Eluru

For the Lok Sabha parliamentary constituency, see Eluru (Lok Sabha constituency).

Eluru ఏలూరు Eluru
city
Government
• Eluru - West Godavari Congress Sevadal Chairman	Kammula Krishna(KK)- CONGRESS
Population  (2005)
• Total	520,000

Eluru (Telugu: ఏలూరు) is a city and a municipal corporation in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is the headquarters of West Godavari district and has a population of 5,15,343 approximately. Eluru is situated on the national highway NH 5 connecting Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam and about 333 kilometres (207 mi) east of state capital, Hyderabad. Eluru was earlier called Helapuri and has a rich cultural and political history. It was believed to have been the capital of Vishnukundinas at one time. Kolleru Lake a big fresh water lake is found near Eluru.

It is known for its well established educational institutes like Sir C.R.Reddy College. It is the hub for the paddy, tobacco, coconut exports to all other parts of the state. It is well known for the carpets and incense sticks (Agarbatti in Telugu) exports to all over the country.

Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?lci=org.wikipedia.en&q=16.7,81.1(Eluru)&ie=UTF8&ll=16.7,81.1&spn=0.298588,0.55687&z=11

History

Helapuri (Eluru) was part of the Buddhist kingdom of Vengi. The Eastern Chalakyas ruled coastal Andhra from 700 to 1200, with Vengi,near the village of Pedavegi, as their capital. Historical evidence can be found at the villages of Pedavegi and Guntupalli (Jilakarragudem).

Eluru then became a part of the Kalinga Empire until 1471. Later it fell into the hands of the Gajapathis. In 1515 Srikrishnadevaraya captured it. After the fall of the Vijayanagara Kingdom, it was taken by the Sultan of Golkonda, Kutub Shah.

After the British established control over South India, Eluru and surrounding areas were merged into the Madras Presidency. During the division of Northern Cirkars into districts, Eluru was made a part of Machilipatnam district. Later, it was included in the Godavari District in 1859. Subsequently, Eluru was made part of the Krishna District. Finally, in the year 1925, West Godavari District was formed with Eluru as its Headquarters and all the district offices and regional offices were set up in Eluru town.

Eluru became a city when the government of Andhra Pradesh upgraded Eluru to a municipal corporation in April 2005. In the process some of the surrounding villages were merged in the city, raising the city's population to 5,00,000.

Geography

Eluru is located at 16.7°N 81.1°E / 16.7; 81.1. It has an average elevation of 22 metres (72 feet). It is a small and colorful city. Distance to other Cities:

• Vijayawada 60 km
• Tadepalligudem 50 km
• Visakhapatnam 334 km
• Hyderabad,India 340 km

Climate

Eluru city falls in the hot humid region of the country and it is less than 40 miles (64 km) from Bay of Bengal. The climate of the town is very hot in the summers and it is pleasant during the winter. The hottest day falls in the month of May with shift to June during some years. The maximum temperature observed is 51.7 C and the minimum temperature observed is 12.9 C.

Demography

• The population of the city increased from 33,521 in 1901 to 3,12,866 in 1991 registering a growth of 65% during the period from 1901–1991.
• The literacy rate of the city has been 72% as per 1991 census.
• The city recorded a growth rate of 26.63% during 1981–91.
• In 2001 the population increased slightly to 3,15,642.
• In the middle of the year 2005 the city has the population of around 4,15,000.in 2009 its about 5,20,000.

Getting there

Road

Eluru is well connected to most cities and towns in Andhra Pradesh by the state road transport corporation APSRTC. The city is situated at a distance of 60 km North East of Vijayawada, on the National Highway 5 (which connects Chennai and Kolkatta). Numerous buses run by private bus owners like Kesineni Travels, Sai Krishna Travels, etc. cut across the city on a regular basis, especially from Hyderabad and Bangalore. The distance between Hyderabad and Eluru is about 330 km, with direct buses and indirect buses via Vijayawada running throughout the day. Eluru is situated at a distance of 90 km from rajahmundry, 70 km from Narsapur, 75 km from Tanuku, 61 km from Bhimavaram, 50 km from Jangareddy Gudem and 51 km from Tadepalligudem. The city is accessible by train and bus and there are frequent buses from Narsapur, Palakollu, Tadepalligudem, Tanuku and Jangareddy gudem. There are buses running every 20 mins or less from Vijayawada. NH 5, part of the golden quadrilateral (i.e., Kolkata to Chennai), passes through Eluru.

