East Godavari Travel Guide: 12 Places to Visit, How to Reach & Best Time

Places to visit in East Godavari

12 places, grouped by kind. Each one shows how well it is verified: an official source, two independent sources, or not yet verified.

River city and ghats 2

Papikondalu cruise departure Official source

Highlight · Mandal: Bus from Rajahmundry; boat from Devipatnam (Polavaram district) · boarding point about 100 km from Rajahmundry

Tourism buses leave the Rajahmundry office at 7:30 AM for the boat at Gandipochamma temple; back by 7:30 PM. The gorge itself is in Polavaram district; see that guide.

On the map · Directions ↗
Rajamahendravaram (Rajahmundry) and the Godavari ghats Official source

Highlight · Mandal: Rajamahendravaram (urban) · district HQ

The cultural capital of Andhra, on the Akhanda Godavari: bathing ghats, the evening Godavari Harati, the great bridges, and host city of the Pushkaralu, next held 26 June-7 July 2027.

Inside: Pushkar Ghat and Godavari Harati, Kotilingeswara Temple and ghat, Markandeya Swamy Temple, Padmavathi Ghat, ISKCON Sri Gopinath Temple, Gautami Ghat, Sri Mahakaleswar Temple, Gautami Ghat, Godavari bridges

On the map · Directions ↗

Heritage and museums 3

Biccavolu temples Two sources

Mandal: Biccavolu

Group of temples (Golingeswara, Nakkalagudi, Kanchragudi, Veerabhadra) and a monolithic Ganesha, all ASI Monuments of National Importance.

On the map · Directions ↗
Sir Arthur Cotton Museum, Dowleswaram Official source

Mandal: Rajamahendravaram Rural (to confirm) · about 7 km south of Rajahmundry

Museum of the Godavari anicut that made the delta fertile, opened in 1988 in the old head-works office: a working-scale model of the old anicut, original machinery and the new barrage.

On the map · Directions ↗
Pandavulakonda caves, Kapavaram Two sources

Mandal: to confirm

Rock-cut caves, cisterns and remains of a Buddhist monastery protected by the ASI. Access and condition to confirm.

On the map · Directions ↗

Gardens and nature 1

Kadiyam and Kadiyapulanka nurseries Official source

Highlight · Mandal: Kadiyam · about 20 km from Rajahmundry beside the national highway

Miles of plant nurseries growing flowers, fruit trees and ornamentals for all of India; flower festivals have been held here.

On the map · Directions ↗

In depth: Rajamahendravaram (Rajahmundry) and the Godavari ghats

Rajahmundry is where the Godavari is widest and most revered, just before it splits into the delta. Walk the ghats in the late afternoon, from Kotilingala to Pushkar Ghat, and stay for the Harati at dusk, when lamps are waved from floating platforms while trains rumble over the bridge. Mornings are for the Markandeya and ISKCON temples, the Cotton museum at Dowleswaram and the nurseries of Kadiyam.

At a glance

Type: Historic river city on the Godavari Official source
Founded: Existed by 918 CE; the portal credits the Eastern Chalukya king Rajaraja Narendra with building it in 1022 Official source
Known for: Ghats, Godavari Harati, the bridges, Telugu literature (Nannaya), Pushkaralu Official source
Godavari Harati: Every evening at 6:45 PM at Pushkar Ghat Official source
Next Pushkaralu: 26 June-7 July 2027 (PTI, August 2026) Two sources
Time needed: One full day; two with Dowleswaram and Kadiyam

History and significance

Early city: Rajahmundry existed by 918 CE and was a seat of learning and power (district portal). Official source
Eastern Chalukyas: Rajaraja Narendra built the city in 1022 according to the portal; traces of 11th-century palaces and fort walls survive. Official source
Adi Kavi: Nannaya, the first poet of Telugu, belonged to the town (district portal). Official source
British era: Headquarters of Godavari district before the seat moved to Kakinada (district portal). Official source
Freedom movement: Paul Chowk is named after Bipin Chandra Paul, who spoke here in April 1907 (district portal). Official source
Pushkaram: Held every 12 years when Jupiter enters Leo; legend links it to the sage Gautama ending a famine (district portal). Official source

What to see

Pushkar Ghat: The main ghat, with steps and safety chains for bathing, and the evening Harati.
Kotilingeswara Temple: Riverside Shiva temple and ghat.
Markandeya Swamy Temple: Six-shrine complex by Padmavathi Ghat.
ISKCON and Mahakaleswar temples: Both at Gautami Ghat, with a riverside resort and water park nearby.
Bridges: The road-cum-rail bridge to Kovvur and the old Havelock Bridge.
Sir Arthur Cotton Museum: At Dowleswaram, 7 km south.
Kadiyam nurseries: About 20 km away.

