Rajahmundry, officially named Rajamahendravaram, is a beautiful city and a popular tourist attraction in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Besides tourism, Rajahmundry is famous for its agriculture, floriculture, history and cultural heritage. It is sometimes referred to as the “Cultural Capital of Andhra Pradesh”. The city was named after a Chalukya king called Rajaraja Narendra, who used to rule over the Rajahmundry state in the 11th century. The official name switch from Rajahmundry to Rajamahendravaram took place in 2015. 

The distinct historical and cultural heritage of the city makes it one of the most unique tourist destinations in Andhra Pradesh. In addition, Rajahmundry sightseeing includes various natural sites and religious landmarks, which draw in a massive tourist crowd throughout the year. It is a famous city featuring tons of luxurious restaurants where individuals can try delicious Andhra cuisine. It also offers opportunities for boat rides and shopping, which are some of the most fun things to do in Rajahmundry while on a trip to Andhra Pradesh. 

Rajahmundry Location

The mesmerising city of Rajahmundry is located on the bank of the Godavari River in East Godavari District. It is nestled right at the centre of the two districts and has an average elevation of 46 feet. In terms of major nearby landmarks, Rajahmundry is about 60 kilometres to the west of Kakinada and around 100 kilometres to the northeast of Eluru. As for the major cities in Andhra Pradesh, Rajahmundry location is approximately 160 km from Vijayawada, 194 km from Guntur and 200 km from Vizag. The Rajahmundry pincode is 533 101 under the East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh.

Language spoken in Rajahmundry

Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh is among the most well-known cities and features an impressive average literacy rate. The majority of the residents use Telugu as their primary language, followed by Urdu. The schools follow English and Telugu as the medium of instruction across the city. Individuals visiting Rajahmundry for their holidays will have a smooth experience if they are familiar with any of its local languages. Otherwise, hiring a tour guide can help individuals have the best sightseeing experience during their vacation in the city. 

Known for

Rajahmundry is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. The city is known for its:

• Rich history: One of the main reasons behind the popularity of Rajahmundry as a tourist destination is its rich history. The region has seen the reign of several rulers, including Eastern Chalukyas, Cholas, Kaktiyas, Golconda Sultanate, Nizam, etc. It was also under Dutch rule at one time, which was overtaken by the British in the mid-19th century. There are tons of places to visit at Rajahmundry for historical tours. 
• Religious sites: Rajahmundry is a prime choice for a holiday destination for both casual tourists and devotees. Religious shrines, such as the ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Gopi Dashavatara Temple, Kotilingala Revu, Lababin Line Masjid, Lord Shiva Statue, Vallabha Ganapati Temple, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church,  etc., are some of the most well-known sightseeing places in Rajahmundry. 
• Popular tourist attractions: Rajahmundry famous for its iconic attractions, such as the Sir Arthur Cotton Museum, Dowleswaram Barrage, Reserve Forest of India, Godavari Bridge, Rallabandi SubbaRao Archaeological Museum, etc. The city is also known for being the gateway to the beautiful Maredumilli ecotourism spot, located about 85 kilometres from the city centre via Rajahmundry - Bhadrachalam Highway. It is one of the most beautiful places to visit near Rajahmundry for a short vacation. The River Bay Water Park, part of the ISKCON Rajahmundry complex, is another fun place to check out in the city. 
• Boat rides: The gorgeous Godavari River flowing on the city’s western side offers ideal opportunities for boat rides. It is a fun way to explore the city and enjoy magnificent scenic views of the surrounding region. 

Type of place

Rajahmundry is a city and a popular tourist destination in Andhra Pradesh. Nestled on the eastern banks of the sacred River Godavari, it is a prime religious hub. There are several temples, churches and mosques spread across the region, attracting thousands of devotees from all corners of India. Many people just come to take a holy dip in the Godavari River at the Pushkar and Saraswati Ghats, which are also popular hangout places in Rajahmundry. 

The availability of famous places in Rajahmundry for nature lovers, such as the Reserve Forest of India and the Kambala Cheruvu Park, has made it a suitable destination in Andhra Pradesh tourism. It also acts as the perfect gateway to a memorable vacation. Some of the best places to visit near and around Rajahmundry include Maredumilli, Pattiseema,  Papikondalu, Uppada Beach, etc.

How to get to Rajahmundry?

Rajahmundry is one of the most accessible tourist destinations within the state of Andhra Pradesh. Individuals planning their vacation to this city can choose from any of these travel options:

By air

The city has decent air connectivity through the Rajahmundry Airport. It is a small-scale, regional airport located around 16 kilometres from the city centre. It is served by a number of popular carriers, including Jet Konnect, Jet Airways, Spicejet, etc. It helps to connect Rajahmundry to other major cities in India, such as Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. A popular alternative to this is scheduling a flight to Vijayawada Airport and covering the remaining 145 kilometres to Rajahmundry by road.  

