Akividu

Akividu ఆకివీడు
—  village and mandal  —
Akividu Location of Akividu in Andhra Pradesh and India
Coordinates	16°36′00″N 81°23′00″E
Country	India
State	Andhra Pradesh
District(s)	West Godavari
Nearest city	Eluru
Parliamentary constituency	Narsapuram
Assembly constituency	Undi
Population	74,766 (2001)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 2 metres (6.6 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 534235 • Telephone • +08816 • Vehicle • AP37
Website	www.akividu.com

Akividu or Akiveedu (Telugu: ఆకివీడు) is a village and Panchayat located in the West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, in India. Geographical co-ordinates are 16°36' North, 81°23' East. It is located 437 km from Hyderabad, 288 km from Visakhapatnam, 85 km from Vijayawada and 18 km from Bhimavaram.

Akividu is also a mandal headquarters.

Geography

Akividu is located at 16.6000°N 81.3833°E / 16.6000; 81.3833. It has an average elevation of 0 meters (3 feet).

Demographics

According to Indian census, 2001, the demographic details of Akividu mandal is as follows:

• Total Population: 74,766 in 18,843 Households
• Male Population: 37,601 and Female Population: 37,165
• Children Under 6-years: 9,109 (Boys - 4,597 and Girls - 4,512)
• Total Literates: 51,834

Economy

Akividu is known for agricultural rice paddies, Once upon a time there used to be a number of Rice Mills and also for being one of the major exporters of rice in India. There are approximately fifty-four rice mills. Once the local aquaculture businesses were formed, almost all of the rice-paddies were converted in to fish farms and started breeding fish for export. The Kolleru, the second-largest sweet-water lake in India, can be reached through Akividu. Aquaculture has spread in the last two decades, which has led to increased pollution in and around the village. The village also has serious problems with its water filtration system.

From here, rice, fish and prawn are exported.

   Rice to calicut, kerala.
   Fish to the North - Eastern India.
   Prawn to Singapore, Japan, USA and Europe.

Banks

• State Bank Of India
• State Bank Of Hyderabad
• Andhra Bank
• Canara Bank
• Indian Bank
• Corporation Bank
• AP Co-operative Urban Bank
• Bhimavaram Co-operative Urban Bank
• Rural Bank

Places of worship

Akividu has various places for worship of many religions (Hinduism, Islam, Christianity). Some of them are:

• Believer's Prayer Fellowship church[B.P.F]
• Canadian Baptist Mission Church
• Hope Baptist Church
• Central Baptist Church
• United Baptist Church
• RCM Church
• LAYMEN'S EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP
• Bible Mission Church
• EIDGAH
• Badi Masjid.
• Choti Masjid.
• Anwari masjid.
• Sivalayam Temple
• Venugopla Swamy Temple
• Kolleru Peddintlamma vari Temple
• Akividu Peddintlamma vari Temple
• Vanuvulamma Temple
• Hanuman Temple near Pedda Millu

Festivals and Events celebrated

Sankranthi

This is the biggest festival and incorporates cockfighting.

• Subrahmanya Swami Festival
• Desalamma Sambaram
• Hanuman Jayanthi
• Vinayaka Chavithi
• Christmas
• Ramzan
• Bakrid

Dasara

Salipeta Beside Puntallo Musalama temple.

• Veerabhadra Swamy Sambaram

This festival is celebrated on the occasion of MahaSivaratri at Veerabhadra Swamy temple situated at Salipet. This festival is celebrated grandly. All day long the devotees observe fast and perform the pujas. A few devotees pierce their cheeks with tridents and go around the town to show their strong belief in Lord Siva. "Fire Walking" (Nippula Gundam) is celebrated on the festival night. Devotees walk over a bed of glowing coals. Devotees who want to participate in "Fire walking" have to fast the whole day. The belief is that only people who fast can walk without getting burned at all.

