If you like places that haven’t been polished for tourists, Parvathipuram Manyam is worth a few days. It is a young district in north-eastern Andhra Pradesh, created on 4 April 2022 and hard up against the Odisha border. The headquarters town, Parvathipuram, sits at about 120 m above sea level, 157 km by road from Visakhapatnam. This is not a resort district. You come for 10th–15th century temples, forest waterfalls, big irrigation reservoirs, tribal weekly markets and cheap, unhurried travel. Roughly 28% of people here belong to Scheduled Tribes, so beyond Telugu you will hear Sora (Savara) and Kuvi in the hills.
Tourism infrastructure is thin, so I have listed only places and stays I could confirm against the district’s official portal, Indian Railways schedules and hotel listings checked in October 2026. Opening hours, prices and train times change, so confirm anything critical before you leave. Here is the quick snapshot:
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| District formed | 4 April 2022, carved out of Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts |
| Headquarters | Parvathipuram town (PIN 535501, STD code 08963), elevation about 120 m |
| Area / population | 3,659 km² / 9,25,340 people (2011 Census); about 28% Scheduled Tribe |
| Languages | Telugu (89%), Sora/Savara (about 6%), Kuvi (about 2%) as first languages (2011) |
| Rail stations | Parvathipuram (PVP) and Parvathipuram Town (PVPT), about 1 km apart |
| From Visakhapatnam | 157 km by road (about 3.5–4 hrs), 139 km by rail (1 hr 48 min to about 3 hrs 20 min) |
| Nearest airport | Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, Bhogapuram (VTZ), open since 17 Aug 2026 |
| Best months | November to February |
History
The district was once part of ancient Kalinga. Its oldest standing monuments come from the Eastern Ganga rulers of Kalinga: the Nilakanteswara temple complex at Narayanapuram dates to the 10th century, and the Kamesvara (Kamalingeswara) temple at Gallavalli, in the Odisha style, dates to the early 11th century. Under British rule the region became part of the Madras Presidency.
Modern Parvathipuram grew with the railway. The Vizianagaram–Parvathipuram line (79 km) opened in 1908–09, was extended to Salur in 1913, and the line on to Raipur was completed in 1931. The town’s St. Paul’s Lutheran Church dates to 1888. On 4 April 2022 the Parvathipuram division of Vizianagaram district and part of Srikakulam district’s Palakonda division were combined into the new Parvathipuram Manyam district. As the official portal puts it, the name itself signals a mainly Scheduled Tribe population.
Best Time to Visit
The best window is November to February: the rain has gone, afternoons stay around 25–28 °C and nights drop to about 14–17 °C. Waterfalls are strongest right after the monsoon, so late November is my sweet spot if falls matter more to you than cool air.
Why This is the Best Time
Annual rainfall is about 1,529 mm, and almost all of it falls from June to October (190–310 mm a month). October is still wet, and October–November is cyclone season on this coast, so check the forecast. The official district profile also notes that the interior runs 2–3 °C hotter than the coast in summer, which fits the 35–36 °C averages of April and May. Here are the month-by-month averages (climate-data.org figures, so treat them as approximate):
| Month | Avg high °C | Avg low °C | Rain (mm) | My verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov | 27 | 17 | 38 | Good: rain has dropped, waterfalls still flowing |
| Dec | 25.5 | 14.3 | 21 | Best: cool, dry, clear |
| Jan | 26 | 14.3 | 18 | Best: coolest and driest |
| Feb | 28.3 | 16.8 | 15 | Best: dry, warming up |
| Mar | 33.2 | 20.1 | 21 | Okay: getting hot by afternoon |
| Apr | 35.1 | 25.2 | 31 | Hot: sightsee early morning only |
| May | 36.1 | 27.2 | 90 | Hottest and sticky: skip |
| Jun | 34.2 | 26.8 | 192 | Monsoon begins: skip |
| Jul | 30.9 | 25.3 | 289 | Heavy rain: skip |
| Aug | 30.8 | 25.1 | 312 | Wettest month: skip |
| Sep | 31.2 | 25 | 264 | Heavy rain: skip |
| Oct | 30.9 | 21.5 | 238 | Still wet and cyclone-prone: risky |
Things to Do and See
Most sights are temples, dams and waterfalls spread across the district, so a hired car or two-wheeler for the day makes things much easier. Distances below are from Parvathipuram town, taken mainly from the district portal. The table at the end gives a quick planner.
