Dindi by the Godavari: A perfect holiday destination in coastal Andhra
Dindi by Godavari by Sterling Holidays is a resort located in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, right on the banks of river Godavari, the second longest river in India. I visited the property for a review, but came back with a bunch of lifelong memories. Here is the story of the few days I spent at Dindi, a small hamlet in the middle of nowhere - just the prefect place for a weekend away from city life.
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“So where exactly is Dindi?”
This was my first impression when I heard about the place. A bit of research and I was already very excited by the place. Not only did the place looked beautiful, I was also very intrigued by it’s location in the East Godavari district of coastal Andhra Pradesh. I had only visited Vizag before in Andhra Pradesh and that too was purely for work, so I was really excited to visit this part of the country and explore it on my own.
I was picked by a hotel car at the Rajahmundry airport (yes, all guests can request for a pickup), and had a riveting conversations with the driver who had just come back from the Gulf. I was curious by everything I saw - isn’t it so amazing that my own country amazes me so often, even though I travel so much. There is always something new, we just need to keep our minds open. In about two hours I was at the resort and my journey with them started.
The resort has 50 rooms – Classic, Privilege and Premiere offering stunning views of the Godavari and the lily pond of the resort. My favourite part of the time at the resort was eating my meals and having my sunset tea by the lily pond.
The rooms are nice, though not done in the excessive luxurious report styles. They are simple and comfortable. I also barely spent anytime inside, so it was prefect for me.
The restaurant is great and you can get some excellent river from Godavari hot on your plate. On my first day itself, I decided to skip the buffet and asked for a typical coastal Andhra thali. It took me more than two hours to finish my food, but boy it was so so good. Of course, I ate with my hands and licked my fingers for long thereafter. Read more: An Authentic Coastal Andhra Lunch!
I also tried out Kerala massage and it was very relaxing. I do, however, wish there was something like an Andhra massage also :)
- There are outdoor games like badminton and cricket, and one can even play a bit of football in the green lawns.
- The pool near the river front is a perfect place to cool down during the summer months. It’s a place to relax and enjoy, maybe with a drink or two.
- The resort also has a nice Kerala Ayurveda spa with numerous options to pick from. I did the Ayurvedic full body massage and it was totally worth it!
- The large property is also ideal for long romantic walks, especially in the evenings...
Here are some of my personal favourite recommendations when you come to Dindi by Godavari.
Antervedi Beach
It’s the beach where river Godavari meets the Bay of Bengal. The beach is easily accessible from the hotel in a cab or your own car, and sunset is probably the best time to be there. I never plunged into the water for a swim, though I think its a nice place for a long romantic walk.
There is also a lot of back flow of the sea water into the river, which makes the river salty even before it reaches the beach, though this also gives rise to some interesting sea-river food.
Antervedi Temple
Close to the beach, there is an ancient temple, Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamyvari Devastham, also simple known as Antarvedi temple. Beautifully coloured in all possible colors, the magnificent stucco work is a delight to the senses. Read more about the place here: Antarvedi Temple.
Other temples
There are many more temples in the entire area and each one is unique. I spent an entire morning hopping across temples and I must admit that I fell completely in love with the temples in the area. If you have limited time, do check out the Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Temple for it’s glorious gopuram. Also, if you are in town do eat the excellent local breakfast there in a local restaurant - the food is exceptionally tasty and very easy on the pocket as well :)
Peruru Heritage Village
This was not at all the part of my itinerary, but when my driver suggested this, I decided to skip sleep and visit this place. In fact, it think this became the highlight of my trip. The village is still how it looked about a hundred years back, with old houses, mud lanes and a very laid-back and friendly attitude. Read more: Peruru - A Heritage Village In Coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Explore Pootharekulu
I love sweets and pride myself with good in-depth knowledge about Indian sweets. However, when I heard about this local sweet delicacy, Pootharekulu, I had to admit that I had never heard of this before. Eager to learn more, I got up on morning before sunrise and followed the journey of the sweet from the homes of rural Andhra to our plates. Intrigued? Read more: Pootharekulu - The Exquisite Paper Sweet From Coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Walk in the villages around
I love walking wherever you go and now a days I also interview people, just general questions about life and their dreams. Surprisingly it was very easy here as well, though language was bit of a problem. I had someone with me who spoke excellent Telugu, and some broken Hindi-English and the two of us had a great time talking to people and laughing our asses off. I know this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if you are interested, do ask the hotel staff for help - they are extremely supportive!
Boat ride in Godavari
Though it’s not possible to swim in the Godavari near the property, you can certainly take a boat and enjoy the river water. There is a government run property next door where you can take a boat and enjoy the early morning or evening ride. It’s also possible to do more fun and a adventurous rides in the water scooters. Somehow my timings never allowed me to do a boat ride but it certainly looked fun, especially if you have kids around.