Rail

The broad gauge railway line on the East Cost connecting Madras and Kolkata passes through the city. There are daily express and passenger trains to Hyderabad, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkatta throughout the day. The major railway stations in Eluru are Eluru Station, Power Pet Station, Vatluru Station with Eluru Station being the biggest and busiest. Eluru station is located exactly halfway between Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, which is the busiest line in Andhra Pradesh.

Air

Gannavaram is the nearest airport(40 km). Kingfisher Red, formerly Air Deccan, operates regular flights from Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai to Gannavaram. Kingfisher airlines operates daily flights from Hyderabad. Rajhamundry airport is also close to Eluru which has frequent flights to Hyderabad.

Education

Best Schools

• CSI Englih Medium High School
• Sree Bharathi Residential School
• Vignan Green Fields Public School
• St. Xavier's(Boys Convent)
• St. Theresa's English Medium Elementary School
• S.C.B.P (E.M) police school,Ammenapet
• K P D T HIGH School,Agraharam
• K P D T HIGH School,Ashok Nagar
• Sir C R R Public School,Santinagar
• KAVYA PUBLIC SCHOOL, KOTHHA PET, 45th division

Colleges

• Sir C R R Management Studies(MBA & MCA)
• SRI Venkateswara PG COLLEGE(MBA),
• Govt. Jr College, Kotadibba
• P D B T Jr College,Ashok Nagar
• Govt.Industrial Training Institute, Eluru (CoE Electrical Sector)
• Sir C.R.R College of Engineering
• Sir C.R.R Polytechnic
• Sir C.R.R Degree College
• Sir C.R.R Law College-Closed, Rennovated and started Pharmacy college
• Sir C.R.R College of Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Alluri Seetharamaraju Academy of Medical Sciences (ASRAM)
• St. Joseph Dental College
• Eluru College of Engineering & Technology
• Nova Institute of Technology
• Ram chandra college of engineering
• KA&HL Degree College
• Vestal Academy
• Sri Chaitanya Junior College
• St. Theresa Women's College
• Government Junior College
• St. Vincent Depaul Junior College, Duggirala
• St. Vincent Depaul Degree College, Duggirala
• Siddartha Degree College,Satrampadu
• Sri Bharathi College
• ACHARYA JUNIOR COLLEGE
• NARAYANA ACADEMY

High schools

• Sir C.R.R. Public School
• Suresh Chandhra Bahuguna Police(E.M) high school popularly called as "Police school". recently completed its 25 years of excellence in teaching situated opp to district government hospital Eluru.Ameenapet
• St. Xavier Boys High School. A missionary school also called 'Boys Convent'. It is one of the older and more reputed schools with a good infrastructure.
• C S I English Medium School. School managed by Church of South India,KG-Diocese.
• Srimathi Eedara Subbamma Devi Municipal High School is one of the most reputed schools in the city situated in the heart of the city. The present governor of Reserve Bank of India Sri Duvvuri Subba Rao studied in this school.

• Sri Gandhi Andhra Jathiya Maha Vidyalayam High School

• Sree Bharathi Educational Institutions is another reputed school in the city with good campus and hostel facilities. This has a unique reputation of attracting more students from the near-by villages and working with them in laying foundation for their career.

• K.P.D.T High school is another reputed school in the city with two campuses at Ashok Nagar (main school) and Agraharam (branch school). This school was established before the Indian Independence.

• Sri Deepthi residential school

• Gowtham school
• Z P High School, Satrampadu
• Z P High School, Sanivarapupeta
• Government Girls High School, Opp. Ramakoti
• Bhashyam public school,Near new bus station
• Sree Sree Educational Institutions, Sree Ram Nagar 10th Road,Sanivarapupeta Road.
• SRI SURYA MODEL PUBLIC SCHOOL.tangellamudi
• smt NG sundharamma memorial high school.thantellamudi
• SRDK high school.adivarapu peta
• 12 pampula high school.gandhinagar

Sir C.R.R Educational Institutions

This is one of the good institutions in the State of Andhra Pradesh.
It was established in the early 1930s. Some of the famous alumni from this institution include Superstar Krishna, Murali Mohan, Sobhan Babu etc.
It has been accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council NAAC- with Grade A.
This institution has been projected to grow into a deemed university in a few years. The institution governs

• Public School

• Junior / Degree College
• P.G. College
• B.Ed. College
• Women's College
• Polytechnic College
• Engineering College
• B Pharmacy College

St. Theresa's Educational Institutions

• Elementary School
• High School
• Junior College
• Degree College
• P.G. College

konda college (GUNDUGOLANU)(ELURU) konda college of engg konda college of nursing konda college of mines

C.S.I. educational institutions

One of famous the educational institutions in the Eluru City. Managed by the Church of South India, Krishna-Godavari Diocese. Institutions Managed by C S I, KG-diocese at Eluru are

• C S I English Medium School(From LKG to TENTH STANDARD )
• C S I Alexander School

Divya Gnana Vidya Samithi institutions

• K.P.D.T. High Schools
• S.P.D.B.T. Junior College

St. Xavier's

• St. Xavier's Elementary School (Coeducational convent) (EM & TM)
• St. Xavier's High School (EM & TM) (only for Boys)
• St. Xavier's ITI (Polytechnic & Vocational Courses)

St. Johns College of Education

• B.Ed.

