Rajahmundry

రాజమండ్రి Rajahmundry
—  city  —
Godavari old and new bridges
రాజమండ్రి Rajahmundry Location of రాజమండ్రి Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh and India
Coordinates	16°59′N 81°47′E
Country	India
State	Andhra Pradesh
District(s)	East Godavari
Population • Density	478,199 (2011) • 17,288 /km2 (44,776 /sq mi)
Sex ratio	1022 ♂/♀
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	100 square kilometres (39 sq mi) • 14 metres (46 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 533101 to 533107 • Telephone • +91 883 • Vehicle • AP-5 AP-6
Website	www.rajahmundrycorporation.org

Rajahmundry (Telugu: రాజమండ్రి) is a city and municipal corporation of the Andhra Pradesh state in India. It is situated 400 kilometres (249 mi) east of the state capital, Hyderabad, on the banks of the River Godavari. Known as the Cultural Capital of Andhra Pradesh, Rajahmundry is noted for its versatile Vedic culture and intellect. The city's population is 343,903 (Census 2011) and that of the urban agglomeration is 478,199 (2011 estimates).

History

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. 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 as the 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 were set up at the same time. The Gowatami Grandhalayam, a well-known library was established in 1898.

Geography

Rajahmundry is located at 16.98°N 81.78°E / 16.98; 81.78. 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.

Demographics

As of 2011 India census, 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%.

Climate

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.

Tourism

Sunset over the Godavari river with the Havelock Bridge in the background

The biggest attraction in Rajahmundry is the river Godavari. The three bridges over the river are the longest in Andhra Pradesh. Numerous ghats and parks are situated along the river's banks as well. Sir Arthur Cotton, a British irrigation engineer, oversaw the construction of the Dowleswaram Barrage in nearby Dowlaiswaram, a village eight kilometers downstream of Rajahmundry. The dam, which was completed in 1850, is composed of four divisions: Dowlaiswaram Division, Ryali Branch Division, Madduru division and Vijjeswaram division. This was all in all 900 yards (800 m) long and 9 feet (3 m) high, and comprised the rail-cum-road bridge linking Kovvur, Asia's second longest after the Japan's Kansai International Airport Sky Gate Bridge. 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 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 a major 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 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 and beautiful 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 Pattuseema, known for its natural beauty and quite many movies filmed there.^{[citation needed]} Pedapatnam Lanka is called Konaseema because it is lush with greenery. Many sites in Konaseema are rich sources of oil and natural gas.^{[citation needed]}

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 fish named Pulasa, 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.

Notable people

• Sri Nannayya, (ca. 11th century AD) is the earliest known Telugu author, and the author of the first third of the Andhra Mahabharatamu, a Telugu retelling of the Mahabharata.
• Sri Rajaraja Narendra, (1019–1061 CE) was the Eastern Chalukya king of the Vengi kingdom in South India. Rajaraja was related to the Cholas of Tanjavur by marital and political links. Rajaraja Narendra established the city Rajahmahendravaram(Rajamundry).
• Sri Kandukuri Veeresalingam (1848–1919), a renowned social reformer, is widely considered as the man who first brought about a renaissance in the Telugu people and Telugu literature; he is also known to have helped women come out of their closets.
• General Sir Arthur Thomas Cotton , (Telugu: కాటన్ దొర) (15 May 1803 – 24 July 1899) was a British general and irrigation engineer.
• Sri Adurthi Subba Rao, Prominent Old-time Director & Producer of Telugu & Hindi Films.
• Sri Vundavalli Aruna Kumar 2 time MP of Rajahmundry a Lawyer and excellent speaker
• Jakkampudi Rammohan Rao, Ex-Minister
• Julia Maitland, a campaigner for "native" education, founded a multilingual school and reading room in the town in 1837.
• Jaya Prada, a popular actress of Telugu & Hindi film industry has entered politics and got elected as Member of Parliament from Rampur constituency of UP on Samajwadi Party ticket

Entertainers

• Thotakura Venkata Raju,(Music Director, Singer)
• Anjali (actress)
• Uma Pemmaraju, an anchor and host on the Fox News Channel cable network.
• Raja Babu, Actor
• Ali (actor), Actor
• Relangi (actor), Actor
• Jaya Prada, Actress
• Bhanupriya, Actress
• Sameera Reddy, Bollywood Actress
• Rasool Ellore, Bollywood and Hollywood cameraman
• Tanguturi Suryakumari, Actor, Classical Singer and Dancer, First Miss Madras, and evangelist of yoga and Indian dance in US

Hospitals

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.

Trade

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 Godavari Districts..

Educational institutions

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.

Government has also established a university in 2005(ADDIKAVI NANNAYA UNIVERSITY) in remembrance of the first literary figure of the city and also because there is a rapid growth in education sector in our country.

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.

GSL Medical College Rajahmundry Established in 2002 under the aegis of GSL Educational Society, GSL Medical College is one of the top private medical institutions in India.

"Telugu University" on 2 December 1985 through an Act of Legislation (Act No. 27 of 1985) Rajahmundry.

List of Premium Under Graduation & Post Graduate Colleges in Rajahmundry

Adikavi Nannayya University

Government College (Autonomous)

Godavri Institute of Engineering & Technology

Chaitanya Institute of Engineering & Technology

Rajamahendri Institute of Engineering & Technology

Rajahmundry Engineering College

Krishna's Pragati Institute of Technology

Sri Sai Madhavi Institute of Science & Technology

BVC College of Engineering

GSL Medical College

Swatantra College of Nursing, Rajahmundry

Swatantra Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Rajahmundry

Lenora Institute of Dental Sciences, Rajahmundry

Dr. Allu Ramalingaiah Government Homoeopathic Medical College

SRKR College for Women

Smt Addepalli Mahalakshmi Devi College of Education for Women, Rajahmundry

GSKM Law College

Veeravalli College of Law

Telugu University

G.M.R.Polytechnic College

Rajahmundry has many more Educational Institutions & Colleges, as well as number of International, Techno, ICSE, CBSE & SSC Schools.

Transportation

• Rajahmundry is well connected to all parts of the state. NH-5 passes by this place. With one national highway and two state highways, it has excellent road connectivity to all important places like Annavaram, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Jaipur and Lucknow. It is a main city for both the Godavari districts.
• The city is also well connected by the railway network. Rajahmundry has one of the biggest railway stations in Andhra Pradesh and is one of the top revenue generator for South Central Railways. All trains along the Howrah-Chennai route stop here. It is also connected by a number of trains from Hyderabad, the state capital.
• Rajahmundry is accessible by air from Hyderabad. Daily flights are operated by Kingfisher Red, Jet Airways and Spicejet from the Rajahmundry Airport situated near Madhurapudi 10 km away from the heart of the city. The Andhra Pradesh government signed a Rs.23 crore MoU with the Airport Authority of India (AAI) in February 2007 for the installation of night landing facilities and construction of a new terminal building at the Rajahmundry airport.
• The recent tourism developments by the government has made excellent platform for Rajahmundry to boast itself as water-way transport hub. Though currently the water way transport caters for select few purposes like pilgrimage, tourism etc., the government has huge plans for the future.
• The Municipal corporation of Rajahmundry is planning to upgrade it form corporation to urban development authority the vision city. Recently this city has secured Greater status.

External links

• Rajahmundry Muncipal Corporation