1. Kasi Visweswara Temple, Addapuseela
A 15th-century Shiva temple about 4 km from town (Wikipedia says 5 km). Darshan timings are 5 am–12 noon and 4–7 pm. Festivals include Shivaratri, Karthika Masam, Sravana Masam and Dola Yatra. Locals say the lingam appears white from Pournami to Amavasya and black from Amavasya to Pournami, so ask the priest about it.
2. Thotapalli Barrage and Sri Venkateswara (Chinna Tirupati) Temple
About 12 km from town. The Sardar Gouthu Latchanna Thotapalli Barrage on the Nagavali River was built between 2003 and 2015, opened on 10 September 2015, stores 2.51 TMC and irrigates about 1.2 lakh acres. It replaced a 1908 regulator. Nearby, the Venkateswara and Kodanda Rama temples are known locally as Chinna Tirupati, with festivals on Chaitra Pournami, Sri Rama Navami and Vaikunta Ekadasi. Sightseeing and boating are mentioned for the reservoir, but boating isn’t guaranteed, so ask on arrival. The ITDA Park here is run by the Integrated Tribal Development Agency.
3. Jhanjhavathi Rubber Dam, Komarada
About 15 km away, billed as India’s first rubber dam (commissioned around 2006). Come for the view and the engineering. Please don’t swim: there have been reported drownings at this dam, so stay out of the water.
4. Tadikonda Waterfalls, Gummalakshmipuram
The district portal calls it a good picnic spot, comparable to Araku’s Chaparai falls. It lists the distance from Parvathipuram as both 45 km and 60 km, so plan on a long drive and start early. Visit after the rains, between November and February.
5. Thonam Waterfalls, near Salur
Thonam village is 6 km from Salur, with a waterfall nearby. A good stop if you are passing through Salur, which also has teak plantations nearby.
6. Sambara Polamamba Temple, Makkuva
A riverside temple on the Gomukhi, 30 km from Parvathipuram. Its annual jatara draws lakhs of devotees from Andhra and Odisha. Visit on an ordinary day if you want quiet, or during the festival if you want the full spectacle.
7. Eastern Ganga temples: Gallavalli and Narayanapuram
For history lovers. The Kamesvara temple at Gallavalli (spelt Gallavilli on some maps) is early-11th-century Odisha-style architecture, and the Nilakanteswara complex at Narayanapuram (Balijipeta mandal, closest city Bobbili) has four temples on the west bank of the Suvarnamukhi, dating to the 10th century. Both are rural, so check the route on a map and ask locals for temple opening hours.
8. In town: church, parks and the railway
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (1888) on Main Road, Dr Sanyasi Raju Municipal Park and the Railway Park are easy short stops between meals. They are small, so budget an hour in total.
Quick planner
| Place | From Parvathipuram | Timings | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kasi Visweswara Temple, Addapuseela | 4 km | 5 am–12 noon, 4–7 pm | No ticket listed* |
| Thotapalli Barrage and Venkateswara (Chinna Tirupati) Temple | about 12 km | Daylight; temple hours not published | No ticket listed* |
| Jhanjhavathi Rubber Dam (Komarada) | 15 km | Daylight | No ticket listed* |
| Sambara Polamamba Temple (Makkuva) | 30 km | Temple hours not published; big annual jatara | No ticket listed* |
| Tadikonda Waterfalls (Gummalakshmipuram) | 45–60 km (portal lists both) | Daylight only | No ticket listed* |
| Durgapadu Waterfalls (Sikabadi, Odisha) | 65 km | Daylight only | No ticket listed* |
| Thonam Waterfalls (near Salur) | Village is 6 km from Salur | Daylight only | No ticket listed* |
*The district portal lists no entry ticket for these places. Temples accept donations, and waterfalls are open-air, so conditions vary with season and water level.
