Military & Defense: Kursura Submarine & Visakha Museum @ Visakhapatnam‬, INDIA

The month of May 2015 marked my first trip to India and I scored a many “firsts” on this trip.

1st time in an actual submarine, 1st time on a long distance ride in a train (did it once on an overnight train from Penang to Hatyai many years ago), 1st time experiencing India’s heat wave, 1st time shopping for sarees… it has been an experience to cherish so far! 🙂

I’ve not been able to update much as Internet connection is scarce here.
However, I post more often and faster on Instagram (instagram.com/wackybecky) and my Facebook (fb.com/RebeccaSawBlog) so do keep up with me on these platforms! 😀
I’m able to response faster on both as well.

Now back to this submarine.

This is the Kursura Submarine Museum @ Vizag (‪#‎Visakhapatnam‬) , INDIA.
INS Kursura (S20) was India’s fourth submarine. Kursura was commissioned on 18 December 1969 and was decommissioned on 27 February 2001 after 31 years of service.
She weights about 1,950 tonnes surfaced.

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Currently she sits idle on RK Beach, one of the beautiful beaches in Vizag.

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Does it look like how it was depicted in films? Well, yes and no.

The ones in the films may be more technologically advanced for one. Kursura was in service in the 1969s so it will not have all the modern touchscreens and what-nots.

It is however, a real submarine that fires actual torpedoes in its heydays!

The images here should give you a better idea of its compartments.
Our tour was guided by this kind, experienced former submarine navigator. He had 25 years of experience at sea, and about 10 of it spent on this very submarine.

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Life sized mannequins were used to depict actual activities within the submarine.
Entrance to all rooms inside fits one person.

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The dining hall doubles up as an operation table if necessary. I shuddered a bit as I’m a lover of space and sunlight. Obviously I won’t survive in a submarine!

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To head up or go to the lower decks, these are the passage “holes”.

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Yes, like in the movies huh? 🙂

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Every inch is smartly utilized. Any passageway allows at most 2 grown men to navigate.

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What happens if the crew needs to evacuate the submarine?
Meet the Hydro Suit. Each crew is allocated one.

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The kitchen.

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The washroom. I guess everybody will get to watch you shit. 😀

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An actual torpedo to be fired from this submarine.

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This area may look big, but it is actually supposed to fit 25 beds.
The beds are not in place now because this is the last room before the exit and is currently used a meeting “room” of sorts so all tourists can fit into one space as the guide shares his last notes about the tour.

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Outside, we marvelled at the high waves and was rewarded with some sea breeze though the sun remained unforgivingly hot.

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Bye bye for now Kursura!

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More info:

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Entry price for the submarine museum : 40 Indian rupees is RM2.40.

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A few kilometres away is Visakha Museum.
I’m not particular fond of museums, though some can be interesting.

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This museum displays items from the marine and defense departments of India which may be of interest to those who keen about war history.

Full armour suits, guns, ancient weapons and even a bomb can be viewed here.

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Bullet shells!
And that is a huge one on the left!

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Other than that, you will find portraits, manuscripts, maps and furniture.
One of the highlight here is the search light reflector 30″, route of Vasco-da-Gama’s maiden voyage to India.

And thank god for English descriptions.

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More items:

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One has to admire their handwork here. Such resemblance!

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But eerie!

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The figures were actually made from fibre. Astonishing.

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Here’s a pretty recent feat:

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That is in this huge bundle of cloth.

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Some of the paintings showed real talent.

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More artwork:

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Looks good to you? Here are the entrance fees, which is negligible in our ringgit. 

Visakha Museum entrance PAYMENT:

vishaka museum - Visakhapatnam - India

1. Kursura Submarine Museum
RK Beach Rd, Paanduranga Puram, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 530017, India

2. Visakha Museum
Dutch Bunglow
RK Beach Road
Visakhapatnam
Telephone: +91-891-2549215

This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. Sean EDKL

    wah, that’s a very large submarine indeed! 🙂 i’ve not been to india, and i probably won’t, so it’s nice to view it from your eyes and perspective! 🙂

    1. Rebecca Saw

      HAHAH! Do try India (you never know!) and please stick to the Northern side. I think there’s more food discoveries there 😀

  2. ANIL JAI SINGH

    It was a pleasure reading your wnderful description of Kursura and I am delighted you enjoyed your visit. I commanded Kursura from May 1995 to April 1996 when she was operational and was one of the four submarines I had the privilege of commanding.

    I would also request you to visit a page I manage on facebook called “Submariners Forever” and would request you to ask your friends also to like it so that more people learn about the fascinating life we lead on board. The profile picture is of me on the bridge of another submarine .

    Best wishes,

    Commodore Anil Jai Singh, ( Retd)
    Vice President,
    Indian Maritime Foundation

    1. Rebecca Saw

      Hello Commodore Anil Jai Singh!! It is an honour to have you commenting on my article!
      TQ TQ 😀 😀
      I think Kursura is a beautiful, powerful beast and being in her belly totally gave me a new perspective of war, submarines, underwater travel now.
      I”ll check out your FB page too! 😀

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