Page:A descriptive and historical account of the Godavery District in the presidency of Madras (IA descriptivehisto00morrrich).pdf/24

 6 THE GODAVERY DISTRICT.

er the Old Gantami, the Vaimatéyam, the Kausika, and the Vasishta.

The Godavery is regarded by the Hindus as a peculiarly sacred stream. It is considered to flow from the same source as the Ganges, but underground, and it is frequently called by the same name. The eastern branch, after its division into several streams at Dowlaishweram, ia called the Gautami, and, if possible, is looked on ag more holy than the rest of the river. Once every twelve years a feast called Pushharam is held on the banks of the Godavery, in turn with the cleven other sacred streams of India, and pilgrims come from all parts of the land to bathe in its waters. At its sourec, near Trimbak ; in every part of its downward course, especially at the pagoda a little north of Rajahmundry, and at Kétiphali on the left bank of the eastern stream ; it is considered to be peculiarly sacred at these times, and every sin is considered to be washed away by those who bathe in it. Crowds gather on the river-bank morning, noon, and night, and convert the most favoured resorts into hugo standing camps for the twelve days during whieh the festival lasts.

The District consists of nine Taluks and of four Divisions, as men- tioned below. The former include Government villages, and small Zemindéri and Proprietary cstatcs, The latter comprise only Zemindari and Proprietary villages,

TALUKS, Divisions. i. Ramachandrapuram ) 2. Naras4pnram x, Cocanada, 3. Amalépuram i) 4. Tanuku } 5. Bhimayaram

6, Rajahmundry 7. Pedd&puram

8. Ellore 2 9. Yarnagidem } ca

2. Pittapuram.

\ 3. Coringa,

The Taluks of Bhadrachalam and Rekapalli have recently been transferred to this District from the Central Provinces, and have been placed under the provisions of the Scheduled Distriets Act (No. xiv, of 1874).

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