Tenali

This article is about the town. For the Tamil film, see Thenali. For the court poet and jester, see Tenali Ramakrishna.

Template:Infobox Indian jurisdiction Tenali (తెనాలి), is a town and a mandal in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh, South India. It has a population of 149,839 (2001 census). It is located 16 miles east of Guntur City. Three canals of the Krishna River flow through Tenali making it a part of the rice bowl of Andhra Pradesh. One of the canals is navigable up to Nizampatnam port. Tenali is a major railway junction connecting Guntur, Vijayawada, Repalle and Chennai.

Overview

Tenali is known for its rich historical, agricultural, cultural and literary legacy. It has produced many famous poets, theatre artistes, scholars, actors, scientists and academicians. The great Tenali Ramalinga (also known as Tenali Rama and Tenali Ramakrishna), who was a court-poet of Krishnadeva Raya of the Vijayanagara empire and well known for his wit and impressive Telugu poetry was born in Tumuluru near Tenali in the 16th century.

The famous Martyr’s Memorial at Ranarangam Chowk is a famous symbol in Tenali. This was unveiled in the year 1959 to mark the sacrifices made by seven martyrs in the Quit India Movement. The memorial has a statue of Mother India holding a dying child in her arms with 7 pillars as a backdrop representing 7 freedom fighters who sacrificed their life.

In the area of modern literature, contributions from Tenali are laudable with the works of Balajipalle Lakshmikantam, Chalam, Kodavatiganti Kutumbarao, Chakrapani, Hitasri, G. V. Krishna Rao, Natarajan (Sarada), Siva Reddy, Tripuraneni Ramaswamy, and Gopichand, to name a few.

Tenali has contributed the major share of artists to Telugu stage. There are quite a few extraordinary artists who later moved on to film industry such as Savitri, Kanchanamala, Kongara Jaggayya, Gummadi Venkateswara Rao, Kasturi Siva Rao, Jamuna, Sarada, Mahesh Babu, Prabha, Divvya Vani, Rajyalakshmi, Sivaparvathi, Mudigonda Lingamurthy, Dr Govindarajula Subba Rao, Vangara Venkata Subbaiah, Nalinikanth, Tenali Sakunthala, Meesala Bhaskar, Ghattamaneni Krishna, A V Satyanarayana Rao (AVS) and writer Chinni Krishna. Chittor V. Nagaiah and Bhanumathi also hail from the nearby villages of Tenali.

The list of persons who contributed to culture, literature and knowledge includes

• Mylavarapu Sreenivasarao, Sanskrit scholor (Ramayana pravachanas).
• Nori Narayana Murthy (Bhakthi programmes in TV).
• Dr. Uppalapati Sundara Ramaiah
• Dr. P Dakshina Murthy (Well known physician).
• Prof.Gujjarlamudi.Krupachary (Well known scholar,poet,writer,national awardee).
• Chittineni Mrutyunjaya Rao.
• Gummadi Basava Punnayya (Ayurvedic doctor).
• Burgula Gopala Krishna Murthy, author and mentor for several poets and authors in and around Tenali.

Tenali also gave excellent scientists to the nation such ad Dr Y. Nayudamma after whose name the prestigious "Nayudamma Award" has been instituted. So far, many eminent personalities in the country have been awarded with this prestigious award presentation ceremony is held every year in Tenali. Acharya Gujjarlamudi Foundation was established to provide the Prestagious award for well Known scholars in Telugu and social workers who work for the upliftment of down trodden.

Transportation

Tenali town is well connected to all the major cities by road and rail. It hardly takes 30 min by road and 20 min by train to Guntur city and takes 45 min by road and 30 min by train to Vijayawada city. Tenali is also well connected to the State Capital (Hyderabad) and the National Capital (New Delhi), chennai and kolkata by number of trains.Tenali railway station is an important junction with five platforms. It is the second biggest station in vijayawada-chennai sector. Tenali junctions 2 major lines - Kolkatta to Chennai & Secunderabad to Repalle.

Climate

Tenali is located 30 km from the sea coast. It is generally hot and humid during summer with temperatures ranging between 28 and 32 C. Winters are milder with temperatures between 15 and 23 C. Heavy rains are experienced between July and November during monsoon time.

