West Godavari

BHIMAVARAM
Bhimavaram is the Mandal Hqs. The place is noted for a big Naturopathic Hospital located in an extensive garden. Of the several temples at the place, Bhimeswara and Someswara are important. The Sivalingam in the temple of Bhimeswara is said to be Swayambhu Lingam (Self manifested). The Sivalingam in Gunupudi Someswara temple is also siad to be a Swayambhu. The place is one of the five Aramas (Pancharamas), the other four being Amaravathi (Gunturu), Bheemarama near Samarlakota and Draksharamam both in East Godavari and Kshira Ramalingeswara of Palacole in the District.


DWARAKA TIRUMALA
This is a place of Hindu religious importance owing to the temple of Lord Venkateswara which also locally known as “ CHINA TIRUPATHI” at a distance of 40 Kms from Eluru.


PALACOLE
Palacole formerly known as Palakota and Palakolanu is situated at a distance of 10 Kms from Narasapur. The most important item of interest in this town is the Kshira Ramalingeswara Temple which is one of the Pancharamas.


PATTISAM
Pattisam is situated at a distance of 25 Kms from Kovvuru Railway Station. It is one of the ancient and sacred places in South India . The religious importance is due to the shrines of Veerabhadra and Bhavanarayana situates on the Devakuta Parvatam overlooking the Papi Hills in the heart of River Gowthami a branch of River Godavari.


JUTTIGA AND NATTA RAMESWARAM (DAKSHINA KASI):
Juttiga & Natta Rameswaram are twin Villages assumed religious importance on account of the temples of Swayambhulingam known as Sri Uma Vasuki Ravi Someswara Swamy at Juttiga Village and the lingam which is made of shells and cones named as Natta Ramalingeswara Swamy at Natta Rameswaram Village. Every “SIVARATHRI” Festival day “Edurukolotsavam” is being celebrated at the border place of two villages. Thousands of Piligrims attend to that celebrations. It is one of the important piligrim centre in the District.


PENUGONDA
It is Mandal Headquarter. The importance of the place is believed to be the birth place of Kanyakaparameswari, the goddess of the Vaisyas. The temple of Kanyakaparameswari is the most important religious institution in the town.


PEDAVEGI
Pedavegi originally known as Vengi. The Capital of the Salankayanas, Vishnukundins and the East Chalukyas and was a flourishing city at the time of Satavahanas. It is a petty village now with a few visible landmarks.


KHANDAVALLI

This village is situated at a distance of 12 Kms from Tanuku. It is a very ancient village situated on the banks of Vasista Godavari. This village is also known as panchalingakshetram owing to the existance of five Sivalingams in the temple of Markandeswara-Mrukandeswara . This strange phenomena of five lingams in a temple is found only at Benarus and Rajahmundry . Hence this place is considered to be of religious importance.


TANUKU
Tanuku is the Headquarters of the Mandal and it is said to be the birth place of Adikavi Nannaya Bhattaraka, who undertook the translation into telugu of Mahabharatha written in Sanskrit by Sage Vedavyasa.


KOLLERU LAKE
Kolleru lake is one of the fresh water and natural formed big lake in the country, which is partly situated in West Godavari District and the remaining part is situated in Krishna District. Four decades back, it was found that nearly 193 varities of Birds were existed here. Now most of the varities of Birds are not seen there due to polution of water and atmosphere due to various reasons. Some of the varities of Birds are migrated from thousands of miles distance, viz. from Egypt , Syberia, Philliphines, Arabia , Australiya , China etc. , to this place in the month of October and again return back in the month of March, April to their concerned countries. Out of the migrated birds, Gudakonga otherwise local name as "Kolleti konga” is the familiar bird. It is one of the beautiful tourist place in the District.


JAINISM AND BUDHISM CULTURES WERE ALSO PREVAILED IN SOME PLACES
JAINISM

The Temple of Pradhama Teerthankara , named as Adhinadhudu of Jainism at Pedamiram Village near Bhimavaram Town and on a big stone image of sitting posture statue of a Jaina Tirthankara at Penumanchili of Achanta Mandal are samples of existence of Jainism in West Godavari District. In every year Aniversal day of Adhinadhudu at Pedamiram Village is being celebrated on Karthika Poornima day in a grandeur manner.

BUDHISM

The remains of ancient ‘Sangharam’ at Jeelakarragudem, H/o Guntupalli Village of Kamavarapukota Mandal, include a group of Rock-cut Chambers i.e. Caves, remains of a Brick-built Chaitya Hall and many “Sthupas” in different sizes, mostly rock-cut and a few structurals, reveals that Budhism was existed here some centuries ago. This place is picturesquely situated amidst hills of scenic beauty. The history of Guntupalli caves dated back to 200 B.C. Thousands of people are still visiting this historical place. It is believed that the entire development and extension of its growth was during the centuries of 2 nd B.C. to 3 rd A.D. In the entire Sangharam of this place, either in rock-cuts or in structures, Gowtama Budha picture impressions are not found. So it is evident that “Heenayanam” Budhist culture i.e. early ages of Budhist culture was prevailed in this place.