Tourism in East Godavari District | APPSC State Specific Preparation Course - APPSC (Andhra Pradesh) PDF Download

Cultural Tourism

• Culture has always been a significant aspect of travel.
• It plays a crucial role in the tourism industry.
• Cultural heritage tourism is rapidly growing due to increased tourist interest in culture.

Kakinada Beach Festival

• Kakinada beach, also known as NTR beach, is a popular destination for beach enthusiasts.
• The festival attracts a large number of tourists, featuring actors and guests from the Telugu Film Industry.
• Horticultural displays from Kadiyam and water sports add vibrancy to the event.

Konaseema Festival

• The Konaseema Utsav in Muramalla village celebrates the beauty and culture of the region.
• Thousands of people from various areas participate in the festivities.
• The event includes a 2k run, temple replicas, and cultural performances.

Manyam Jatara

• A three-day fair that showcases the customs, traditions, and culture of tribal communities.
• Organized by the East Godavari district administration and Integrated Tribal Development Agency to promote tourism.
• The Jatara features a mix of local tribes and visitors from other districts, exhibiting food and bamboo products.

Peruru Village

• Peruru is a quaint village situated near Amalapuram in the East Godavari district of coastal Andhra Pradesh.
• The village of Peruru mirrors the ambiance of an ancient Andhra town, adorned with grand and historic mansions.
• These mansions are significant for their age and cultural heritage, showcasing the rich history of the region.
• Traveling from Rajahmundry, you can reach Peruru in a leisurely 3 to 4-hour journey.

Pandava Metta

• Pandava Metta is a hillock located close to Peddapuram, a small town within the same district.
• Despite being lesser-known, this hillock holds historical importance related to the exile period of the Pandavas.
• During their journey to Rameswaram, the Pandavas sought respite in Peddapuram, finding shelter atop this hill.
• The hillock derived its name from this significant event in the epic tale of the Mahabharata.

Eco-Tourism

Tourism in Andhra Pradesh

Maredumilli

• Maredumilli forests are part of the biodiverse Eastern Ghats.
• Jungle star campsite by Valamuru River offers an immersive experience.
• Abhayaranya Forest in Maredumilli village provides comfortable accommodation.

Kadiyam

• Kadiyam, near Rajahmundry, boasts lush green nurseries with diverse plant species.
• Annual flower show in January showcases a wide array of plants.
• Nurseries export a variety of plants worldwide for home and agriculture.

Papi Hills

• Papi hills, along the Rajahmundry-Bhadrachalam boat way, offer a serene retreat.
• National Park on Papi hills houses various wildlife such as tigers and deer.
• Huts are available for accommodation with scenic sunrise views during boat rides.

Travel Destinations in Andhra Pradesh

• Rampachodavaram: Rampachodavaram is a tribal village located 50 kilometers from Rajahmundry, known for its natural beauty. The village is rich in forests and waterfalls, making it a perfect destination for nature enthusiasts. The journey through the dense jungle offers an exhilarating experience.
  
• Pinjanrakonda: Pinjanrakonda is a popular picnic spot situated in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Located 80 kilometers from Rajahmundry, 84 kilometers from Kakinada, and 90 kilometers from Tuni, this spot is not serviced by direct buses, requiring visitors to arrange their own transportation. A visit to Pinjanrakonda can be complemented by a trip to the Yeleru reservoir project at Yeleswaram, offering awe-inspiring scenic views along the journey.
  
• Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary: Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary is the second-largest mangrove forest in India, boasting 35 species of mangrove trees and over 120 bird species. Situated 18 kilometers from Kakinada, this sanctuary offers opportunities for ferry rides along the backwaters of Gowthami and Godavari rivers. It is renowned for its population of saltwater crocodiles and features an 18-kilometer-long sandpit, the longest in the northeast region.
  
• Konaseema: Konaseema is a captivating destination known for its beauty, tranquility, and fertile lands. Traveling by bus, train, or boat allows visitors to witness the picturesque countryside, characterized by swaying coconut and palm trees. The region is famous for its lush greenery, stunning temples, and delectable cuisine infused with local spices and fresh seafood.
  

Forest Tourism

• The district encompasses 336 sq.kms of forested land, constituting 32% of the district's total area. Forest tourism has emerged as a rapidly growing sector, aiding in the promotion of sustainable forestry practices and the empowerment of local communities.
• Exploring the district's forests allows visitors to engage with the region's diverse flora and fauna in their natural habitats. The experience offers numerous intangible benefits, appealing even to those less inclined towards nature.

Notable forest destinations include:

Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: 18 km from Kakinada
• Attractions: Diverse plant species, birdlife, golden jackals, sea turtles, and fishing cats
• Unique Features: Rich biodiversity, popular among nature enthusiasts

The sanctuary serves as a habitat for various plant and animal species, offering a serene environment for visitors. The presence of golden jackals, sea turtles, and fishing cats adds to its allure.

Rampachodavaram

• Location: 82 km from Kakinada
• Specialty: Dense forests and picturesque waterfalls
• Experience: Thrilling jeep rides through dense jungles

Rampachodavaram is renowned for its lush greenery and cascading waterfalls, accessible through exciting jeep excursions. Filmmakers frequently choose this location for its unspoiled natural beauty.

