Let me be straight with you: Anakapalli (also spelled Anakapalle) isn’t a postcard-pretty resort town, and that’s exactly why I like it. It sits on the Sarada River, roughly 34 km southwest of Visakhapatnam, and is home to one of India’s biggest jaggery (bellam) markets, usually ranked second-largest in the country. Add a powerful Goddess temple, 2nd–9th-century Buddhist rock-cut ruins just 3–4 km away, and a bird-filled lake within easy reach, and you have a brilliant half-day or full-day trip from Vizag. Today it is the headquarters of Anakapalli district and part of Greater Visakhapatnam (GVMC) since 2015.
History
The area’s story is much older than the town’s current look. The Buddhist monasteries on the hills at Sankaram (ancient Sangharama) were active from roughly the 2nd–4th to the 9th century CE, so people were living and worshipping here more than 1,500 years ago. Later the region passed through the hands of Kalinga rulers, the Eastern Gangas, the Gajapatis, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagara and Qutb Shahi (Golconda) powers. Around the mid-1700s, Kakarlapudi Appala Raju Payakarao ruled from a fortified base at Anakapalle, and the town later became an estate and taluk of the Madras Presidency.
In the freedom struggle the jaggery market became a stage: Mahatma Gandhi spoke at the Bellam (jaggery) Market here, and local farmers asked him to let it be called Gandhi Market. The town sits on the old Grand Trunk Road and the Howrah–Chennai railway line, which is why it has long worked as a trading hub for sugarcane, jaggery and rice.
Best Time to Visit
Plan your trip for November to February. Days are warm but comfortable, evenings are pleasant, and climbing the Buddhist hills is actually fun rather than a sweat-fest.
| Season | Months | What to expect | My verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec – Feb | Dry, pleasant, roughly 18–30 °C | Best overall |
| Post-monsoon | Oct – Nov | Warm; showers and occasional Bay of Bengal cyclone alerts | Good, check the forecast |
| Summer | Mar – May | Hot and humid, often 35 °C+ | Go early morning only |
| Monsoon | Jun – Sep | Rain, muddy paths at Sankaram, slow travel | Skip unless you love green |
Why This is the Best Time
Clear winter skies make the hill climb and the Kondakarla Ava lake visit far more enjoyable, and the jaggery market is in full swing during the sugarcane-crushing months (roughly winter into early summer). If you can match your dates with Kottha Amavasya, the day before Ugadi (March–April), you will catch the month-long Nookalamma Jathara at Sri Nookambika temple, which is spectacular but very crowded. Carry water, a hat and sunscreen in any season.
Things to Do and See
Here’s how I’d do it: market first thing in the morning, Sankaram in the late morning, temple after, and a slow riverside stroll before heading back. Distances below are approximate from Anakapalli town.
| # | Place | What it is | From town | Timings / entry | Time needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jaggery (Bellam / Gandhi) Market | One of India’s largest jaggery markets; heaps of golden jaggery blocks, traders, bullock carts | In town | Wholesale markets peak early morning; visit before noon. Free | 1 hr |
| 2 | Sri Nookambika Ammavari Temple | Revered Goddess temple at Gavarapalem; Sun, Tue and Thu are considered auspicious | In town | Daily pujas; darshan pauses during naivedyam, so ask locally for current hours. Dress modestly | 1 hr |
| 3 | Bojjannakonda & Lingalakonda (Sankaram) | Buddhist rock-cut caves, monolithic stupas and Buddha reliefs on two hills with paddy-field views | 3–4 km | Daylight hours (sunrise–sunset). Small ticket reported (₹25–50), carry change | 1.5–2 hrs |
| 4 | Chodavaram Karya Siddhi Vinayaka Temple | Self-manifested Ganesha shrine, believed to date to about 1200 AD | ≈18 km | Temple hours; free. Regular buses from Anakapalli | 1 hr |
| 5 | Kondakarla Ava | Large freshwater lake and bird habitat with palm-trunk fishing boats; recently cleared as a Conservation Reserve | ≈50 km SW of Vizag (about 20 km from town) | Best early morning or at sunset. Free; boat rides are negotiable | 2 hrs |
| 6 | Panchadarla Shiva Temple | Ancient Shiva temple in Rambilli mandal | ≈20 km | Temple hours; free | 45 min |
| 7 | Sarada riverbank & rail bridge | Quiet walk and photos at golden hour, with trains crossing the river | In town | Open access; free | 30–45 min |
Food & Dining
Anakapalli eats like coastal Andhra: bold, tangy and chilli-forward, and don’t be surprised to find jaggery in the sweets, since this is its home turf. Eating is simple here, so expect small hotels, tiffin joints and highway dhabas rather than fancy restaurants. For wider choice, eat in Visakhapatnam.
