Kadapa

Kadapa
—  city  —
Kadapa Location of Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh and India
Coordinates	14°28′N 78°55′E
Former name	Cuddapah
Country	India
State	Andhra Pradesh
District(s)	Kadapa-Dt
Population	3,25,725 (2001)
Official languages	Telugu, Urdu
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 138 metres (453 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 516001 • Telephone • +08562 • Vehicle • AP-04

Kadapa, formerly Cuddapah, is a city (municipal corporation) in the south-central part of Andhra Pradesh, India. The city's name originated from the Telugu word "Gadapa" meaning threshold or gate. It was spelled "Cuddapah" but was changed to "Kadapa" on 19 August 2010 to reflect the local pronunciation of the name.

Kadapa is one of the important cities in Rayalaseema, Andhra Pradesh, and is situated in the south-central part of the Andhra Pradesh State. It is located 412 kilometres (256 mi) south of state capital, Hyderabad and is situated 8 km south of the Penna River. The city is surrounded on three sides by the Nallamala and Palakonda hills. The city is named "Threshold" because it is the gateway from west to the sacred hill Tirumala of Sri Venkateswara Swamy.

Kishkindakanda, one of the 7 kandas of the Ramayanam, is believed to have happened in Vontimitta, Kadapa District. Vontimitta is 20 kilometres from the city. The Anjaneya Swamy temple in Gandi was also believed to be a part of the Ramayanam; It is believed that the statue of Anjaneya Swamy in Gandi is made by Sri Rama on a hill stone with the tip of his arrow to acknowledge his help in finding Sri Sita Devi.

History

Kadapa was a part of the Chola Empire between the 11th century and 14th century. It became part of the Vijayanagar Empire in the latter part of 14th century. The region was under the control of Gandikota Nayaks, governors of the Vijayanagara empire for about two centuries. The most illustrious ruler during this time was Pemmasani Thimma Nayudu (1422 CE) (Pemmasani Nayaks) who developed the region and constructed many tanks and temples here. Muslims of Golkonda conquered the region in 1565 CE when Mir Jumla raided Gandikota fort and defeated Chinna Thimma Nayudu by treachery. Later the British took control of Kadapa District in 1800 CE. Although the town is an ancient one, it was probably extended by Neknam Khan, the Qutb Shahi commander, who called the extension "Neknamabad". The name "Neknamabad" was used for the town for some time but slowly fell into disuse and the records of the 18th century refer to the rulers not as Nawabs of Nekanamabad but Nawabs of Kadapa. Except for some years in the beginning, Kadapa District was the seat of the Mayana Nawabs in the 18th century. With the British occupation of the tract in 1800 CE it became the headquarters of one of the four subordinate collectorates under the principal collector Sir Thomas Munro. Monuments from the rule of the Kadapa District Nawabs are still found in the town. Most prominent among these are two towers and the dargahs. The city has plenty of temples in and around the city and also has three churches. recently Kadapa has recognized as municipal corporation and first mayor was Ravindranath Reddy, and his term was over.

Geography

Kadapa is located at 14.47°N 78.82°E / 14.47; 78.82. It has an average elevation of 138 metres (452 ft). The District of Kadapa (YSR District) has an area of 8723 m². It is in shape an irregular parallelogram, divided into two nearly equal parts by the range of the Eastern Ghats, which intersects it throughout its entire length. The two tracts thus formed possess totally different features. The first, which constitutes the north, east and south-east of the district, is a low-lying plain; while the other, which comprises the southern and southwestern portion, forms a high table-land from 1500 to 2,500 ft (760 m) above sea-level. The chief river is the Penna, which enters the district from Bellary on the west, and flows eastwards into Nellore. Though a large and broad river, and in the rains containing a great volume of water, in the hot weather months it dwindles down to an inconsiderable stream. Its principal tributaries are the Kundu, Saglair, Cheyair and Papagni rivers.

