Gowthami Ghat

Gowthami Ghat is a flight of bathing steps on the east bank of the Godavari in Rajamahendravaram. It lies downstream of Pushkar Ghat and Saraswati Ghat, a short walk south of where the road-cum-rail Godavari Bridge meets the city. The district administration lists it among the city’s ghats. The name comes from Gautami, another name for the Godavari. In Hindu legend the sage Gautama brought the river’s waters down to earth. During the Godavari Pushkaralu, held once every 12 years, pilgrims crowd the city’s ghats.

Beside the steps stands the ISKCON temple of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath, run by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Its grounds hold ten mandapams, one for each of Vishnu’s ten avatars, and there is a Vedic exhibition on the lower floor. Krishnashtami is celebrated here over several days. The river lies to the west, so come in the late afternoon. Walk down the steps, watch the sun set over the water, then visit the temple.