Festivals and Fairs in Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam, one of the largest cities of Coastal Andhra and the second largest in the state. Having been developed into being one of the most commercialized cities in the state, people haven’t lost the cultures, beliefs, rituals or any traditions. Due to the advent of various cultures into the city from across the country, Visakhapatnam serves the locals and tourists with some of the most enigmatic and enthralling fairs and festivals giving it a name as the “Jewel of the East Coast”. The interval between November to January during winters is called as the festive season for the city.

Visakha Utasav is celebrated in the month of January from the 3rd Friday of January for three consecutive days and is organized by the Tourism Department of Andhra Pradesh every year. People from all corners of the state and the country come to visit this colorful festival with a lot of cultural heritage, food fair, sports events, fashion shows and exhibitions.

The Rishikonda Beach Festival is a three day long annual festival celebrated at the Rishikonda Beach of Visakhapatnam from 22nd to 25th December. With food stalls, crafts and cultural exhibitions, the festival has a lot of foot fall through many locals and tourists across the state.

This three day long festival starts on the second Friday of the month of December and ends on the consecutive Sunday organized by the state government in the honor of the Buddhist civilians of the state illustrates and commemorates the age old Buddhist tradition and culture flourishing in India for centuries.

Chandanotsavam, also known as the ‘Chandana Yatra’, is yet another noteworthy festival of Vizag that is annually celebrated in the month of March or April. This religious fiesta celebrated in the honor of Lord Vishnu is held at the Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple of Simhachalam.

Visakhapatnam, being the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy celebrates the ‘Navy Day’ on 4th December every year which commemorates the deadly attack carried out by the Missile Boats of the Indian Navy on the Karachi Harbor on 4th December 1971 during the Indo-Pak War. Navy Day appeals a lot of people and family households and the employment from ENC and Indian Navy is one of the major reasons for such sort of a diverse cultural existence in the city.

ISKCON Utsav is celebrated during the Dussehra Holidays organized by the International Society of Krishna Consciousness hence is called as ISKCON Utsav primarily for creating awareness of the principles and values of ISKON and their way of worship.

Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 16th December every year commemorating the historical victory of India over Pakistan in the 1971 Indo Pak War. Being one of the important occurring’s of growing India, the win over Pakistan is celebrated in much homage to the martyrs of the war.

Celebrated for two days mainly aiming at the promotion and propagation of the ethnic culture of Visakhapatnam and the traditional Carnatic music, the music festival brings a lot of artists, performers on the same stage sharing views and collaborating in the future endeavors.

Due to the advent of people across the nation, Visakhapatnam also celebrates every other important household festival’s like Diwali, Dussehra, Holi, Lohri, Easter, Christmas, Eid, Pongal and Onam amongst many. These are no boundaries in the city of Destiny for any belief, followings or way of living. Visakhapatnam, truly is a tourists delight.