The Kalingapatnam Beach, located where the Vamsadhara River meets the Bay of Bengal, is a calm and scenic destination for visitors. The Kalingapatnam Lighthouse is one of the major attractions here, known for its tall concrete structure. Due to the installation of a radar system, visitors are no longer allowed to climb to the top, which was once famous for its beautiful panoramic views of the coast. Srikurmam Temple is another major spiritual landmark in Gara mandal of Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh. Srikurmam is the only temple in the world where Lord Vishnu is worshipped in his Kurma (tortoise) avatar, the second incarnation of Vishnu according to Hindu mythology. Located in Srikurmam village in Gara Mandal, this ancient temple holds immense religious importance and attracts devotees from many places for its uniqueness and heritage value.

Kalingapatnam, a notable town in Gara mandal, is well known for its rich beach sand deposits and its long maritime history. It is one of the ancient port towns of Srikakulam and was once viewed by historians as an important capital center of Kalinga Desa. The port at Kalingapatnam played a key role in marine trade during the Muslim rule, making it an important link between this region and other coastal centers. The Salihundam Buddhist site in Gara is one of the most historically important monuments in the region. Located on a hill along the south bank of the Vamsadhara River, it was an active Buddhist center in ancient times. Excavations conducted here during the period of the Gupta king Samudragupta uncovered valuable Buddhist remains. The lotus symbol and stupa representing Astangamarga found at Salihundam show that this was once a flourishing Buddhist settlement.