Places to visit in West Godavari
11 places, grouped by kind. Each one shows how well it is verified: an official source, two independent sources, or not yet verified.
Pancharama and temples 7
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Sri Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple (Ksheerarama), Palakollu Official source
One of the five Pancharama temples, with a milk-white linga seen through windows on four sides, 72 black stone pillars and a 120 ft, nine-storey gopuram; ASI-protected. Maha Shivaratri is the main festival.
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Sri Someswara Janardhana Swamy Temple (Somarama), Bhimavaram Official source
Pancharama temple whose small linga, said to have been installed by Chandra, is believed to turn white at full moon and dark at new moon; Annapurna shrine above the sanctum and the Soma Gundam tank. Executive Officer: 99637 52144.
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Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Temple, Penugonda Official source
The "Kasi of the Vysyas": temple of Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari, linked to the 10th-11th century ruler Kusuma Sresti, with a seven-storey painted gali gopuram. Executive Officer: 99630 45762.
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Sri Mavullamma Ammavari Temple, Bhimavaram Official source
Town goddess under a pipal and neem tree, recorded from 1880; a month of celebrations from Jyeshtha Padyami (May-June). Executive Officer: 94910 00722.
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Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple, Natta Rameswaram Official source
Twin Shiva shrines on the Gosthani: a Saptakoteswara linga under the river for most of the year, worshipped only in Vaisakha, and a linga of shells said to be installed by Rama; rebuilt 1583. Shivaratri chariot festival.
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Sri Bandi Mutyalamma Talli Temple, Mutyalapalli Official source
Village goddess temple revered across the coast (district portal).
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Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Kallakuru Official source
Venkateswara whose idol is sunk in the earth to the waist, giving the village its name. Contact 08816-245341 (portal).
Beaches and backwaters 3
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Perupalem Beach Official source
Beach reached through paddy fields and coconut groves; private Hamsa Beach Resort with dome rooms.
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Valandarevu Godavari backwater point, Narsapur Official source
Riverside point on the Vasishta Godavari for evening views; boats to Antarvedi run from the Narsapur side (to confirm).
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Mollaparru Beach Official source
Quiet beach with a scenic shore (district portal).
Crafts 1
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Narsapur crochet lace Official source
Crochet lace made since the mid-19th century by thousands of women at home with a hooked needle and cotton thread; about 300 designs. Lace Park contact: 91770 03882 (portal).
In depth: Sri Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple (Ksheerarama), Palakollu
Palakollu's Ksheerarama is the Pancharama that Vishnu is said to have installed, and its tall gopuram is visible across the town. The linga is pale as milk and can be seen through windows on all four sides of the sanctum. Combine it with Somarama in Bhimavaram, 20 km away, on one morning.
At a glance
- Type
- Pancharama Shiva temple; ASI Monument of National Importance Official source
- Deity
- Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy with Parvati; milk-white linga Two sources
- Where
- Palakollu, near the main bus station Two sources
- Gopuram
- About 120 ft, nine storeys (Wikipedia) Two sources
- Contact
- Executive Officer 94901 07208 (district portal) Official source
- Time needed
- One hour; half a day with Somarama
History and significance
- Pancharama
- One of five temples said to enshrine pieces of the linga worn by Tarakasura, installed here by Vishnu (Wikipedia: Pancharama Kshetras). Two sources
- Builders
- Wikipedia gives conflicting dates: built under Chalukya Bhima (9th century), prakara 10th century, gopuram under Alladu Reddy (14th century); earliest inscription 1156. Two sources
- Later additions
- A kalyana mandapa and an Ashta Bhuja Lakshmi Narayana shrine in the 17th century (Wikipedia). Two sources
- Belief
- A day here is said to equal a year in Varanasi (district portal). Official source
What to see
- Main shrine
- Milk-white linga visible on four sides.
- Gopuram
- 120 ft, nine storeys.
- Mandapa
- 72 black stone pillars.
- Ashta Bhuja Lakshmi Narayana shrine
- 17th-century addition.
- Somarama
- The other Pancharama of the district, 20 km away in Bhimavaram.
Visiting
- Timings
- Not published by the district portal. Confirm with the Executive Officer. Not yet verified
- Contact
- Executive Officer 94901 07208 (district portal). Official source
- Protection
- Centrally protected monument (district portal). Official source
Festivals
- Maha Shivaratri
- Main festival, thousands of devotees (Wikipedia). Two sources
Visitor guidelines
- Follow temple dress norms and leave footwear outside.
