Rajamundry is also known as Rajamahendravaram, is regarded to be an important city belonging to Andhra Pradesh state of India. This beautiful city is located on Godavari River’s banks and is said to be the state’s 6^th populous state. On 10^th October 2015, the city retrieved its original name to Rajamahendravarman as declared by the cabinet of N. Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

It is well known for its cultural, economic, agricultural and historical backgrounds. Therefore, it has been rightly termed to be Andhra Pradesh’s Cultural Capital. It also boasts of having the largest road and rail bridge constructed over the Godavari River that connects this city with Kovvur.

Its history

It was around 1022 A.D. that the city was traced during the reign of Raja Raja Narendra, the Chalukya king after whom, the city has been named. The palatial and fort ruins still exist. It is also considered to be the Telegu language’s birthplace, with Nannaya, poet credited with evolving its script and grammar. He is also called Adi Kavi. During the 19^th century, it was regarded to be among the biggest cities of South India and also boasts of having few leaders playing an important role in the national struggle for freedom against the British.

Connectivity

This city is said to be well connected by the Indian Railways with the Rajamundry Railway station being one of the most important stations in the state, present along the Chennai – Howrah main line. It is also connected by waterways, roadways and airways.

Tourism

There are plenty of attractions in and around the city that does require special mention. Few of them are Arthur Cotton Museum, River Godavari as well as its bridges. The place is also an important Hindu pilgrimage site, having numerous temples. Pushkaram, the holy congregations are held once in every 12 year and taking holy dips in the river Godavari during this time is considered auspicious. The last occasion held here was on August 2003, where more than 34 million people had taken bath. The Krishna Temple built by ISKCON foundation can be found on Godavari’s banks. Known as Gowthami Ghat popularly, youngsters find the place to be a great recreational center.

The other places of interest are the Dutch Fort that was constructed by the Dutch during their rule in 1602, which was later in 1864, got changed into a jail and later in 1870 became the central jail.

Fort Gage is another attraction here which comprises of the Mrityunjaya (Lord Hanuman) statute, Potti Sriramulu statue and the railway station of Old Godavari. The Dowlaiswaram dam does offer tourists with a beautiful view and satisfaction of mind and the soul.

Cuisine

This city is well noted for its delicious, traditional cuisine, which includes carts that can be found on the street corners selling masala and mirchi bajji (fried chillies). The popular items here are aavakaya (mango pickle), pulasa fish, pootarekulu a sweet created from thin sugar wafers, Chakkerakely, mango varieties such as kothapalli kobbari, Rasaaklu and banginapalli.

People, who are interested to taste the cuisine, can even do so when travelling by train by ordering food delivery in Rajamundry station from reputed sites.