Konaseema
Konaseema (Telugu: కోనసీమ) is a delta located in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India. This delta is surrounded on all sides by waters (of Godavari and the Bay of Bengal). Konaseema is very near to the District head quarters Kakinada.
Konaseema is famous for its scenic greenery and vedic scholars. The origin of the name may be from Telugu word "Kona" meaning corner which resembles its shape. The northern side is bounded by Gautami Godavari and southern side is bounded by Vasista Godavari. It is one of most fertile lands present in Coromandel Coast. The entire region is rich in Coconut trees, Mango groves, Cashew and paddy fields.
Until the 1996 cyclone which hit the area badly, the delta is also renowned for its coconut production. Even now, Konaseema is known after its coconut production and hence goes the phrase Konaseema Kobbaraaku which signifies the prominence of Konaseema in coconut production. One of the most significant components of Konaseema culture is the food; a unique part of the cuisine is its reliance on abundant local produce and sea food. There are delicacies made using Plantain flowers.
During the religious festival of "Kaartika Maasam" women wake up before dawn, pray at a temple and light small lamps made of cotton dipped in ghee placed in a plantain stem and left floating in the canals. Floating lights, hundreds of them, light up canals.
History
Konaseema is a delta located in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India. This delta is surrounded on all sides by waters (of Godavari and the Bay of Bengal).
Konaseema is famous for its scenic greenery and vedic scholars. The origin of the name may be from Telugu word "Kona" meaning corner which resembles its shape. The northern side is bounded by Gautami Godavari (గౌతమి గోదావరి) and southern side is bounded by Vasista Godavari (వశిష్ట గోదావరి). It is one of most fertile lands present in Coromandel Coast. The entire region is rich in Coconut trees, Mango groves, numerous canals, backwaters, Temples and traditions.
Culture
The culture of konaseema is rich traditional culture of Andhra. The culture of konaseema is typical rural culture of Andhra region. Even, the dialect of Telugu spoken here is distinct from other regions of Andhra Pradesh. The festivals of Rathotsavam (for Lord Vishnu) and Prabhala Teertham (for Lord Shiva) are famous all through the region. Most famous of Rathotsavam festivals are: Antarvedi teertham and Yanam teertham. Most famous of Prabhala Teerthams are: Jaggannathota teertham, Kothapeta teertham,Muktheswaram teertham and Chintalooru teertham. The Subhramanya Sasti teerthams in Amalapuram and Kadili are also very famous. According to some folklores, a sub-sect of Tamil Brahmins, belonging to Vadama Gotra, mostly settled along the Cauvery Delta in Tanjore (Thanjavoor) district of Tamil Nadu, migrated from this region in several waves around 1000 to 1200 CE to escape the fury of river Godavari which was flooding their settlements frequently.
Konaseema is known for its green Coconut orchards, lushgreen Paddy fields and numerous canals. Apart from these Konaseema is also famous for cultivation of turmeric and a kind of Yam called Kanda. Last but not the least, Konaseema is famous for Veda-pandits, the Godavari River and the hospitality of the people.
The inhabitants of Konaseema adopted a highly sustainable life-style. For example, every part of a coconut tree is used: from roots to the leaves and everything in between. This could probably be explained by the geographic isolation from the mainland. Before the construction of critical bridge infrastructure connecting to the mainland, water-based transportation was the only option. This relative isolation led to Konaseema people becoming extremely efficient at resource usage.
And Sankranthi (సంక్రాంతి) is also a big festival celebrated for 3 days. On 3rd day Prabhalatherdham is well celebrated in Konaseema.
Tourist attractions
Konaseema is a very scenic delta and has a very rich mangrove forest along the east coast. One of the main attractions being the light house in the middle of mangrove forest. The light house has stairs inside and is filled with fruit bats. Only way to reach this light house is by boat. One can see number of rare birds on the way to this light house.
Colloquial terms used in Konaseema
- Revu - A place on bank of the river to get onto the boats.
- Godaari - River Godavari.
- Lanka - Island.
- Dibba/Tippa - Small piece of land formed in rivers (Small islands).
- Metta - Very small islands, when grown in size referred as Tippa/Dibba.
- Peta/Palem - Village/Town.
- Kotha - Soil erosion.
- Aatu - High tide.
- Potu - Low tide.
- Aay - Meaning Yes
- eti gattu - the bank of river godavari
- Pantu - A corruption or adoptation of word Pontoon into Telugu. It is a raft which is used to transport people and even big vehicles across the river.
The major towns which constitute Konaseema are Nagullanka, Amalapuram, Ravulapalem, Razole, Mummidivaram, and Kothapeta. Other important centers are Uppalaguptam, Katrenikona, Nagaram/Mamidikuduru, Appanapalli, Ambhajipeta,Komaragiripatnam,Gannavaram,Munganda and Challapalli etc.,Nagaram is the Mini sub station for oil and Gas refinery,which is called Tatipaka Mini refinery located in Nagaram fields. Komaragiripatnam is one of the picnic spot (Beach) in konasema Konaseema also famous for Prabhala Teertham, that happens in Sankranthi time.
See also
- Nagullanka
- nallacheruvu
- Amalapuram
External links
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