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.
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.
