Two days, two districts along side one river was the ambitious target we set for ourselves on landing in Eluru after an overnight journey by bus from Hyderabad. Our intention was to visit as many places of interest as possible within two days from East & West Godavari districts which were known for lush green paddy fields spanning across thousands of acres of cultivated land interwoven with canals & coconut groves.

 

Our first destination was Dwaraka Tirumala of West Godavari district located 39 kms from Eluru. This town is also known as a second Tirupathi and the presiding deity of the main temple is that of Lord Balaji. In the temple one gets glimpses of south Indian architecture with a very prominent five-storied Gopuram. This temple is unique in the fact that two idols are placed under one Vimana Sikharam or shelter.

 

The next stop was at Pattiseema, which lay 120 kms from Eluru. The place held a pleasant surprise for city dwellers like us. The famous temple of Sri Veerabhadra is picturesquely located on a hillock known as Devakuta Parvatha situated in the middle of the river Godavari. As per mythology, Veerabhadra is born out of the lock of Shiva's hair during his tandava performance on sighting his wife getting burnt in the fire of the yagna being conducted by Daksha, his father-in-law. Here we had to cross the river on board a crude motorboat to reach the temple. The backdrop of hillocks, the golden sand, undulating waters, the floral tips of wild grass waving in the cool breeze set the mood as we got ready for the visit to the ancient temple, considered to be one of the Panchakashi Kshetrams of the Shivaites, with a peaceful bent of mind. The temple with its beautiful Nandi, carved images of dancing deities on the walls does not disappoint the pilgrim. However, one fervently wishes that the renovation work were carried out in a manner which would have preserved the ancient facade of the temple without the same having been replaced with modern painted structures.

 

On our way to Rajahmundry in East Godavari we saw Asia's largest rail-cum-road bridge on river Godavari. It was interesting to see the permanently built ghat in the shape of Shiva Linga for the sake of pilgrims wanting to take a shower in the Godavari water. Our next destination was Antarvedi, located at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and river Vasistha. Antarvedi is famous for the Laxmi Narasimha Swamy temple built during the 15th - 16th centuries AD. There is a lighthouse close to the seashore. When we visited the beach at noon, there were hardly any visitors on the beach. We thought the absence of the surf was perhaps indicative of the possibility of there being a steep drop very near to the shore which belief was reaffirmed by our sighting a motorboat which went past within a few feet from the shore.

 

The East and West Godavari districts are watered by the mighty Godavari river and the fact that mother nature has blessed these districts with abundance is evident everywhere.

Wherever one goes, one can see the lush paddy fields swaying in the breeze, silhouetted with coconut trees. No wonder that the place is referred to as rice the bowl of Andhra Pradesh. The Godavari River indeed is the lifeline of both the districts. As we know, for an average Indian, a river is not just a stream of water, but an incarnation of some Goddess or the other symbolizing prosperity, wealth and fertility. It is little wonder then that Pushkarams of the river Godavari held once in every 12 years are celebrated with such great fervour by the natives.

 

With a number of prominent temples, both ancient and modern, located in small towns amidst the lush greenery nurtured by the river Godavari, East & West Godavari districts seem to be well poised to satisfy the modern pilgrim on his quest to find God both in and out of temples.