Forest Tourist Places in Andhra Pradesh

• Addatheegala: Addatheegala is situated 67 kilometers from Kakinada and 65 kilometers from Rajahmundry. It boasts forest-clad mountains, streams, and deep valleys. The area is home to various tribes with diverse languages and cultures.
  
• Maredumilli: Maredumilli, located within a jungle and alongside rivers, is 87 kilometers away from Rajahmundry. The region is famous for its hills, waterfalls, and natural beauty that attract numerous tourists. Additionally, Maredumilli offers two jungle resorts and is known for its coffee and rubber plantations.
  
• Seetapalli: Seetapalli is positioned 75 kilometers from Kakinada and 51 kilometers from Rajahmundry. Although there is no railway station in Seetapalli, the nearby city of Rajahmundry provides two railway stations for convenient access. It is generally considered safe to travel to Seetapalli during the daytime. One of the notable attractions in Seetapalli is the famous Sri Bapanamma Talli Temple.
  

Religious Tourism

Religious tourism, also known as pilgrimage tourism, involves traveling primarily for religious purposes to temples, churches, or mosques. East Godavari is renowned for its diverse and rich temples and shrines, steeped in tradition, heritage, and historical significance. Let's explore some of the historical, popular, and significant pilgrimage sites in the East Godavari district.

Jaganadh Swamy Temple

• Ryali, situated 38km from Rajamahendravaram, is a captivating place nestled between the Vashista and Gowtami rivers. 
• The temple houses a striking idol of Jaganadh Swamy crafted from black stone. 
• The idol features MahaVishnu at the front and Jagan Mohini at the back, along with depictions of ten incarnations, including Thumbara, Narada, Rambha, Urvasi, Garuda, and Ganga.

Sri Vigneswara Swami Varu

• Bikkavolu, located 40km from Rajamahendravaram, is home to the Sri Vinayaka temple, where the main deity stands tall at 7 feet. 
• Believed to be a 'Swayambhu,' the idol is said to have been installed in 849 AD and has grown in size over the years. 
• Devotees traditionally whisper their wishes into Sri's ear, and there's a fascinating phenomenon of water flowing from the bottom of the idol's left leg.

Rajahmundry's Historic Sites

• Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple: Gollala Mamidada, located 45kms from Rajamahendravaram, is surrounded by coconut groves and green fields. The temple dedicated to Suryanarayana Swamy boasts a 170 feet high gopuram and is spread across 16 acres. The gopuram showcases hundreds of intricate carvings based on various epics of gods and goddesses, earning it the nickname 'Chinna Bhadrachalam'.
  
• Markandeya Swamy Vari Temple: The ancient Markandeya Temple, rebuilt in 1818, prominently features Sri Shiva and other deities. Situated near the Ghats of Godavari, devotees traditionally purify themselves in the river before visiting the temple.
  
• Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple: Korukonda, approximately 25kms from Rajahmundry, houses the historic Vaishnava Divya Kshetram dedicated to Sri Vishnu. The temple, featuring a 'Swayambhu' idol atop a hill accessible by a staircase of 650 steps, dates back 800 years.
  
• The Royal Mosque: The Royal Mosque, erected in 1305 A.D. by Sumera Sahib, stands as one of Rajahmundry's oldest monuments. Celebrating 700 years, it symbolizes religious harmony and unity among communities.
  

Engineering Tourism

Engineering Tourism Importance

• Exploring the engineering marvels in the district offers visitors valuable knowledge and insights crucial for commerce, transport, and overall development. 
• These structures not only entertain but also showcase how they have propelled the district to greater heights.

Road Cum Railway Bridge

• This impressive bridge, the third largest of its kind in Asia, spans the picturesque river Godavari. 
• Stretching over 4.1km, it was constructed by the Braithwaite, Burn, and Jessop Construction Company and officially opened in 1974 by the then President of India, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed.

The Havelock Bridge

• Initially linking Howrah and Madras, the historic Havelock Bridge is one of the oldest structures across the Godavari River at Rajahmundry. 
• Named after Sir Arthur Elibank Havelock, construction began in 1897, with plans to transform it into a tourist attraction.

Arch Bridge

• The Godavari Arch Bridge, constructed to replace the Havelock Bridge, was completed in 1997 and began operating for trains in 2003. 
• Spanning the Kovvur and Rajahmundry channels, it is also known as the Kovvur-Rajahmundry Bridge, marking the latest addition to the trio of bridges in the area.

The Fourth Bridge

• It is a bridge with four lanes constructed to alleviate traffic congestion on the existing Rail Cum Road Bridge.
• The primary goal of the Fourth Bridge is to reduce the distance between Chennai and Kolkata by 50km, providing a more efficient transportation route.

Cotton Bridge

• The Dowleswaram Barrage, overseen by British irrigation engineer Sir Arthur Cotton in 1850, stands as a remarkable engineering feat.
• This structure was built on the river Godavari and continues to be recognized for its innovative design and functionality.