Vestal institutions

Vestal Institutions are promoted by NRIs and Industrialists. These institutions are located on NH5 near Vatluru.

VSRI Computer Education Vegesna Suryanarayana Raju Institute of Computer Education, well known institute exclusively for M C A. It is located 2 km (1.2 mi) from Eluru Railway Station and near to Palagudem (Malkapuram). pension line is 3 km (1.9 mi) distance to nbsp

Others

• Indian Baptist Missions Christian Academy
• St. John's Christian Academy
• Sri Vani Niketan,
• Siddartha high school,
• Gowtham residential public school,
• Gowtham concept school,
• S.K residential,
• Sarvani public school,
• datapro computer institute
• Sree Sree educational society, Kavya Public School,
• Don Bosco school, part of St Mary's Educational and Charitable Trust
• SRI SURYA MODEL PUBLIC SCHOOL .tangellmudi

In addition to the above mentioned educational institutions, many private residential junior colleges, high schools and technical institutions are present in Eluru and thousands of students from various places of the District and State study in these institutions every year.

Industries

The city of Eluru is internationally famous for Persian carpets. It is also well known for hand rolled agarabathis, and the hair and jute industries. The upland areas of West Godavari District like Jangareddigudem, Chintalapudi, etc., are now harnessing the ground water and financially became sound, due to the cultivation of rich commercial crops like Tobacco, Palm-Oil, Cocoa etc., Eluru is the major commercial centre for all these areas. It also consists of many wood industries

Eluru carpets, Eluru handlooms

Eluru is famous for its thriving woolen pile carpet industry. The Persians who migrated to this part of the world during the Muhammaddin regime have developed the carpet industry. Most of the carpets produced here are exported. You can find few of these industries in Tangellamudi, Eluru. Hafeez Carpets is the Famous one they Exports their Handmade woolen Carpets mostly to Australia and USA.

Ambica group of industries

The Corporate Office of the Ambica Group of Industries is at Eluru. This group manufactures Ambica Agarbathi (incense sticks), Cosmetics, and other aromatic products, ships to all places in the Country and exports them as well. This group has also entered into the Film Production and distribution, Hospitality Industry, Wind Energy and Software development. Directly or indirectly around 5,000 people are dependent on this Group.

Jute industry

East India Commercial Co. Ltd's Jute Industry is one of the major industries in Eluru Town. This industry buys locally grown jute as well as imports raw jute from other States and manufactures varied Jute products which are then transported and sold in different parts of the state and the country. Close to 10,000 people are dependent on this industry.

Gupta Group

The Gupta Group is mainly an export-oriented industry. They export human hair, cattle horn-tips, and carpets to different countries. Many people are dependent on this Industry too.M/S. Gupta Enterprises has been receiving the Top Exporters Award from the Govt. of India for the past 19 Years consecutively. The hair collected all over India is processed at Eluru and is exported to over 35 Countries. Mr. M. M. Gupta the founder Chairman has also founded the Gupta Foundation which does many Social service and Charity oriented products including Medical Help, Educational Assistance etc. A Bi-Annual award the "Gupta Award" is also presented to distinguished personalities and eminent people from Various Fields.

Others

Eluru has many export companies, exporting all kinds of spices and related products such as chillies, chili powder, coriander seeds, mustard, cumin, ginger, fenugreek, turmeric, cloves, cinnamon, nutmug, mace, poppy seed, black pepper, garlic, cashew nuts, pickles, caraway, cardamom, asafoetida, curry powder, rasam powder, pappads, mango pulp, sugar, tomato paste, basmati rice.

Hospitals & diagnostic centers

Eluru Government District Hospital

This is a government hospital and acts as the "District Main Hospital". The hospital is centrally located in Eluru with a capacity of 350 beds. People from all corners of the district visit the hospital for medical treatment. one of the teaching hospital in Eluru is ASRAM, a 750 bedded hospital with students admissions 150 for this academic year 2009-10. in this college, dept. of community medicine doing field visits to the students with the help of Prof. and statistician. they are doing so many projects based on community.

