Copyright © 2014 by Spandana Akella & Vimal Pannala.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Partridge India

000 800 10062 62

www.partridgepublishing.com/india

Contents

Introduction

About the Authors

Overview

Orientation

Life by the Godavari

The Waters

Rural Life & Folklore

Industry & Commerce in Konaseema

Festivals of Joy

Food & Cuisine

Godavari in the Hills – Papi Kondalu

Rajahmundry and Around

Rajahmundry the town

Kadiam

Ryali

Kakinada and Around

Kakinada the town

Uppada

Draksharamam

Yanam

Coringa Mangroves

Dindi and Around

Malikipuram and Dindi

Antarvedi and the Sagar Sangamam

Buddhism Beckons at Aadurru

Appanapally

Travel Planning

Places to Stay

Places in Dindi

Places in Rajahmundry

Places in Kakinada

Useful Jargon

Acknowledgements

DISCLAIMER

No part of this book can be reproduced, stored or presented without appropriate prior written permission from the authors, other than for the purpose of book reviews. We would be happy to allow content from this book to be referred or presented for social benefit and although such attempts will be readily entertained, due credits and reference to the authors as well as the book are required.

The pictures presented in the book include some that have been clicked by the authors themselves, while most have been sourced from Mr. Kaladhar Bapu (K. Bapu). K. Bapu has readily provided his consent to use photographs clicked by him in this book.

The authors have made every attempt at publishing up-to-date and accurate information. However, there is a possibility that errors may have inadvertently crept in or information may have changed since the book went to print. We would be happy if such information is brought to our notice, so that we may attempt to make corrections.

We look forward to your feedback and comments. Please do write to spandana.akella@gmail.com or vimalpannala@gmail.com

Dedicated to our beloved parents

Smt. Akella Lalitha

&

Shri Akella Rama Krishna

Smt Pannala Lakshmi Kumari

&

Shri Pannala Mallikarjuna Sarma

Introduction

Konaseema is an alluring and almost untouched tourist destination lying in the Godavari Delta, in Andhra Pradesh, India. This book showcases the beauty of the land and the lifestyle of its people. Locally called Konaseema, the region is on par with many of Kerala’s exotic locations. The book is written as an informal travelogue, and captures our experiences exploring the region through narrow roads lined with canals, meandering meadows of coconut groves, and by riding a vast plethora of interesting boats and ferries across the mighty Godavari. We enjoyed and were humbled by our experiences interacting with members of the local communities and familiarizing ourselves with their ways of life and the indigenous cuisine.

Since our own parents grew up in this region, we felt an instinctive sense of belonging, having been raised on bedtime stories set here. The vivid recollections we share in this book are thus filled with a sense of romance. There is much untapped potential for tourism here; and what we have found after revisiting several times over the last three years has been very heartening: regal temples, charming villages, unspoiled beaches, the rushing Godavari, hills and a lot more. The book also sheds light on some of the beautiful private and government owned resorts situated in the deep interiors of Konaseema and offer welcoming respite to travellers. Film production teams from the Telugu film industry (fondly known as Tollywood) that is based in Hyderabad often use these resorts for the picturesqueness that the surroundings lend to the cinematography; however the resorts are not well known outside the state.

We decided to share our experiences travelling the length and breadth of Konaseema in a book, but we didn’t want it to be a fact-filled travel guide. We give you a book that is more personal, informal, informative and written in a manner that hopefully gets you interested enough to make Konaseema your next vacation destination.

Both of us being artistically inclined foodies; we have devoted a considerable number of pages to our regional culinary adventures as well as our experiences with the local arts and crafts.

This book is filled with pictures that convey the feel of the region and the essence of each chapter. Most of the pictures have been taken by the authors, while some have been sourced from Kaladhar Bapu’s photography collection.

About the Authors

Spandana is a management graduate from Symbiosis, Pune and used to head her own independent management consulting company. She now works for an MNC. Now based in the US, she is an ardent art-lover, with a fondness for offbeat travel. Her family comes from the West Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh, an area that adjoins Konaseema. She grew up in Gujarat, but made numerous trips to West Godavari and Konaseema during her childhood. After a gap of nearly ten years, she returned to realize her passion. She remains enraptured by the sights and sounds of Konaseema and is baffled at how it has remained unknown to tourists.

Vimal is a management graduate from IIM Lucknow and works at a major IT firm. He is based in the US and has been married to Spandana for over seven years. He enjoys travelling with his wife and four year old daughter. He belongs to the East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh, an area near Konaseema. He grew up in Odisha and made a number of trips to East Godavari and Konaseema during his childhood. He returned with Spandana after a fifteen year gap in 2011 to find that her passion for the region was just as strong even after a ten year gap, and decided to follow her lead in writing this book.

Contact Information of the Authors

Spandana Akella

Email: spandana.akella@gmail.com

Vimal Pannala

Email: vimalpannala@gmail.com

Overview

A photographer friend once remarked to me: "To me, a photograph is not about documenting the fact that I was here.