Jaggayyapeta

Jaggaiahpeta(జగ్గయ్యపేట) is an ancient town and now a municipality in Krishna district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. This town is located on the banks of a river called Paleru which is a tributary of the Krishna River.

Demographics

As of the 2001 India census, Jaggaiahpeta has a population of 39,817, with a male-female split of 51%-49%. Jaggayyapeta has an average literacy rate of 67%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 73%, and female literacy is 60%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Assembly Constituency

Jaggaiahpeta is an assembly constituency in Andhra Pradesh with 74 villages and 159,070 registered voters.

List of Elected Members:

• 1951 - Pillalamarri Venkateswarlu, Communist Party of India, Legislative Assembly of Madras.
• 1962 - Galeti Venkateswarlu, Indian National Congress, Legislative Assembly of A.P.
• 1967 - Repala Butchi Ramaiah Sresti, Indian National Congress, Legislative Assembly of A.P.
• 1972 - Vasireddy R G K M Prasad, Independent, Legislative Assembly of A.P.
• 1978 - Bodduluru Rama Rao, Indian National Congress, Legislative Assembly of A.P.
• 1983 - Akkineni Lokeswara Rao, Telugu Desam Party, Legislative Assembly of A.P.
• 1985, 1989 and 1994 - Nettem Raghuram, Telugu Desam Party, Legislative Assembly of A.P.
• 1999 and 2004, Samineni Udayabhanu, Indian National Congress, Legislative Assembly of A.P.
• 2009 (Current) - Sreeram Raja Gopal (Tataiah), Telugu Desam Party, Legislative Assembly of A.P.

History

About 180 years ago, the region surrounding Jaggaiahpeta was governed by a ruler, by name Sri Rajah Vasireddy Venkatadri Nayudu, who was famous for his piety and devotion and for the construction of many a temples in honour of Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu. It is said that he founded two towns, namely, Jaggaiahpeta, named after his father, and Achampeta, named after his mother. The founding of the towns by Venkatadri Nayudu find mention in a Telugu verse of a certain well-known poet, too.

But from the old records of the Government, we get the information that, even prior to the founding of the towns by Venkatadri Nayudu, there existed on this site a village named Betavolu and that the Rajah developed it into a town and changed the name to Jaggaiahpeta . The region was then infested with robbers and hence the old village was called Dongala Betavolu (Robbers' Betavolu). For some time, Jaggaiahpeta was mentioned in Government records with Betavolu written in brackets. Even now, in some old documents in the houses of some indigenous bankers of the town, we find only ' Betavolu ' mentioned as the name of the village.

All this is recent history and is self-evident. But apart from it, this region has an ancient and splendid history behind it. Though it is so, only a few know that the innocent-looking mound 'Dhanam Bodu', lying east of Jaggaiahpeta, has in it the remains of an ancient stupa, which has been lying there for 2,000 years.

Monuments & Antiquities

File:JPTStupa1.jpg

Jaggayyapeta Stupa

During the excavations in 1818, a few carved slabs from one of the brick mounds revealed the existence of a group of ancient stupas. After excavation, the stupa was found to be 9 meters in diameter and was decorated with slabs of the same material used in Amaravati. Inside the casing the stupa is made completely out of bricks and earth. About a kilometre from the town is a hill known as Dhanabodu or Hill of wealth on which once stood a great Stupa or Mahachaitya. Around the hillock are traces of monastic buildings.

A Mahachaitya filled with layers of rubble & gravel two feet thick. The slabs surrounding the base of the stupa were plain very few of them having any carving except a small pilaster up the edge. Some of the sculptures on the pilasters closely resemble in style of Bharhut sculptures. The capitals are heavy and roughly bell-shaped and show addorsed double-winged animals like that at Patalkhora. Some of the slabs were inscribed in characters of Mauryan type ascribable to the beginning of the 2nd century BC.

Fourteen sculptures recovered from here (All of them either broken or mere fragments, the only exception being a standing Buddha) and are in the Madras Museum. This standing Buddha is exceptional, not merely because it was found undamaged, but also because it differs both in age and style from the rest of finds. It has an inscription on its lotus base in characters of the sixth century. The gist of the inscription being that the image was made under instructions from Jayaprabhacharya, a disciple of Nagarjunacharya. It is concluded that it belongs to a much later age than the rest of the sculptures which are akin to those of the first face of the Amaravati stupa, and hence are dated as early as 200 B.C.