Religious constructions in Akividu (Temples, Churches, Mosques) are 300 years old. Of 108 Ramasthupas in the world, one is here in Sri Madana Gopal Swamy Temple.The ninth tallest Sai Koti Maha Sthupam (100 feet height) in the country is in Akividu. Hindus, Muslims and Christians live amicably. Each community has good contacts with the other.

Regular religious programmers like Jataras (Maddirala Sambaram, Subrahmanya Sashti, Veerabhadra Sambaram on the occasion of Sivaratri), Ramzan Prayers and Christmas celebrations are celebrated joyfully.

Christian Revival Meetings (Christhava Ujjiva Maha Sabhalu)'are organised in the second week of February month every year. These meetings are held by Evangelist Shri.Konala Yesurathnam(1908-2008) founder of Believer's Prayer Fellowship church[B.P.F] and being continued by his son Bro. Konala Samuel Yesurathnam. Lakhs of people will gather here to worship Lord Jesus , improve their spiritual life and healing'.

Areas

The Villages of Akividu:

• A.I.Bheemavaram
• Apparao Peta
• Ajjamuru
• Chinnkapavaram
• Cherukumilli
• Dharmapuram
• Dumpagadapa
• Gummuluru
• Kollaparru
• Kolleru
• Kuppanapudi
• Madiwada
• Pedakapavaram
• Siddapuram
• Taratavau
• Gantalarayudu Peta
• Kalangi Gudem
• Agraharam
• Kamathavani Gudem
• Samatha Nagar
• Rajula Peta

The Streets of Akividu has some attractions such as:

• Salipeta
• choti masjid street..
• Venkayya Canal
• Gandhi Park
• Sir Arthur Cotton Memorial Park
• Doragari Cheruvu
• SKM Biryani, Station Road.
• Janikamma Hospital
• Kallakuru Venkateswaraswamy Temple
• Upputeru Railway/Road Bridges
• Madiwada Center
• Gummuluru Center
• Patric nagar
• Muslim Street
• Abdul Kareem street
• Sivalayam street
• Wolvertonpet.
• Reddy street
• Jinnah Chowk
• Bhamidipati Vari Street
• Gandhi Nagar
• Christian Pet
• Ramalayam Street
• Gollala Street
• Kakaraparthy Street
• Anala Cheruvu Street
• Ralla Cheruvu Street
• Kosurivari Street
• Lancheela Revu
• Shanthi Nagar

Governing body

• MLA  : V V Siva Rama Raju (Kalavapudi Siva)(TDP)
• MRO  : K.Someswararao
• MEO  : M.Satyanand
• MPDO  : Katyayani Prasanna
• Muslim Minority Chairman(WG)  : Sk. Khaja Khutubuddin Chisty (Gorey Babu),TDP.
• President  : Manne Pota Raju
• AMC Chairman  : Motupalli Gangadara Rao
• Panchayat Executive Officer: Smt.K.S.S.Rama Lakshmi
• Saviour  : Mr.Mohd Fasi Ahmed [Chandu]
• Chair of executive committee  : Hyder Ali Khan (Pashe Gaaru)
• Sub Inspecter  : Ravi Kumar

Educational institutions

Education

Akividu had well established Public and Christian schools. There was a CBM Higher Elementary School with separate dormitory and boarding facilities for boys and girls, the Boarding School for Girls was established in 1883. Students at that school had to write Eighth Standard Public Examination. The playground between this school and Wolverton peta was the venue for several soccer tournaments at that time.

Late Sri Pulavarthy Laxamana Swamy had kindly donated land and monies for the construction of P.L.S.Z.P. High School (it was P.L.S. Board High School before Zilla Parishads were introduced in the A.P.). Here students had to complete a curriculum of six years - I to VI Form (S.S.L.C) and then write S.S.L.C. Public Exam. In those days Yelurupadu High School S.S.L.C. students had to come to P.L.S.Z.P. High School to write the public examinations.