Food & Dining
Let me be straight with you: there isn’t a signature Parvathipuram dish. What you get is North Andhra home cooking with tribal staples such as millets, tamarind and forest produce, plus sour gongura (sorrel) leaves and fiery chillies everywhere. Cashew, mango and mahua are among the local crops. Eat where the locals eat. Tiffin is usually 7–10 am, meals about 12:30–3 pm and dinner from about 7 pm, and small eateries often shut by 9–10 pm. As a rough budget, plan on ₹80–150 for a vegetarian meals plate and ₹40–70 for tiffin (my own budgeting numbers, not posted menu prices).
Must-Try Local Dishes
- Gongura Pachadi – Sour sorrel-leaf chutney tempered with mustard, red chilli and garlic. It goes with every meal.
- Gongura Mamsam – Mutton cooked in a thick sorrel gravy, sour, spicy and rich.
- Pesarattu – Crisp green gram crepes, usually with ginger chutney. Ask for the “MLA pesarattu” stuffed with upma.
- Chepala Pulusu – Tamarind-based fish stew with onions and tomatoes.
- Aratikaya Kura – A curry of raw banana (plantain), cooked with mustard, curry leaves and chillies. It is not mango.
- Mamidikaya Pappu – Dal cooked with raw mango. Best in raw-mango season, roughly March to June.
- Ragi Sangati or Roti – Finger millet (ragi) balls or flatbread, often eaten with gongura pachadi or a spicy curry.
- Ulavacharu – A thick, earthy horse gram (ulavalu) soup, tempered with mustard and curry leaves.
- Korra Annam – Foxtail millet (korra) cooked like rice and served with curries, a staple in tribal households.
- Mamidikaya Pulihora – Rice tossed with raw mango, tamarind, peanuts and mustard seeds, a tangy one-pot dish.
Shopping
Don’t expect malls. Parvathipuram is a working market town, and the real shopping is in produce and tribal cooperative goods. The Girijan Cooperative Corporation (GCC) is the state’s tribal cooperative, and its products carry a fixed price, so they are the safest buy for visitors. Weekly tribal markets (shandies) run in the hill mandals, but the day varies by village, so ask your hotel before you go. Bobbili (27 km away) is known for veena-making if you want an instrument. Shops are typically open from late morning to around 8–9 pm.
Popular Things to Buy
- Araku coffee – Arabica grown by tribal farmers in the Araku area and sold by GCC as filter, instant and roasted beans.
- Girijan honey – Rock bee forest honey, collected by tribal families and sold under the Girijan Honey brand.
- Turmeric, tamarind and nannari sherbet – All sold under the GCC brand, along with soaps and pepper.
- Cashew kernels – Cashew is a local crop. Buy sealed and weighed packs from reputable shops.
- Millets – Ragi, foxtail millet and other minor millets, sold at GCC outlets and local grain shops.
- Gongura powder and pickles – Tangy sorrel pickles and powder, easy to pack. Mango pickles are at their freshest from March to June.
- Bamboo and cane items – You may find these at tribal markets. Availability varies, so treat anything you find as a bonus.
Nearby Attractions
These all work as day trips from Parvathipuram. Distances come from the district portal or railway data, and drive times are my estimates, so check road conditions after heavy rain.
| Place | Distance | Why go | Plan for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bobbili | 27 km (about 45 min) | Old fort town, famous for veena-making | Half day; easy add-on by train or bus |
| Salur and Thonam Waterfalls | Thonam is 6 km from Salur | Waterfall, plus teak plantations near Salur | Half day; go after the rains |
| Tadikonda Waterfalls | 45–60 km | The official portal compares it to Araku’s Chaparai falls | Full day with a hired car |
| Sambara Polamamba Temple | 30 km | Riverside shrine; annual festival draws lakhs | Half day; avoid the jatara crowd |
| Rayagada (Odisha) | about 46 km by rail | Hill town; gateway to Odisha’s tribal belt | Day trip by train |
| Durgapadu Waterfalls (Odisha) | 65 km (38 km from Rayagada) | Forest and hill setting; winter picnic spot | Full day; start early |
| Visakhapatnam | 157 km | Beaches, Kailasagiri, big-city comforts | Separate trip or arrival base |
Travel Options
By Road / Car / Bike
From Visakhapatnam it is 157 km, about 3.5–4 hours via Vizianagaram and Bobbili. Bobbili to Parvathipuram is 27 km. From the new Bhogapuram airport it is roughly 110 km (my estimate from the Vizianagaram leg), or about 2.5 hours. For the hill mandals and waterfalls, hire a car with a driver for the day and fill the tank in Parvathipuram or Bobbili, because pumps get scarce in the hills. Ride-hailing apps are not reliable here, so arrange a local taxi or auto.
