vijayawada: History

vijayawada is known in mythology as Vijayavata, and is mentioned in some inscriptions as Rajendracholapura also. Some inscriptions as Rajendracholapura also. it is a famous place of pilgrimage on the river Krishna, and ‘has a temple dedicated to Lord Siva in his aspect of Malleswara or Jayasena. The origin or installation of Kanaka - durga Devi at vijayawada is unknown. She is said to be Swayambu or selfmanifest.

She also takes the aspect of Chandi or destroyer of the demon Durgama who was causing havoc among the peace - loving inhabitants of Dakshinapatha. The discovery of pre-historic remains belonging to the stone-age man all along the banks of the Krishna River from
Machilipatnam to Nagarjuna Sagar provides evidence that this part of the river valley was inhabited by the Stone Age man. The installation of Vijayeswara is said to have been done by Arjuna, one of the Pancha Pandavas, to commemorate his victory with Lord Siva in the shape of Kirata or hunter. Besides being an important religious centre for Buddhists and Hindus, vijayawada is also a centre of Andhra culture.

The Chalukyas of Kalyan and the great king Krishna Deva Raya once conquered this place, and the famous Chinese traveler Xuanzang (Hsuan-tsang) visited this place in 639 when Buddhism was at its zenith in the region. During the British Raj the city experienced significant growth. In particular, the completion of the Prakasam Barrage in 1959, and Railway Bridge on the Krishna River connecting Guntur City and its District helped in expanding the agricultural and commercial base of this region.