| రాజమండ్రి Rajahmundry |
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| Coordinates | |
| Country | India |
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| District(s) | East Godavari |
| Population • Density |
478,199 (2011[update]) • 17,288 /km2 (44,776 /sq mi) |
| Sex ratio | 1022 ♂/♀ |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area |
100 square kilometres (39 sq mi) • 14 metres (46 ft) |
| Website | www.rajahmundrycorporation.org |
Rajahmundry (Telugu: రాజమండ్రి) is a city and municipal corporation of the Andhra Pradesh state in India. It is located 400 kilometres (249 mi) east of the state capital, Hyderabad, on the banks of the River Godavari. Known as the Cultural Capital, Rajahmundry is noted for its intense Vedic culture and intellect. The city's population is 343,903 (Census 2011) and that of the urban agglomeration is 478,199 (2011 estimates). It is the fourth largest city in Andhra Pradesh.
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The city's origins can be traced back to the rule of the Chalukya king Rajaraja Narendra who reigned around 1022 A.D after whom it is named Rajamahendri or Rajamahendravaram. Remains of 11th century palaces and fort walls still exist. However, new archeological evidence suggests that the town may have existed much before the Chalukyas.[1] Rajamhendravaram was renamed Rajahmundry during the rule of the British, for whom the city was the headquarters of the Godavari district. When the district was split into East and West, subsequently, Kakinada --a well-known port city became the headquarters of East Godavari.
Rajahmundry is the acclaimed birthplace of Yasaswi the Great and the sweet Telugu language -- its grammar and script evolving from the pen of the city-born poet, Nannayya. Known also called 'Adi Kavi' (the first poet) of Telugu, Nannayya along with Tikkana and Yerrana, translated the Sanskrit version of Mahabharata into Telugu. Kandukuri Veeresalingam --a social reformer and the author of Rajashekhara Charithra, the first Telugu novel-- was also from Rajahmundry.
The city was one of the biggest cities in South India until the 19th century. It was the hotbed of several movements during India's freedom struggle and acted as a base for many key leaders. When the Indian National Congress had its first meeting in Bombay (Mumbai), two leaders from Rajahmundry, Nyapathi Subba Rao and Kandukuri Veeresalingam participated in it. Subba Rao, founder of Hindu Samaj in Rajahmundry, was also one of the six founders of India's noted English daily The Hindu.
The rail road connecting the city with Vijayawada was laid in 1893. Colleges and various other institutions of learning came up at the same time. The Gowatami Grandhalayam, a well-known library was established in 1898.
Rajahmundry is located at .[2] with an average elevation of 14 meters (45 feet). There is a lot of paddy and sugarcane cultivation in the area. River Godavari flows through the west of Rajahmundry.
The Rajahmundry traps, part of the Deccan Traps, are located on the Godavari river and are of particular interest to geologists.[3]
As of 2011[update] India census,[4] Rajahmundry had a population of 478,199 with the male:female ratio almost equal. It had an average literacy rate of 82.50%, higher than the national average of 74.04%: male literacy of 86.44% and female literacy 78.65%.
The climate is mostly hot and humid, with mostly a tropical climate and thereby, with no distinct seasons. The mean maximum temperature is 36 °C. The hottest season is from April to June, with temperature ranging from 34 °C to 48 °C -- with maximum of 51 °C recorded in May 2007. The coolest months are December and January, when it is pleasant at 27 °C - 30 °C. There is a lot of rain due to the monsoon and cyclonic storms in the Bay of Bengal. With the recent growth in the industrial and commercial sectors,major hotels, multiplex theaters and shopping malls are just beginning to show up in the city.
The city has many cinema theaters and multiplex theaters,[5].