Population

As per 2001 Indian census, Tenali had a population of 149,839. Both males and females constitute equal share in the population. Tenali has an average literacy rate of 79% which is higher than the national average of 59.5%. About 10% of the population in Tenali is under 6 years of age.

Economy

The town thrives on trade and agriculture. The region around the town has fertile soil irrigated by the Krishna river and its canals. Major crops include Lemons, Bananas, Sugar Cane, Rice, Lentils, Sapota (Chickoo), Turmeric. Tenali is famous for pure gold, jewelry, wood and steel utensils.

The town holds a huge middle class, making up more than 75% of the total population. Major source of income is agriculture with two to three crops each year.

Movie Theatres

There are 14 movie theaters in Tenali.

1. Alankar Deluxe, 2. Asha Deluxe, 3. Gaiety Theater DTS, 4. Lakshmi Deluxe DTS, 5. SriLakshmi A/C DTS, 6. Priya BIG CINEMAS A/C DTS 7. Sri Priya BIG CINEMAs A/C DTS, 8. Ramakrishna Theater DTS, 9. Ratna Talkies DTS, 10. Sangameswara DTS, 11. Mini Sangameswara A/C DTS, 12. Swaraj Deluxe A/C DTS, 13. Venus Theatre DTS and 14. Veda Deluxe DTS.

Villages Near Tenali

• Athota is a Village located 6 km from Tenali which is famous for its agriculture. The village has more agricultural land when compared to all other villages surrounded by Tenali.
• Chakrayapalem is a village which is far 7 km from tenali famous to aggricultural fields.
• Ananthavaram, Anantavaram or Ananthavaram is a village in Kolluru mandal. It is located 6 km from Kolluru and 16 km east from Tenali town. This village has a history of freedom fighters like Nagalla Krishnaiah Chowdary. This village is a major panchayathi in Kolluru mandal. There is Z.P.H.School, Library, three M.P.P Schools, five temples of Venugopala Swamy, Anjaneya, Shiva, Sri Rama, Aretamma, Churches, a Mosque, a Veternary Hospital, Post Office (522301) and Andhra Bank.
• Pedapudi, a beautiful village which is located 12 km away from Tenali which has a rich agricultural tradition.
• Chebrolu, known as Dakshina Kasi because of its vast number of temples is located around 20 km from Tenali. 15 out of 101 temples which were built around (700 AD) still exist. The Brahma temple which is one of the two temples dedicated to Brahma is located in this village. Chebrolu is also well known for its freedom fighters.
• Burripalem is a village near Tenali and the hometown of famous Tollywood actor Ghattamaneni Sivarama Krishna.
• Angalakuduru is located on the road to Guntur City from Tenali (5 km from Tenali). The village has a rich agriculturul tradition. The three temples of Rama, Venugopala Swamy and Siva are ancient. It has another big temple complex for Anjaneya Swamy.
• Kanagala: HMKS & MGS College of Engineering (www.hmksmgs.com) is located here. B.Ed. College is also located here.
• Kollipara: Village of rich agricultural tradition. Krishna river is 1 km away from the village.
• Kodi Thadiparu, is the one of the famous villages in Tenali division. There is a famous Chennakesava swamy temple.
• Bhattiprolu, located twenty-eight kilometres from Tenali, is well known for its Buddhist stupa built in the third century BC. The most ancient known kingdom, ruled by King Kuberaka, in South India had Pratipalapura (Bhattiprolu) as its capital. A variant of Ashokan Brahmi found on the urn containing Buddha's ashes gave rise to the Telugu script and many other South-East Asian language scripts.
• Tumuluru, 18 kilometres from Tenali, is one of the few Internet villages in India where all village transactions are conducted online. The court poet of Krishnadevaraya, Tenali Ramakrishna was born in this village. It is a place which was visited by "Father of Nation" Mahatma Gandhi. It is also famous for Turmeric Trading. "Shivalayam" is one of the Pilgrim places.
• Chintalapudi: A project is undertaken by a voluntary organization called Ashanet that has contributed to the welfare of the village.
• [Jagarlamudi], located between Tenali and Guntur, is famous for its Lord Sangameswara Swamy (Siva) temple and banana plantations.
• Katevaram, located at 2 km from Tenali is famous for Lord Shiva temple built in 10th century and renovated during the Vijayanagara period and recently in 2009. Paddy, Turmeric and Lentils are the main crops grown in this village.
• Gudivada, located at 7 km from Tenali is famous for its Lord Siva temple which was built by Vasireddy Venkatadri Nayudu. Six other temples are also prresent.