There was small coffee stall, a thatched hut in front of the school (east side), run by a wife and husband team (Vysyas). As you go past the main entrance, to the south there was a shed where kids ate their lunches, and beside it was a fresh water well. Never did students drank the water from the pond beside the shed. The west side of the high school was incomplete except for the wall, class rooms were not completed. Behind that wall on the west side was large play ground for soccer (football) and baseball. The vacant lands in the front (eastside) and southside were also used as playgrounds.

The Headmaster at that time was Sri G. Rama Raju, who was instrumental in bringing the Inter-Mural Sports Event to Akividu, participated by all high schools in the region. The drill (Physical Education) teacher was Sri Radhakrishna Murthy. And Sri G. Somanadha Sastry and Sri S. Zeccharaiah became Headmasters in succession after Sri G. Rama Raju. The High School had both Scouts and ACC (Auxiliary Cadet Corps) programs for students. Memorable event for the ACC was providing the honour guard for then Chief Minister Sri Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy at the opening ceremony of road bridge on Upputeru.

Our favourite teacher was Sri Sripaada Venkata Sastry (SVS), grandson of then Telugu Poet Laureate Sripaada Krishna Sastry gaaru. An excellent teacher of Mathematics and Sciences. He encouraged us to read classic literature Mahabhaarata and Raamayana. He spent countless hours after school reciting and explaining selections of Mahabhaarata, especially 'Kunti Vilaapam', for those students who stayed late, and the class room was full always.

The Pulavarthy family routinely accommodated their godowns, beside their home, in late fifties for the projection of educational films for students (Bell & Howell projector and reels of film) since there was no power at the high school.

In those days Hindi wasn’t part of curriculum, but 'Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachara Sabha' provided Praadhamika, Maadhyamika and Rashtrabhasha courses. Some of us learned Hindi through this institution and passed Rashatrabhasha examination.

There were several other Public and Christian Elementary Schools around the town. The Central School for teachers, a three hour session, was held every third Saturday at Board Elementary School, located at on the extension of main road, towards east and south of 'S'turn, and Mangalivari veedhi.

Some of Akividu's educational institutions are:

• St. Aloysius English Medium High School(E-smart)
• Akividu Public school run by the Hyder Ali Khan & family also popularly known as "Paashe Gaaru".
• Fourthward Elementary School
• Madiwada Elementary School
• Eastpalem Elementary School
• Sarada E.M. Convent
• Adarsh English Medium High School
• M.P.P.U.P School, Founded and constructed by a local family and later handed over to the government of Andhra Pradesh
• Mandala Praja Parishad,which was founded in 1912 and managed by a local family until the handing over of responsibilities to the government of Andhra Pradesh.
• P.L.S.Z.P.P. High School, founded and managed by locals, and later handed over to the government of Andhra Pradesh
• C.M. High School
• Smt.Sarojini Naidu Zilla Parishad Girls High School(1969)
• Dumpagadapa V.V. Giri Inter College
• Dumpagadapa A.K.P.S Degree College
• Raghavendra ITI
• Vasavi Sarada Educational Institute
• Dharani public school
• Usha public school
• cbcnc school
• aditya e.m public school
• Vijnan Residential Public School
• Adhitya Public School
• Shiridi Saibaba Convent

Famous For

There were a few historic details behind the name of Akividu and Madiwada. ( around A.D 1667 ) Under the rule of Golconda Sultan, Akkanna and Maadanna served as ministers in the kingdom of Abdul Hassan Tanesha. On the occasion of the visit of Akkanna and Maadanna to the twin villages, The villages got the names Akkana-veedu and Maadanna-vaada. with the passage of time, The villages are as AKIVIDU and MADIWADA ( Akividu and Madiwada are referred as Akividu).

Akividu was part in the magistrate of Nidadavole under the Zamindary of Nuzvid in the adjoining Krishna District. In 1914, Akividu gram panchayat was formed with an English man as its first president.

