(Regd. No.

349/2013)
 Editor
Sabbella Sivannarayana Reddy
M.A., M.P.Ed., N.I.S(Yoga), P.G.D.J.,

GODAVARI
by Sabbella Sivannarayana Reddy

© Sri Vinayaka Publications, Kakinada.

August 2013

Photos : Srinivas Koyyana, IIPC, FIP Mem., Kakinada. 9848095060

Layout & Design : Badde Raja Srinivasu, Samalkot. 9391947579, 9393 533440

Typeset at : RM Graphics, #18-13-2/5, Pleadergari Thota, Ganapathi Nagar, Samalkot - 533440.

For Copies : Sudhita Book Centre, Opp. Super Bazar, Main Road, Kakinada. (0884) 2358677, 2368678
Sri Vinayaka Publications, Kakinada. Cell: 9849611888, 87123 11000

Price : ` 1199/-

Printed at : Pragati Offset Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad

Website : www.godavariyatra.in
10 East Godavari District 14 Godavari 16 Beauties of Godavari

18 East Special 64 Amalapuram 98 Kakinada 134 Ramachandrapuram

20 Enter Sankranti 66 Konaseema 136 Dwarapudi
100 Kakinada
26 Glory of Godavari on Silver 138 Balabhadrapuram
68 Ainavilli 104 Repur
Screen 140 Biccavole
70 Mukteswaram 106 Hope Island
30 Folk Arts 142 Ramachandrapuram
71 Muramalla 108 Pithapuram 144 Adivarapupeta
32 Tastes
72 Mummidivaram 110 Samalkot 146 Draksharama
38 Buddhist Relics
74 Kothalanka 148 Kotipalli
112 Sarpavaram
42 Master Maestro
76 OdalaRevu 114 Gollala Mamidada
150 Rajahmundry
44 Industries 152 Papi Hills
78 Antarvedi 116 Coringa
46 Health is Wealth 154 Rajahmundry
80 Dindi 118 Yanam
48 Ramadurgam 158 Korukonda
50 Legendary Hero Alluri 82 Sompalli 160 Tanti Konda
84 Appanapalli
120 Peddapuram 162 Dowleswaram
52 Traditional Treat
86 Palivela 122 Peddapuram 164 Kadiyam
53 Grama Devathalu
124 Tholi Thirupati 168 Gummileru
54 Festival of dazzling lights 88 Vanapalli
169 Chintaluru
56 The Eternal Vedas 90 Dhanamma Marri 126 Annavaram
170 Rampachodavaram
58 Arthamuru 92 Mandapalli 128 Santhi Ashram
172 Rampa
60 Uppada 94 Ryali 130 Andhra Sabarimalai
174 Maredumilli
62 Patha Kottam 96 Vadapalli 132 Lova 180 Pinjara Konda

182 Some Resorts from the District

 te of
dis t ric t in the sta
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a n d t h e most pop u K u n d in
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radesh, w ri Ch ie lish, w
Andhra P a k a t iya s , Musunu d v e n t o f the Eng m 17 9 4 , t h
re e
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Chalukya o t h e rs . It was on is t r ic t attained d r y a s its centre
his and the D hmu n
Kutubsha Z a m in d a rs , t h a t fo r m e d with Raja 5 , E a s t Godavari
e t wa s 15, 19 2
the nativ the distric On April
t h ro u g h for m ed a n d
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ates were as shifted
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10
11
 Godavari which is one of the oldest rivers in the world started as a trickle at Nasik and
flows through Andhra Pradesh and branches off into tributaries at Rajahmundry and
ultimately joins the sea (Bay of Bengal). Our district is not only the most populous but also
the most prosperous district in our state. It can be geographically divided into Konaseema,
Delta, Chagalnadu, Coastal belt and forest area.

Konaseema which is an island is the most fertile area of our district. Heaven kissing
Coconut trees, Mango groves, Paddy fields on both sides of the canals - this is a familiar
sight wherever you go in Konaseema. You will be captivated by the ubiquitous greenery of
the district. No wonder Konaseema is likened to Kerala.

Thanks to the anicut built on Godavari at Dowleswaram by the immortal engineer Sir
Arthur Cotton, large tracts of land came under paddy cultivation.

Upland area lies at the foot of Eastern Ghats. It has red soil. Yeleru river brought some
land under wet cultivation. Small mounds of green earth, bushes and shrubs and Palmyrah
trees lend a peculiar look to this area.

12
 Chagalnadu is known for its red soil. You find here several tanks big and small. With the
onset of monsoon the area acquires a verdant look.

Coastline. The area from Antarvedi to Tondangi covering a distance of 144 kms is the
most prominent. All along the coast line, many families of fishermen live and make a living
by sea fishing. From Antarvedi to Yanam we find Coconut trees, Casurina Plantations and
thick bushes. Mada forest is situated between Chollangi and Kakinada.

The Major part of the district is occupied by Forest Hills and dales, running brooks,
perennial cascades, sky high teak trees, bamboo trees, Saul trees cover an area of 8 lakhs
acres ie nearly 1/3 rd of the total area of the district.

Kadiyam nurseries are the star attraction of the district. Their fame transcended natural
boundaries. Our district is well known for its communal harmony. Hindus, Christians, and
Muslims live like members of joint family sharing their joys and sorrows.

The hospitality of our people is proverbial. There are several Resorts with all comforts
to cater to the varied tastes of tourists. If you want to enjoy the myriad beauties of our
district, you have to come and see them. Words are a poor substitute for actual experience.
So a hearty welcome to our district with family and friends.

13
 River Godavari starts as a trickle at Nasik in Maharashtra. It flows through
the States of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh and becomes mighty and
majestic at Rajahmundry. It is the largest river in South India and is regarded as
holy as River Ganga in North India. Godavari, with its several tributaries, occupies
1/10th of the area of the country. Its total length is 1450 KMs. In Andhra Pradesh,
it flows to an extent of 927 kms.

Legend has it that the seven sages Gowthama, Vasista, Atri, Viswamitra,
Kowsika, Bharadwaja and Agasthya (known as Saptha Maharushulu), each
brought a tributary or paya, and for that reason each tributary is named after
the sage who brought it. At present, Gowthami and Vasista alone are visible.
At Rajahmundry it is 4 kms wide and at Dowleswaram it is 7 kms wide.

River Godavari inspired Adikavi Nannayya (First poet in Telugu language) to

undertake translation of Vyasa Mahabharata into Telugu from the Sanskrit
original. It was not a mere translation. It was a transcreation. Nannayya very
wisely borrowed the storyline and the ideas from the original and wrote in his
own idiomatic way. But unfortunately he died after finishing 21/2 cantos
(parvas). Yerrapragada completed the remaining parva closely following
Nannayya's style. Thikkana Somayaji wrote the remaining parvas in his
inimitable style. This poetic trinity is held in high esteem by later poets. Scholar
poet Srinadha also lived for many years at Rajahmundry.

The very sight of river Godavari makes one lyrical. Many imaginative
directors like Bapu captured the beauty of Godavari on the celluloid. A boat
ride on the Godavari on a cool tranquil moonlit night is a thrilling and
memorable experience.
14
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