Godavari Through "Godavari" Is Defenately an Eye Opener

(Regd. No. 349/2013) Tourism & Culture, Archaeology & Museums, Archieves D-Block, 1st Floor, A.P. Secretariat Chandana Khan, IAS Hyderabad - 500 022 Special Chief Secretary to Government Phone: +91-40-2345 4384 Fax: +91-40-2345 4966 e-mail: [email protected] www.aptourism.in

MESSAGE Editor

Sabbella Sivannarayana Reddy For many of us, travel is fun. It’s an adventure - an opportunity to explore new M.A., M.P.Ed., N.I.S(Yoga), P.G.D.J., Places, or perhaps revisit favorite haunts. In either case, travel provides an opportunity to learn something new. Learning something new is always an exhilarating experience. Our discovery of East Godavari through "Godavari" is defenately an eye opener. East Godavari is a beautiful region & has got variety of Tourism attractions like Serene beaches, ancient temples like Draksharamam, Samalkota, Antarvedi, Sarpavaram, Ainavilli & Ryali etc, besides ever attractive & Mysterious Eastern Ghats claded with Lush green Coringa forests, whose charm can be enjoyed thoroughly at Maredumilli & Rampachodavaram. Finally a Journey on launch to papikondalu hills will provide a memorable event to the visiting tourists. GODAVARI The book takes us on a guided trip through many of the famous and fabulous sites by Sabbella Sivannarayana Reddy in this lush and lovely land. My special thanks to the authors S. Sivannarayana Reddy who has magically brought the sights, sounds and people of East Godavari vibrantly to life, and Mr. Vadrevu Venkateswara Rao has done an admirable job in translating "Godavari" into English…a boon to all of us, who can enjoy the brilliance of this book to its fullest extent. © Sri Vinayaka Publications, Kakinada. I am sure that this book would encourage you to travel to the luxurious East Godavari & experience its vibrant culture. August 2013

With Best Wishes, Photos : Srinivas Koyyana, IIPC, FIP Mem., Kakinada. 9848095060

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

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

18 East Special 64 Amalapuram 98 Kakinada 134 Ramachandrapuram 136 Dwarapudi 20 Enter Sankranti 66 Konaseema 100 Kakinada 138 Balabhadrapuram 26 Glory of Godavari on Silver 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 148 Kotipalli 74 Kothalanka 112 Sarpavaram 42 Master Maestro 150 Rajahmundry 76 OdalaRevu 114 Gollala Mamidada 44 Industries 152 Papi Hills 78 Antarvedi 116 Coringa 46 Health is Wealth 154 Rajahmundry 80 Dindi 48 Ramadurgam 118 Yanam 158 Korukonda 82 Sompalli 160 Tanti Konda 50 Legendary Hero Alluri 120 Peddapuram 52 Traditional Treat 84 Appanapalli 162 Dowleswaram 122 Peddapuram 164 Kadiyam 53 Grama Devathalu 86 Palivela 168 Gummileru 54 Festival of dazzling lights 88 Vanapalli 124 Tholi Thirupati 169 Chintaluru 90 Dhanamma Marri 126 Annavaram 56 The Eternal Vedas 170 Rampachodavaram 58 Arthamuru 92 Mandapalli 128 Santhi Ashram 172 Rampa 130 Andhra Sabarimalai 60 Uppada 94 Ryali 174 Maredumilli 62 Patha Kottam 96 Vadapalli 132 Lova 180 Pinjara Konda

182 Some Resorts from the District 10

Andhra Pradesh, was successively ruled by Mauryas, Sathavahanas, Vishnu Kundins, Eastern Chalukyas,Cholas, Kakatiyas, Musunuri Chieftians, Kondaveeti Reddy Kings, Gajapathis, Kutubshahisand others. Itwas only with the advent ofthe English, who ruled byproxy through the native Zamindars, that the District attained identity. From 1794, three Collectorateswere formed and the district was formed with Rajahmundry as its centre. In 1859,the District headquarters was shifted to Kakinada. On April 15, 1925, East Godavari District was formed as per G.O.No.502. East Godavari District which is the largest and the most populous district in the state of 11 10

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.

Godavari which is one of the oldest rivers in the world started as a trickle at Nasik and The hospitality of our people is proverbial. There are several Resorts with all comforts flows through Andhra Pradesh and branches off into tributaries at Rajahmundry and to cater to the varied tastes of tourists. If you want to enjoy the myriad beauties of our ultimately joins the sea (Bay of Bengal). Our district is not only the most populous but also district, you have to come and see them. Words are a poor substitute for actual experience. the most prosperous district in our state. It can be geographically divided into Konaseema, So a hearty welcome to our district with family and friends. 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 13 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.

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

12 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 14 memorable experience. 15

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