The city is renowned for some beautiful temples, Buddhist shrines and of course, the famous Prakasam Barrage.
Accommodation
Berm Park
Discover the wonders of Vijayawada and its neighbouring areas when you stay at Berm Park. The hotel boasts of beautifully decorated suites, deluxe rooms and standard rooms. The location of the hotel is beautiful with hills enveloping it.

Kanaka Durga Temple

Kanaka Durga Temple

The temple of Kanaka Durga is located in Vijayawada and leaves visitors spellbound. The beautiful and picturesque temple lies on top of Indrrakiladri Hills and enshrines Goddess Kanaka Durga. The hill offers some amazing vistas of the city. There are two routes to the temple. One can take the stairs leading to the temple which can be difficult and arduous. The one route is driving up the Ghat road. Along both routes there are ancient inscriptions that reveal the stories from the ancient times. Local legend claims that Arjuna, the mighty warrior from the Mahabharatha, received his divine weapon, the Pasupatha, at this site and after getting the weapon, he constructed the temple to honor Goddess Durga.
Amaravati

Amaravati

Amaravati is a small town located on the banks of Krishna River. It is about 33 kilometres from Vijayawada and has historical importance. It used to be the site of an ancient Buddhist settlement, which was known as Chintapalli. The stupa at this site was said to be bigger than the one at Sachi. This stupa was built in the 3rd century BC during the reign of King Ashoka. It had gateway at each cardinal point. While these structures are no longer there, one of the gateways was meticulously reconstructed. The carvings on the gateway highlight the life of Buddha. There is a small museum that has collections right from the 3rd century to the 12th century AD and one of the images of Buddha has lotus symbols on the feet with long ear lobes and tight curls. The museum is fascinating.

Bhavani Island

Bhavani Island

Spread over an area of 133 acres, Bhavani Island is a river island that offers a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is a place to rest, relax and enjoy oneself with its mangroves, well-manicured gardens, pristine woodlands, rolling meadows and shimmering water bodies. Bhavani Island is a popular picnic spot, where children can run around carefree while adults can enjoy the energising and refreshing ambience. Situated in Krishna River, the island is quite close to Prakasam Barrage. There are great boating facilities, which allow visitors to explore the river. The swimming pools on the island are well-maintained and clean. Visitors, who do not want to spend time in the pools, can opt for other watersports or try their hand at fishing and angling.
Accommodation
Haritha Resort, Bhavani Island
Enjoy boat tours and lush natural beauty when you stay at the Haritha Resort at Bhavani Island. Guests will enjoy the unique wooden architecture of the treetop cottages that are elevated on stilts. There also are regular air-conditioned suites that will win guests over with their décor and outstanding service.

Prakasam Barrage

Prakasam Barrage

The Prakasam Barrage is built across the Krishna River and is imposing in appearance. It stretches 1,223.5 metres across the river, over a lake and is the largest barrage in Asia. The barrage also serves as a road-bridge. The barrage was built in 1855 and was enhanced in 1957.The three canals that run into the barrage traverse Vijayawada to give the city a Venetian look. The barrage makes a wonderful place to walk leisurely and enjoy the shimmering lake and balmy breeze. Prakasam Barrage is responsible for transforming Krishna Delta into a fertile area and is major grain producing-region of the state.

Undavalli Caves

Undavalli Caves

The Undavalli Caves date back to the 7th century BC and are prime example of rock-cut architecture. The caves are about 8 kilometres from Vijayawada and offer a unique perspective into ancient religious practices. The caves are carved out of sandstone on the side of a hill. While there are many caves, the largest is the one that is most popular for its huge monolith of Lord Vishnu in the reclining posture. This monolith is made from a single granite block and is located on the second storey of the temple, which has a total of four stories. It is believed that the caves were originally used by Jain monks because of its Udayagiri and Khandgiri architectural styles. The main cave is a prime example of Gupta architecture style, which concentrated on primitive rock-cut monastery cells.

Kuchipudi

Kuchipudi

The ancient hamlet of Kuchipudi is renowned as being the birthplace of one of the most popular dance forms of South India, the Kuchipudi dance. This beautiful and serene village is about 60 kilometres from Vijayawada and is home to the Kuchipudi dance school. According to the locals, Siddhendra Yogi, the founder of Kuchipudi dance, used to live in this village. He is responsible for establishing a base for the dance form and over the years, Kuchipudi not only flourished in India, but also around the world. Visiting this hamlet, visitors can marvel at the site where this extremely expressive dance form originated. The experience of visiting the site of the dance school can be very enriching.

Vijayawada

St. Mary's Church

St. Mary's Church

St. Mary's Church, Gunadala, also known as The Mother of Good Health, Mary Matha's Shrine and Gundala Matha Shrine is built on a hillock. Located in Krishna District, close to Vijayawada, this church houses a museum, which has many valuable gifts as well as ancient relics. Most of the gifts housed in the church were presented by devotees. It is said that Father Arlati Pime, who was the rector of St. Joseph Orphanage, made a pathway leading to the hillock and place small statue of Our Lady in 1925. This paved way for the local devotees to visit the statue and laid the foundation for the shrine. On February 11, every year, the church hosts an annual feast to commemorate the appearance of Mother Mary at Lourdes. People from all faiths participate in this festival, which attracts more than 50,000 devotees each year.
Rajiv Gandhi Park

Rajiv Gandhi Park

Although a fairly recent park, the Rajiv Gandhi Park in Vijayawada is a major attraction. Located at the entrance of the city, the Park is renowned amongst the locals for its beautifully landscaped lawns and lush greenery. The park has many walking trails, a mini zoo and replicas of pre-historic animals and dinosaurs. The fertile soil of the Park was specially brought in from the banks of Krishna River and it is claimed that because of this the greenery in the Park is flourishing. Many locals are attracted to the Park for its musical fountains, which operate from 7.30 pm until 8.15 pm from Tuesdays through Sundays. The Park stays closed on Mondays. The vibrant flowers, skating ring, aquarium, mini train, target practice area, playpen for kids and a rock fall are other attractions of the zoo.