Bird watching at Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary
This is full day activity and is a must-to-do if you are a fan of bird watching. The sanctuary is the second largest serving mangrove stretch in the entire country and is home to more than 120 bird species.
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| The beautiful lily pond at Dindi by Godavari! |
—————
“So where exactly is Dindi?”
This was my first impression when I heard about the place. A bit of research and I was already very excited by the place. Not only did the place looked beautiful, I was also very intrigued by it’s location in the East Godavari district of coastal Andhra Pradesh. I had only visited Vizag before in Andhra Pradesh and that too was purely for work, so I was really excited to visit this part of the country and explore it on my own.
I was picked by a hotel car at the Rajahmundry airport (yes, all guests can request for a pickup), and had a riveting conversations with the driver who had just come back from the Gulf. I was curious by everything I saw - isn’t it so amazing that my own country amazes me so often, even though I travel so much. There is always something new, we just need to keep our minds open. In about two hours I was at the resort and my journey with them started.
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| On the way to the property from the airport... |
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| You can never have enough of these lilies! |
About Sterling Holidays
However, before I review let me give you a brief overview of Dindi by Godavari as well as about Sterling Holidays, which are the largest chain of resorts in the entire country. Sterling Holidays are based out of Chennai, but their properties are spread across the country. They primarily have four different types of properties, out of which the only one by a river located at Dindi. And this is where I headed to on a fine Friday morning, ready to explore a part of the country that I had never been to before. |
| My favourite lotus! |
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| A beautiful wooden corridor... |
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| View from my room... |
About Dindi by Godavari
The resort gets its name from the calm and serene town of Dindi located on the banks of river Godavari. The place is still relatively undiscovered and free from the clutter from too many tourists, and that makes it an attractive destination when you plan to unwind in the lap of nature.The resort has 50 rooms – Classic, Privilege and Premiere offering stunning views of the Godavari and the lily pond of the resort. My favourite part of the time at the resort was eating my meals and having my sunset tea by the lily pond.
My stay at Dindi by Godavari
Well, when you have room which opens up to views like this, how can your stay be anything less than spectacular!The rooms are nice, though not done in the excessive luxurious report styles. They are simple and comfortable. I also barely spent anytime inside, so it was prefect for me.
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| My room! |
The restaurant is great and you can get some excellent river from Godavari hot on your plate. On my first day itself, I decided to skip the buffet and asked for a typical coastal Andhra thali. It took me more than two hours to finish my food, but boy it was so so good. Of course, I ate with my hands and licked my fingers for long thereafter. Read more: An Authentic Coastal Andhra Lunch!
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| My awesome lunch! |
I also tried out Kerala massage and it was very relaxing. I do, however, wish there was something like an Andhra massage also :)
Facilities at Dindi by Godavari
- Parties, games and bonfires organized by the resort where all guests can participate.- There are outdoor games like badminton and cricket, and one can even play a bit of football in the green lawns.
- The pool near the river front is a perfect place to cool down during the summer months. It’s a place to relax and enjoy, maybe with a drink or two.
- The resort also has a nice Kerala Ayurveda spa with numerous options to pick from. I did the Ayurvedic full body massage and it was totally worth it!
- The large property is also ideal for long romantic walks, especially in the evenings...
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| The green pool! |
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| Walk in the midst of these coconut trees... |
What else can you do?
To me a resort is often as good as its surroundings, especially if you plan to spend a few days there. In this regard, Dindi by Godavari is perfectly located, if you have the mindset of the explorer. It’s not a typical tourist destination, but then I wasn’t looking for anything touristy anyway and the place worked it's charm on me.Here are some of my personal favourite recommendations when you come to Dindi by Godavari.
Antervedi Beach
It’s the beach where river Godavari meets the Bay of Bengal. The beach is easily accessible from the hotel in a cab or your own car, and sunset is probably the best time to be there. I never plunged into the water for a swim, though I think its a nice place for a long romantic walk.
 |
| Sunset at Antervedi beach... |
Antervedi Temple
Close to the beach, there is an ancient temple, Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamyvari Devastham, also simple known as Antarvedi temple. Beautifully coloured in all possible colors, the magnificent stucco work is a delight to the senses. Read more about the place here: Antarvedi Temple.
 |
| Sunset at Antervedi temple |
There are many more temples in the entire area and each one is unique. I spent an entire morning hopping across temples and I must admit that I fell completely in love with the temples in the area. If you have limited time, do check out the Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Temple for it’s glorious gopuram. Also, if you are in town do eat the excellent local breakfast there in a local restaurant - the food is exceptionally tasty and very easy on the pocket as well :)
 |
| The intricate multi-storeyed gopuram... |
Peruru Heritage Village
This was not at all the part of my itinerary, but when my driver suggested this, I decided to skip sleep and visit this place. In fact, it think this became the highlight of my trip. The village is still how it looked about a hundred years back, with old houses, mud lanes and a very laid-back and friendly attitude. Read more: Peruru - A Heritage Village In Coastal Andhra Pradesh.
