Discover West Godavari: Temples, Craftsmanship and Nature

Temple traditions and Buddhist sites

West Godavari brings together a range of cultural highlights: Hindu temples, Buddhist monuments and a long tradition of lace-making. It is also home to Lake Kolleru, a bird sanctuary. Which holiday rental is right for you will therefore also depend on whether your trip focuses mainly on religious sites, history, craftsmanship or nature.

Ksheerarama, one of the five Pancharama Kshetras sacred to the Hindu god Shiva, is located in Palakollu. The Gunupudi Someswara Janardhana Swamy Temple in Bhimavaram is also considered one of these five temples. Those interested in this religious tradition can therefore explore two different locations within the district. East of the temple in Bhimavaram lies a pushkarini pond, also known as Soma Gundam.

Another religious site is Penugonda, home to the Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Temple. Penugonda Kshetram is considered the Kashi of the Vysyas and a holy place for Vysyas. The Jaganmatha-Sri-Mavullamma Temple offers an additional historical connection: its history came to light in 1880.

Monuments and craftsmanship

The Buddhist remains at Guntupalli date from the 3rd–2nd century BC to the 5th–6th century AD. The range of monuments includes a rock-cut temple or Vritta Chaitya, a large and a small monastery, a brick chaitya, a ruined mandapa, a stone stupa and a group of votive stupas. The Buddhist monuments of Guntupalle are listed among the centrally protected monuments and sites for West Godavari. If you are interested in Buddhist history, you can consider both the variety of building and monument types and the site's broad historical span.

A motorable road leads to the rock-cut caves of Guntupalli; the nearest railway station is in Eluru. This information gives you a general idea of the road and rail options without specifying a particular onward journey or distance.

Craftsmanship also shapes the district's identity. In Narasapur, women have been making lace with crochet hooks and yarn for more than a century. The town is a centre for craftspeople, and its lace market is promoted as a destination for lace enthusiasts. If you would like to include crafts among your interests alongside temples and historical sites, Narasapur adds a distinct theme to your trip.

Nature and special times to visit

Lake Kolleru is a bird sanctuary in the district. Migratory birds visit the lake from October and return between March and April. This seasonal detail is an important consideration for nature lovers planning a trip. Lake Kolleru offers a different focus from the temples and monuments, with the seasonal presence of migratory birds taking centre stage.

A specific seasonal restriction applies to the Natta Rameswaram Temple: pilgrims can perform Abhishekam and Puja there only during the Telugu month of Vaisakham, approximately from mid-May to June. If these rituals are important to your trip, take this period into account when choosing your travel dates. For information on beaches and their facilities, as well as river tourism—including boat trips and booking options—the West Godavari Tourism Information System offers further guidance.

More places in the district

For more ideas on where to visit, you can also explore the pages for Narsapur, Tadepalligudem, Tanuku, Kalla, Mogallu, Bhimadole, Bhimavaram, Palakollu and Eluru.

For an overview of the wider region, see: Andhra Pradesh.