West Godavari district

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.[6] On 15 April 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.[7]

Eluru District Collector Office

West Godavari district was formed from old Godavari District in the year 1925 on 15 Apr. The Godavari district was renamed as East Godavari district and the new district is named as West Godavari district.[8]

In the Madras Presidency, the District of Rajahmundry was created in 1823.[9] It was reorganised in 1859 and was bifurcated into Godavari and Krishna districts. During British rule, Rajahmundry was the headquarters of Godavari district, which was further bifurcated into East Godavari and West Godavari districts in 1925. When the Godavari district was divided, Kakinada became the headquarters of East Godavari and Eluru became headquarters of West Godavari.

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.[10]^:22

Rivers and topography

S.no.	Basin	% of the area covered
01	Godavari	20.20%
02	Yerrakaluva	48.10%
03	Tammileru	26.80%
04	Ramileru	01.40%
05	Kolleru	3.50%

[11]

River Godavari at Kovvur

West Godavari is a flat country with a slight eastern slope along which the rivers of the district flow. The rivers in the West Godavari district generally flow from west to east. The three rivers which cut through the district are Godavari (after which the district is named), Yerrakaluva and Tammileru. Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage, Eluru canal, Vijayarai Anicut, Tammileru, Jalleru and Yerrakaluva reservoirs are the sources of irrigation.[12]

The region has a tropical climate similar to the rest of the Coastal Andhra region. The summers (March–June) are very hot and dry while the winters are fairly pleasant. The temperatures in the summers often rise over 50 degrees during the day. The rainy season (July–December) is often the best time for tourist visits, as fields are brilliantly green with paddy crops, rivers flowing with monsoon water, and a relatively cool climate. The region has long been home to the Indian nobles due to its climate and fertile soil, and several zamindar large mansions are scattered around the Godavari area.

Caves on Dhammalingesvarasvami Hill at Guntupalle

As of 2011 Census of India, West Godavari district has a population of 3,936,966 with 1,091,525 households, which is the 11th most populous district in the state.[10] The district's population is approximately equal to the population of Liberia[14] and Oregon.[15]

In Andhra Pradesh, the West Godavari district is the 19th largest in terms of area with an area of 7,742 km² (2,989 sq mi)(Before bifurcation) and has a population density of 509/km² (1,320/sq mi), which is the fourth most densely populated district in the state.[10] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 3.45%.[16] West Godavari has a sex ratio of 1004 females for every 1000 males and stands it at eighth position. It stands at first position in terms of literacy rate in Andhra Pradesh with 26,52,389 (74.63%) literates.[4][10] 20.6% of the district's population lives in Uuban areas.[17]

The gross district domestic product (GDDP) is ₹45,963 crore (US$6.4 billion) and it contributes 8.8% to the gross state domestic product (GSDP). For the FY 2013–14, the per capita income at current prices was ₹86,974 (US$1,200).

Paddy, banana, sugarcane, and coconut are the main agricultural products cultivated in the district. The agriculture sector contributes ₹18,385 crore (US$2.6 billion), industries contribute ₹7,086 crore (US$990 million), and services contribute ₹20,491 crore (US$2.9 billion) to GDDP.[17] The major products contributing to the gross value added (GVA) of the district from agriculture and allied services are paddy, sugarcane, banana, coconut, milk, meat and fisheries. The GVA to the industrial and service sector is contributed from construction, electricity, manufacturing, unorganised trade, and transport.[17]

Cashew nut, mango and tobacco are other important production from the district.[12] Shrimp production is also a main activity along with pisciculture.[18] The woolen pile carpet industry in Eluru produces eco-friendly carpets from wool that are exported.[19][20]

Culture and traditions at Kalavalapalli village in West Godavari district

Telugu is the most widely spoken language.[18] Vedas, which has oral heritage recognition from by UNESCO are taught at Sri Venkateswara Veda Patasala of I.Bhimavaram village in the district.[21] The district is well known for its wool-pile carpets and hand woven products.[22]

Dwaraka Tirumala Temple devotees

Tourism and landmarks

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.[23] Eluru city hosts a 74-foot 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,[24] Pancharama Kshetras of Palakollu and Bhimavaram.[25] 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,[26] Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage and Havelock Bridge. The Government of Andhra Pradesh is keen in developing Rajahmundry Airport as international airport and thus the district will get a major boost to tourism. Heli tourism is also introduced from Rajahmundry Airport to see tourist places in Districts of Godavari. Polavaram Project will become another tourist attraction in the district.

West Godavari revenue divisions map

The district has five revenue divisions, namely Eluru, Jangareddigudem, Kovvur, Kukunuru and Narasapuram. These revenue divisions are divided into 48 mandals in the district. These 48 mandals consists of 881 villages, 1 municipal corporation, 8 municipalities and 5 census towns. Eluru is the only municipal corporation, 7 municipalities include, Kovvur, Narasapuram, Nidadavolu, Palakollu, Tadepalligudem, Tanuku, Bhimavaram, Jangareddigudem and the 5 census towns are Dwarakatirumala, Sanivarapupeta, Satrampadu, Gavaravaram and Tangellamudi.[10]^:22–23,54

Mandals map

The primary and secondary school education is imparted by government, aided and private schools, under the School Education Department of the state.[29][30] As per the school information report for the academic year 2015–16, there are a total of 4,408 schools. They include 19 government, 2,664 mandal and zilla parishads, 1 residential, 1,344 private, 3 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), 208 municipal and 169 other types of schools.[31] The total number of students enrolled in primary, upper primary and high schools of the district are 522,793.[32]

Universities

• National Institute of Technology, Tadepalligudem (NIT, Tadepalligudem)
• Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University, Venkataramannagudem, Tadepalligudem
• Adikavi Nannayya University Campus at Tadepalligudem

• List of villages in West Godavari district

Wikimedia Commons has media related to West Godavari district.

• West Godavari district official website
• Official website