Vijayawada
| Vijayawada | |
|---|---|
| Metropolis | |
Clockwise from top left: VMC pylon, Krishnaveni statue, Deccan Queen, Krishna River and Prakasam Barrage, police control room junction, Kanaka Durga Temple and Telugu Thalli statue
| |
| Etymology: Vijaya | |
| Nickname(s): Bezawada | |
 
Vijayawada
Location of Vijayawada
| |
| Coordinates: 16.5193°N 80.6305°ECoordinates: 16.5193°N 80.6305°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| District | Krishna |
| Region | Coastal Andhra |
| Incorporated (Municipality) | 1 April 1888 |
| Incorporated (Corporation) | 1981 |
| Founded by | Arjuna |
| Named for | Victory |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–Council |
| • Body | Vijayawada Municipal Corporation |
| • Mayor | Koneru Sridhar (Telugu Desam Party) |
| • MLAs | |
| • MP | Kesineni Srinivas |
| • Municipal commissioner | J. Nivas |
| Area[1] | |
| • Metropolis | 61.88 km2 (23.89 sq mi) |
| • Metro[2] | 437.09 km2(168.76 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 2nd (in state) |
| Elevation[3] | 23 m (75 ft) |
| Population (2011)[4] | |
| • Metropolis | 1,034,358 |
| • Rank | 27th (India) 2nd (Andhra Pradesh) |
| • Density | 31,289/km2(81,040/sq mi) |
| • Metro[2] | 1,800,000 |
| Demonym(s) | Bezawadollu |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 520 XXX |
| Telephone code | +91-0866 |
| Vehicle registration | AP-16, AP-17, AP-18, AP-19 |
| Official language | Telugu |
| Website | vijayawada |
Vijayawada is a city in the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region, on the banks of River Krishna in Krishna district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.[5][6][7] The city is the third most densely populated in the urban population of built-up areas in the world and is the second largest city in Andhra Pradesh by population.[8] Vijayawada is classified as a Y-grade city as per the Sixth Central Pay Commission.[9] Vijayawada is the commercial headquarters of Andhra Pradesh. It was recognised as a "Global City of the Future" by McKinsey Quarterly, which expected an increase to GDP of $17 billion by 2025.[10][11] Vijayawada was ISO 37120 Platinum Level certified in October 2018 and has been added to the "Global Cities Registry".[12][13]
The city is known for its landmarks such as Prakasham Barrage across the Krishna river;[14] Krishnaveni Mandapam (River Museum) depicting the history of Krishna river and a nearby idol of the river known as Krishnaveni statue; Gandhi Hill, the first Mahatma Gandhi Memorial in the country, an elevation of 500 ft on the on a hill; Bhavani Island, one of the largest river island amidst Krishna River. The Kanaka Durga Temple is a Hindu temple of Goddess Durga on the Indrakeeladri hill, on the banks of Krishna River. The deity is described as Swayambhu (self-manifested) in Triteeya kalpa.[15] Akkana Madanna cave temple is a rock-cut temple which is located at the lower reach of the Indrakeeladri temple[16].
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There are many legends behind the origin of the name Vijayawada. Goddess Durga killed the demon and relaxed in this place for some time. As she was victorious (vijaya), the place came to be known as Vijayawada (vijaya translates to victory and wada as place/location, literally "The Place of Victory").[17]
The epic Mahabharata refers to the Indrakiladri hills as the place where Arjuna secured Pashupatastra from Lord Shiva. The city thereafter came to be known as Vijayavatika and later as Vijayawada.[18]
In some legends, Vijayawada was referred to as 'Rajendracholapura'. A tale behind its acquiring the name Bezawada is that Goddess Krishnaveni (River Krishna) requested Arjuna to make a passage for her to merge into the Bay of Bengal. Hence, Arjuna made a bejjam (hole) through the mountains and the place came to be known as Bejjamwada which later changed to Bezawada.[19][20][21]