The most interesting as well as important of the marbles here is a slab representing a Chakravarti. The seven jewels which surround him – the queen, the prince, the minister, the elephant, the horse, the wheel, and the gems – proclaim him to the world as a king of kings. Noteworthy features of this sculpture are not only the square coins that are showered on the emperor from the sky and the jewels worn by the human figures, but also the elongated structure of those figures which constitute a marked departure from the stunted representations of the Gandhara School. It is this elegant attenuation of the figures the subsequently led to the “towering and graceful forms” in the sculptures of the middle phase of Andhra sculpture at Amaravati. Another interesting find in this area is the “punyasala,” a beautiful sculpture showing a two-storied shrine.

Notable Persons

1. Raja Sri V R G K M Prasad - The Muktyala Raja named Vasireddy Rama Gopala Krishna Maheswara Prasad fondly called Projects Prasad was noted for his efforts in infrastructure creation in India. He worked as Member of Legislative Assembly of A.P. also.

He was instrumental in the construction of the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, the largest masonry dam in the world. He strived hard for the construction of the Pulichintala Project across the river Krishna, a dream which has not taken shape till today. He came to know that the Government of Madras Presidency has made plans to divert Krishna river water to Madras by linking Krishna and Pennar rivers. He embarked upon a tour of nine districts of Andhra Pradesh and visited each and every village to collect the signatures of people in favour of Nagarjuna Sagar Dam project. He travelled through the thick and inhospitable jungles near Macherla to visit the site of Nandikonda and formed a team of retired engineers at his own expense to make the project plans and designs. The government of Madras tried to scuttle his plans for which the Raja established the 'Krishna Farmers Welfare Society' and exerted pressure on the Government of India in favour of the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam. The Government of India instituted the Khosla Committee but the committee refused to visit the site on the excuse that there was no motorable road to Nandikonda. The Raja gathered villagers and volunteers from twenty five villages and made a road by labouring day and night for a week at his own expenses of around Rs. 52 Lacs. The Khosla committee visited the site and found it to be the most ideal location to build a gigantic dam across the river. There were attempts to suppress the report of the Khosla committee. The Raja went to New Delhi and with the support of N. G. Ranga, Moturi Hanumantha Rao and Kotha Raghuramaiah resurrected the report, distributed it to important people and urged the Planning Commission (Government of India) to take cognizance.

Chandulal Trivedi, the Governor of the state of Andhra Pradesh urged the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to accept the report of the Khosla Committee. An announcement was made in 1954 for the construction of the project. The foundation stone was laid on December 10, 1955. Raja spent fifty two lakhs of rupees as a matching grant for the project construction. The waters of Krishna river were released for the farmers on August 3, 1966.

He was the symbol of determination, willpower and philanthropy. However, his selfless service to the farmers of Andhra Pradesh has gone unrecognized and ignored.

2. Famous clarinet players like Sri Kasim Saheb (All India Radio, Vijayawada Staff artist) born here and lot of people learned music (classical and instrumental) from him from all over Andhra Pradesh.

Economy

Jaggayyapeta Stupa

The majority of the people in Jaggaiahpeta are engaged in trade and commerce. Agriculture is also the most important occupation of the people.

Minerals like Iron ore and Limestone are very very abundant in this area. Limestone is being supplied to Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (Mining And Ore-Beneficiation) from here. This town hosts many large scale industries like Cement Factories and small scale industries like Manufacturing Musical Instruments, Sponge Iron Industries.

Also, this is popular in surrounding districts for Gold/Silver ornaments business for its quality of work.

The delayed Pulichintala Project is just 21 km from Jaggaiahpeta.

Major Cement Factories

Jaggayyapeta Stupa

• Madras Cements Ltd.
• Anjani Portland Cements Ltd.
• Priya Cements Ltd.
• Sri Vishnu Cements Ltd.
• Maha Cements Ltd.also known as Devi Cements Ltd.
• Kakatiya Cements Ltd.
• Vishwam Cements Ltd.
• Coromandel Cements Ltd.
• Suvarna Cements Ltd.
• Sagar cement LTD.
• J.P Cements,
• K.C.P Cements

Besides these there are many small cement industries which supply concrete, limestone.

How to reach

By Air

This town does not have a functioning airport of its own, the nearest international airport is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad (220 km) and the nearest domestic airport is Gannavaram(Vijayawada) Airport (85 km).

By Train

There is still a proposal to construct a new railway line to Miryalaguda and to introduce passenger trains from Nadikudi.

By Road

Jaggayyapet is well connected to all major cities in Andhra Pradesh. Direct buses are available to Hyderabad, Triupathi, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Vijayawada, Machilipatnam, Srisailam and other major towns and cities in AP.

