Konaseema is a delta located in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. This delta is bordered by the waters of Godavari River and Bay of Bengal.
The name Konaseema is derived from the Telugu word "Kona" that means corner which resembles its shape. The northern side is bounded by Gautami Godavari and southern side is bounded by Vasista Godavari. This is one of most fertile lands present in Coromandel Coast. The entire region is rich in coconut trees, Mangroves forests, cashew and paddy fields.
Konaseema is quite near to the district headquarters, Kakinada.
Pilgrimage Tourism in Konaseema
The major pilgrimage sites in Konaseema are:
Adurru
Adurru is located near Nagaram in Razole taluk of East Godavari district. It lies on the west bank of the Vainetaya, a branch of Godavari River. It is 9.5 km from the sea. It is about 30 kilometres from Amalapuram.
The place Adurru is the home of Stupas, Chaityas and Viharas. The Maha Stupa was built in wheel-shaped plan of 17 feet in diameter with a raised platform running all round the drum and "ayaka" platforms on cardinal directions is extremely famous. The area also has Buddhist remnants in an area of approximately 2.04 acres.
Pattiseema
Pattiseema is located about 120 kilometres from Eluru and 40 kilometres from Rajahmundry and 25 kilometres from Kovvur. It is well-known for Sri Veerabhadra Temple that is situated on a lovely hill in the middle of river Godavari. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva and Sri Veerabhadra Temple is believed to be one of the Panchkasi Kshetrams of Shaivites. The temple walls are decorated by carved images of dancing people. The life-size sculpture of Goddess Bhadrakali with pretty ornaments and a sword is in particular praiseworthy. The temple also has a beautiful Nandi Vigraha.
Ainavalli
Ainavalli is located about 72 kilometres from Kakinada via Yanam, Amalapuram and Mukteswaram. It is about 55 kilometres from Rajahmundry via Ravulapalem, Kotapeta and Vanapalli and 14 kilometres from Amalapuram via Mukteswaram
Ainavalli is a land of unspoiled beauty and reeks of history. Vaastu Shastra teachings say that the most suitable place to build a temple is on a bank of a river or near the sea or at the confluence of rivers or on top of a mountain or near places of sanctity. Ainavalli has certainly plenty of temples on such lines and one can certainly experience not only peace of mind, but also profound satisfaction.
Antharvedi
Antharvedi is located about 130 kilometres from Kakinada, 100 kilometres from Rajahmundry and 65 kilometres from Amalapuram, Antharvedi is a land of majestic beauty. It is bordered by beautiful waters of the sea in the East and the South, the Godavari in the West and the Raktakulya River in the North. There are five important spots of this Holy shrine. These are the Vasishta River, Raktakulya River and the Chakrateertham.
The people participate in Lord Narasimha`s Chariot procession in the month of January and Holi celebration in the month of March. The Lord is worshipped with Panchamrita Abhishekam. As this place shrine blesses the pilgrims with Mukti, it is also called the Mukti Kshetra. Antarvedi is also named after the Lord as `Narasimhakshetra`. A visit to this fine place is incomplete without a trip to the Razole Tualuk. of East Godavari District. This site is famous for one hundred and eight shrines of Lord Narasimha. The Annual Fair runs for about nine days. At this period of time, it becomes Kaliyuga Vaikuntha.
Appanapalli
Appanapalli is a remote village in Mamidikuduru Mandal of East Godavari District. It is located about 72 km from Kakinada via Yanam and Bodasakurru and 110 Km via Ravulapalem from Kakinada. It is the abode of Lord Bala Balaji. It has acquired reputation as second Tirupati of Konaseema. Appanapalli is situated on the holy bank of river Vynateya and flanked by river Godavari on three sides and the Bay of Bengal on the fourth side. The lush green paddy fields, coconut gardens, plain Mango and Jack trees attract the people of all ages.
This village derives its name after a Rishi called "Appana" who underwent rigorous "tapasa" for the welfare of the whole world. It was famous for the presence of Brahmins who were well-versed in Vedas.
