Other Name: Rajmundry, District: East Godavari, State: Andhra Pradesh, India Area: 0 Languages Spoken: Telgu, Hindi Long Distance Code: +91-883 Importance: Famous for Asia's largest Rail - Road bridge. Best Time to Visit: October to March
Description
The Historical city is famous all over the A.P for its Political, Economical, Social and Cultural background. In its earlier days it was called Rajahmahendrapuram. Later the name was changed to Rajahmahendravaram and in later stages during the reign of Mohammedans and British rule the name underwent many changes like Rajahmahendramu, Rajamandramu, Rajahmundhri and finally now Rajahmundry. Some people call it with the name "Rajahmahendri" also. It has a hoary past and is said that it has been constructed by the Eastern Chalukya ruler Rajaraja Narendra in A.D. 1022. The town has some traces of fine palaces, fort walls etc. of the 11th century A.D. Nannaya, the poet laureate, who was called `Adi Kavi belonged to this place. <br />Asia's largest rail-cum-road bridge on the river Godavari linking Kovvur and Rajahmundry is considered to be an engineering feat. There are a number of temples here and the Kotilingala temple on the bank of the Godavari is one of the most important. The Godavari Pushkaram, celebrated once in twelve years, attracts a large number of pilgrims from all over the country. At a distance of seven kilometers south of Rajahmundry, there is the Dowlaiswaram uncut across the Godavari.<br />
Location
Rajahmundry is situated on the left bank of the river Godavari in East Godavari district.
Draksharamam is a shaivite shrine 185 km. from Vijayawada, 17 km. from Kakinada, 40 km. from Rajahmundry and 466 km. from Hyderabad. It is believed that sage Vyasa who performed penance here named this as Dakshina Kasi (Southern Benaras). \r\nLegend has it that the Saptamaharishis (Seven Sages) to achieve the ends of their penance divided the akhanda (unbranched) Godavari River into seven different streams at Draskharama. Bharadhwaja, Viswamitra and Ramadan streams known as Antarvahinies, were believed to have gone under ground. There is Sapta Godavari Kundam (Seven river pond) near the temple where the devotees bathe. Sivarathri attracts huge crowds of pilgrims.\r\nAccording to another local legend a king by name Kasha Prajapati performed a great yoga with the motive of insulting his son-in-law Lord Siva. The king invited everyone except his own son-in-law. Parvathi, though uninvited, attended the yagna and was illiterate. Unable to withstand the insult, she subjected herself to self-immolation. Thus this place is known as "Daksha Vatika" and later as Dakshramam or Draksharamam. There are a number of rock edicts (Sasanas) engraved on the walls of the temple. The temple art shows the influence of a blend of sculptural traditions of Chalukya and Chola styles. Famous Telugu poet Srinatha (4th century) is said to have written a Prabhanda Kavya 'Bhimakhanda' about this sacred place.\r\n
Simhachalam is 16 km. from Visakhapatnam, the "Hill of the Lion", famous for its 11th century hilltop temple of Lord Narasimha. The deity is always covered with sandalwood paste, giving it an appearance of a sandalwood Shiva Linga. During the Chandanayatra festival celebrated here with great pomp in March-April, the real shape of the deity can be seen.
Annavaram is at a distance of 72 km from Rajahmundry, 124km from Visakhapatnam and 498 km from Hyderabad and it is a sacred pilgrim centre on a hilltop known as Ratnagiri. The presiding deity at Annavaram is Veeravenkata Satyanarayana Swamy. It is believed when devotees perform Vrata in the anme of Satyanarayana Swamy, their wishes will be fulfilled. It is estimated on an average about one lakh Vratas are performed here every year by couples generally. Marriages, thread marriages (upanayanam) are performed in large number. Chief festival days are Bhishma Ekadasi (Jan/Feb) and Kalyanotsavam, Vysakha Ekadasi (Apr/May) is important. It is situated on the banks of river pampa about 3 km from Annavaram.
Ryali lies at a distance of 25 km from Rajahmundry. It is famous for the temple of Jaganmohini-Kesavaswami. The idol of the deity is beautifully carved on black stone and it is worth seeing for its sculptural beauty and grand appearance.
Draksharamam is a shaivite shrine 185 km. from Vijayawada, 17 km. from Kakinada, 40 km. from Rajahmundry and 466 km. from Hyderabad. It is believed that sage Vyasa who performed penance here named this as Dakshina Kasi (Southern Benaras). \r\nLegend has it that the Saptamaharishis (Seven Sages) to achieve the ends of their penance divided the akhanda (unbranched) Godavari River into seven different streams at Draskharama. Bharadhwaja, Viswamitra and Ramadan streams known as Antarvahinies, were believed to have gone under ground. There is Sapta Godavari Kundam (Seven river pond) near the temple where the devotees bathe. Sivarathri attracts huge crowds of pilgrims.\r\nAccording to another local legend a king by name Kasha Prajapati performed a great yoga with the motive of insulting his son-in-law Lord Siva. The king invited everyone except his own son-in-law. Parvathi, though uninvited, attended the yagna and was illiterate. Unable to withstand the insult, she subjected herself to self-immolation. Thus this place is known as "Daksha Vatika" and later as Dakshramam or Draksharamam. There are a number of rock edicts (Sasanas) engraved on the walls of the temple. The temple art shows the influence of a blend of sculptural traditions of Chalukya and Chola styles. Famous Telugu poet Srinatha (4th century) is said to have written a Prabhanda Kavya 'Bhimakhanda' about this sacred place.\r\n
Simhachalam is 16 km. from Visakhapatnam, the "Hill of the Lion", famous for its 11th century hilltop temple of Lord Narasimha. The deity is always covered with sandalwood paste, giving it an appearance of a sandalwood Shiva Linga. During the Chandanayatra festival celebrated here with great pomp in March-April, the real shape of the deity can be seen.
Annavaram is at a distance of 72 km from Rajahmundry, 124km from Visakhapatnam and 498 km from Hyderabad and it is a sacred pilgrim centre on a hilltop known as Ratnagiri. The presiding deity at Annavaram is Veeravenkata Satyanarayana Swamy. It is believed when devotees perform Vrata in the anme of Satyanarayana Swamy, their wishes will be fulfilled. It is estimated on an average about one lakh Vratas are performed here every year by couples generally. Marriages, thread marriages (upanayanam) are performed in large number. Chief festival days are Bhishma Ekadasi (Jan/Feb) and Kalyanotsavam, Vysakha Ekadasi (Apr/May) is important. It is situated on the banks of river pampa about 3 km from Annavaram.
Ryali lies at a distance of 25 km from Rajahmundry. It is famous for the temple of Jaganmohini-Kesavaswami. The idol of the deity is beautifully carved on black stone and it is worth seeing for its sculptural beauty and grand appearance.
