RAJAHMUNDRY

The Godavari River flows a distance of 1,465 kilometres, making it the second longest river in India, after the Ganges. The town of Rajahmundry is located on the banks of Godavari River and the river is the widest at this point.Its width is about 5 kilometres from Rajahmundry to the other side, where Kovvur is located. This mighty river is one of the main attractions of Rajahmundry. Three bridges span the river; and along its banks are several bathing ghats and parks. The river holds a place of importance in the lives of Hindus, who believe in bathing in it once in 12 years to wash away their sins.

Markandeya Temple

The Markandeya Temple is located in the town of Rajahmundry. Initially, it was believed that the ruins at the site of the temple were those of a mosque. However, archaeological surveys discovered that the ruins were that of a Shiva temple. So, in 1818, Gundu Sobhanadriswara Rao reconstructed the temple and it can be accessed from the Gunduvari Street, the same street where Gundu Sobhanadriswara Rao resided. According to legend, the temple is associated with Muni Mrukhanada. It is claimed that she prayed to Lord Shiva for a child. Pleased with her prayers, Lord Shiva appeared before her and asked her to choose between a child, who would survive for 11 years, and a husband. Muni Mrukhanada chose the former. She had a boy, who spent his whole like praying to Lord Shiva and even made a lingam and placed it inside the temple. When 11 years passed and the God of Death, Yamaraj came to take the boy, Lord Shiva intervened and blessed him with life.

kotilingeshwara temple

The kotilingeshwara temple was built in the 10th century and is surrounded by several bathing ghats that attract devotees. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and many pilgrims throng to the temple to take a holy dip in the surrounding waters.The local legend claims that a sage named Gautama was cursed by Lord Indra and to rid himself off the curse, the sage placed a shivalingam and prayed to Lord Shiva. He anointed the lingam with waters of 10 million rivers. The same shivalingam now rests in the precinct of the temples. Kotilingeswara Temple is popular with believers of Lord Shiva and the festival of Maha Shivratri is celebrated in the temple with a lot of fervour.

ISKCON Temple

The ISKCON Temple, also referred to as the Gowthami Ghat, is very popular with visitors to Rajahmundry. The temple lies over an area of 2 acres, making it the second largest ISKCON Temple is South India. This temple lies on the banks of Godavari River and was constructed by the ISKCON followers.Many sages and priests have performed penance and prayers at this beautifully designed temple. It houses the idols of Sri Radha Gopinath, Subhadra Devi, Sri Sri Govinda Srinivas, Sri Sri Jaganath Baladeva, Sri Sri Krishna Chaitany and Prabhu Nityananda