Jaggaiahpet is located 3 km away from NH-9, which connects Pune and Machilipatnam.

Distance between Jaggaiahpet and other major towns and cities:

Sl no	City	Distance (in km)
1	Hyderabad	195
2	Visakhapatnam	459
3	Vijayawada	77
4	Machilipatnam	155
5	Chennai	473
6	Tirupathi	486
7	Khammam	70
8	Warangal	160
9	Rajahmundry	227
10	Nellore	301
11	Guntur	107

Media and Communication

Leading Telugu and English are available in Jaggayyapet. English dailies such as, Deccan Chronicle, Indian Express, The Hindu, The Times of India are available in Jaggayyapet. Telugu dailies: Eenadu, Sakshi, Vaartha, Andhra Jyothi, Andhra Bhoomi and Surya are available in Jaggayyapet.

Jaggaiahpet falls under Andhra Pradesh Telecom circle; For BSNL - it falls under Vijayawada Telecom District.

List of Mobile networks in Jaggaiahpet (Andhra Pradesh Circle)

Network Name	Type
Airtel	GSM
Vodafone	GSM
BSNL	GSM
Idea	GSM
Docomo	GSM
Aircel	GSM
Reliance	CDMA
Tata Indicom	CDMA

Tourist Spots

Vedadri

The Vedadri Lakshmi Nrsimha Swamy temple is located on the River Krishna, approximately 10 kms. from Jaggaiahpet. Here the main deity is: Yogananda Lakshmi Narashima Swamy.

The importance of this place is: Here the Lord is existing in five forms different from each other known as Pancha Narashima Moorthy, namely Jwala Narashima on vedasikara of the mountains, Saligrahma Narashima in the River Krishnaveni, Yogananda Narashima erected by sage Rishya Sringar, as Lakshmi Narashimar on his own peetam and Veera Narashimar on garudadri situated at a distance of 5kms from east to Vedadri.

The Brahma Purana says Somasura stole the Vedas from Brahma, and hid himself into the ocean. Lord Brahma approached Lord Vishnu to help him out to get back the vedas from the asura. Sriman Narayana took the form of fish {Mathsaya Avatara} and entered deep into the ocean and rescued Vedas from asura. The Vedas took human form and thanked Lord Vishnu, and asked Lord to stay with them on their heads. Lord agreed to stay till the time comes and he asked them to stay in River Krishnaveni as Saligrama stone. After Hirnaya kashapa vadha, Lord Narayanar who incarnated himself as Narashima Swamy, stayed as Jwala Narashimar on the mountains head at Vedadri in fulfillment of his words to Veda Purushas. Lord Brahma requested Jwala Narashima to stay at Sathya loka as Saligrahama, and Lord Narashimar obliged to do so. Even before Lord Brahma could offer his prayer to Lord, sathya lokha was consumed in flames. Lord brahma personally brought the Saligrahma moorty to the River Krishnaveni and erected it on the saligrahma mountain. Krishnaveni prayed to Narayanar, to allow her to worship him daily. Here Lord Lakshi Narshimar the incarnation of Sriman Narayanar fulfilled the desire of both veda purusha and river Krishnaveni.

The temple structure is conventional, being brightly colored and ornamented with a variety of images. A beautiful Form of Nrsimha Swami in yoga pose (below) greets devotees on the outside of the temple. The Lord is joined by murtis of Lord Varaha, Laksmi devi, Garuda, Hanuman, and other transcendental personalities and figures. The utsava idols are extraordinarily high and impressive, and the dwajasthamba of imposing girth and height. In the waters of the Krishna River, Lord Nrsimha can also be found in Salagram form.

• Sri Yogananda LakshmiNarasimha Swami
  Sri Yogananda LakshmiNarasimha Swami
• 
  Sri Yogananda LakshmiNarasimha Swami Temple's Raja Gopuram.
• 
  View from Main Entrance.
• 
  Main Temple View from Dhwajasthambham, Vedadri.
• 
  Main Temple View.
• 
  Temple View from the way to Jwalamukha Narasimhaswamy Temple.
• 
  Nice landscape in Vedadri
• 
  Nice landscape in Vedadri
• 
  River Krishna
• 
  Salagrama Narasimha Swamy in River Krishna

Tirumalagiri

This is the one of the most and different place in lord venkateswara temples. The Name of the deity is Swayambu Valmikodbhavadu and is located on a hill top, manifested in a stone image along with a big anthill behind. Four temples of Sri Anjaneya Swamy are seen in the nearby Tirumalagiri Hills which attract a lot of devotees.

