Konaseema

Konaseema (Telugu: కోనసీమ) is a delta located in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India. This delta is surrounded on all sides by waters (of Godavari and the Bay of Bengal). Konaseema is very near to the,District head quarters Kakinada.

Konaseema is famous for its scenic greenery and vedic scholars. The origin of the name may be from Telugu word "Kona" meaning corner which resembles its shape. The northern side is bounded by Gautami Godavari and southern side is bounded by Vasista Godavari. It is one of most fertile lands present in Coromandel Coast. The entire region is rich in Coconut trees, Mango groves,Cashew and paddy fields.

Until the 1996 cyclone which hit the area badly, the delta is also renowned for its coconut production. Even now, Konaseema is known after its coconut production and hence goes the phrase Konaseema Kobbaraaku which signifies the prominence of Konaseema in coconut production. One of the most significant components of Konaseema culture is the food; a unique part of the cuisine is its reliance on abundant local produce and sea food. There are delicacies made using Plantain flowers.

The inhabitants of Konaseema adopted a highly sustainable life-style. For example, every part of a coconut tree is used: from roots to the leaves and everything in between. This could probably be explained by the geographic isolation from the mainland. Before the construction of critical bridge infrastructure connecting to the mainland, water-based transportation was the only option. This relative isolation led to Konaseema people becoming extremely efficient at resource usage.

One has to witness a particular religious festival during "Kaartika Maasam", when women wake up before dawn, pray at a temple and light small lamps made of cotton dipped in cow ghee placed in a plantain stem and left floating in the canals. It has to be seen and cannot be described when you see floating lights, hundreds of them, lighting up a canal. All of this activity is completely natural and blends into the environment(bio-degradable).

History

Konaseema is a delta located in the East Godavari and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh, India. This delta is surrounded on all sides by waters (of Godavari and the Bay of Bengal).
Konaseema is famous for its scenic greenery and vedic scholars. The origin of the name may be from Telugu word "Kona" meaning corner which resembles its shape. The northern side is bounded by Gautami Godavari and southern side is bounded by Vasista Godavari. It is one of most fertile lands present in Coromandel Coast. The entire region is rich in Coconut trees, Mango grooves, numerous canals, backwaters, Temples and Traditions.
The culture of konaseema is rich traditional culture of Andhra.

Culture

The culture of konaseema is typical rural culture of Andhra region. Even, the dialect of Telugu spoken here is distinct from other regions of Andhra Pradesh. The festivals of Rathotsavam (for Lord Vishnu) and Prabhala Teertham (for Lord Shiva) are famous all through the region. Most famous of Rathotsavam festivals are: Antarvedi teertham and Yanam teertham. Most famous of Prabhala Teerthams are: Jaggannathota teertham, Kothapeta teertham and Chintalooru teertham. The Subhramanya Sasti teerthams in Amalapuram and Kadili are also very famous.
Konaseema is known for its green Coconut orchards, lushgreen Paddy fields and numerous canals. Apart from these Konaseema is also famous for cultivation of turmeric and a kind of Yam called Kanda. Last but not the least, Konaseema is famous for Veda-pandits, the Godavari River and the hospitality of the people.

Colloquial terms used in Konaseema

Revu - Coast.

Godaari - River Godavari.

Lanka - Island.

Dibba/Tippa - Small piece of land formed in rivers (Small islands).

Metta - Very small islands, when grown in size referred as Tippa/Dibba.

Peta/Palem - Village/Town.

Kotha - Soil erosion.

Aatu - High tide.

Potu - Low tide.

Aay - Meaning Yes.

Panti - Raft which is used to transport people and even big Vehicles.

The major towns which constitute Konaseema are Amalapuram, Ravulapalem, Razole, Mummidivaram, and Kothapeta.

Description above from the Wikipedia article Konaseema.