Machilipatnam
Discover Machilipatnam
Machilipatnam, also known as Masulipatnam or Bandar or Masula (in short), is a city on the southeastern or Coromandel Coast of India. Situated on one of the mouths of the river Krishna at the Bay of Bengal, Machilipatnam is the administrative center of Krishna District in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It was a 17th century port for French, British and Dutch trade. It is a small fishing town; has a carpet-weaving industry; other products include rice, oilseed, and scientific instruments. The town is a railway terminus and an educational center. Masulipatam is a station of the Church Missionary Society. Machilipatnam is known for its Kalamkari textiles and paintings created using vegetable dyes. As a kalam (pen) is used in the technique of painting, it was called "Kalamkari Painting". During the 17th century, western traders were attracted by this art.
Taste of Machilipatnam...
Machilipatnam is popular for sweets (Bandar Laddu and Bandar Halwa are quite popular). There are many chat like snacks in Machilipatnam where the locals stand in queue, especially in the evenings at the mobile chat vendors. These are spicy, but tasty. There are a number of restaurants and a lot of hotels make Chinese dishes also. Otherwise, for rice eaters (South Indians), this place is like heaven for food. Food is relatively very cheap and tasty. You can enjoy local dishes. As regards to fruits, you can find bananas, mangoes and other seasonal fruits at a reasonable rate. If you have the habit of drinking mineral water, better to continue the same habit. Though the tap water (municipal water) tastes good, as in the case of many places in India, outsiders may get infected easily. Mineral water is available everywhere and costs around ₹15/- per litre bottle. All popular brands in India are available in shops. There are few hotels where you can stay comfortably. Hotels are inexpensive but not clean. Apsara, RR Bhavan, Eswara Residency peacock residency and Raghava Residency are the relatively better hotels. Tariff vary between ₹500 to ₹1,000. If one wants luxury stay, Vijayawada is not far off and has better options. There are several post offices in Machilipatnam, main ones are at Machilipatnam and Chilakalapudi. The dialing code for Machilipatnam is 08672. When calling from overseas, dial +91 8672 XXXXXX.
Climate
The Andhra Pradesh coast between Ongole and Machilipatnam is most vulnerable to high surges due to a cyclone. Andhra Cyclone of 14-20 November 1977 that crossed coast near Nizampatnam took a toll of about 10,000 lives. As the storm approached the coast, gale winds reaching 200 km/h lashed Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, East Godavari and West Godavari districts. Storm surge, 5 meters high, inundated Krishna estuary and the coasts south of Machilipatnam. The 2004 Tsunami affected many fishing villages around Machilipatnam. The Government and the NGOs are involved in rebuilding and reconstruction of the devastated villages. Machilipatnam is well connected to other parts of the state by rail and road. Nearest airport is located at Gannavaram/Vijayawada, which is about 70 km from Machilipatnam. There are two railway stations in Machilipatnam: Machilipatnam Railway Station and Chilakalapudi Railway Station. Although there is a third railway station called Bandar Port, that is not being used.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsMachilipatnam is well connected to other parts of the state by rail and road. Nearest airport is located at Gannavaram/Vijayawada, which is about 70 km from Machilipatnam. There are two railway stations in Machilipatnam: Machilipatnam Railway Station and Chilakalapudi Railway Station. Although there is a third railway station called Bandar Port, that is not being used. South Central Railways runs its services from Machilipatnam to Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Tirupati and Bangalore. There are plans to run a train to Mumbai via Hyderabad. Machilipatnam is at a distance from Vijayawada on NH9 at about 65 km and approximately 325 km from Hyderabad. Machilipatnam is well-connected to most parts of the Andhra Pradesh and some parts of South India. APSRTC (state-run bus service) runs buses to most parts of state. There are many ways to get around in Machilipatnam. You can travel by buses run by private operators called as 'City bus'....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
There are many ways to get around in Machilipatnam. You can travel by buses run by private operators called as 'City bus'. Autorickshaws or an auto in Machilipatnam does not have meters. Normally, drivers fix a rate and passengers have to bargain to get a better prices. Normally, Autos should carry a maximum of 3 passengers excluding the driver, but it is common to find them being overloaded to carry up to six passengers. Unlike autorickshaw, which is run by an engine, rickshaw is pulled by human. Although the slowest means of travel, it is convinient to travel short distances. Two persons can comfortably sit in a Rickshaw. Metered taxis are not yet available, but normal taxis are available here. One might feel them to be costly, as they have to pay fixed minimum fare and also driver commission. Machilipatnam is a city with a rich history of foreign conquests, business and trade. During its heydays Machilipatnam port served as a gateway to India.
Where to Stay
There are few hotels where you can stay comfortably. Hotels are inexpensive but not clean. Apsara, RR Bhavan, Eswara Residency peacock residency and Raghava Residency are the relatively better hotels. Tariff vary between ₹500 to ₹1,000. If one wants luxury stay, Vijayawada is not far off and has better options. There are several post offices in Machilipatnam, main ones are at Machilipatnam and Chilakalapudi. The dialing code for Machilipatnam is 08672. When calling from overseas, dial +91 8672 XXXXXX. Public Phone booths present everywhere, most of them are coin-operated. The following mobile phone operators provide services in Machilipatnam. One needs to give a Photo ID, Address proof and a photograph to get prepaid connection.
Money & Budget
Machilipatnam is popular for imitation gold and for Kalamkari works. You can find bedsheets, curtain cloths, night dresses and dress material with Kalamkari work. These products are even exported to many places. Machilipatnam is popular for sweets (Bandar Laddu and Bandar Halwa are quite popular). There are many chat like snacks in Machilipatnam where the locals stand in queue, especially in the evenings at the mobile chat vendors. These are spicy, but tasty. There are a number of restaurants and a lot of hotels make Chinese dishes also. Otherwise, for rice eaters (South Indians), this place is like heaven for food. Food is relatively very cheap and tasty. You can enjoy local dishes. As regards to fruits, you can find bananas, mangoes and other seasonal fruits at a reasonable rate.