Victoria Museum

Victoria Museum

This beautiful archaeological museum was established in 1887 in Vijayawada. It houses many artefacts and archaeological treasures that are extremely well preserved. The main attractions of the Museum are Mahishasura Mardhini (Goddess Durga) and Buddha images. In addition, the Museum has exhibits of pre-historic tools, stone and copper plates, gold and silver coins, weaponry, textiles and pottery. The Museum is home to a huge granite image and a white limestone image of Lord Buddha. The latter shows Lord Buddha in a standing position and was excavated in Alluru. In addition, there are some magnificent sculptures dating back to the 4th and 5th centuries of Lord Shiva that are worth checking out. The Museum is open from Saturdays through Thursdays, from 10.30 am until 5 pm. Entry into the Museum is free.

Gandhi Hill

Gandhi Hill

As the name suggests, this hill is a homage to Mahatma Gandhi, who is the Father of the Nation. The memorial was inaugurated on October 1968 by the then president of India, Dr. Zakir Hussain. Located in Vijayawada, Gandhi Hill is home to seven stupas. One of the stupas, known as High Gandhi Stupa, stands at a height of 500 feet and has inscriptions of Mahatma Gandhi's teachings, just like all the other stupas on the hill. In addition, visitors can visit the Gandhi Memorial Library and planetarium. There is even a sound and light show that is held at the hillock. Gandhi Hill offers an amazing and breathtaking view of Vijayawada, especially in the evenings.

Mogalarajapuram Caves

Mogalarajapuram Caves

The Mogalrajapuram Caves are renowned for three temples, which are said to be constructed in the 5th century. One of the temples in the cave has an amazing carving of Ardhanariswara and is supposed to be one-of-its-kind in Southern India. The temples have beautifully carved images of Lord Vinayaka and Lord Shiva in the Nataraja appearance. The caves are located about 5 kilometres from Vijayawada and although in ruins, the Mogalrajapuram Caves offer a unique opportunity to take in the beautiful treasure trove of carvings and sculptures.

Hazratbal Mosque

Hazratbal Mosque

The beautiful white Hazrat Bal Mosque is located in the heart of Vijayawada city. This mosque holds a special place in the lives of Muslims, as it houses a holy relic of Prophet Mohammed, the founder of Islam. As the Muslims consider the Prophet to be the last messenger of God, this mosque is considered extremely sacred and holy by Muslims. The relic is displayed once and year and attracts people of all faiths. Thousands of believers throng to the Mosque to get a glimpse of the holy relic, as believers consider this day to be auspicious for praying and paying respect. The fact that Muslims and non-Muslims pray side by side on this day is a true indication of the communal harmony that exists in the city of Vijayawada.

Kondapalli Fort

Kondapalli Fort

This fort was constructed in the 14th century and has served many dynasties ruling the region. It is located in Kondapalli village, which is about 16 kilometres from Vijayawada. The fort was used as trading centre and during the colonial rule, it served as a base for military training. The area around the fort is a relaxing picnic spot.The fort has three entrance gates. The main gate is known as Dargha Darwaza and is made from a single granite block. It is about 12 feet wide and 15 feet high. The gate gets its unique name from Gulab Shah's tomb. The other notable gate of the fort is the Golconda Darwaza, which is fortified with battlements and towers. This gate functions as a gateway to the neighbouring village of Jaggaiahpet.

Mangalagiri

Mangalagiri

Located on Vijayawada-Guntur road, Mangalagiri is an elephant-shaped hill. It is considered to be an auspicious hill by the Hindus, as it houses the extremely beautiful Sri Panakala Narasimhaswamy Temple. The main deity in the temple is Narasimhaswamy, who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This holy temple has the honour of being one of the eight main holy temples in India. At the foothill of Mangalagiri, there is another temple called the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, In addition, the hill is home to a massive Jain temple, which is known as Hinkar Tirtha. Mangalagiri is popular for its religious structures and the lush greenery, which is extremely soothing and beautiful.

Manginapudi Beach

Manginapudi Beach

The massive coastline of Andhra Pradesh is one of the main attractions of the state, and this attraction can be enjoyed at Manginapudi Beach, which is located close to the city of Vijayawada. The beach is renowned for its historical heritage and calm, shallow waters, which are ideal for swimming, boating and other water activities. The beach is about 11 kilometres from Machilipatnam, which used to be a thriving port centuries ago, as it served as an entry point into India. Manginapudi Beach has a natural bay, which makes the beach very attractive. In addition, there is a park on the beach which has lush greenery, fountains and lighting features.

S Naga Malleswara Reddy

S NAGA MALLESWARA REDDY

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