After the formation of West Godavari District in 1925, Akividu was part in Bhimavaram Taluka. Now, Akividu is the Mandal Head Quarters with the revenue villages of Akividu, Madiwada and Dharmapuram Agraharam

Freedom Movement in Akividu

Akividu played a significant role in the freedom struggle of India. It produced great Freedom Fighters.

In 1942, August 17th evening around 5 PM, about 100 people gathered and overpowered two constables and after seizing their muskets and lathis, burnt down the records at the police station.

Under the leadership of Surineedi Rangarao and Motupalli Narayana Murthy, they also set fire the Akividu railway station, they seized the food goods from two wagons, removed railway tracks, attacked few houses of the village heads, including Revenue inspector's house and they burnt the Upputeru bridge. The government employees fled away from the Akividu village. Post Office was completely ransacked during this period.

Specilised in various aspects:

Welcome to Akividu, a very important semi - unban place in the costal Andhra Pradesh. Being in the "Granary of Andhra Pradesh" West Godavari district, AKIVIDU is famous for Rice Milling. Akividu, the biggest major panchayati in West Godawari District with the revenue villages of Akividu, Madiwada, Dharmapuram Agraharam, is the Mandal Head Quarters with 15 revenue vilages. Akividu know for its rich history and culture with ponds, temples, mosques.

Akividu is famous for agricultural rice paddies. The fish ponds here are very huge in number occupying thousands of acres for fish cultivation. During festivals like Ramzan all the Muslim brothers march in the village and unite at a point called Eid-Gah to offer Eid prayer, in Sankratri cock-fighting is very famous, People all over Andhra Pradesh come to this village to be a part in this cock-fighting. SKM biryani is very famous in Akividu which is very delicious; People from many parts of W.G, E.G and Krishna districts come to Akividu to have SKM Biryani. Akividu is also famous for its literacy rate, total number of literates in Akividu, 51, 834.

Medicare

Akividu has a hospital, Star of Hope Hospital, built and operated by Canadian Baptist Missioneries. "Doctors Everett Smith and Pearl Chute along with their sister, a nurse, established hospitals in Pithapuram and Akividu. This medical missionary family from the Niagara area (Canada) arrived in India in the late nineteenth century. Chute opened the Star of Hope Hospital in Akidu, and her brother founded a hospital at Pithapuram. In 1896, Chute married and moved to Akidu. On the second night of her honeymoon, Chute heard a cry from her verandah asking for help. She responded to the cry and found a pregnant woman in labor. This event eventually led to the founding of medical missionary operations in the Akidu area and to the establishment of the Star of Hope Hospital in 1898." In 1898, another need was addressed with the opening of the Star of Hope Hospital at Akividu, under the direction of Dr. Pearl Smith.

They also built quarters for nurses, compounders and doctors on the north side of main high way, opposite to hospital.

There were few L.M.P.s Dr K. V. Subba Rao, Dr Mathi Jeevaratnam and Dr Bodamma, everyone used to call her Dr Bodamma (never knew her actual name). And there were M.B.B.S. doctors Dr Janaki, Star of Hope Hospital and Dr Hye, he had his own dispensary. Of course there were Ayurvedic and Unani Naturopathic Practitioners. There was a dispensary on the street beside Venkatalaxmi theatre operated by Doredla Marthamma (not sure whether she was licenced practioner).

In late nineteen hundreds Canadian Baptist Missionaries established Field Head Quarters at Akividu. They built CBM Church with tower and bell, which was also venue for CBM Higher Elementary School. It was fun to watch standing under the tower when the bell rang. People used to climb an iron ladder to the next level, where they rang the bell using the rope hanging from the bell located at the top of tower. Missionary Wolverton donated land for the construction of houses for Christians beside the Higher Elementary School, which is known as Wolverton peta.