Sankara Netralaya

Apart from these, there are a large number of privately owned clinics and diagnostic centers that not handle simple to lesser complex cases. Complex issues are generally referred to larger hospitals and to Vijayawada and Hyderabad.

Places of interest

As the city of Eluru was built very near to the ancient capital of Vengi there are many historical monuments in and around it. Muslims who brought stones from the temples at Vengi built the Fort of Eluru. There are 25 inscriptions to be seen on one stone near the mosque. The places of historical importance around Eluru are Pedavegi, Vatluru, Denduluru, and Kolleru.

The main attractions of the town are the temples of Janardhana and Jalapaharesvara. Kolleru Lake is a large freshwater lake in India's Andhra Pradesh state. It is 15 km (9.3 mi) from Eluru. It is known the world over for the famous Kolleru Bird Sanctuary. This 673 km² wet land marsh habitat supports a large variety of Water birds which include Garganys, ducks, open bill storks, Herons, Flamingos & grey pelicans.

Other temples Sri Venkateswara swami vari Alayam, Ramachandra Rao pet.

This is major Venkateswara swami temple in Eluru, hundreds of people visit this temple every day. On every Saturday spl pooja's will be performed to lord Venkateswara. Every day evening sathsanga will be performed here, in sathsanga, devotes can here ramayana,mahabaratha,bhagavathgita and many more.

This temple is well constructed with the elivation and space. This temple is located middle of the Eluru. On Festival times devotes will be more. Every year in the month of December sapthaham will be perform for 12 days, in this time people around the eluru will come and prayer to god Venkateswara.

• sri kanakadurga temple.12 taps centre

Ambica Devi temple at Eluru It is constructed by Ambica Group in 2005. It is the only place to find a temple for Ambica Devi.

• sanivarapu peta galigopuram. ee gopuram rajula hayamulo nirminchina purathana gopuram

NAM Datta Natha Kshetra at Eluru Undoubtedly Eluru Ashrama is one of the most beautiful Ashrams in India. It has shrines of Dattatreya, Anagha Devi, Ganapati, Venugopala, Karya Siddhi Hanuman and Navagrahas. A prayer Hall, Guru Nilayam, priest quarters, A Shiva temple have been built. This Eluru Ashrama has Karya Siddhi Hanuman temple. Karya Siddhi means fulfilment of work.

Dwaraka Tirumala (Chinna Tirupathi) is about an hours drive from Eluru. It is a very important pilgrimage centre. Everyday, thousands of pilgrims from various places of the state and country visit Lord Venkateswara at Chinna Tirupathi for darshan. Eluru is the closest Railway Station.

Guntupalli: the rockcut caves of Guntupalli are situated in the Kamavarapukota mandal of west Godavari district and are about 40 km (25 mi) from Eluru. The site is approachable through a motorable road. The nearest railway station is located at Eluru. Guntupalli is dotted with some of the finest specimens of monolithic and structural Buddhist remains datable to the 3rd-2nd century BC to 5th-6th century AD. The important monuments located are: Rock cut temple or vritta Chaitya, large monastery, small monastery, brick Chaitya, ruined Mandapa, stone Stupa and cluster of Votive Stupas.

Pedavegi village, about 15 km (9.3 mi) from Eluru. It contains some well preserved ancient house and temple ruins. Gangeswara Temple at Tadikalapudi Raatnaalamma Talli at Raatnalagunta Gundugolanu Village, located 15 km (9.3 mi) from Eluru.

• Sri Allhasingarappa Swami Temple, Padamaravedi.
• Sri Adhimahalakshmi Amavari Temple, Padamaravedi.

Festivals

• Vengi Ustsav

The Vengi Ustsav will be held at Eluru. The festival would also be held at Pedavegi, the once capital of Vengi kings, and Patteseema, an * Pedintlamma Theerdham Kolletikota situated in the middle of the Kolleru Lake has got a temple of the local deity. Every year thousands of people visit the temple on a particular day during the annual 'Jatara'.

• Bhaleve Theerdham
• Sapthall
• Ramakoti
• Gangalamma jathara

Gangalamma jathara is celebrated only in Eluru.This is one of the famous festival in Eluru celebrated by Eluru people every 12 years once. Praying Goddess Gangalamma around 90 days. The last three days of this jathara is very famous, and the Uthsav Radh was pulled by the particular religious people.

• Sri Adhimahalakshmi Amavari Temple, Padamara Veedhi. This temple has 200 years history. Every 12 years here celebrated festival (in telegu Jatara) it is most famous jatara in India. It has 300 years history.