By Train
This is the easiest way in. Parvathipuram (PVP) sits on the Vizianagaram–Raipur line, 139 km by rail from Visakhapatnam, and Parvathipuram Town (PVPT) is about 1 km away. Around 22–23 trains (some not daily) link Visakhapatnam and Parvathipuram, taking 1 hr 48 min to about 3 hr 20 min. Long-distance trains from Chennai, Kerala and Bengaluru, for example Yesvantpur–Tatanagar 18112 and SMVB–Hatia 18638, also stop at PVP. Here are some useful options (timings from the Indian Railways schedule in October 2026, so recheck on IRCTC before booking):
| Train | Leaves Visakhapatnam | Reaches Parvathipuram | Time taken | Runs / class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vande Bharat 20830 (to Durg) | 14:50 | 16:38 | 1 hr 48 min | Every day except Thursday; CC/EC only |
| Alleppey–Dhanbad Express 13352 | 13:25 | 15:43 | 2 hr 18 min | Daily; SL to 1A |
| Visakhapatnam–Durg Express 18530 | 16:50 | 19:28 | 2 hr 38 min | Daily; SL to 2A |
| Visakhapatnam–Korba Express 18518 | 21:00 | 23:10 | 2 hr 10 min | Daily; SL to 1A |
| Guntur–Rayagada Express 17243 | 09:20 | 12:18 | 2 hr 58 min | Daily; SL to 2A |
| Visakhapatnam–Koraput Passenger 58538 | 06:45 | 09:35 | 2 hr 50 min | Daily; unreserved, cheapest |
Approximate base fares for the 138 km Mail/Express journey (reservation, superfast and Tatkal charges extra):
| Class | GN | SL | CC | 3A | 2A | 1A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base fare (₹) | 60 | 140 | 260 | 495 | 700 | 1,165 |
By Air
Note that this has changed recently. Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram (code VTZ) was inaugurated on 1 August 2026 and opened for commercial flights on 17 August 2026. The old Visakhapatnam airport stopped scheduled commercial flights after 16 August 2026, so don’t book into it. Bhogapuram is about 45 km north-east of Visakhapatnam and 25 km from Vizianagaram. IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express and Scoot were among the first operators. The simplest route is a cab to Vizianagaram (25 km), then a train or bus to Parvathipuram (about 79 km by rail). A direct taxi is roughly 110 km. Agree the fare before you set off.
By Bus
APSRTC and private buses run from Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Rajahmundry, Srikakulam, Kakinada, Vijayawada and towns in Odisha. From Visakhapatnam the first bus leaves around 03:45 and the last around 16:00, taking about 3–4 hours. From Parvathipuram, buses to Visakhapatnam run from early morning until about 21:30. Non-AC APSRTC fares start at roughly ₹173, and Vijayawada takes about 13 hours at roughly ₹750–1,390 on private operators. Book on the APSRTC portal or AbhiBus, and check timings at the depot because schedules shift.
Accommodation
Parvathipuram has a small, budget-focused set of hotels, mostly around the railway station, Bypass Road and Main Road. Don’t expect boutique stays. I have listed only places that appear in current OYO, Justdial or major booking-platform listings. Some online “best hotels” lists name properties in Tamil Nadu and Odisha as Parvathipuram hotels, so ignore those. Ratings and prices below are snapshots from OYO, Justdial, Goibibo and Expedia in October 2026, so call to confirm before you travel.
Where I’d Actually Stay
- Super Hotel O Parvathipuram Railway Station Road – best if you arrive by train.
- Hotel Bhaskar Grand – a well-reviewed local hotel on Bypass Road.
- Hotel Saish Palace – central, on Main Road in the town.
- Hotel Shrikanth – a basic budget option.