The yearly Brahmotsavam of Sri Sri Sri Tridandi Srimanarayana China Jeeyar Swamy varu is celebrated from Jyesta Sudda Dasami to Jyesta Sudda Chaturdasi during which devotional discourses and Puranic programmes are held. It is also famous for its popular Pushkarams and Devasthanam.
Mandapalli
Mandapalli is located about 36 kilometres from Rajahmundry, 60 Km from Kakinada and 30 Km from Amalapuram. It presents a picture of tranquillity and serene peace. It has a rich history which discloses that it was the holy ashram of the sage Dhadhichi Maharshi. It is also famous for three holy areas: Sri Brahmeswara Swamyvaru, Sri Nageswara Swamy Temple and Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple. The major festivals occurred in this area are Kalyanam of Sri Swamivaru held in every February/March, Devi Navaratrulu held in the months of September and October, Karthika Masam held every November/December months and Lakshapatri Puja held in every November/December
Muramalla
Located about 25 Kilometres from Amalapuram, 38 Kilometres from Kakinada (Via Yanam) and 105 Km from Rajahmundry via Ravulapalem, Muramalla is a major Panchayat and situated adjacent to Mummidivaram Mandal between National Highway 214 from Kathipudi- Pamarru. The popular temple is Sri Veereswaraswamy vari Temple. It attracts people in horde particularly when the Nityakalyanam is performed to the Lord daily. Kalyanams will be performed to the Lord every night from 7 P.M.
Palivela
Palivela is located about 90 km from Kakinada, 50 Km from Rajahmundry and 25 Km from Amalapuram. It is a popular pilgrim centre, one among the many pilgrim centres of Bhima Mandalam. It is said that the Lord`s (known as Sri Uma Koppulingeswara Swamy) idol installation in the temple was performed by famous saint Maharshi Agastya.Maha Shivarathri takes place in Kalyana mandapam and attracts lot of devotees who particularly adore watching Kalyanotsavam, Radhotsavam (Chariot Festival).
Ryali
Ryali is located about 40 Km from Rajahmundry and 74 Km from Kakinada and 34 Km from Amalapuram. It is an enchanting place situated between the rivers Vashista and Gautami, the tributaries of the mighty river Godavari.
The famous temple Jagan Mohini Kesava Swamy Temple is located here and its exquisite idol, made of black stone depicting Maha Vishnu and Mohini can be seen on its front and rear sides. This 5 feet height and 3 feet width shrine is itself the form of Sri Maha Vishnu, with the idol of Sree Kesava Swamy varu of "Sri Mahavishnu" on front side and Jagan Mohini on back side. There are also ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu with consorts, Sri Devi, Bhoo Devi, Sage Narada, Thumbura, Rambha, Urvasi, Kinnera and Kimpurusha, Lord Krishna with Govardhanagiri, Adiseshu, Garuda and Ganga.
Vanapalli
Vanapalli is located about 21 Km from Amalapuram. It is about 55 Km from Rajahmundry and 70 Km from Kakinada via Ravulapalem. The temple of Lord Sri "Pallalamma" Ammavaru is said to be one of the greatest temples in Andhra Pradesh with divine healing powers. Every year, in the month of "Vysakha", a festival is performed on Tuesday after Vysakha Poornima that continues for one month and attracts scores of devotees. A statue of "Jackal" can be found under the feet of Sri Pallalamma Ammavaru and Sri Ammavaru is seated putting her leg on the other leg. Also, a statue of "Ganapathi" facing "South" is said to be auspicious.
There are many festivals hosted in Konaseema. Some of the festivals are Rathotsavam festivals (Antarvedi teertham and Yanam teertham), Prabhala Teerthams (Jaggannathota teertham, Kothapeta teertham,Muktheswaram teertham and Chintalooru teertham) and Subhramanya Sasti teerthams are also very famous in Amalapuram and Kadili. The Sankrathi also is a big festival of Konaseema. The three days festival on third day Prabhalatherdham is a very good festival in Kona seema.
