Known for its spectacular beauty, Konaseema is one of the fertile lands on the Coramandal Coast. Comprising of major towns viz. Amalapuram, Ravulapalem, Razole, Mummidivaram, and Kothapeta, Konaseema is an oasis of enchanting beauty, peace and tranquility that is a dream tour destination for all. It allures and beckons one and all with its magnificent landscape, artistic temples, lavish greenery, lustrous coconut grooves and fields and its resilience that takes your breath away!! Whether travelling by train, boat or bus, a glance at the surrounding countryside is enough to capture the cultural wealth and geographical variety of this paradise on earth.
Going by the sobriquet and also popularly called as Andhra’s Kerala, Konaseema is a delta situated on both the Districts of East Godavari and West Godavari. Now, one may question as to what is meant by "Konaseema". Well, a Telugu word, Konaseema is a combination of 2 words viz. "Kona" and "Seema". "Kona" means –Corner and "Seema" means- Boundary. So, this is a delta that is
surrounded by Gautami Godavari on the North and Vashishta Godavari on the South and the Bay of Bengal. It is the home of the Vedas, Divine Hymns chanted by Vedic Scholars who are held in great esteem and who have always protected and preserved the sanctity of this region. These Hymns herald a new beautiful dawn. It bewitches and charms one and all with its thick blanket of breathtaking, lush and scenic greenery. It takes tourists by surprise with its diverse sceneries along the backwaters that keep crisscrossing the coastal areas. The entire region of Konaseema is rich in mangroves and especially coconut trees which are the arboreal symbol of Konaseema landscape, numerous canals, backwaters, temples and traditions. These arboreal symbols of Konaseema landscape fringe the backwaters thereby framing the blue tropical skies and giving away an impression of celestial paradise at night with the twinkling stars.
The culture of Konaseema is very rich and very much traditional which can be seen in its Temples, rustic lifestyles, and backwaters and are widely known and appreciated. Konaseema, when compared to other regions has a strong point regarding Temples and religious shrines. This is proved and is accepted when one visits the Temples of Sri Siddhi Vinayaka Swamy Temple at Ainavilli, Sri Jagan Mohini Keshava Swamy at Ryali, Sree Veereswara Swamy Temple at Marumalla, Sri Someswara Swamy Temple at Kotipalli , Sri Suryanarayana Swamy at G. Mammidada, Sr Bheemeshwara Swamy at Draksharamam, Sri Kukkuteshwara Swamy Temple at Pithapuram, Kumara Rama at Samalkota, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at Antarvedi, Sri Venkateswara Swamy at Appanpalli, Sri Ksheera Rama Lingeshwara Swamy at Pallakollu, Sri Someshwara Janardhana Swamy at Bhimavaram etc. as these Temples have excellent and exquisite carved architecture and glorious pasts and legends behind them. A visit to the Temples and learning about their pasts and its legends will surely purify one’s body, mind, and soul and
give one, a peace of mind. But the best part of visiting these Temples is that it gives one a chance to taste and experience the tradition of art, culture, and lifestyles of "Rustic Andhra".
It is a known fact that India is a country of rich and varied culture and heritage. But the beauty of India; the real beauty of India lives in its villages. It is because this is where the modern India emerged from; this is where our roots lie. And travelling to the little known rustic places like Konaseema, which is the backbone of this region, will help one to explore the diversity and the hospitality of its land and its people. Journey to this region which is a dream land full of peace, simplicity, and innocence will connect one with nature, make one unlearn luxury, make one spend time by looking at the surroundings and people who support your life by providing the raw inputs for complex city life needs. What one explores during these journeys is a unique experience and an eye opener to the basics of a developing economy. This gives an opportunity for the corporate people, to spend time in the rural atmosphere away from the mouse and the motherboard and helps them to go back to their roots.
A boat ride in Konaseema, which is known for its backwaters, offers spectacular and breathtaking views and vistas of Konaseema’s pristine natural beauty. The backwaters of Konaseema, as a whole, form an intricate network of lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries, and rivers which eventually merge into the Bay of Bengal. If one wishes to discover the real beauty of Konaseema, then one must go on a cruise on the placid backwaters that stretch for kilometers and are covered with swaying coconut trees, canals, and small islands. Cruising in fully furnished boats across the River Godavari and her tributaries Vynateya and Vashishta can make one go gaga and is also sure to rejuvenate one’s body, mind, and soul.
There is no slightest doubt that there is no place on earth like Konaseema!!! Cherish this beautiful land and relish its culture!!!
