Quick Facts

Quick Facts

General Overview

• Name: Rajahmundry (officially called Rajamahendravaram)
• State: Andhra Pradesh, India
• District: East Godavari district (Note: After the district reorganization in 2022, Rajahmundry falls in the Rajamahendravaram district.)
• Coordinates: 17.004° N, 81.783° E
• Elevation: ~14 meters (46 feet) above sea level

Historical Significance

• Rajahmundry is often called the "Cultural Capital of Andhra Pradesh."
• It is one of the oldest cities in India, with roots dating back to 7th century CE.
• Founded by: King Raja Raja Narendra of the Eastern Chalukya dynasty around 1022 CE.
• Historical Names: Originally known as Rajamahendravaram.
• It played a significant role during the Vengi Chalukya reign, and later under the Kakatiyas and the Vijayanagara Empire.
• The Godavari Pushkaralu, a huge festival occurring once every 12 years on the banks of the Godavari River, has deep religious and historical importance in Rajahmundry.

Geography

• Location: On the banks of the Godavari River, the second longest river in India.
• Rajahmundry has one of the widest river stretches (around 5 km wide at some places).
• The city is prone to minor floods during the monsoon, but major flood protection systems are in place.

Demographics

• Population: Around 540,000 (Urban Agglomeration as per 2011 Census; likely higher today).
• Languages:
  • Official: Telugu
  • Others: English, Hindi (to a smaller extent)
• Literacy Rate: Around 84%, which is above the national average.
• Religions: Majority Hindu, followed by Christians and Muslims.

Culture

• Arts and Literature:
  • Birthplace of the Telugu language grammar and poetry.
  • Great poet Nannayya Bhattarakudu ("Adi Kavi" - the first poet of Telugu literature) is associated with Rajahmundry.
• Traditional Arts: Kuchipudi dance, Carnatic music, and traditional painting thrive here.
• Festivals:
  • Godavari Pushkaralu
  • Ugadi, Sankranti, Vijayadashami and various local temple festivals.

Economy

• Traditionally an agricultural trading hub (especially paddy and sugarcane).
• Recent developments include:
  • Textile industry (Rajahmundry is known for Rajahmundry cotton sarees).
  • Tourism industry (especially religious and river tourism).
  • Real estate boom due to urban expansion.
  • Oil and gas exploration (nearby areas like KG Basin).

Transportation

• Road: Well-connected via National Highway 16 (Chennai-Kolkata highway).
• Rail:
  • Rajahmundry Railway Station is a major station on the Howrah–Chennai main line.
• Air:
  • Rajahmundry Airport (located at Madhurapudi, ~18 km from city center).
  • Connects to major cities like Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Visakhapatnam.
• Water: Ferry services operate on the Godavari river during special occasions.

Important Landmarks

• Godavari Bridge (Old and New):
  • Old Godavari Bridge (also called Havelock Bridge) – now decommissioned.
  • New Godavari Bridge (also called Kovvur–Rajahmundry Bridge) – one of Asia's longest road-cum-rail bridges.
• ISKCON Rajahmundry: A large temple attracting thousands of devotees.
• Dowleswaram Barrage: Built by Sir Arthur Cotton, key for irrigation.
• Kotilingeshwara Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• Rallabandi Subbarao Government Museum: Houses archaeological and historical artifacts.
• Markandeya Temple, Pushkar Ghat, and many more sacred sites.

Education

• Rajahmundry is a significant education center for coastal Andhra Pradesh.
• Some prominent institutions:
  • Adikavi Nannaya University
  • Government College (Autonomous)
  • GSL Medical College
  • Numerous engineering and management colleges

Climate

• Type: Tropical savanna (Köppen classification Aw)
• Summer: Very hot (up to 45°C, especially in May)
• Monsoon: June to September (moderate to heavy rainfall)
• Winter: Pleasant (15–30°C from November to February)

Modern Developments

• Declared as part of the Smart City Mission by the Indian Government.
• Focus on riverfront beautification, public transport improvement, and green urban development.
• Expansion of IT hubs and educational institutes is underway.

Trivia

• Rajahmundry is often called the "City of Poetry" and the "Birthplace of Telugu language."
• Some Telugu films and TV series are regularly shot in Rajahmundry, given its natural and cultural beauty.
• Sir Arthur Cotton, known for his contribution to irrigation in the Godavari delta, is highly revered here.