• Amruthaluru : A flourishing village on the way to Cherukupalli, which has all the amenities of a developed and modern village.
• Govada: This village is neighbouring Amruthluru with an ancient Shiva temple.
• Panchalavaram
• Garuvupalem (or Gandhi Nagar) is a small village located at 6 km from Tenali. The famous Buckingham Canal flows through this village.
• Vadlamudi, is one of the major panchayaths in Guntur District. The biggest farmers Co-operative dairy in Andhra Pradesh, Sangam Dairy, is situated here. One of the prestigious educational institutes of Andhra Pradesh, Vignan University is located here. Vadlamudi is well known for its Shivaratri festival celebrations. The Vadlamudi quarry has been sustaining the livelihoods of thousands of household over the last 50 years.
• Manduru is a village Located 10 km from Tenali and is famous for its Lord Shiva Temple.
• Chavali is a village Located 15 km from Tenali and it is one of the major panchayath in Guntur District and Vemuru mandal. Chavali village is famous for the Shiva temple known as "Valeswara swamy temple". The major crops in the village are rice and corn
• Kuchipudi, located 6 km from Tenali is rich in agriculture. A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and built by Vasireddy Venkatadri Nayudu has one of the tallest Gopurams in Guntur district.
• Champadu, located 11 km from Tenali is famous for its Vegetables and especially for Banana. This village has a Sivalayam.
• Modukuru is a historical village located 18 km from Tenali town. Modukuru, a green village is also famous for its temples, especially Durga Temple.
• Kolakaluru, located 6 km from Tenali, is famous for the Shiva Temple, a huge chariot and Lord Vishnu Temple.
• Kancherlapalem is situated 3 km from Tenali.
• Kollur: A mandal located at 20Km from Tenali is very famous for brick manufacture. It covers around 20 island villages which produce Rice, Dal, Turmeric, Bananas,Sugar cane etc.,
• Jampani is located 8Km from Tenali. The major crops are sugarcane, Ric and Lemon. The village has a Sugar factory.
• A village called kakarlamudi which is far 10 km from tenali famous to aggricultural fields.

Miscellaneous

• There are a good number of famous temples in Tenali town which includes Kanyaka Parameswari temple, Vaikuntapuram (also known as Chinna Tirupathi), Patha Shivalayam, Ramalingeswara Aalayam, Patha Anjaneyaswami temple, Chitti Anjaneyaswami temple, Morrispet Shivalayam, Saibaba temple, Appalaswami temple, Devi Gudi in Devi Chowk, Donga Ramudu Gudi (Near Market) and Venugopala Swamy temple.
• Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church (A.E.L.C) is located in the heart of Tenali, which was constructed in 1925 and even many denominations were widely spread in the town.
• The heart of Tenali is referred as Gadi Bavi, which derives its name from an old well that used to exist there. Gadi Bavi is now a famous marketplace.
• Festivals are celebrated on a grand scale throughout the year in Tenali. The most famous being Sri Rama Navami, where the Pandiri or Pandal stretches over the entire main roads in Tenali, attracting a gathering of about 200,000 people each year. Vinayaka Chavathi, Sri Rama Navami and Deepawali are the main festivals. From Ugadi until Rama Navami, all the main streets are decorated with displays of various gods and goddesses. The celebrations continue for ten days. During the Sankranthi festival, Lord Venkateswara's idol along with those of Lakshmi and Padmavati are taken on a decorated boat in one of the Krishna canals. On the festive day of Sivarathri a huge jathara/festival will be celebrated in nearby Siva kshetras viz., Vadlamudi Quarry, Sangam Jagarlamudi, Tsundur and Gowada.
• A village named Munnangi (20 km from Tenali) has a Shiva temple with three Lingas in the sanctum which is a rarity.
• Famous scientists from Tenali include late Y. Nayudamma, Prof. D. Basavaiah from University of Hyderabad, Padmasree Dr. A. V. Rama Rao, former Director of IICT, Prof. Sambasiva Rao Kotha from IIT Bombay and Dr P. Ananda Kumar, Director, National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi. Prominent scientists of India are honoured by Dr Nayudamma Award. The awardees include A P J Abdul Kalam, M S Swaminathan, Verghese Kurien and Kota Hari Narayana.
• The village of Jampani (8 km from Tenali) is famous for skilled carpenters, whose wood carvings are sold throughout the state of Andhra Pradesh.
• Pedaravuru one of the Village 3 km from Tenali. Srirama Navami Celebrations are very popular in that village. Both the temples, Sivalayam and Ramalayam in this village are very famous.
• A veda pathsala is established by Sri Raghava Narayana Sastry, a famous spiritual guru from a near by village Chandolu.

