Srikakulam or Chicacole is of great historical significance in the medieval and later history of Kalinga. The earliest history of Srikakulam dates back to the ages of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. It falls under the direct rule of the Suryavanshis of Nandapur until its annexation by the Golconda Qutb Shahis. It is a  village 13 km from the district is famous for the Srikurmam Temple- the only temple in the world where Lord Vishnu resides in the form of a tortoise. Arasavalli temple is the only Sun Temple where the Sun God is worshipped