Matsyagundam

Matsyagundam is located in the Valley of Araku at about a distance of 115 km from the city of Vizag in the Indian province of Andhra Pradesh. It is commonly recognized as the ‘fish pool’ and attracts huge crowds towards it. This small village is house to varieties of fishes. It is also famous for an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva named the Temple of Sri Matsyalingeswara Swamy.

This temple is about a century old. Many legends are connected to this Lord Shiva temple. It is claimed there was a battle between the Singarajulu or snakes and the Matsyarajulu or the fish in a place called Gemmili. The Mother Fish saved all the fishes from the snakes during the battle and bought them all here to this village. The fishes are said to be living here since then. This hamlet was therefore given the name Matsya Gundam. It is generally believed that even today, Sri Matsyalingeswara Swamy is protecting the fishes.

Because of this belief, the village’s native people do not hunt or eat fish. Maha Shivarathri, a three-day festival, brings together the people of this village to organize pujas and various cultural programs that are locally called “jatara”. Matsyagundam’s other attractions include the Machkhand River and Waterfalls of Sangda.