The Historical city is famous all over the A.P for its Political, Economical, Social and Cultural background. In its earlier days it was called Rajahmahendrapuram. Later the name was changed to Rajahmahendravaram and in later stages during the reign of Mohammedans and British rule the name underwent many changes like Rajahmahendramu, Rajamandramu, Rajahmundhri and finally now Rajahmundry. Some people call it with the name "Rajahmahendri" also. It has a hoary past and is said that it has 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.
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. The Godavari Pushkaram, celebrated once in twelve years, attracts a large number of pilgrims from all over the country. At a distance of seven kilometers south of Rajahmundry, there is the Dowlaiswaram uncut across the Godavari.