Institutions

Tenali is well known for its educational institutions and one of the major destinations for students from nearby villages.

• V.S.R & N.V.R institution which is one of the oldest colleges in Andhra Pradesh.
• Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Educational Institutions
• Dr. k.k.r gowtham concept school.
• A.S.N. Degree Collge

• Viveka Foster School ( KG-V)

• Viveka Public School (VI-X)

• Vivekananda Junior College (Residential)

• Sri Harsha Junior College, Tenali

• Viveka Women's College (Residential and Day-Scholar)

• Viveka Junior College (Residential and Day-Scholar)

• Vivekananda Central School (KG-VII)

• Taluk Junior College

• Gupta college located near Tenali at a distance of 5 km

• JMJ (Jesus, Mary and Joseph) College is a famous Christian institution for girls

• Sri Rama Rural Gurukula Pathasala, which was started in 1949 in Chilumuru 13 km from Tenali

• Tenali Engineering College located near Kolakaluru between Guntur & Tenali

• Dr. Kodali Veeraiah Educational Academy

• Gajanphar Engineering College, Jampani

• Little Citizens School

• sri devi convent

• Nehru Niketan School

• Vignan University located in Vadlamudi at a distance of 12 km from Tenali

• Sri Sai Residential School and College

• Sri Raghavendra Vidya Niketan, Morrispet,Tenali

• Smt.D.Indira Jr.college,Ganganamma pet,Tenali.

• Adarsh Public School,Amaravathi Plots,Tenali.

• Kerala English Medium School,Tenali.

Veda Pathashala

One of the oldest vedic schools of Andhra Pradesh, established in the year 1893, is "Sree Yalavarthy Anjaneya Sastry Veda Pathashala" which is located in Gandhi Nagar. Traditional Vedic smartham was taught here by late Prathanacharya Sri Pandita pamarthi Nagabhushana Sharma. (http://yalavarthivedapathasala.org/)

Notable Personalities

• Tenali Ramakrishna, court poet of the Vijayanagara dynasty during the reign of Sri Krishnadevaraya
• Tripuraneni Ramaswamy, ex-Municipal chairman, poet and social reformer
• Kalluri Chandramouli, ex-Minister, Moparru
• Alapati Venkataramaiah, ex-Minister, Yadlapalli
• M. S. Rama Rao, aka Sundara Dasu, from Moparru
• Avula Sambasiva Rao, former Chief Justice Andhra Pradesh High Court, ex-VC Andhra University; Mulupuru
• Ghattamaneni Krishna, film actor, director, producer
• Ghattamaneni Mahesh Babu, film actor
• Savitri, South Indian actress from Chirravuru
• Sharada, actress
• Kongara Jaggayya, movie actor, Morampurdi
• Yelavarthy Nayudamma - Scientist
• Lankapalli Bullayya - ex-VC Andhra University
• Gummadi Venkateswara Rao, movie actor, Ravikampadu
• Konijeti Rosaiah - Former Chief minister of Andhra Pradesh and two-time Finance Minister, Vemuru
• Kodavatiganti Kutumbarao, Telugu writer
• Mannava Raja Kishore - Founder, Dr.B.R.Ambedkar Educational Institutions, Tenali
• nadendla manohar-deputy speaker of a.p
• trivikram srinivas-famous dialogue writer
• brahmanandam-a great comedian