Visiting

Harati timing: 6:45 PM daily at Pushkar Ghat (district portal); arrive by sunset. Official source
Temple timings: Not published by the portal. Confirm with each temple. Not yet verified
River boating: Boating within the city and to Papikondalu is run by APTDC and private operators; licensed operators only (see Polavaram guide).
Pushkaralu 2027: About 440 ghats are being built or improved across six districts; expect very heavy crowds and traffic controls (PTI). Two sources

Festivals

Godavari Pushkaralu: 26 June-7 July 2027, 12 days; nearly 10 crore devotees expected (PTI via Telangana Today, 25 Aug 2026). Two sources
Godavari Harati: Every evening at Pushkar Ghat. Official source

Visitor guidelines

Bathe only at ghats with steps and chains, and never when the river is in flood.
Hold children's hands on ghat steps; they are slippery.
During Pushkaralu, follow police crowd directions and use designated ghats.
Do not throw plastic or flowers in plastic bags into the river.

How to reach Rajamahendravaram (Rajahmundry) and the Godavari ghats

By train: Rajahmundry (RJY) and Godavari (GVN) stations on the Howrah-Chennai main line (district portal). Official source
By air: Rajahmundry Airport (RJA), at Madhurapudi; distance to confirm.
By road: On NH-16; about 520 km from Hyderabad and 560 km from Chennai (district portal). Official source

Month by month

Month	Temp °C	Sunrise	Sunset	Verdict
Jan	IMD normals to add	06:35	17:48	Best: cool mornings
Feb	IMD normals to add	06:30	18:04	Best
Mar	IMD normals to add	06:12	18:13	Good; warming
Apr	IMD normals to add	05:48	18:18	Hot: go early
May	IMD normals to add	05:32	18:26	Hottest
Jun	IMD normals to add	05:29	18:37	Pushkaralu 2027 from 26 Jun
Jul	IMD normals to add	05:37	18:40	Monsoon; Pushkaralu to 7 Jul 2027
Aug	IMD normals to add	05:46	18:29	Monsoon
Sep	IMD normals to add	05:51	18:06	Wet
Oct	IMD normals to add	05:55	17:42	Wet; cyclone risk
Nov	IMD normals to add	06:07	17:28	Good; cyclone risk
Dec	IMD normals to add	06:24	17:32	Best: cool mornings

Suggested plans

One evening: Ghats walk at 4:30 PM, Harati at 6:45 PM, dinner in town.
Full day: Morning: Markandeya, ISKCON, Mahakaleswar. Midday: Cotton museum. Afternoon: Kadiyam nurseries. Evening: Harati.
With Papikondalu: Day 1 in the city; Day 2 the Papikondalu cruise (7:30 AM-7:30 PM).

How to reach East Godavari

By train: Rajahmundry (RJY), Godavari (GVN), Kovvur and Nidadavolu on the Howrah-Chennai main line.
By air: Rajahmundry Airport (RJA).
By road: NH-16 through Rajahmundry.
Headquarters: Rajamahendravaram
Coast: Landlocked since 2022 (coast now in Kakinada and Konaseema)

Find trains, flights, buses and tours to East Godavari

Best time to visit East Godavari

Best time: October to February; June-July 2027 for the Pushkaralu.
Climate: Hot, humid; average rainfall about 1,057 mm at Rajahmundry.

Dates to plan around in Andhra Pradesh

Pydithalli Sirimanotsavam — Vizianagaram: Tue 27 Oct 2026, 3-5 PM (Deccan Chronicle)
Papikondalu boats — Polavaram: running again since 12 Oct 2026; season to Sankranti
Maredumilli Tourism Festival — Polavaram: 12-15 Dec 2026 (Incredible India)
Sambara Polamamba Jatara — Parvathipuram Manyam: January 2027, dates to confirm
Godavari Pushkaralu — Rajamahendravaram: 26 Jun-7 Jul 2027 (PTI)

Where to stay in East Godavari

No stays have been verified for East Godavari yet — our guide lists a stay only after checking it with an official source.

Quick answers about East Godavari

What is East Godavari known for?

The river district around Rajahmundry: Godavari ghats and Harati, Cotton's anicut, the nurseries of Kadiyam and the Pushkaralu of 2027.

What is the one place not to miss in East Godavari?

Rajamahendravaram (Rajahmundry) and the Godavari ghats. The cultural capital of Andhra, on the Akhanda Godavari: bathing ghats, the evening Godavari Harati, the great bridges, and host city of the Pushkaralu, next held 26 June-7 July 2027.

Which is the nearest railway station to East Godavari?

Rajahmundry (RJY), Godavari (GVN), Kovvur and Nidadavolu on the Howrah-Chennai main line.

Which is the nearest airport to East Godavari?

Rajahmundry Airport (RJA).

When is the best time to visit East Godavari?

October to February; June-July 2027 for the Pushkaralu.

How many places are there to visit in East Godavari?

Our guide lists 12 places in East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, across river city and ghats, heritage and museums, gardens and nature.

Nearby, in neighbouring districts

Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, Draksharamam, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema — One of the five Pancharama temples of Shiva and seat of Manikyamba, one of the 18 Shakti Peethas; a vast Eastern Chalukya temple in three enclosures, protected by the ASI.
Sri Siddhi Vinayaka Swamy Temple, Ainavilli, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema — South-facing Ganesha on raised ground with two gopurams; said to have been installed by Vyasa. Devotees vow to return when wishes come true.

East Godavari travel guide