Rajahmundry 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.
