NTR ఎన్టీఆర్
Named after N. T. Rama Rao, this is Vijayawada's district — the Krishna river city with the Kanaka Durga temple on Indrakeeladri, the Prakasam Barrage, Bhavani Island and the fort and toy-makers of Kondapalli. Vijayawada Junction is one of India's busiest railway stations.
Places in NTR
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Kanaka Durga Temple
The goddess on Indrakeeladri, above the Krishna
Prakasam Barrage
A kilometre of river, lights and evening breeze
Bhavani Island
A river island of resorts and water sports
Kondapalli Fort
A 14th-century hill fort and the village of painted toys
Born in NTR
Ulavacharu
Horse-gram soup slow-cooked for hours until it is dark, thick and tangy, served with rice and a spoon of fresh cream. A Krishna-district speciality that has gone from village kitchens to bottled brands.
Vijayawada Biryani
Andhra's answer to Hyderabad: a hotter, spicier chicken or mutton biryani cooked with more masala and less saffron, served with a fiery gravy and raita. Vijayawada's biryani houses have queues on every corner.
Kondapalli Toys
Figures of village life, dancers, animals and the Dasavatara carved from soft tella poniki wood by the Aryakshatriya community of Kondapalli, coated with tamarind-seed paste and painted in bright colours. A 400-year-old craft with a GI tag.
Events & festivals
Kanaka Durga Dasara (Navaratri)
Vijayawada's biggest festival: the goddess is adorned in a different form each day of Navaratri, culminating in Teppotsavam — the swan-boat procession on the Krishna — on Vijayadasami. Lakhs of devotees climb Indrakeeladri; book darshan online.
Bhavani Deeksha Viramana
Lakhs of Bhavani devotees in red end their 41-day deeksha at the Kanaka Durga temple over four to five days — one of the largest gatherings in the city each year.
Famous people
N. T. Rama Rao
Actor and Chief Minister · 1923–1996
Telugu cinema's mythological superstar who founded the Telugu Desam Party in 1982 and became Chief Minister within nine months; NTR district is named for him.
Getting to NTR
Vijayawada Airport (VGA) at Gannavaram; Vijayawada Junction connects every corner of India; NH16 and NH65 intersect here.