About Rajahmundary – History and Climate

About Rajahmundary :

Rajahmundry or Raja Mahendri or Raja Mahendravaram Located on the left bank of the holy river “Godavari”. The city is popularly known as the cultural capital of Andhra Pradesh, was built by the then King Rajaraja Narendra. It was the capital of Tulavas and Chalukyas. Rajahmundry railway station is the biggest and main junction between Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam and is having good railway connectivity of major cities in all over India. The city is connected with all centers of the state with motorable roads, loacted on National Highway 560 K.M away from Chennai and 500 K.M from Hyderabad and having Flight connectivity to Hyderabad and Chennai.The longest Road-cum-Rail Bridge in Asia on River Godavari starts from the city. There are two other bridges on the river Godavari, one, a rail bridge constructed about 150 years ago which is now abandoned and is proposed to be converted into a historical monument; two, third rail bridge constricted in 1996 which is one of the longest rail bridges in Asia.

Climate :

Rajahmundry has pleasant climate during November-February of the year. The climate is hot during March-June. The city experiences rains during July-October. The temperature varies from 24o C during winter to 49o C during the peak of summer.

Historical Growth :

Its original name being Raja Mahendri or Raja Mahendravaram worn by Vishnuvardhan who ruled the kingdom during 919-934 A.D.,it was the first capital of many known Telugu Kingdoms. The Chalukya ruler Rajaraja Narendra ruled this city between 1022-1061A.D. The city has traces of 11th century fine palaces and fort walls. However, new archeological evidence suggests that the city may have existed far before the Chalukyas. The original name underwent a gradual metamorphosis with the name changed to Rajahmundry during the British rule.
The British used Rajahmundry as “Head Quarters” of Godavari District but subsequently the seat of administration was shifted to Kakinada and the District named as East Godavari. This historical town has been subjected to the process of continuous remodeling through the ages.
Nannayya, the poet laureate also called ‘Adi Kavi’ (The first Poet) of Telugu belonged to this place. He, along with Tikkana and Yerrana, was responsible for the translation of Jaya, Sanskrit version of Mahabharata, into Telugu. nannaya was the person to change telugu from an oral language to a language with script.Kandukuri Veeresalingam, who was a social reformer and also the author of Rajashekhara Charithra, the first Telugu novel, was also from Rajahmundry.
There are a number of temples here and the Kotilingala temple on the bank of the Godavari is one of the most important temples. The Godavari Pushkarams celebrated once in Twelve years, attracts a large number of pilgrims from all over the country and world. At a distance of seven kilometers south of Rajahmundry, there is the Dowleswaram anicut across the Godavari.

History :

Rajahmundry was previously known as Raja Mahendri or Raja Mahendravaram, it was the first capital of many known Telugu Kingdoms. The Chalukya ruler Raja raja Narendra ruled this city around 1022. The city has traces of 11th century fine palaces and fort walls.The archeological evidence suggests that the city may have existed far before the Chalukyas. The original name underwent a gradual metamorphosis with the name changed to Rajahmundry during the British rule.

Rajahmundry is located at 16.98° N 81.78° E. with an average elevation of 14 metres (45 feet).

Rajahmundry has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy being 74%, and female literacy 66%. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

The biggest attraction in Rajahmundry is River Godavari. The two bridges are the most attractive long bridges found in Andhra Pradesh. There are many beautiful ghats and parks on the river bank.

Sir Arthur Cotton had great plans for Rajahmundry but he decided to build a dam in Dowleswaram due to its proximity to a hill that suited his purpose. The dam consisted of four divisions: Dowleswaram Division, Ryali Branch Division, Madduru division and Vijeswaram division. This was in all 900 yards (800 m) long and 9 feet (3 m) high. It was a great moment in the life of this great man to achieve this rare feat. The Godavari lost a lot of its fury and was able to generate fourfold revenue through irrigation and Godavari district suddenly jumped from being a poor district to one of the richer ones, second only to Tanjore. Asia’s largest rail-cum-road bridge on the river Godavari linking Kovvur and Rajahmundry is considered to be an engineering feat. The Dowleswaram bridge across the Godavari is seven kilometres south of Rajahmundry. Rallabandi SubbaRao museum has an amazing collection of artifacts including coins, sculpture, pottery, inscriptions and palm-leaf manuscripts.

It is also one of the Hindu piligrimages. There are a number of temples here like the Kotilingalu (10 million Sivalingas) temple on the bank of the river Godavari. The city hosts holy congregations called the Pushkaram that takes place only once in every 12 years, which brings together millions of people from all over the country to take a holy dip in the river. It generally lasts for 12 days and people over prayers and make offerings to their departed family members.

A huge temple has been constructed by the ISKCON foundation on the banks of Godavari. Popularly called as Gowthami Ghat, it is a major attraction for young population as a recreational center.

Papi Hills and its surroundings located near Rajahmundry is a visual treat to the spectators. There is a village called Perantala Palli on papi hills, which is visited by every person who goes there, because of its beautiful waterfall. Another spot is Pattiseema. Pattiseema is known for its natural beauty. Many film shootings on R.Godavari happen here. It is also a belief that films shot in this location will be a hit. And Pedapatnam Lanka is a beautiful place. It is called as Konaseema which lustres with greenery. Many places in konaseema are rich sources of oil and natural gas.

Rajahmundry is a centre for business point, as there are many villages near by it and they come to town Rajahmundry for any purchases, you can find information about Rajahmundry Stores, Rajahmundry Shopping Malls, Rajahmundry any business related activities. 

Growth of the Town :

Constituted as a third grade Municipality in 1865, Rajahmundry town has grown fast to the level of selection grade Municipality in the year 1980. Owing to the unique situation of the town between the two rice rich districts, known as the rice bowls of Andhra Pradesh, Rajahmundry has grown a into a famous city of trade and commerce.