• Nice Art found in the temple.
  Nice Art found in the temple.
• View from Main Entrance.
  View from Main Entrance.
• Main Temple View.
  Main Temple View.
• Temple View from the way of arrival.
  Temple View from the way of arrival.
• Temple View from the way of arrival.
  Temple View from the way of arrival.
• Nice landscape in Tirumalagiri
  Nice landscape in Tirumalagiri

Penuganchiprolu

Sri Tirupatamma Ammavari Devasthanam is located in Penuganchiprolu village of Krishna District. It is 20 Kms. away from Jaggaiahpet.

In India, there is an old saying which corroborates the fact that where women are respected, the Gods feel happy and make their Abodes. In the 17th century, Sri Raja Vasireddy Jagga Bhoopal was ruling Krishna region, with Amaravathi as his Capital. In his kingdom, was born Sri Tirupatamma, in the family of “Kolla”. She married Sri Gopaiah Swamy of “Kakani” family, and brought glory to both families, and the entire region, by her undeterred devotion to the Lord. Sri Tirupatamba was not only a great devotee but also a good housewife, sharing sorrows and joys with her husband. Despite this, she faced severe ill treatment and misery at her husband’s house. Finally, when her husband died she immolated herself in her husband’s funeral pyre.

Sri Tirupatamba is worshipped in the Penuganchiprolu Temple as the image of “Shakti”. She preached virtuous qualities of life to her devotees and made her, Adobe at Penuganchiprolu, Mudiraj Papamamba was her principal devotee and therefore, her family members are ordained to perform poojas and other sevas in the Temple. According to the folklore there were 101 Temples existing in ancient times and therefore, it was deemed as Pedakanchipuram. Muniyeru (a stream) flowing, along the Temple, and was said to be created with the spiritual power of Moudgalya Maharishi and hence it was named after him.

• Sri Lakshmi Tirupathamma and Gopaiah Swamy.
  Sri Lakshmi Tirupathamma and Gopaiah Swamy.
• 
  Temple before renovation.
• Temple After renovation.
  Temple After renovation.
• Sri Tirupathamma Gopaiah Swamy Utsava Moorthulu.
  Sri Tirupathamma Gopaiah Swamy Utsava Moorthulu.
• Gathering of Devotees on Thirunallu times.
  Gathering of Devotees on Thirunallu times.
• Temple Picture.
  Temple Picture.
• Temple in night times.
  Temple in night times.

Muktyala

Antiquity of this kshetra dates back to Tretayuga and it is said that Sri Rama visited this thirtha kshetra along with Mother Sita. And worshipped this Temple's Spatica Linga installed by Bali Chakravarthy. The other plus point it claims is river Krishna flows in northern direction instead of the usual eastern. Hence sanctity immense. It is believed that sins committed knowingly or unknowingly will be purged of with a single bath. It embodies another unique feature of linking Tretayuga with Kaliyuga. Legends narrate that Viswakarma built a golden temple realising its sacrosanct glory. Krishna Mahatya eulogizes it, with the episode of Bali Chakravarthi's installing crystal linga now worshipped in the Mukteswara temple.

This Bhavani's shrine is quite ancient and was endowed lavishly by the ruling princes. The sthalapurna claims its construction to the devout king Narasimha Padmanabha belonging to Aiteya dynasty. Having enjoyed liberal royal partronage, it is architecturally imposing in dimensions and sculpturally enticing. There are many inscriptions testifying to its splendid past. The Mother's icon is superbly sculptured and her pleasant facial features are quite arresting and so win admiration by every one. The floral decoration interspersed with glittering jewels is enchanting and raises hands in veneration. Satwika puja is offered daily and she is madhuraahra priya. Periodical festivals are celebrated with unbounded zeal.

Villages in Jaggaiahpeta Mandal

The following is the list of villages in this Mandal.

• Annavaram
• Anumanchipalle
• Balusupadu
• Bandipalem
• Buchavaram
• Budawada
• Chillakallu
• Gandrai
• Garikapadu
• Gowravaram
• Jaggaiahpeta
• Jayanthipuram
• Kowthavari agraharam
• Malkapuram
• Mukteswarapuram
• Pochampalle
• Ramachandrunipeta
• Raavikampadu
• Ravirala
• Shermahammadpeta
• Thakkellapadu
• Tirumalagiri
• Torraguntapalem
• Tripuravaram
• Vedadri

External links

1) Satellite Map of Jaggaiahpet

2) APSRTC Bus Timings From Jaggaiahpet