About Kakinada

Images of Kakinada

Kakinada is a city and a municipal corporation in East Godavari district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is also the headquarters of East Godavari district. The
city has a population of about 800,000(504,920) as per 2001 census. This coastal city is witnessing rapid growth thanks to the recently granted Special Economic Zone
status. It is one of the largest tier-2 cities of India. The city also has a deep-water port which is expanding rapidly.

History
An old and very small native settlement by name "Kakavandivada" was said to exist before the foreigners had set their foot somewhere around the place where the
present Kakinada city had developed. The present name 'Kakinada', it is said, is derived from 'Cocanada' the name given to their new settlement by a few merchants of
Dutch origin. The Dutch connection with the city is evident from the peculiar Dutch Character of the architecture and design of some of the old buildings here. Till
then and for some years later, 'Korangi' the present small sea side village about 15 Kms. south of the present Kakinada town was a place of greater importance than
'Cocanada' from the view point of overseas trade and otherwise. Around the year 1905 the Cocanada Port facility was started to be made use of for export of some
natural commodities. Mainly because of the transquil anchorage available in the shelter of the Godavari Sand Spit (also known as Hope Island) which is a nature's gift
to this Port-the town had also grown consistently (from the sixe of small foreigners settlement) keeping even pace with the growth of merchantile activity at the Port.
The manificience and far-sightedness of Sri Suryarao Bahadur, the illustrous Raja of Pithapuram was perhaps the most important factor that contributed to the later
growth of the city. Most of the Institutions, Organisations and Associations which covered the fields of education, culture and social reform were started either with
his personal initiative or with the help of his liberal donations and grants. Each of the Institutions and Organisations were to become, in the later years, the nucleie
around which the development and growth of the Town tookplace. Greatmen of letters and men with intense zeal for social and political reform, even from outside the
Andhra area, got attracted towards these Institutions.

The Cosmopolitan atmosphere that is built-up here, as a consequence, gave a rare and unique opportunity to atleast two generation of students and youth of this city
and around to get exposed to new winds of liberal thought which were then blowing over the country. Sri Raghupati Venkataratnam Naidu, Maharshi Sambamurty, Sri
Devulapalli Krishna Shastry, Smt. Durgabai Deshmukh, Sri. Gora and Sri Uppala Laxmana Rao were a few among the luminaries whose association with the city we
can ever be proud of. All this made Kakinada one of the centres of Andhra cultural and intellectual rennaissance. The Brahma Samaj and the Theosophical movements
naturally found Kakinada to be a highly fertile ground for their consolidation and spread. The city also had a tradition of high political consciousness right from the
days of the freedom movement. The Late Maharshi Bulusu Sambamurty, Sri Mallipudi Pallam Raju, Sri Mosalakanti Tirumala Rao, Dr. Vedantam Krishnayya and his
wife Kamala Devi, Sri Rangayya naidu and Sri Prativadi Bhayankarachari (of the Kakinada Bomb case fame) were some of the many who had inspired and led the
movements here. The meeting of the Indian National Congress was held here in the year 1923 under the presidentship of the famous Mohammed Ali. The meetings
were attended by Kasturba Gandhi, Vallabhai Patel, Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajagopalachari and other national leaders. Also, as part of the student and
youth antiimperialist movement led by the Student Federation of India, the city had the fortune of hosting the Netaji Subhashchandra Bose in the year 1939. From the
Trade Union view-point also, Kakinada was perhaps the first city in the area where municipal scavanging workers and the stevedore workers at the Port were
organised for their collective struggles.

With this tradition for the city, Kakinada had developed as a cultural, educational and political centre. Pithapuram Raja's Government College is now more than 100
years old. The men's Polytechnic and the Women's Polytechnic, when they were established here, were the first such Institutions in the Telugu Speaking area. At the
commencement of the II World War, the Engineering College at Visakhapatnam had to be shifted to this place on a temperory basis and the college had to be
regularised here after the end of the war when the public had agitated against it shift back to Visakhapatnam. In the year 1959, under the sage leadership of Dr.
Col.Raju - ably assisted by Dr.M.V.Krishna Rao and Dr.P.V.N.Raju - Medical Education Society, Kakinada, was formed and the Society had (with the liberal
donation received from the Rangaraya Trust, Tanuku) started Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada. Subsequently the college was takeover by the Government.
Malladi Satyalingam Naicker's Charities had established a group of educational institutions right rom the elementary school to a degree college and also a Vedic
Pathasala to make the campus almost resemble a mini-university now. The Town Hall which was registered in the beginning of the Century; K.R.V.K.Library which
was started in the year 1916 with the liberal donation of about 16,000 books from Sri K.R.V.Krishna Rao, Xamindar of Polavaram and the East Godavari Association
the parent body for the Town Hall and the K.R.V.K.Library - have been centres for cultural activity here. The Youngmen's Happy Club - another cultural association
here gave its ranks some of the past and present top ranking artistes to the Telugu stage and filmdom. Srirama Samajam (founded in 1894 by the late Sri Munuganti
Sriramulu), Sangeeta Vidwat Sabha and Saraswati Gana Sabha - are three local registered organisations serving the cause of classical music over the long years to the
pleasure of the connoissseur. The Cocanada Chamber of Commerce exclusively representing the shipping and foreign trade interests and the Godavari Chamber of
Commerce representing the general trade are the two local Trade Associations having a record of over 100 years of useful service to the trading and commercial
circles.

