Rajahmundry
A Godavari city of old bridges, riverside temples and Telugu literary roots
A Rajahmundry tour on the Godavari: the 1897 Havelock bridge, the Dowleswaram barrage, bank-side temples and Telugu literary roots in East Godavari.
Overview
A Rajahmundry tour is built around the Godavari. The city, officially called Rajamahendravaram since 2015, lies in East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, and had about 342,000 residents at the 2011 census. It suits travellers who like river scenery, railway history and an easy base for the delta country, and the cooler months from October to February are better for walking along the bank.
The name recalls Rajaraja Narendra, an Eastern Chalukya ruler of the 11th century. The city is also tied to the early history of Telugu literature, through the poet Adikavi Nannaya, who is credited with a pioneering grammar of the language.
Bridges are the most visible landmarks. The old Godavari bridge, often called the Havelock bridge, was built in 1897 and taken out of railway service in 1997, when the Godavari Arch Bridge opened on the Howrah to Chennai line on 14 March. The state tourism listing recommends the riverbank at sunrise or sunset for views of the crossing. The Dowleswaram Barrage marks the point where the Godavari divides into the canal network of the delta.
Faith shapes the waterfront as well. The Markandeya Temple stands on the riverside, and the city has an ISKCON centre that runs devotional programmes. The Godavari Pushkaralu, a river festival held once every twelve years, is observed at bathing ghats along the Godavari in several districts. Boat cruises into the gorges of the Papi Hills are named among the attractions of the area, but cruising arrangements vary, so confirm what is running with the tourism office before planning a day around one.
Reaching the city takes little effort. Rajahmundry Airport, at Madhurapudi, sits roughly 16 to 17 km north of the centre and is run by the Airports Authority of India. The railway station, on the Howrah to Chennai main line, is about 5 km from the centre, and National Highway 216 carries road traffic on routes that connect with Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam. Annual rainfall is around 1,115 mm, concentrated between July and October, so expect wet days if you visit then.
Known for
Opened on 14 March 1997 on the Howrah to Chennai railway line
Quick facts
Hot from April to June, with about 1,115 mm of yearly rain falling mostly between July and October.
Rajahmundry Airport (RJA) at Madhurapudi, about 16 to 17 km north of the city centre
Rajahmundry railway station, about 5 km from the city centre, on the Howrah to Chennai main line
National Highway 216 serves the city, and road routes connect it with Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam.
Go to the riverbank at sunrise or sunset for the best views of the railway bridges
Look for both "Rajahmundry" and "Rajamahendravaram" on signboards, tickets and timetables, since the city has carried both names
Ask the tourism office whether Papi Hills boat cruises are operating on your dates before building them into an itinerary
Packages that visit Rajahmundry
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6D / 5NAndhra Coast and Hills Grand Tour
Six days on a Rajahmundry Visakhapatnam Araku tour: bridges over the Godavari, the Vizag shore and Kailasagiri, then Borra Caves and coffee country in Araku.
Rajahmundry → Visakhapatnam (Vizag) → Araku ValleyBeaches & CoastlinePlan a trip to Rajahmundry
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