Pithapuram:
The
town of Pithapuram is located at a distance of 20.7 km from Kakinada. It is
considered as one of the oldest pilgrim centres in the country. The town is
popularly known as one of the five Madava Keshatras, one of the Asta Data
Sakthi Petas and one of the twelve pilgrim centres.
The
main attraction of the town is the ancient temple of Padagya Kshethram. Other
important temples are the Sri Kukkuteshwara Swamy Temple, Sri Pada Vallabha
Anaagha Datha Kshethram, Kunthimadhava Swamy and Sri Venu Gopala Swamy Temple.
Adurru
Adurru
Village is situated in Razole Taluk and is famous for its excavated monuments.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) undertook excavations in 1953 and
found the ruins of Buddhist Stupas, Viharas and Chaityas. The prime attraction
of the site is the Mahastupa, which is 17 ft in diameter and has been
constructed like a wheel on a raised platform.
The
excavation led to the unveiling of numerous other ancient artefacts like
dishes, jars, troughs and bowls of kaolin and red pottery. The inhabitants of
the village called the Adurru mound as 'Dubaraju Gudi'.
Draksharamam
Draksharamam
is a temple that is also known as the Dakshina Kasi. The temple is dedicated to
Lord Shiva and is considered as the most sacred place after Banaras. The four
entrance gates of the temple represent the four cardinal directions.
A
pillared Pradakshina is situated on the upper storey. Various mythological
figures are carved on the walls and pillars of the temple. The architectural
style of the temple depicts the Chola and Chalukya architecture.
According
to folklore, Sage Vyasa once performed penance at the site and thus, named it
the Dakshina Kasi. It is also believed that Sati's father organised a ‘yagya’
which she attended uninvited and sacrificed herself after being humiliated.
Therefore, the area received the title of Daksh Vatika which later came to be
known as Draksharamam.
The
Saptha Godavari Kundam, situated near the temple, is visited for taking a holy
dip. The temple is visited by many travellers during the occasion of
Shivaratri. The Bhimesvara Temple is situated close to Draksharamam and is
dedicated to Goddess Parvati, who is worshipped in the form of Maniyakamba.
Shri Bhavanarayana Swamy
Temple
Shri
Bhavanarayana Swamy Temple is situated in Sarpavaram close to Kakinada. The
temple is dedicated to Lord Bhavanarayana, another name for Lord Vishnu. It is
believed that sages like Vyasa and Agastya visited this site.
Coringa Sanctuary
The
Coringa Sanctuary is located close to Kakinada city and spreads over an area of
235 sq km near the backwaters of the sea. There are around 35 varieties of
mangrove plants in the sanctuary.
Numerous
types of trees, grass, shrubs and herbs can be seen here. The sanctuary is home
to the rarely found otter, the endangered olive ridley sea turtle, fishing cats
and estuarine crocodiles.
Birds,
such as oriental dwarf kingfisher, Indian roller, white-bellied woodpecker,
scarlet minivet, flamingos and crested serpent eagle, can be seen in the
sanctuary. The sand pit of the sanctuary is 18 km long and is regarded as the
longest stretch of the north-east segment.