Kadapa District is in the shape of an irregular parallelogram, divided in half by the range of the Eastern ghats. The city lies in the "Bugga" or "Ralla Vanka" in a hollow bordered on the south by the main Palakondas, part of the eastern ghats, and on the east by a strip of the same hills projecting north towards the Lankamalas on the other side of the Penneru. The two tracts thus formed possess different features. The first, a low-lying plain about 400 ft (120 m) to 450 ft (137 m) above sea level constitutes the north, east and south-east of the city, while the other,which comprises the southern and south-western portion, forms a high table-land from 1500 to 2,500 ft (760 m) above sea-level.

Demographics

The population of the district in 1901 was 1,291,267. As of 2001 India census, YSR District had a population of 3,25,725. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Cuddapah has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 76% and, female literacy is 64%. In YSR District, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

The primary languages spoken in the city are Telugu and Urdu. English is used as a medium of education in many of its educational institutions. The city and the district of YSR District was notorious for factional inter and intra political rivalries. However, things seem to have improved recently. The city has a large non resident citizens spread across the nation and globe. The less educated from the city and district often go to Persian gulf countries such as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia for employment. The area of the city is smaller than that of Proddatur town.

Points of interest

• Nandalur The prime attraction of Nandalur is the temple of Soumyanatha Swami. Soumyanatha Swami is another name and form of Lord Venkateshwara. The temple is constructed with 108 pillars and spreads over an area of about ten acres.Nandalur is on the west bank of river Cheyyeru.Nandalur is famous for its Drinking Water.

• Palakonda Mountains - Palakonda ranges are the naturally formed hills bordering YSR District town, a place of tourist attraction having good waterfalls and high altitudes. Near RIMS there is way to reach the temple of lord Shiva in the name of Sri Palakondarayudu in Palakondalu.

• Bramham Gari Matham - This is the birthplace of the writer who predicted many future events. He foresaw these during the 14th century and had made Nawab a devotee of him. Srimadhvirat Pothuloori Veerabramhendra Swamy is famous all over Andhra Pradesh and could be considered as a contemporary of Nostradamus.

• Navaratna Mandapam: This temple is located in Brahmam Gari Matham.This is one of the rare temple on earth having Pancha brahmas like Manu Brahma(Shiva),Maya Brahma(Vishnu),Twashtar Brahma(Chaturmukha Brahma),Shilpi Brahma (Indra),Viswagna Brahma(Surya) at one temple along with 125 gothra rishi Idols.Patnala sanyasi rao Veda patha shala is also running at this temple premises along with nitya annadana satra, old age home and goshala.

• Devuni Kadapa - This is the place near Kadapa city, which people believe should be the setting off point for those who intend to visit the holy place of Lord Sri Venkateswara (i.e. Tirumala). Even people say that the name of the Kadapa is derived from this place as Devuni Gadapa means "door frame" of Tirumala.

• St. Mary's Cathedral, Mariapuram - St. Mary's Cathedral (built in 1934 and set in Gothic style) in YSR District is the seat of the Bishop of Cuddapah. The present Bishop of YSR District is the Most Reverend Dr. G. Prasad.

• Balappa Kona Balamalleswara Swamy Kshetram (Lord Shiva Temple) popularly known as Balappakona. Located in Nalla Mala Hills Its also known as Dakshina Bhookailas. It is near to Talla Proddatur from Talla Proddatur 4 km to Balappakona. Karthika Masam is the main attraction of the temple. The Uthsavam is celebrated for 1 Month.

Writers and poets

The neighbourhood of Kadapa District was the birthplace of several ancient and contemporary poets. Andhra Kavitha Pitamaha 'Allasani Peddana', the most prominet poet among 'Ashta Diggajams' hails from Kokatam village in Kamalapuram Mandal. Sree Krishna Deva Raya gifted 'Peddana Padu' village in Yerraguntla Mandal to Allasani Peddana. Great Poet Bammera Pothana who wrote Andhra Maha Bhagavatham lived in Ontimitta. Baddena who wrote Sumati Satakam also hails from Badvel area of KADAPA District district. Nachana Somana (tudimela dinne near Khajipet) "molla Ramayanam" Fame Kavaitri Molla (gopavaram near badvel), Tallapaka Thimmakka, (Tallapaka) Kavi Choudappa (hailed in pullur near Khajipet), Janamanchi Seshadri Sarma, Durbhaka Rajasekhra Sathavadhani, Puttaparty Narayana Charyulu and Gadiyaram Venkata Sesha Sastry Proddatur which is 50 km distant from YSR District were the poets of the olden days.

