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Voykit pocket guide · India
Srikakulam
Spend one day in Srikakulam to see the Sun Temple, Kurmanathaswamy Temple and nearby Buddhist sites; add a half‑day bus ride to Visakhapatnam if time permits.
Srikakulam is a small town in northern Andhra Pradesh, best known for its Sun Temple and Buddhist ruins. The sights are close together, so a single day covers the main attractions; longer stays are only for deeper exploration of surrounding villages.
- Country
- India
- Best months
- Oct–Mar (check)
- Avoid
- Apr–Jun (heat, check)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹800–₹1,200 excl. bed · Mid ₹1,200–₹2,000 excl. bed · High ₹2,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- Police / all services 112
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at local restaurant | ₹150–₹300 |
| Auto‑rickshaw (short ride) | ₹100–₹200 |
| Bus ticket (city/short intercity) | ₹30–₹80 |
| Temple entry fee | ₹20–₹50 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- VTZ · Visakhapatnam Airport
- about 2 h by bus, regular RTC services
Typical fares
- RTC bus Srikakulam → Visakhapatnam
- about ₹300, 2 h
- Auto‑rickshaw to Kurmanathaswamy Temple
- ₹150, 1 h
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
RTC bus complex runs every 20 min to Visakhapatnam (5 am‑9 pm) and every 15 min for express services; auto‑rickshaws and taxis are available for short trips to temples.
See and do
Known for
- Arasavalli Sun Temple
- Kurmanathaswamy Temple (Srikurmam)
- Danthavarapukota Buddhist site
- Salihundam Buddhist site
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Arasavalli Sun Temple | Bus from RTC complex, 4 km (2.5 mi), ~10 minBus from RTC complex, 2.5 mi (4 km), ~10 min | ≈15 min |
| Kurmanathaswamy Temple (Srikurmam) | Bus or auto‑rickshaw, 13 km (8.1 mi), ~1 h; auto‑rickshaw ₹150Bus or auto‑rickshaw, 8.1 mi (13 km), ~1 h; auto‑rickshaw ₹150 | ≈1 h 15 min |
| Danthavarapukota Buddhist site | Auto‑rickshaw or hired car, 20 km (12 mi), ~45 minAuto‑rickshaw or hired car, 12 mi (20 km), ~45 min | ≈1 h |
| Salihundam Buddhist site | Auto‑rickshaw or hired car, 30 km (19 mi), ~1 hAuto‑rickshaw or hired car, 19 mi (30 km), ~1 h | ≈1 h 15 min |
Sleep
- Town centre hotels
- basic rooms, 1–2 km (0.6–1.2 mi) from main sightsbasic rooms, 0.6–1.2 mi (1–2 km) from main sights
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | क्षम करेंkṣama karēṁ |
| Thank you | धन्यवादdhanyavād |
| How much is this? | यह कितने का है?yah kitnē kā hai? |
| Where is the bus stop? | बस स्टॉप कहाँ है?bas sṭāp kahā̃ hai? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- Buses can be crowded during peak hours; allow extra waiting time.
- Some temple entry fees are modest but may be cash‑only; carry small change.
Generally safe for day visits; watch for traffic on busy bus routes and keep valuables secure in crowded markets.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Srikakulam yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Arasavalli Sun Temple
- Kurmanathaswamy Temple (Srikurmam)
- Danthavarapukota Buddhist site
- Salihundam Buddhist site
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Srikakulam: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Srikakulam, revision 5275253 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5275253
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Srikakulam
कृपया इस पते पर ले चलें
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / all services112
US consulate in Hyderabad; other embassies in New Delhi.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/srikakulam). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.