Visakha Utsav 2025: Grand Coastal Tourism Festival Launches in Visakhapatnam
The picturesque RK Beach in Visakhapatnam is set to come alive with vibrant celebrations as the week-long Visakha Utsav tourism festival kicks off on Saturday, January 24. This much-anticipated annual event promises to showcase the rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty of north coastal Andhra Pradesh through an extensive program of activities and attractions.
Expansive Festival Footprint Across Multiple Locations
The Visakha Utsav, themed 'Sea to Sky', will extend beyond Visakhapatnam city to include Anakapalle district and the breathtaking Araku Valley in ASR district. This strategic expansion allows visitors to experience diverse aspects of the region's cultural and natural offerings. The district administration has made elaborate arrangements for events to be held at 20 different venues, featuring an impressive lineup of 500 distinct activities with participation from 600 artists.
RK Beach Serves as Primary Festival Hub
RK Beach in Vizag city will serve as the main venue for the Visakha Utsav, transforming into a bustling center of cultural exchange and entertainment. The beachfront will feature multiple zones dedicated to various activities including:
- Sports and amusement areas with beach volleyball and beach kabaddi
- Food and commercial stalls offering local delicacies and products
- Arts and crafts exhibitions showcasing regional artistic traditions
- Recreational activities and beach games for all age groups
- Coastal shacks providing authentic seaside experiences
Comprehensive Event Programming and Activities
The weeklong festival offers an exciting array of activities designed to appeal to diverse interests. Visitors can look forward to:
- Adventure experiences including boating, hot-air balloon rides, and helicopter sorties
- Modern attractions featuring adventures with drones and cycling events
- Cultural competitions such as flower shows and Rangoli contests
- Traditional performances highlighting the region's artistic heritage
Traffic Management and Official Inauguration
The Vizag city police have implemented specific traffic restrictions on the Beach Road stretch to ensure smooth festival operations. During the Utsav period, auto rickshaws and heavy vehicles will not be permitted on this route. The festival will be formally inaugurated by District in-charge minister Dola Sri Bala Veeranjenya Swamy and Tourism Minister Kandula Durhesh. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is expected to visit the festival next week, adding significant political prominence to the event.
Government Vision for Coastal Tourism Development
Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh has expressed confidence that Visakha Utsav will achieve success comparable to established festivals like the Dasara festival at Vijayawada, Avakai Festival at Amaravati, and the renowned Jaipur Literary Festival. The government is making concerted efforts to position Visakha Utsav as the premier coastal festival in the region, with aspirations to make it the largest such celebration along India's coastline.
Beyond entertainment, the festival aims to draw national attention to the regional economic development occurring under the current alliance government. According to officials, the event serves as a platform to highlight progress in coastal Andhra Pradesh while providing substantial economic benefits through tourism promotion and local business engagement.