Against this predominently cultural and educational back-ground, a conscious and sincere effort was made by two individuals Sri Nakka Suryanarayana Murthy and
Sri V. Sathi Raju to put the city on the Industrial Map of the country. They have together started Sri Ramadas Motor Transport Company - now a gainst in the
automobile industry manufacturing a wide range of auto parts of high quality. S.R.M.T. has also encouraged establishment and development of some ancillary units to
itself. Sarvaraya Textiles (manufacturing cotton-yarn) is another industry that has put the city on the Industrial Map of the Nation. But, inspite of all this, industrial
activity in the city had been tardy for a few decades mainly because of the lack of atleast one major industry in or around the city.

Establishment of Godavari Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited (manufacturing phosphatic fertilizer) and Nagarjuna Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited (manufacturing
nitrogeneous fertilisers) at the above position and with the setting-up of the above fertiliser units, Kakinada is now aptly being called the "Fertiliser City".

Kakinada Port which has been functioning as an Anchorage Port till now, is presently being developed as a Deep Water Berthing Port with the 250 crores financial
assistance from the Asia Development Bank. Kakinada deep Water Port is expected to be commissioned with three shore-connected berths shortly.

The New Port facility that is comming up along with the availiability of petroleum and natural gas from the nearby offshore and on-shore locations for the Krishna-
Godavari Basin, are presently opening up immense possibilities for establishment of port-based and gas-based heavy industries around Kakinada city. Any person
endowed with a rational perspective vision into the conglomorate (covering atleast the four Municipal towns & cities of Kakinada. Pithapuram, Samalkot and
Peddapuram) in the vast area surrounding Kakinada city.

It is very rare that any area gets such sudden and sure opportunity for development of Industry around as Kakinada city and its surrounding areas have fortunately got
at the moment.

The Government, the municipal authorities, political parties and enlightened citizenry of city have to react positively and in time to provide a good push to this process
of inudustrial development around the city of-course, taking simultaneously all the necessary precautions to avoid the un-desirable effects of un-planned sudden
industrial growth over the socio-economic life of the city and its surrounding areas.







Rajahmundry: It is situated on the left bank of the river Godavari in East Godavari district. It has a hoary past and is said to have been constructed by the Eastern
Chalukya ruler Rajaraja Narendra in A.D. 1022. The town has some traces of fine palaces, fort walls, etc., of the 11th century A.D. Nannaya, the poet laureate, who
was called 'Adi Kavi' belonged to this place.

The Asia's largest rail-cum-road bridge on the river Godavari linking Kovvur and Rajahmundry is considered to be an engineering feat. There are a number of temples
here and the Kotilingala temple on the bank of the Godavari is one of the most important temples. The Godavari Pushkaram, celebrated once in twelve years, attracts a
large number of pilgrims from all over the country. At a distance of seven kilometres south of Rajahmundry, there is the Dowlaiswaram anicut across the Godavari.

The First rail bridge across the river(1897): The First Godavari Rail Bridge was built in the year 1897, under the supervision of Er.Walton, a British Engineer, across
the mighty River Godavari connecting East Godavari with West Godavari. Stretching for three kilometres, constructed with stone masonry and steel girders, this
bridge served the trains plying between Chennai and Howrah. With the increased traffic in goods and passengers, a rail-cum-road bridge was built a quarter century
ago across the downstream of the river.

Third rail bridge across Godavari: Since this first rail Bridge outlived its purpose by serving for more than 100 years, train services on this bridge were suspended
from the year 1997 with the commissioning of Third Godavari Bridge. Today, the First Godavari Bridge still stands as a monument of human endeavor and skill. Now
another rail bridge is built across the upstream of the river. With the present rail bridge operational, the commercial town of Rajahmundry can look forward for a
bright future and brisk trade.