- Do not touch carvings in the ASI-protected parts.
- At Maha Shivaratri queues are long; go early.
How to reach Sri Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple (Ksheerarama), Palakollu
- By train
- Palakollu (PKO) station; Bhimavaram Junction 20 km (Wikipedia). Two sources
- By road
- Near the main bus station; about 20 km from Bhimavaram (district portal). Official source
- By air
- Rajahmundry (RJA) or Vijayawada (VGA) (distances to confirm).
Month by month
| Month | Temp °C | Sunrise | Sunset | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | IMD normals to add | 06:34 | 17:49 | Best: cool mornings |
| Feb | IMD normals to add | 06:30 | 18:05 | Best; Shivaratri (some years) |
| Mar | IMD normals to add | 06:12 | 18:13 | Good; Shivaratri (some years) |
| Apr | IMD normals to add | 05:49 | 18:18 | Hot: go early |
| May | IMD normals to add | 05:33 | 18:26 | Hottest |
| Jun | IMD normals to add | 05:30 | 18:36 | Hot, humid; monsoon begins |
| Jul | IMD normals to add | 05:38 | 18:40 | Monsoon |
| Aug | IMD normals to add | 05:47 | 18:29 | Monsoon |
| Sep | IMD normals to add | 05:51 | 18:06 | Wet |
| Oct | IMD normals to add | 05:55 | 17:43 | Wet; cyclone risk |
| Nov | IMD normals to add | 06:07 | 17:29 | Good; cyclone risk |
| Dec | IMD normals to add | 06:23 | 17:33 | Best: cool mornings |
Suggested plans
- Pancharama morning
- Ksheerarama, then Somarama in Bhimavaram.
- Coast day
- Narsapur lace, Valandarevu, Perupalem beach for sunset.
- Five Pancharamas
- With a car and an early start, Amararama, Draksharama, Somarama, Ksheerarama and Kumararama can be done over two days.
How to reach West Godavari
- By train
- Bhimavaram Junction, Palakollu, Narsapur (branch line) and Tadepalligudem.
- By air
- Rajahmundry (RJA) or Vijayawada (VGA).
- By road
- NH-216 along the coast; NH-16 through Tadepalligudem.
- Headquarters
- Bhimavaram
- Coast
- Bay of Bengal coast around Narsapur and Mogalthur (length to confirm)
Best time to visit West Godavari
- Best time
- October to March.
- Climate
- Humid delta; cyclone risk October-November.
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 West Godavari
Perupalem Hamsa Beach Resort (private) Official source
Perupalem Beach
Sunrise Resorts (private) Official source
Dongaraavipalem, near Siddantham bridge
Palavelli Strelling Resorts (private) Official source
Elamanchili Lanka, on the Godavari (district to confirm)
Quick answers about West Godavari
What is West Godavari known for?
The Godavari delta's western half: two Pancharama temples, the Vysya holy town of Penugonda, Narsapur lace and quiet beaches at Perupalem.
What is the one place not to miss in West Godavari?
Sri Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple (Ksheerarama), Palakollu. One of the five Pancharama temples, with a milk-white linga seen through windows on four sides, 72 black stone pillars and a 120 ft, nine-storey gopuram; ASI-protected. Maha Shivaratri is the main festival.
Which is the nearest railway station to West Godavari?
Bhimavaram Junction, Palakollu, Narsapur (branch line) and Tadepalligudem.
Which is the nearest airport to West Godavari?
Rajahmundry (RJA) or Vijayawada (VGA).
When is the best time to visit West Godavari?
October to March.
How many places are there to visit in West Godavari?
Our guide lists 11 places in West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, across pancharama and temples, beaches and backwaters, crafts.
Nearby, in neighbouring districts
- Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Antarvedi, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema — West-facing Narasimha temple at the point where the Vasishta Godavari meets the sea; its Kalyanam on Bhishma Ekadasi draws huge crowds, with the river mouth and beach close by.
- Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Dwaraka Tirumala (Chinna Tirupati), Eluru — The "little Tirupati" of the Godavari region, on Seshachala hill: a self-manifested Venkateswara found in an anthill, with a second idol for worship of the feet. Open 6 AM-9 PM; entry free.