If you are a Vizagite, then just the name is enough to bring a smile on your face, make you feel the pleasant breeze of the sea, the soothing touch of beach sand under your feet. If you are not from Vizag you’ll happen to grow an emotional relation with it after you visit it once.

But there’s more to it people. The city even has history surrounded to it and this article presents you 10 interesting facts about Vizag that make it a unique city.

1. India’s First Naval Base was setup in Vizag

One of the 3 major bases of Eastern Naval Command was established in Visakhapatnam. Visakhapatnam is the headquarters of ENC. It is responsible for states of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Navy day will be celebrated on 4th of December every year, which is the celebration of Victory at Sea against Pakistan in 1971 war. During the event, Navy displays the power and fleet of the Indian Navy. It is a must attend event.  Beach Road will be flooded with spectators who come to witness magnificent Navy fleet exhibiting the strength at the sea.

2. It is the only city in India that hosts two of the largest ports in the country.
 
Vishakhapatnam port is one of 13 major ports in India. It is the only major port of Andhra Pradesh which also happened to be India’s second largest port by volume of cargo handled. It was opened in 1933.

The Gangavaram Port, India’s deepest port was inaugurated in 2009.

3. Vizag hosts the first submarine museum in South Asia.
 
INS Kursura is one of the first four submarines purchased by the India navy in 1969. It played a key role in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. It was decommissioned in 2001, upon which it was established as a Submarine Museum in Rama Krishna beach of Vizag on 9 August 2002.

The project was designed and lobbied to be sanctioned by then C.M. Mr. Nara Chandrababu Naidu making it South Asia’s 1st and world’s 2nd submarine museum.
Isn’t it a cool fact about Vizag?

4. Traces of Buddhism. 

Buddhist relics found in the Thotlakonda Buddhist Complex are estimated to date back between the 1st century BC to 2nd century AD.

5. Oldest Shipyard in India.

Shipyard

Yes, you heard it right.
Hindustan Shipyard Limited is India’s first and the oldest shipyard established way back in 1941, during the World War 2 era. As of 2009 it had built over 170 vessels and repaired almost 2000 ships and it is also known for conducting repairs for Indian Navy submarines.
Interesting thing is that it is also equipped to construct nuclear-powered submarines.

6. The land of Narasimha.
 
According to ancient scripts, Simhachalam - A Lord Narasimha temple which is located just 25 kms away from Vizag City is the place at which Lord Vishnu reincarnated in the form of Lord Narasimha responding to the prayers of Bhaktha Prahalada to restore faith and order by ending the carnage being caused by the demon, Hiranyakashyapu .

7. Alluri Seeta Rama Raju is from Visakhapatnam region. 

This is the place that moulded Alluri Seeta Rama Raju, a famous Indian revolutionary of Independence movement during his teen years. He enrolled at Mrs. A.V.N. College for his higher studies and there he was inspired to free his country. Telugu people crowned him with the title “Manyam Veerudu” (Hero of jungles).

8. Third largest city on the East Coast India.

With 682 Sq. Kms, it is the third largest city on East Coast beside Chennai and Kolkata. It is termed as “Jewel of the East coast” because of the wide range of financial operations it hosts.

9. Witness the legacy.
 
During the Indo-Pakistan war in 1971, Vizag witnessed anincident. The Pakistani submarine Ghazi being destroyed by Indian warship”INS RAJPUT” off the coast of Visakhapatnam.

10. India’s first Nuclear submarine “INS Arihant” is built in Vizag.
 
The project was launched in 2009. INS Arihant Strategic Strike Nuclear Submarine, is the lead ship of India's Arihant class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.