 |
| A house at Perur |
Explore Pootharekulu
I love sweets and pride myself with good in-depth knowledge about Indian sweets. However, when I heard about this local sweet delicacy, Pootharekulu, I had to admit that I had never heard of this before. Eager to learn more, I got up on morning before sunrise and followed the journey of the sweet from the homes of rural Andhra to our plates. Intrigued? Read more: Pootharekulu - The Exquisite Paper Sweet From Coastal Andhra Pradesh.
 |
| Pootharekulu rolls! Yum :) |
Walk in the villages around
I love walking wherever you go and now a days I also interview people, just general questions about life and their dreams. Surprisingly it was very easy here as well, though language was bit of a problem. I had someone with me who spoke excellent Telugu, and some broken Hindi-English and the two of us had a great time talking to people and laughing our asses off. I know this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if you are interested, do ask the hotel staff for help - they are extremely supportive!
Boat ride in Godavari
Though it’s not possible to swim in the Godavari near the property, you can certainly take a boat and enjoy the river water. There is a government run property next door where you can take a boat and enjoy the early morning or evening ride. It’s also possible to do more fun and a adventurous rides in the water scooters. Somehow my timings never allowed me to do a boat ride but it certainly looked fun, especially if you have kids around.
Bird watching at Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary
This is full day activity and is a must-to-do if you are a fan of bird watching. The sanctuary is the second largest serving mangrove stretch in the entire country and is home to more than 120 bird species.
How to make a booking?
Get in touch with them for booking at the following numbers or you can also do it online on their website.
Dindi village, Malkipuram Mandal,
East Godavari District,
Dindi-533250,India
Mobile: 91 91009 87822
Phone: 91 8862 226662
- Palakollu is the nearest railway station to Dindi at around 15 kilometres. The rail-station of Rajahmundry lies around 90 kilometres away from Dindi. You can reach both these stations via Hyderabad station – the main connecting point for the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Dindi village, Malkipuram Mandal,
East Godavari District,
Dindi-533250,India
Mobile: 91 91009 87822
Phone: 91 8862 226662
How to reach?
- Nearest Airport is Rajahmundry,which is 80 kilometres away from the Resort followed by Vijayawada Airport which is 176 kilometres away from the Resort.- Palakollu is the nearest railway station to Dindi at around 15 kilometres. The rail-station of Rajahmundry lies around 90 kilometres away from Dindi. You can reach both these stations via Hyderabad station – the main connecting point for the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Best time for a visit?
The best time for a visit would perhaps be any long festival weekend, but I think the month of January would perhaps be the best time to a trip. The weather is great, and the region celebrates Makar Sankranti with much pomp and show. |
| The lilies getting ready in a smaller pond on the side of the property...do check this out out also! |
In early december, i went to Review a jungle lodge in madhya pradesh and came back with similar experience...this resort looks like the perfect getaway for my family....hope they call me for review too ;)
ReplyDeletewww.myunfinishedlife.com
I am sure, Madhya Pradesh must have been great. I went there this year as well and loved it :)
DeleteGreat informative post, Awesome photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rupam :)
DeleteSuch a magnificent resort. Loved its green surroundings and the beach. Nice captures, Sid.
ReplyDeleteN.B.- Under 'Walk in the villages around', please change Andhra to Telugu.
It was certainly a wonderful place! And thanks a lot for the correction :)
DeleteNice post! awesome shoot. Thanks for your sharing.
ReplyDeletetop international tour operators India
Thank you Anusha :)
DeleteExcellent post. Those lotus leaves are cool. Room is neat. Food is great. Also thanks for sharing the details of the place.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am glad you enjoyed the post :)
DeleteExcellent site! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThank you Filipa :)
DeleteSo this is where you were when we spoke last :D Lovely place and it is definitely going on my list . Cheers
ReplyDeleteHaha yes Ami! It certainly was a lovely place...
DeleteHey Sid Iam visiting this place next week. And by the way my home town is 10KMs far from that resort
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great vacation Naveen - you live in a beautiful part of the country :)
DeleteGreat information. My students of Architecture have done a Rural Study on Peruru. The photographs you have taken are absolutely stunning and it could be useful for the students for sketching and studying. Mail id : arundpk88@gmail.com. Please help me with more information on Peruru.
ReplyDeleteKitna paisa ek din ke liye vaha resort mhe
ReplyDelete