Must-Try Local Dishes
| Dish | What it is | When / where to try |
|---|---|---|
| Pesarattu with upma | Green-gram crepe, often with ginger chutney | Breakfast at tiffin stalls |
| Bellam (jaggery) sweets & Bobbatlu | Jaggery-sweetened treats; bobbatlu is a chana dal and jaggery flatbread | Market stalls; festivals |
| Gongura pachadi | Tangy sorrel-leaf chutney with rice and ghee | Andhra meals (lunch) |
| Chepala pulusu | Tamarind-based fish curry | Non-veg meals; coastal-style |
| Gongura mamsam | Mutton in sorrel gravy, sour and spicy | Non-veg restaurants |
| Pulihora | Tamarind rice with peanuts and curry leaves | Temple prasadam and roadside meals |
| Avakaya & nimmakaya pickles | Mango and lemon pickles, a fixture at every Andhra table | Buy jars to take home |
| Kobbari annam | Coconut rice tempered with mustard and urad dal | Simple lunch option |
Shopping
Shopping here is practical, not touristy. The star is jaggery, bought straight from the trade market where the price depends on quality and quantity, so compare a few stalls and bargain politely on bulk. You will also find fresh produce, spices, chillies and everyday handloom cotton in the town’s market lanes. There are no malls; for souvenirs, craft stores and large retail, go back to Visakhapatnam.
Popular Things to Buy
| Item | Notes from my bag | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra chillies & spice powders | Guntur-style heat; great gifts for cooks | Buy sealed packs, not loose, for travel |
| Jaggery (bellam) | Block, cube and powdered forms; the local speciality | Ask for fresh stock; taste before buying; carry in sealed bags |
| Pickles (avakaya, nimmakaya) | Made in local homes and sold in shops | Check seals; oil leaks happen in luggage |
| Everyday handloom cotton | Simple weaves from nearby villages | Check the fabric before haggling |
| Fresh coastal fish | Sold in the market; only worth it if you are cooking | Not for carrying home |
Nearby Attractions
Anakapalli works best as a base for the surrounding district, with Visakhapatnam’s beaches and hills just a drive away. These are the ones I’d prioritise:
| Attraction | Why go | Approx. distance |
|---|---|---|
| Sankaram Buddhist complex | Stupas, caves and reliefs; the headline sight | 3–4 km |
| Chodavaram Karya Siddhi Vinayaka | Quiet old Ganesha temple | ≈18 km |
| Panchadarla Shiva Temple | Ancient Shiva shrine | ≈20 km |
| Kondakarla Ava | Lake, bird-watching and palm-boat views | ≈50 km SW of Vizag |
| Visakhapatnam city | RK Beach, Kailasagiri, submarine museum, big restaurants and shopping | ≈34 km |
Travel Options
Anakapalli is easy to reach, with Visakhapatnam as your gateway. The figures below are typical; confirm timetables and fares before you travel.
| Mode | Route | Distance | Typical time | Approx. cost / note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air | Visakhapatnam Airport (VTZ) to Anakapalli by taxi | ≈25–30 km | 45–60 min | Prepaid taxi or app cab; roughly ₹800–1,500 |
| Train | Anakapalle station (AKP) on the Howrah–Chennai line; Vizag Jn to AKP | ≈30 km | ≈1 hr | Lowest class around ₹40 (older guide figure; check IRCTC) |
| Bus | APSRTC and private buses from Visakhapatnam (RTC Complex / Dwaraka) | ≈34 km | 1–1.5 hrs | Roughly ₹50–80; frequent departures |
| Road | Visakhapatnam to Anakapalli via NH 16 (bypasses the town) | ≈34 km | ≈1 hr | Taxi from Vizag: expect ₹1,500–2,500 |
| Road | Rajahmundry to Anakapalli | ≈166 km | ≈3 hrs | NH 16 coast route |
| Road | Hyderabad to Anakapalli (via Vijayawada) | ≈650 km | 10–11 hrs | Overnight bus or train from Hyderabad to Vizag is easier |
By Road / Car / Bike
NH 16 (part of the Golden Quadrilateral) skirts the town, so the drive from Vizag is smooth and takes about an hour. Fuel pumps and dhabas are frequent. Start early to dodge city traffic.