Topographical features

The city is situated on the border of the Kolleru Lake. The Tammileru river passes through the city. The Eastern part of Tammileru borders the entire North of the city, while the Western Tammileru flows to the West of the city. The Krishna – Eluru canal passes through the heart of the city from South – West towards North – East.

The Godavari - Eluru canal, The Krishna – Eluru canal and the Tammileru River and join together at the border of Eluru in a village called Malkapuram (Palagudem) on their way to Kolleru Lake.

• Tammileru River

It originates from the reserve forests near Palvoncha in Khammam district. It traverses a distance of almost 200 km (120 mi) through Khammam, Krishna and West Godavari Districts before emptying itself into the Kolleru lake. Tammileru divides into two streams near FCI godowns and joins the lake at two different points — Mondikodu and Pedayadlagadi.

Games and sports

List of grounds

• Alluri Seetharamaraju Stadium, Eluru

Andhra v Karnataka First-Class Match played in Eluru At this stadium on 1995 December 9 for Ranji Trophy South Zone.

• Indoor Stadium, Eluru

Andhra v Hyderabad First-Class Match played in Eluru At this stadium on 1976 October 6 for Ranji Trophy South Zone.

• Sir C. Ramalinga Reddy College Ground, Eluru

Andhra v Madras First-Class Match played in Eluru At this stadium on 1965 Dec 10 for Ranji Trophy South Zone.

Trivia and Notable Residents

• Veeramachaneni Venkatanarayana - Freedom Fighter, Minister, APCC President,MLC, Philanthropist
• Duvvuri Subbarao, Current governor of the Reserve Bank Of India, was born and studied primary schooling at Eluru
• L.V. Prasad, born at Soma-vara-padu, in Eluru Taluk in Andhra Pradesh, India. Born into an agricultural family, Prasad became a major figure in Indian cinema and founder of one of India's leading film studios, Prasad Labs.
• Krishna Ghattamaneni a noted Telugu film actor better known as Krishna studied in prestigious C.R.R. College in Eluru. There, he shared a room with two other aspiring actors, Shoban Babu and Murali Mohan, who later became stars in their own right. Krishna played an active role in various cultural events organized by his college. During Rajiv Gandhi times, he was inclined towards Indian National Congress (INC) and won from the Eluru constituency as a Member of Parliament
• Murali Mohan a movie artiste who completed more than 200 films, has begot a name as man of no controversies, a real estate baron, an entrepreneur, and a good actor and producer. He was recently elected the President of the Telugu Movie Artists Association (MAA). He was born and brought up in Chataparru near Eluru. He studied in Chataparru and then in Eluru CRR College.
• Ambika Krishna is one of the famous personalities in Eluru. He had been elected as Member of the Legislative Assembly (India) from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). He is the head of Ambica group of companies.He also incharge of Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
• Lunani Family, notably the Five brothers - Brij Gopal Lunani, Venu Gopal Lunani, Hari Gopal Lunani, Davu Gopal Lunani and Manohar Gopal Lunani. They established three jute mills in Eluru and Guntur.
• Mohammed Haroon Pasha, Chairman of Hafeez Carpets and President of Anjuman Muhafeje Islam Society.
• V.V. Bala Krishna Rao (Ushabala Chits) is a prominent business personality in Eluru. He owns chitfunds, theaters, cinema distribution office, hotel, education institute in Rajahmundry. He was also recognized by Limca Books of Records for distributing the highest number of movies in India and he also cheated his shareholders in his chitfund company.
• Maganti Ravindranath Choudary (MRC) was a former congress leader and a major Tollywood producer.
• Veeramachaneni Vimala Devi was the first women M.P. from Andhra Pradesh representing Eluru (Communist party)
• Maganti Babu, son of Maganti Ravindranath Choudary is an ex-minister of state and a famous film producer.Now Leader in Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
• Korada Narasimha Rao, Classical Dancer, enriches the name of Eluru name in the field of Classical Dance (Kuchipudi).
• Bathula Vandanam, Bathula Prabhakara Rao, Bathula Victor Babu, Bathula Sunny Kovel,Ramakuri Samuel Vedanayakam, Ramakuri Prabhakar Rao, Ramakuri Gajapathi Rao & Ramakuri Victor Nelson are renown in CSI Christ church politics. Ramakuri Gajapathi Rao is worked as a treasurer in the CSI for more than 20 years.

References

• ఏలూరు - Eluru in Telugu Wikipedia
• Eluru (Lok Sabha constituency)
• Alluri Sitaramaraju
• West Godavari
• Vengi