- Anija Golf and Country Resort – the only resort-style stay nearby, across the Odisha border.
| Stay | Where | Indicative price / night | What I’d tell a friend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Hotel O Parvathipuram Railway Station Road (formerly Siva Karthikeya Residency) | Ramanandha Nagar, Bypass Road; 0.3 km from the station | About ₹1,065 plus ₹152 tax (as listed on OYO) | Easiest for train arrivals. AC, Wi-Fi, power backup. OYO rating 4.6 from 412 ratings. |
| Hotel Bhaskar Grand | Bypass Road, Parvathipuram | Call for tariff | Justdial rating 4.0 from 339 ratings. One of the better-reviewed local hotels. |
| Hotel Saish Palace | Main Road, Parvathipuram Town (KPR Plaza, opposite Kanyaka Parameshwari Temple) | From about ₹1,000 | Justdial rating 3.8 from 234 ratings. Central, AC rooms, dining on site. |
| Hotel Shrikanth | Parvathipuram | Call for tariff | Justdial rating 3.4 from 160 ratings. Basic budget option. |
| Anija Golf and Country Resort | Anija village, Rayagada district, Odisha (across the state border) | About ₹4,000 plus taxes (Goibibo) | Only resort-style stay nearby: 37 AC rooms, pool, spa, golf, free breakfast 7:30–10:30 am. Confirm drive time first. |
| Hotel Anand Grand Fort AC | Kaspa West Ward, Kota, Vizianagaram (about 79 km by rail) | ₹1,001–2,000 band (Justdial) | Fallback base if you want more choice. Rated 4.5 from 29 ratings. |
| Super Hotel O Vizianagaram Near Railway Station | Beside Lions Club, Vizianagaram | Check OYO for the day’s rate | Fallback base near the junction. OYO rating 4.8 from 1,606 ratings. |
Facilities & Information
Parvathipuram is the district headquarters, so the Collectorate, Municipality and the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) are all here, along with two railway stations and a bus station. The town is small and walkable, but sights are spread out, so plan transport ahead. Hill mandals have patchy services.
Government Offices & Important Facilities
- District Collectorate, Parvathipuram Manyam – Administrative hub for the district.
- Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) – Runs tribal welfare programmes and the ITDA Park at Thotapalli.
- Parvathipuram Municipality – Civic body for the town (about 53,800 people in 2011).
- Government hospital, Parvathipuram – First stop for emergencies. For advanced care, Visakhapatnam (for example King George Hospital) is the main referral centre.
- Jan Aushadhi Kendra (PMBJK11676) – Low-cost generic medicines, on the back side of the RTC Complex, opposite SSS College.
- Indian Red Cross Society, Parvathipuram Manyam branch – Hindi Bhavan, Belagam.
Other Useful Information
Emergency numbers: 112 (all emergencies), 100 (police), 108 (ambulance). Phone and internet: Airtel, Jio and BSNL are the usual networks, but coverage drops in forested hill areas, so download offline maps. Cash: ATMs are in town but scarce in the hills, so withdraw in Parvathipuram or Salur first. Climate: carry light cotton, an umbrella from June to October, and a light layer for December and January nights. Etiquette: dress modestly at temples, and ask before photographing people in tribal villages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the nearest big hospital for serious emergencies?
Use the government hospital in Parvathipuram for first aid and stabilisation. For advanced care, Visakhapatnam (about 157 km, 3.5–4 hours by road) is the main referral hub, so call 108 for an ambulance.
How can I get a SIM card or recharge my phone?
Airtel, Jio and BSNL outlets operate in town. Carry your ID, since you will need it to buy a new SIM.
Is the drinking water safe?
Stick to sealed bottled water, which is sold widely in the town, and avoid ice or raw salads at small roadside stalls.
Where can I withdraw or exchange money?
ATMs are available in Parvathipuram town. Currency exchange is not something to count on here, so exchange foreign currency in Visakhapatnam before you come.
How do I visit the waterfalls and dams?
Hire a car with a driver for the day, since waterfalls are 45–65 km out and public transport is limited. Go between November and February, start early, and don’t swim in dams or fast water.
Which airport should I use?
Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram (VTZ) replaced the old Visakhapatnam airport for scheduled flights from 17 August 2026. It is roughly 110 km from Parvathipuram.
Do foreign tourists need a permit?
I’m not aware of any special permit for Parvathipuram town and its main sights. Carry your passport and visa, and ask the forest department or ITDA before entering reserved forest or remote tribal hamlets.
Comments
Post a Comment