Religion

Akividu had the distinction of serving people of all major religions, Hindu, Muslim and Christian. There were Temples, Masjids and Churches. The town well represented with majority of Hindu castes – Brahmins, Vysyas, Kshatriyas, Reddys, Kaapus, Velamas, Padmasaalis, Kamsaalis, Thoorpu Kaapus, Agnikula Khastriyas, Gavarlu, Mangalis, Chaakalis, Daasarlu, Maalas, Maadigas etc. There were Muslims and Christians (Canadian Baptists, Roman Catholic and Evangilical). It was and is a peaceful town, and tolerant to every creed and sect. In fact Elder Galib Saheb went on Haaj to Mecca, Saudi Arabia in the fifties. A lot of town’s people gave him send off and as well received him on his return from Haaj at the railway station.

Entertainment

For entertainment, Akividu had one permanent theatre, Venkata Laxmi, and two touring talkies in those years. Both Telugu and Hindi movies were shown. During the presentation of Hindi movies they had a prompter always translating dialogues into Telugu. One disadvantage of going to movies then was smoking and it wasn’t banned then. Now at present theatres are increased to number 5. they are Venkata Laxmi, Sangeetha, Venkata Ganga Ratna, Vijaya, Santhi.

Four Anas or Paavula got us a seat on the floor of movie theatre. Two Kaanies (equivalent to two paise now) fetched us a handful of roasted Bataanies (Peas) or peanuts, or a Rice crispy (Muramuraalu) or Maize (Pelaalu) Jiggery ball (Vunda), these were of no small size. We grew up with Anas, Kaanies for currency (with King George VI's head on the coins), Miles and Furlongs for distance, and Veesas and Tulas for weights. The current currency and metric system weren’t introduced until sixties.

Snacks, Breads, Biscuits and Fruits

There were several sweets, hot and spicy snacks stalls around the town and in Madiwada. There were other vendors, with baskets full of home made snacks, breads and fruits, selling at theatres and bus stand late into the night.

The Meena Biscuits retail store located on the Bandela Doddi street, between Bandela Doddi and Navvaru factory. The store owner had a specially designed cart on bicycle wheels with see through glass around, neatly stacked Naan breads, Buns and Biscuits of all varieties inside. The owner of this cart was on the road before day break and treads towards hospital first and then around the town.

Budhavaaram Santha (Wednesday Market Day)

In those days most villages didn't have grocery stores. They produce for their sustenance grown in their back yards and in the farms. They raised chicken and goats, and caught fish from a brook, a pond, a canal or a lake. Big villages and towns (Palakol, Bhimavaram, Achanta, Akiveedu) had market days.

Akiveedu held the famous 'Budhavaaram Santa' beside the fresh water pond (Cheruvu) on the southeast side of the town, close to the rice mill and Venkayya canal. People from the town and neighbouring villages came to shop every week for fresh vegetables, fruit, fish, meat, groceries, clothing, eateries etc.,

Daily Market

Daily Market, located close to Bus Stand, where fresh fish, shrimp, water fowl from the Kolleru Lake were sold. Meat (goat), chickens, and vegetables were always available. Vegetables were produced in villages around Akividu especially Kuppanapudi and Ajjamuru.

Weddings and Anniversaries

Other memories were the wedding celebrations at Pulavarthi and Jupidi vari homes. The bands, people carrying gas lights walking on either side of road – looked like well lit moonlight, Elephant Ambari flanked with bride and groom, lots of garlands, flowers, men and women clad in silk attires, and the air was filled with scents from flowers, agarbathis and perfumes. Village folks flock on the streets to watch these events.

Transportation

Akividu is easily accessible city. From all corners of the State, ways and means are available to reach Akividu conveniently in shortest time. Akividu has a Railway station and a Bus Stand providing conveyance to all corners of the West Godavari district. There was no road bridge on Upputeru at that time, and all buses from West Godavari and Krishna districts were halt and park on either side of Upputeru banks. There was no A.P.S.R.T.C at that time, and most buses were operated by private owners. The bridge was constructed and opened by our former Chief Minister, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy in mid fifties.