The biggest attraction in Rajahmundry is the river Godavari. The three bridges over the river are the longest in Andhra Pradesh—with many beautiful ghats and parks on the banks. Sir Arthur Cotton, a famous British civil engineer, had great plans for Rajahmundry and decided to build a anicut (dam) in Dowlaiswaram due to its proximity to a hill that suited his purpose. The dam comprised four divisions: Dowlaiswaram Division, Ryali Branch Division, Madduru division and Vijjeswaram division. This was in all 900 yards (800 m) long and 9 feet (3 m) high and Asia's largest rail-cum-road bridge on the river Godavari linking Kovvur. The First Godavari Rail Bridge was built in 1897, under the supervision of Er. Walton, a British engineer, across Godavari connecting East and West Godavari districts. Stretching for three kilometers, and constructed with stone masonry and steel girders, this bridge served the trains plying between Madras (Chennai) and Howrah (Kolkata). With increased traffic in freight and passengers, a rail-cum-road bridge was built across the river's downstream was inaugurated by the then president of India Dr. Fakruddin Ali Ahmed in 1977. A third railway bridge 'The Godavari Arch Bridge' was built between 1991 and 1997. It was commissioned for passenger traffic in March 1997 and became fully operational for running trains by the Indian Railways from 2003, as the bridge built in 1897 was found not suitable for railway traffic anymore. The Dhowleswaram bridge across Godavari is seven kilometers south of Rajahmundry. On the banks is the Rallabandi SubbaRao Museum displaying coins, sculpture, pottery, inscriptions and palm-leaf manuscripts.
Rajahmundry is also one of the Hindu pilgrimage sites, with a number of temples like the Kotilingalu (10 million Sivalingas) temple on the bank of Godavari. It hosts holy congregations called Pushkarams[6] held once every 12 years and considered auspicious to take sin-ridding holy dips—with the last in August 2003, when around 34 million are said to have taken the bath. This festival lasts for 12 days and people offer prayers and make offerings to their departed family members. A huge Krishna 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 people as a recreational center.
A boat cruise on the river Godavari to Papikondalu, through the waterfalls at Perantala Palli, is a major attraction. Another spot is Pattiseema, known for its natural beauty and quite many movies filmed there. Pedapatnam Lanka is called Konaseema because it is lush with greenery. Many sites in Konaseema are rich sources of oil and natural gas.
A very famous sweet in coastal Andhra Pradesh, Pootarekulu is made in Atreyapuram, a village near Rajahmundry. The city is also known for rare breed of Pulasa Fish, available only once in a year during monsoon. Added to this, people enjoy rose milk, near the Kothagumam area. And there are traditional pen-making shops where people can place order for a variety of pens.
Poets of 20th century
The District Hospital of the East Godavari district is in Rajahmundry. Over the last three decades, the number of hospitals and practicing doctors has swelled. Due to its strategic location, Rajahmundry is accessible to both districts of Godavari, Khammam, parts of Visakhapatnam and Krishna—as well as to parts of Chattisgarh and Orissa states.
Rajahmundry is known for its cloth trade, with many cooperative handloom houses providing fine quality of sarees with different designs and borders, as well as menswear. Rajahmundry is also coming up with many branded ready-made stores, with levi's, pepe jeans etc..., H&A stated to be the largest in India.
Gold business is also quite vibrant here. It stands just 2nd In India After Mumbai in Cloth Business. It is a Business Center for Both the Godavari District..
Rajahmundry also hosts few corporates and multinationals as part of its industrial development, such as:
Throughout history, Rajahmundry has been a well crafted city with educational jewels (Institutions) from the rule of Rajaraja Narendra to its glorious present. Recollect the song from the movie, "Andhra Kesari" which says "Vedamla Ghoshinche Godavari, Amara Dhamamla Bhasille Rajahmahendri". The Government Arts College, now called Government College (Autonomous)in Rajahmundry was founded more than 150 years ago and NAAC accredited (A). Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, former President of India worked at this college. The Institutes founded by the great reformer Kandukuri Veeresalingam Panthulu have now grown into large colleges and organisations. SKR Women's college is famous for its campus and teaching facilities. The B.Ed Training Institute is one of the oldest in India. St.Ann's (EM) School, Bala Vigjana Mandir (B.V.M.),Sri Satya Sai Gurukulam,etc. being among the better known schools.
Godavari Institute of Engineering & Technology (GIET) was established in 1998 to offer engineering education of world-class standards. Over the years, the college has come a long way to gain a place of repute and a preferred destination for quality engineering education. Located in the serene and sylvan suburbs of Chaitanya Nagar, Rajahmundry on NH-5, the sprawling 300-acre campus of GIET campus reflects the finest educational facilities around.
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