About Rajahmundary
Rajahmundry is a city and a First municipal corporation in East Godavari district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Located on the holy banks of River Godavari.
It is known as cultural capital of Andhra Pradesh as it has a rich cultural past with a flourishing present and a promising future. The population is 6,13,347
(agglomeration 7,08,341) (2006 census). It is located 1658'60?N, 8146'60?E at the top of the Godavari River delta.
Rajahmundry is the biggest City in East Godavari District and It is a Divisional Headquarters. Howraw, Chennai railway line passes through the town longitudinally
and has two railway stations namely Rajahmundry and Godavari. Road cum Rail Bridge was constructed on river Godavari linking Kovvur and Rajahmundry is
considered to be an engineering feat. It is Asia's Second largest Road cum Rail Bridge. Rajahmundry railway station is the biggest and main junction between
Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam and is having good railway connectivity of major cities in all over India. The city is connected with all centers of the state with
motorable roads, loacted on National Highway 560 K.M away from Chennai and 500 K.M from Hyderabad and having Flight connectivity to Hyderabad and Chennai.
History of Rajahmundary
Its original name being Raja Mahendri or Raja Mahendravaram, it was the first capital of many known Telugu Kingdoms. The Chalukya ruler Rajaraja Narendra ruled
this city around 1022. The city has traces of 11th century fine palaces and fort walls. However, new archeological evidence suggests that the city may have existed far
before the Chalukyas. The original name underwent a gradual metamorphosis with the name changed to Rajahmundry during the British rule.
The British used Rajahmundry as Head Quarters of Godavari District but subsequently the seat of administration was shifted to Kakinada and the District named as
East Godavari. This historical town has been subjected to the process of continuous remodeling through the ages.
Nannayya, the poet laureate also called 'Adi Kavi' (The first Poet) of Telugu belonged to this place. He, along with Tikkana and Yerrana, was responsible for the
translation of Jaya, Sanskrit version of Mahabharata, into Telugu. nannaya was the person to change telugu from an oral language to a language with script.Kandukuri
Veeresalingam, who was a social reformer and also the author of Rajashekhara Charithra, the first Telugu novel, was also from Rajahmundry.
There are a number of temples here and the Kotilingala temple on the bank of the Godavari is one of the most important temples. The Godavari Pushkarams
celebrated once in Twelve years, attracts a large number of pilgrims from all over the country and world. At a distance of seven kilometers south of Rajahmundry,
there is the Dowleswaram anicut across the Godavari.
Ancient Monuments at Rajahmundary
Government Arts College
At present the Govt.Junior.College is functioning in this building. This was constructed in 1853. It is located in between Kotipalli Bus stand and Rajahmundry railway
station. The new buildings for the Government Arts college (located Near Y Junction) were constructed in 1953 and was opened by Dr.M.V.Krishna Rao, the then
Madras Education minister and an old student of the college.
Kambala Tank
Sri Kambham Narasinga Rao Pantulu , who worked as Huzur Sheristadar in the Rajamahendri District Collectorate during the period 1845-52, dug the tank, now
called Kambala Tank and constructed Kambham choultry from his own pocket. These two are being managed by the Municipality.
The Museum Hall
It was constructed in 1857 . At present the Municipal Revenue office is functioning in this beautiful hall
District Court
This was constructed in 1850-60.
Birth-House of SRI VEERASALINGAM
Yugapurusha Sri Veersalingam garu was born here on 16-04-1848. The house was constructed by his grand-father. Sri Veersalingam, We can find his personal
belongings. The house was declared as Ancient Monument by the State Archaeology Dept. and maintaining a Research Library. His wife, Rajyalakshmi had started
the first women library in the state.
TOWN HALL
It was constructed in the year 1891 by the Social reformer-cum poet. Sri Kandukuri Veersalingam Panthulu garu from his own pocket for the sake of people which is
the first town hall in the state. Here, we can visit a rich Library. Near here, It was visited by National Leaders Like Bipinchandra Pal, Mahatma Gandhi, Motilal
Nehru,Subhas Chandra Bose and Ravindranadh Tagore.
VEERESALINGAM THEISTIC HIGH SCHOOL
This was established by the great social reformer, Sri Veeresalingam in 1909 where a former governor of the Punjab, Sri P.S.Rao,ICS, Dr.Yellapragada Subba rao,
who invented FOLIC ACID, Padmabhushan Dr.Panangapalli Venugopal who transplanted heart for the first time in India and prominent persons had studied here.
HAVLOCK BRIDGE
The first Railway Bridge which was named after HAVLOCK, the then Governor of Madras was constructed during the period 1897-1900. On the completion of
Century of service, the railway condemned. On public agitation, it was handed over to the Municipal Corporation. Our M.P,.Sri Arum Kumar and MLA, Sri
Suryaprakasa Rao are trying to make. It useful for two wheeler traffic and arranging Restaurents and other tourists attraction on the near by Lanka.
GOWTHAMI LIBRARY
Rare books and manuscripts are being studied here by the Research scholars. Three ancient Libraries were amalgamated here in 1898. It is situated near Gokavaram
bus stand. This is called as Gowthami Regional Library . About 60,000 books on various subjects in different languages are here. This was taken over by the state
Government.
RALLABANDI SUBBARAO MUSEUM
This was established in the year 1922 by the Andhra Historical Research Society. It is situated on the Godavari Bund. We can see stone and copper plate inscriptions,
idols belonging to different ages, coins, ornaments and manuscripts here. The Mrukandeyawara Linga and Nandi which belonging to 13th century and escavated near
Hotel Mahalakshmi (Hotel La Hospin) are attractions here. This was taken over by the State Govt.
DAMERLA RAMA RAO ART GALLERY
It was established in 1929, We could find great art pieces of Damerla Rama Rao, the world renowned artist. This is being managed by the Government. His famous art
pieces like Nandipuja Pushpalankarana and At the well have won great laurels.
GOVERNMENT TRAINING COLLEGE
It was establishd in 1883. The college is named after a great freedom fighter, Sri Garimella Satyanarayana who while studying here during 1921-22, wrote a
revolutionary long stanza, MAKODDY TELLA DORATANAMU .