Welcome to Vijayawada!
Vijayawada is the second largest city in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is on the banks of the Krishna River, bounded by the Indrakeeladri Hills on the west and the Budameru stream on the north. Its name literally translates to "The Place of Victory". It is also known as Bezawada. Vijayawada is in Krishna District and is known as the business capital of Andhra Pradesh. It is just 20 km from the legislative capital Amaravati. It is spread over an area of 61 km² (urban area) with a population of over 1 million people (agglomeration 1.4 million) (2011).
Vijayawada (formerly Bezawada) is the second largest city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a part of the de facto state capital region Amaravati. It lies on the banks of the Krishna river surrounded by the hills of the Eastern Ghats known as Indrakeeladri Hills in the Krishna district. It geographically lies in the central spot of Andhra Pradesh. The city has been described as the commercial, political, and educational capital of Andhra Pradesh, the second largest city in Andhra Pradesh and is one of the fastest growing urban areas in India. Vijayawada is considered to be a sacred place for residing one of the most visited and famous temples of Andhra Pradesh and India, Kanaka Durga Temple of Hindu Goddess Durga. It also serves as the ritual host of Pushkaram (a river worshipping ritual in India) of River Krishna. There is a legend that says that Arjuna, one of the heroes of the Indian epic Mahabharata, prayed on top of the Indrakeeladri Hill in the city and won the blessings of Lord Shiva to get the Pashupatastra to win the Kurukshetra War. It was called Vijayavatika (meaning Land of Victory in Telugu) when Goddess Durga killed the demon Mahishasura and rested on the Indrakeeladri Hill by the River Krishna establishing the victory over evil hence the place got its name Vijayavatika, "Vijaya"- meaning victory and "Vatika" meaning Place or land in Telugu. Over the years Vijayavatika's name changed to Rajendra Chola Pura during Chola Dynasty and Bezawada during British rule and eventually to Vijayawada. The city is also the third most densely populated urban built-up area in the world. and is classified as a Y-grade city by the Sixth Central Pay Commission. The city is the second most populous in the state with a population of more than one million. It was recognized as a "Global City of the Future" by McKinsey Quarterly, which expected an increase to GDP of $17 billion by 2025. In October 2018, it was awarded ISO 37120 platinum level certification and has been added to the "Global Cities Registry".Due to the presence of several well-known educational institutions, the city has emerged as a major educational hub in recent times, with many nationwide students studying in the city. It is expected to be India's tenth fastest growing city economy in the world by 2035 to a report published by Oxford Economics. Due to its high ratings in entertainment, construction, food as well as education, health care, and transport, It is ranked as India's ninth most liveable city as per the Ease of Living Index 2018, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, and the second most liveable city in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The Vijayawada Junction railway station is one of the busiest in the country. It stands as the tenth busiest railway junction in the country.