2 DAY TRIP FROM HYDERABAD | PANCHARAMA KSHETRAS

At a distance of 2.5 km from Rajahmundry Railway Station, The Godavari Bridge or Kovvur-Rajahmundry Bridge is a truss bridge spanning Godavari river in Rajahmundry. It was commissioned by South Central Railway division of Indian Railways. It was inaugurated by the then President of India, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed in 1974. It is Asia's second longest road-cum-rail bridge crossing a water body. This is very scenic place with wonderful views of the bridge and Godavari River.

This is the second bridge of the three bridges. The bridge is 4.2 km (2.7 km Rail & 4.2 km Road). At the location of the bridge, the river flows with a width of about 2.7 km, split into two channels with an island formation in between. The bridge has a road deck over the single track rail deck. This bridge, in addition to Godavari Arch Bridge, has been widely used to represent Rajahmundry in arts, media, and culture. It is one of the recognized symbols of Rajahmundry.

The Old Godavari Bridge or Havelock Bridge .....

At a distance of 17 km from Kakinada, 42 km from Rajahmundry, 65 Kms from Annavaram, 197 km from Vijayawada, 198 km from Vizag & 466 Kms from Hyderabad, Draksharamam is famous for one of the pancharama temples called Draksharama Bheemeshwara Swamy temple. This temple is situated in a green belt of river Godavari. Draksharamam is among prime place to visit on a Vizag tour.

This temple was constructed by the East Chalukyan king during 9th century. The temple also consists one of the Shakti Peethas called Sri Manikyamba. The speciality of this Shiva Lingam in this temple is that, the early morning tender Sun light falls on the Linga. There are nearly 800 ancient scripts on the walls of the temple. The celebrations in this temple were started during 14th century in the period of Reddy Kings. Shiva Lingam is nearly 9 ft height and the top part is .....

At a distance of 12 kms from Kakinada, 40 kms from Annavaram, 52 km from Rajahmundry,199 km from Vijayawada, 172 km from Visakhapatnam & 447 km from Hyderabad, Samalkota is very famous for Pancharama Sri Kumararama Bheemeshwara Swamy temple. Situated just beside the Railway Station, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

This place was known as Purva Chalukya Bhimavaram as the Eastern Chalukyans ruled this place. The temple was built by Chalukya Kumara Rama during the end of 9th century as a celebration of his victories in more than 300 wars. A mantapam supported with one hundred pillars is built here along with Eka Shila Nandi (Single Stone Bull) at the temple entrance opposite to Shiva Lingam. Goddess Shri Bala Thripura Sundari is also worshipped in this temple. Pushkarni Lake is situated to the east of temple. The main entrance to the temple is called Surya Dwaram.

Kalyana Mahotsam .....

At a distance of 2.5 km from Pithapuram Railway Station, 12 km from Samarlakota, 16 km from Kakinada, 61 km from Rajahmundry, 31 km from Annavaram, 208 km from Vijayawada and 152 km from Vizag, Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy temple is an ancient Siva temple in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. Pithapuram which was earlier known as Pithikapuram is one of the Ashta Dasha (Eighteen) Shakthi Peethas.

Kukkuteswara Swamy temple is the most famous temple of Lord Shiva at Pithapuram. The presiding Deity is Lord Shiva, who reveals himself in the form of a Spatika Linga. This is a Swayambhu Linga of white marble and is about two feet in height. The Linga resembles that of a cock; hence Lord Shiva is called Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy. There is a huge beautiful idol of Nandi (bull) made from a single stone in front of the temple. The shrine of Sri Rajarajeswari, consort of Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy, is present .....

At a distance of 10 km from Kakinada Town Railway Station, 66 from Rajahmundry and 37 from Annavaram, Uppada Beach is located on Uppada Road and it offers a relaxed and rejuvenating ambience to enjoy the sun kissed sand and water. The wide shore is a major attraction of this beach. The clear water, the silver sand and the golden sun gifts the beach with a majestic beauty.

The wide shoreline and the gradual inclination into the water make it a safe beach. One can have a variety of activities at this beach. Shore activities like cricket, football, jogging and trekking can be fun and rejuvenating. The local fishermen along the beach are very friendly and also, one could get an experience of going along with the local fishermen for deep water fishing.

The sunrise and the sunset are very worth watching at this beach. This riveting seashore also has a beautiful well maintained park that adds to its beauty. One can find snack bars and .....

At a distance of 10 km from Rajahmundry Railway Station, Dowleswaram Barrage is an irrigation structure which is built at Dowleswaram, on the lower stretch of the Godavari River before it empties into the Bay of Bengal. The barrage was built by a British irrigation engineer, Sir Arthur Thomas Cotton.

This barrage provides water for East and West Godavari districts for agriculture. Before this barrage was constructed, this region was suffering from drought in summer and floods in monsoons. The barrage controlled the water flow and ensured continuous water supply to both Godavari district. The Dowleswaram Barrage is 15 feet high and 3.5 km long, with 175 crest gates to pass the floods. The full reservoir level of the barrage is 14 m MSL with 2.93 TMC gross storage capacity. The dam alignment crosses two mid-stream islands and the barrage was constructed in four sections, which allowed flood passage during the construction period which was completed in 1850.

Sir Arthur Cotton .....

At a distance of 1.2 km from Bhimavaram New Bus Station, 65 km from Eluru, 76 km from Rajahmundry, 117 km from Vijayawada, 116 km from Kakinada, 22 km from Palakollu and 277 km from Visakhapatnam, Sri Someswara Temple is one of the Pancharama Kshetras of Lord Shiva known as Somaramam and is situated at Bhimavaram town in West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. The other four are Amararama Temple in Amaravathi, Draksharama Temple in Draksharamam, Kumararama Temple in Samalkoti and Ksheera Rama Temple in Palakollu.

The main contribution for temple construction was made by the King Chalukya Bheema I during 10th century. The Shiva lingam is called Someshwara as it is believed that this lingam has been installed by Lord Chandra. The color of the linga is believed to change according to the Lunar rays. In Full Moon days it changes into white and during Amavasya day, it turns into black in form.

According to legend, Tharakasura worships .....

At a distance of 1.7 km from Palakollu Railway Station, 85 km from Eluru, 67 km from Rajahmundry, 138 km from Vijayawada, 97 km from Kakinada, 22 km from Bhimavaram and 258 km from Visakhapatnam, Sri Ksheera Rama Temple is one of the Pancharama temples, situated in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. The other four are Amararama Temple in Amaravathi, Draksharama Temple in Draksharamam, Kumararama Temple in Samalkoti and Somarama Temple in Bhimavaram.

Lord Shiva is worshipped as Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy at this temple. The temple tower is one of the tallest among the temple towers in Andhra Pradesh. The height of the temple is 120 ft with 9 floors constructed during the reign of Chalukya Bheema in 9th century. The Prakara was designed by Sri Velupathi during 10th century. Gopuram was constructed by Sri Alladu Reddy during 14th Century. This ancient temple has been listed as a protected monument by the Archaeological Department. .....