Kumaragiri Vema Reddy popularly known as Vemana (Telugu: వేమన) was a 14th century Telugu poet. He wrote the famous Vemana Sathakam. Vemana Sathakam is the first Telugu Literacy work which got printed and translated into French and English languages. His poems were written in the popular vernacular of Telugu, and are known for their use of simple language and native idioms. His poems discuss the subjects of Yoga, wisdom and morality. He is popularly called Yogi Vemana, in recognition of his success in the path of Yoga.

Education

There are numerous schools and colleges in the Kadapa District. These include:

• Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Pulivendla
• Yogi Vemana University
• Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Putlam palli
• Kandula Srinivasa Reddy Memorial College of Engineering
• SVIST College of Engineering

Agriculture and industries

Black corson soil lands are 24%, black soil 25%, sandy soil lands 4%, red soil lands 25%. The first variety lands are very fertile. Sand soil lands are not so fertile. ‘Korra’, orange, lime and betel leaf are the special crops. They are cultivated near river beds. Starting at Sunkesula Dam on Tungabadra river Cuddapah-Kurnool (K.C) Canal flows through Cuddapah and Kurnool districts providing water to 40 km² of cultivable land. The main source of drinking water to this district is Galer-Nagari-Sujalasravanthi Canal. The principal crops are millet, rice other food grains, pulse, oilseeds, cotton and indigo. The two last are largely exported. There are several steam factories for pressing cotton, and indigo vats. The district is served by lines of the Madras and the South Indian railways.

This district is the repository of mineral wealth. As per the 1983 survey of geological survey of India 30lakh tons of lead, 740lakh tons of barrettes, 27000tons asbestos deposits are there. It is estimated that 700lakh tons of barites deposits might be there in Mangampet. There are clay deposits in Rajampet. This is used to make stone implements. Limestone is available in Yerraguntla, M/s. Coramandal Fertilizers established a cement factory in Chilamkur with an annual yield of 10lakh tons. Bharat cement corporation increases its capacity to 10 lakh tons. National mineral development corporation is extracting asbestos in Brahman palli and barieties in Mangampet. YSR District is also famous for its stone called as "cuddapah stone" used in building construction and for slabs especially in the south India. Brahmani steels will establish a steel factory in Jammalamadugu ]constituency with an investment of Rs. 25,000 crores and an installed capacity of 10 million tonnes by 2017.

The forest area is 5,050 km². It is 32.87% of the district area. It is learnt that elephants required for Golconda army were supplied from here. In the northeast part of the district rainfall is high. Red sandalwood is available in plenty. This is the only area in India where red sandalwood is available. A National park is set up in Seshachalam hills for prospecting wild animals. 181 are employed in the only one paper industry in the district and its capital investment is Rs. 227 lakhs. There are mineral related industries and electrical instruments industries. Zuari Cements, India Cement Ltd, Corus India Ltd are the other industries.

Notable citizens

• Bomireddi Narasimha Reddy (B. N. Reddy), famous film Director, first from the South Indian film industry to receive a "Dada Saheb falke Award"
• B. Nagi Reddy South Indian film producer
• B. Padmanabham, Veteran film comedian and producer
• Kannamba, a famous veteran film actress and dramatist
• Dr.Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy (1949–2009) Former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh (16 May 2004-2 September 2009)
• Santha Kumari, an Indian musical artist and film actress
• Yaga Venugopal Reddy (Y.V.Reddy) - former Reserve Bank of India Governor
• Justice K. Jayachandra Reddy - Former Supreme Court Judge, Former National Law Commission Chairman, Former Press Council of India Chairman, Member of the Expert Group appointed by United Nations.
• A. V. S. Reddy, former AP State Election Commissioner

External links

• www.mydukurpressclub.com,- An Exclusive News Portal in Mydukur.
• www.kadapa.info,- The largest viewed website of the district.
• District Profile

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.