WEST GODAVARI

About West godavari

West Godavari district is one of the 13 districts in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The district is situated in Coastal Andhra region of the state. Eluru is the administrative headquarters of the district.[2] As of 2011 census of India, it has an area of 7,742 km2 (2,989 sq mi) and a population of 3,936,966.[3] It is bounded by Krishna district on the west, East Godavari district on the east, Bay of Bengal on the south and the state of Telangana on the north.Eluru was a part of the Buddhist kingdom of Vengi. The Eastern Chalukyas ruled coastal Andhra from 700 to 1200, with Vengi, near Pedavegi village, as their capital. Historical evidences are found at the villages, Pedavegi and Guntupalli (Jilakarragudem). Eluru then became a part of the Kalinga Empire until 1471. Later it fell into the hands of the Gajapathis. In 1515 Sri Krishna Deva Raya captured it. After the fall of the Vijayanagara Kingdom, it was taken by the Sultan of Golkonda, Kutub Shah. In 1925, West Godavari District was formed with Eluru as its headquarters and all the district offices and regional offices were set up in Eluru city. Eluru District Collector Office West Godavari district was formed from old Godavari district in the year 1925. The Godavari district was renamed as East Godavari district and the new district is named as West Godavari district.The district occupies an area of 7,742 km2 (2,989 sq mi). The district is bounded by Khammam district on the north, Bay of Bengal on the south. The Godavari River separates East Godavari district on east and Tammileru River and Kolleru Lake separates it from Krishna district on the west.There are many landmarks and tourism destinations in the district. Eluru is the largest city of the district with many destinations related to Buddhists and Archeological importance such as Guntupalli Caves near the city.[16] Eluru city hosts 74feet high Buddha statue in the heart of the city. Buddha Park at Eluru Some of the religious destinations include, Dwaraka Tirumala known with the name as Chinna Tirumala,[17] Pancharama Kshetras of Palacole and Bhimavaram etc.[18] Other destinatins of tourism importance are Perupalem Beach at Narasapuram, the Kolleru Lake being the largest fresh water in the country and a bird sanctuary,[19] Dowleswaram Barrage and Godavari river etc.