Go birdwatching or take a scenic boat ride at Kondakarla Ava in Anakapalli

Isn't it a joy listening to birds chirping and watching a colourful lotus while on a boat ride? Now you too can experience this at Kondakarla Ava, a lake and bird sanctuary located in Atchutapuram and Munagapakka mandals of Anakapalli district, just 60 km from Visakhapatnam. This is the second largest freshwater wetland in Andhra Pradesh. Surprisingly, Kondakarla Ava was once a favourite picnic spot for the Vizianagaram kings and the British officers post-Independence. This lake also supports around 21 villages in the state through the Sarada river. Like a shikara ride in the Dal Lake of Kashmir, a ride in Kondakarl Ava's local boats is a must. Around 8-10 families depend on the boat rides, and they stay near the lake from early morning to evening. The boatmen make sure that you get a bunch of lotus flowers from the middle of the lake. They narrate stories from their childhood spent near the lake. The sanctuary is also known for its ancient temples of Lord Venkateshwara and Sri Dakshina Kasi Visweswara Swamy which houses the largest crystal lingam in the world.