By Train
AKP is one of north Andhra’s busier stations, on the Visakhapatnam–Vijayawada stretch of the Howrah–Chennai main line, with many trains stopping (Janmabhoomi, Visakha and Prasanthi Express are among those that call here). Always check which trains halt at AKP on the day, since the timetable changes.
By Air
Fly into Visakhapatnam (VTZ), about 25–30 km away. Book a prepaid taxi or app cab; allow 45–60 minutes depending on traffic.
By Bus
Frequent services run from Visakhapatnam, with journeys of about 1–1.5 hours. Autos from Anakapalli to Sankaram cost a couple of hundred rupees return including waiting time; agree the fare first.
Accommodation
Be realistic: Anakapalli has simple 2–3 star hotels, no resorts. For the widest choice, many travellers base themselves in Visakhapatnam and day-trip here. The listings below are real properties shown on major booking platforms; rates are indicative and change with season, so always confirm by phone or app before you pay.
Recommended Accommodations
| Property | Location | Class | Indicative rate / night | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Brundavan Grand Inn | 16-10-30/9 Niddanam Doddi, Anakapalle | 3-star | ≈₹2,000–2,500 | Restaurant, AC rooms, Wi-Fi, parking, 24-hr front desk, banquet hall |
| Sun Castle Hotel | Junction, Anakapalli Main Road | 3-star | ≈₹2,200–2,800 | Parking, Wi-Fi, breakfast available, room options for 2–4 guests |
| SR Hotel | 12-5-48, New Colony, Anakapalle | Budget (2.5 rating) | ≈₹1,500–1,800 | Basic and cheap; Wi-Fi and parking; breakfast at extra cost |
Facilities & Information
Anakapalli is a compact, well-connected town with a railway station, bus stand, markets and everyday services; for specialist healthcare, big shopping and wider dining, head to Visakhapatnam (≈34 km). Keep cash handy for autos and market stalls, though UPI is widely accepted.
Government Offices & Important Facilities
- Anakapalli District Administration – District headquarters; official portal: anakapalli.ap.gov.in.
- GVMC Zone 7 (Anakapalli) – Civic services; the old municipality merged into Greater Visakhapatnam in 2015.
- Mandal Revenue Office & Sub-Registrar Office – Land records, certificates and property registration.
- Anakapalli Police Station – For FIRs and local safety queries.
Other Useful Information
| Need | Details |
|---|---|
| Emergency | 112 (all-in-one), 100 (police), 108 (ambulance), 1091 (women helpline) |
| District call centre | 155300 (Citizens’ Call Centre, per district website) |
| Medical | Government hospital and private clinics in town; for serious care go to Visakhapatnam (e.g. KGH) |
| Money | Bank branches and ATMs along the main road; carry some cash |
| Nearest airport | Visakhapatnam (VTZ), ≈25–30 km |
| Connectivity | Mobile coverage from major carriers; free Wi-Fi reported at the railway station |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Anakapalli famous for?
Its jaggery market (usually ranked second-largest in India), the Nookambika temple and the Buddhist ruins at Sankaram.
How far is Anakapalli from Visakhapatnam?
About 34 km; roughly one hour by road or train.
What is the nearest airport?
Visakhapatnam Airport (VTZ), about 25–30 km away.
How much time do I need?
A day trip covers the market, Sankaram and the temple; add a second day for Kondakarla Ava and Chodavaram.
Is there an entry fee at Bojjannakonda?
Sources vary; a small ticket (around ₹25–50) is commonly reported, so carry change. It is a daylight-only site.
Is Anakapalli safe for solo travellers?
Generally yes, with normal precautions; use registered taxis or buses and keep ID copies and emergency numbers handy.
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