The bus stand had no shed or permanent structure and it was located in front of Venkatalaxmi theatre. Buses were stopped on either side of the road, drivers and conductors used to take coffee and lunch breaks. There was a coffee hotel, operating 24 hours, in the theatre complex facing the road and adjacent to the stream (bodhe). The destination signs on the buses (Doddipatla, Siddhantam, Tanuku, Narasapuram etc.,) were Upputeru always and never Akividu. In those days, of course, buses were privately owned and operated, stopped every where and picked up passengers. Now a days, Akividu is on National Highway no. 214. The distances in km from some cities are Hyderabad-350 km, Vijayawada-90 km, Eluru-55 km, Bhimavaam-18 km, and Visakapatnam-250 km. APSRTC transport service and private transportation is available to almost all major cities in AP. Non A/C, A/C, Volvo coaches are offered by Private transport providers. Public road transport service(APSRTC) is available to all surounding vilages and to almost all major cities in AP. Luxury, Deluxe, Super deluxe coaches are offered by State Transport Corporation. And whereas Private Travels, Major Private Bus operators operating bus services to Hyderabad and Vishakapatnam every day at night. Rental cars, rental vehicles, Air conditioned buses, Video coach, Coach services are available for hire and are run by private transportation service providers.

The railway lines at that time were Meter Gauge from Narasapuram to Gudivada and Guntur, Machilipatnam to Guntur, Guntur to Macherla, and Narasapuram to Nidadavole. People used to call these passenger trains 'Lankanaala Boats' because they were extremely slow. During fifties Broad Gauge lines were laid and Broad Gauge trains were introduced, and that was the end of Meter Gauge trains. At Present, Akividu is Connected with all major cities of India. There are direct trains to Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Bilaspur, Bhubaneswar, Puri, Aurangabad, Manmad Jn (Shiridi) Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Guntur, Kakinada, Chittor, and Macherla. The major trains are 6043/6044 Chennai-Kakinada Exp, 7255/7256 Narasapur – Hyderabad.

Roads

Roads to Dharmapuri Agraharam, Siddapuram, Nandamillipadu, Ajjamuru and Kuppanapudi were dusty paths, and parts of it were under water during rainy season. To go to Elurupadu or Chinakaapavaram rent a bike (Branch Cycle Stands), or hire a bullock cart (Vonteddubandi) or horse buggy (Jatka). The best way to travel in those days was walk, especially, on a moonlit night group of people travel together to attend a wedding or any ceremony. Red gravel roads were laid to Cherukumilli to the south and Chinakaapavarm to the north. From Cherukumilli to Elurupadu it was mud (black gold - Nalla Regadi) road. From west of Venkayya canal to heart of Yelurupadu village (P.S. Elementary School) it was gravel road. On the other side (east) of Venkayya Canal Juvvalapalem village to Bhimavaram it was gravel road just like Akividu main road. Most roads in our area, and at length coastal Andhra were laid beside fresh water canals, with plenty of trees on the side. Beautiful scenaries through and through.

KOLLERU sanctuary

The sanctuary has the following watch towers for sighting the birds.

Atapaka: 1.5 km from Kaikaluru to see varieties of waterfowl. Murthyraju tank 8 km from Nidamarru East Chodavaram: 53 km from Eluru where Open Bill Storks nest in colonies from July – December.

The sanctuary is approachable from all four sides of the lake by road, directly to the following places.

Atapaka – 2.5 km from Kaikaluru town, Bhujabalapatnam - 6 km from Kaikaluru town, Murthiraju Tanks – 8 km from Nidamarru, Gudivakalanka – 3 km from Gudivakalanka or 15 km from Eluru the reacent president of gudivakalanka is gantasala rambabugaru it is the most beutifull village with customs and treditions Nearest city is Vijayawada, which is 65 km by road or rail. Nearest town is Eluru

Best season to visit: November to March.

Accommodation: Hotels in Eluru, Kaikaluru,Akividu, Bhimavaram and Vijayawada.

References

• MANA AKIVIDUINFO
• Akividu.com Village web page