By rail

Another fast and affordable transport choice individuals can opt for to reach Rajahmundry City is by train. The Rajahmundry Railway Station, located 4 kilometres from the city centre, falls on the Howrah-Chennai main coastal rail line. All trains from Vijayawada and Vizag make a stop at the Rajahmundry Railway Station, offering great intrastate rail connectivity. In addition, tons of long-distance trains frequently pass through Rajahmundry, connecting the city to major parts of India like Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, etc. After stepping foot at the train station, individuals can easily hail a taxi and get to their destination within the city. 

By road

Rajahmundry has a well-established road network that connects it to major cities in the state and the country. Individuals looking for a fun road trip can drive to the city in a rental or private car from the neighbouring states. In addition, the private and state-run daily buses from Hyderabad, Guntur, Tirupati, Vizag Vijayawada, etc., are also some great choices tourists can consider. 

By water

The sacred Godavari River flowing by the city side has made water transport possible to some extent. For example, individuals planning on visiting Rajahmundry from Bhadrachalam can do so via the boat/ferry services offered there.

Interesting facts about Rajahmundry

Here are some interesting facts about Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh that tourists should know about:

• The original name of Rajahmundry was Rajamahendravaram, also referred to as “Rajamahendri”. It was derived from the Sanskrit word “Rajamahendravaram”, meaning the city of King Mahendra. However, in the official records during the reign of Qutb Shahi, Mughal and Nizams, the city was referred to as “Rajahmundry”, which was later anglicised as “Rajahmundry” under the British colonial period. This was the case until October 10th, 2015, when the state government finally restored the city’s original name, Rajamahendravaram.
• Rajahmundry is the 5th most populated city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh according to the 2011 census. It held the status of district headquarters of the Rajahmundry District, formed under the Madras Presidency in 1823, for 36 years.
• The magnificent Godavari Bridge in Rajahmundry is one of the largest rail-cum-road bridges crossing a water body in India. This 4.1 kilometres-long truss bridge was inaugurated in the year 1974 by the then President of India, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed. It is one of the most famous Rajahmundry visiting places for sightseeing. 
• Rajahmundry City is popularly dubbed as the birthplace of the Telugu language and literature. The first Telugu poet, Adi Kavi Nannayya, was born in this city. The author of the first Telugu novel named “Rajasekhara Charitra” was also from this city. His name was Kandukuri Veeresalingam, and he was also a great social reformer.
• The Dowleswaram Barrage, built by Sir Arthur Thomas Cotton in the mid-19th century, helped avert issues like famine in the region and played a crucial role in boosting its economy. In 1970, the barrage was renamed “Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage” in his honour. It is one of the best places to see in Rajahmundry for its architectural brilliance and scenic riverside views. 

Why is Rajahmundry recommended?

Rajahmundry is recommended for individuals who are looking for a short break. It is a well-connected city, accessible from most corners of Andhra Pradesh as well as other parts of India. Tourists can make use of all kinds of facilities and services in Rajahmundry without worrying about high pollution or tourist crowds like in other metro areas. Most of the Rajahmundry tourist places are religious, making it an ideal place for spiritual tours. For instance, the ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Gopi Dasavatara Temple is one of the most famous temples in Rajahmundry. Other well-known religious places to visit in Rajahmundry include Lord Shiva Statue, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Lababin Line Masjid, etc. In addition, the Ghats by the riverside are some of the best places to visit in Rajahmundry for a holy dip. 

Individuals interested in regional history can visit Rajahmundry, a city known for its rich past. Also, make sure to visit the Rallabandi SubbaRao Archaeological Museum and Sir Arthur Cotton Museum while you are at it. The Reserve Forest of India and Kambala Cheruvu Park are some of the best Rajahmundry places to visit for nature lovers. Other than that, individuals travelling to well-known tourist places near Rajahmundry, like Maredumilli, Papikondalu, Pattiseema, etc., can also include the city in their travel itinerary. Also, the city works as a gateway to Yanam in Pondicherry. It is one of the best sightseeing places near Rajahmundry, about 65 kilometres from the city centre. 

Operating hours

The operating hour for the various tourist attractions in the city can differ from one another. Tourists are advised to do their own research, collect all the crucial information and implement it accordingly to their trip plan. The best time to visit Rajahmundry is between October and March, which you can use as a reference for your trip planning.

Chart for Rajahmundry