TOURISM IN SRIKAKULAM DISTRICT OF AP - A LYRIC WRITTEN ON STONE

Tourism is all about 5 I 

• Creating in the Inert People, an INTEREST to Travel and Explore
• Converting that Initial Interest to an IMPULSE to prepare and Pack up
• Making  Tourism department INVOLVE in every step of the Travel
• Put in All out Efforts to delight and IMPRESS the Tourists
• Bidding a Memorable Farewell for the Reminiscences to INSTIL on the minds of the Tourists. And the Cycle Repeats itself.

AP Tourism Department excels itself in Motivating those Home loving ,  to Travel and Explore the World around us with Utmost Comfort and Comprehensive Arrangements.

The Tourism Department in Srikakulam , a part of AP Tourism Department , goes one more step forward to present an Indepth , yet Comprehensive Serving of the Glorious Past, Incredible Present and the Inspiring Future of our Splendid Country. Delighting the Tourists is the one word Motto of the Tourism Department in Srikakulam.

Ancient Kalinga Kingdom, with over 2000 years of Rich Heritage, flourished between the great rivers of Godavari in present Andhra Pradesh State in the west and Mahaa Nadi in present Odisha state in the East. Srikakulam District was part of this Kingdom and places like Dantapuri , Singupuram and Sri Mukhalingam served as Capital cities for the kalinga Kingdom for many centuries. 

Srikakulam may be called an Embodiment of all Riches. During early centuries, it was called as Rudra Koteswara Agraharam, since Lord Balaraama installed Uma Rudra Koteswara Swamy (Lord Shiva) here on the banks of river Naagaavali. It was also referred to as Pancha Linga Kshetram. During Moghul rule in 14th - 16th centuries, the town was referred to as Gulshanabad. Srikakulam  was called as Chikakole by the British , for ease of Pronunciation. 

With gushing Waters of  Naagaavali, Vamsadhaara, Mahendra Tanaya Rivers rushing through the lush green hill tops to reach the Bay Of Bengal, the District offers a unique blend of Ancestry, Tranquility and Tradition with Modernity.......................
Be it Spiritual......Cultural......ECO.......Archaeological......Heritage.....Demographic... etc... etc...., Srikakulam District offers the Connoisseurs and God Seekers a memorable experience ........Virtually  A  Lyric  Written  On  Stone.

Tourism development is a High Priority Area for the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The Chief Minister himself is heading the Ministry of Tourism. With a Vision to project the State as a Vibrant and Congenial Place of Tourist importance, the AP Tourism Department is leaving no stone unturned. Under the able Administration and Guidance of Minister for Tourism, Special Chief Secretary for Tourism and The Commissioner for Tourism, the Andhra Pradesh State is fast emerging as a Place of destination for Memorable Travel Experience.

Srikakulam District , which borders the state of Odisha , has immense potential to emerge as a Hub of Spiritual Tourism with a rich spread of Ancient Hindu , Buddhist , Jain and Only Swayambhu Temples of its kind in the entire World. With the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) protecting these rare Heritage., the AP Tourism Dept is making all out Efforts to serve these to the Discerning God Seekers from World Over.

Organisational Hierarchy :

The Administrative Hierarchy of AP Tourism Department under CM/ Minister For Tourism : 

The Chief Minister of the State, who is also the Minister for Tourism  at state Capital, heads the Initiatives. He is ably supported by the Special Chief Secretary/ Principal Secretary and The Commissioner at the State Capital. The District Level initiatives are spearheaded by the District Collector , who is also the Chairman of District Tourism Promotion Committee (DTPC), ably assisted by the Joint Collector (JC) and District Tourism Officer (DTO).

The District Tourism Officer (DTO - Sri N Narayana Rao) , functioning from the Office in District Head Quarters Town of Srikakulam., reports to the Commissioner and coordinates with the State Capital and all District level Officers/ Agencies for the smooth functioning of the Tourism Department.