Nature Tourism in Konasema
Konaseema is known for its green Coconut orchards, lush green Paddy fields and numerous canals. Apart from these Konaseema is also famous for cultivation of turmeric and a kind of Yam called Kanda. Some of the nature tourism spots are:
Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary
Coringa Wild life Sanctuary is located about 20 Km from Kakinada on Kakinada Yanam Road. This fine sanctuary is part of river Godavari. Its name comes from a tiny village called Coringa in East Godavari District. It is blessed with abundant mangroves and exotic flora. It is declared as a wildlife sanctuary by Government of Andhra Pradesh. It attracts lot of people from surrounding places. A unique feature of this sanctuary is that it`s location. The back waters of the sea attract the people of inland and out land areas. In that sanctuary, the protected specie Otter is found here. There are other animals like Fishing Cat, Jackal, Sea Turtle and Estuarine Crocodile, birds like Snipes, Ducks, Sea Gulls and Flamingos.
Hope Island
Hope Island is a narrow stretch of sandy formation in the Bay of Bengal. It was responsible for the formation of the Bay of Kakinada. This enchanting island was formed during the last 200 years by the sand drifting from the tributary of Godavari River. The picturesque island presents a beautiful view with backwaters on one side and sandy beaches on the side facing the Bay of Bengal. Hope Island protects the city of Kakinada from the strong tidal waves coming from the Bay of Bengal. It offers shelter to ships which berth at anchor in the Kakinada Bay.
Kolleru Lake
Kolleru Lake is situated 95 kilometres from Vijaywada. It is located between the wide deltas of Godavari and Krishna and is the largest fresh Water Lake in the country.
Kolleru Lake receives water from four rivers, namely Budameru, Ramileru, Tammileru and Errakalva and 18 drains. This lake flows into the Bay of Bengal, every six months through an outlet called `upputera`. Its majestic beauty comes alive during monsoons when it spans nearly 260-sq-kms. It is the abode of fine Bird sanctuary called Kolleru Sanctuary. It attracts several species of birds.
Kadiyapulanka
Kadiyapulanka is located about 8 kms from Rajahmundry. The place abounds with dazzling colourful gardens of Jasmine, Roses, Chrysanthemums, Lilies and Kanakambaram and ornamental plants like Archaria, Johnny Fresh, Dracenia, and Arclias and many others. Every year in the month of January, an annual flower show is held when one can see a wide range of nature`s most beautiful creations. Also, grafting and seedling of mango, cashew and guava are produced here and sent to different parts of the country.
Papi Hills
It is a confluence point of Sabari river with Godavari River. Papi Hill is a delightful hill that has an exotic collection of flora and fauna and its feast of colours is a treat for naked eye. Its scenery is equivalent to Kashmir`s scenery. The jungles in the hill are inhabited by colourful tribal people and a fine temple dedicated to Lord Rama. People believe that Lord Rama used to be under Yoga Samadhi while he was spending the days in Dandakaranya. The beautiful scenery of Papi Hills, the waterfalls at Munivaatam, and the peaceful atmosphere at this tribal village give a pleasant look and peace to visitors. The idol of Lord Shiva under serpent shade was installed in Munivaatam. The legend says that Papi Hills is a place where all sins are cleansed.
Leisure Tourism in Kola seema
Uppada Beach
Uppada Beach is located on Uppada Road. It is about 5 km from Kakinada and it is a major tourist attraction with its combination of gradual slope and wide shore. A neat and enthralling beach with clean waters, it is also home to a beautiful park that adds to its beauty. Uppada village is a weaving village that is right next to the sea. It is the home to a sizeable fishermen population. The road to Uppada from Kakinada all along the sea is very charming.
Visiting Information
Rajahmundry is the only airport near to Konaseema. Other nearby airports are Vijayawada (160 Kms - 4 Hours) and Visakhapatnam (200 Kms - 6 Hours). Rajahmundry is also well connected with roadways and railways. Kakinada and Palakollu are well linked with Road and Rail. Amalapuram is well linked with roadways only.