What makes the trip to Amaravati most exciting is the boat ride on the cool, placid, clear blue waters of river Krishna. Local streamers carry visitors to the other end of the river in half an hour. There is a water route to Vijayawada also but the service is limited to twice a week. For tourists coming from Vijayawada to Amaravati, the first stop could be Mangalgiri, famous for its ancient temple and cotton textiles which is gaining popularity in the fashion world. The Panakaalaswamy temple at Mangalgiri is built on a volcanic hill and closes by sunset.
People talk about the panakam miracle here.
At the foothill of the hillock is another famous shrine with architectural splendor, the Meenakshi temple. About five kilometers from Amaravati, lies the cave temple of Lord Venkateswara at Vaikuntapuram. In all, the trip to Amaravati is fulfilling both as a pilgrimage center as well as a picnicking spot.