Kadapa district General information
Kadapa district is said to be the heart of the Rayalaseema as it is centrally located and well connected with the four districts of Rayalaseema.The old records of the district reveal that Kadapa previously called Gadapa which means in Telugu language threshold. The ancient village of Kadapa with its large tank and temple of Lord Venkateswara at Devuni Kadapa was convenient camping place for the pilgrims traveling to the holy shrine of Tirupathi.
History
Kadapa had historical importance since BC era. It was connected with Mouryans in BC era and Sathavahanas in the third century AD. It was part of the area ceded to the British by Nizam. The District was formed by splitting the Ceded Districts into two in 1808 during the British rule, the other district being Bellary[1]. The British spelt the district as Cuddapah.
The district is part of Rayalaseema, commemorating the name of Rayulu (Kings) of the Vijayanagar Empire, who ruled the area in 16th century. Gandikota fort located on the bank of Penna river was the citadel of Pemmasani Nayaks, commanders of Vijayanagar army and who won the battles of Raichur and Gulbarga for the Vijayanagar kings.
The old records of the district reveal that Kadapa previously called Gadapa which means in Telugu language threshold. The ancient village of Kadapa with its large tank and temple of Lord Venkateswara at Devuni Kadapa was convenient camping place for the pilgrims traveling to the holy shrine of Tirupathi. There was a belief that the pilgrims have to first visit Devuni Kadapa, before going to Tirupathi to pray of Saint Annamacharya and Saint Potuluri Veera Brahmam who foretold about the future and advocated a classless society. The ancient temple at Vontimitta which inspired Pothana to compose Andhra Maha Bhagavatham is also in the district.
Recent historical records reveal that in Jyothi village located in Sidhout mandal has 108 Shiva lingas on the bank of Penna river is considered as Dakshina Dwaram(South Gate) for the SriSailam Mallikarguna Temple(One of twelve Dwadasa lingas) also gained lot popularity in recent days.
Madhavaram sarees is famous for cotton sarees is located 18 km from kadapa towards tirupathi road.
The main rivers in this district are Penna, Chitravathi, Kunderu, Papaghni, Sagileru and Cheyeru.
Geography
Kadapa district covered by many undulations between 259' and 3787' from the mean sea level. The district lies between 79° 29" and 79° 55" eastren and 30° 43" and 15° 14" northern latitudes.
* Total area : 15359 sq.KM
* % of Area in the state : 5.58%
* No of Municipal Corporations : 01 (Kadapa)
* No of Municipalities : 06 No of inhabitated Villages : 887
* No of un inhabitated villages : 71
* No of Revenue divisions : 03
* No of Mandals : 50
* No of Revenue Villages : 958
* No of Hamlets : 3706
Boundaries
The Boundaries of Kadapa district are as follows.
* East : Nellore district
* West : Anantapur district
* South : Chittoor district
* North : Kurnool and Prakasam districts
Economy
Besides its historical importance, the district has occupied an important place in the industrial map of Andhra Pradesh with its highly valued rich mineral resources.
Black corson soil lands are 24%, black soil 19%, 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.
This district is the repository of mineral wealth. As per the 1983 survey of geological survey of India 30 lakh tons of lead, 74,000,000 tons of barytes, 27000tons asbestos deposits are there. It is estimated that 700lakh tons of barytes 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 with an annual yield of 10lakh tons. Bharat cement corporation increases its capacity to 10lakh tons. National mineral development corporation is extracting asbestos in Brahman palli and barieties in Mangampet. Kadapa is also famous for its stone called as "cuddapah stone" used in building construction and for slabs especially in the south India.
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 Sanders Pterocarpus santalinus (Fabaceae), an endemic and endangered tree species of medicinal value is available in plenty in this area. This is the only area in India where Red Sanders, Often referred to as 'Rakta-chandanam' or 'Yerra-chandanam' (red sandalwood) is available. A National park is set up in Seshachalam hills for prospecting wild animals. Zuari Cements, India Cement Ltd, Corus India Ltd are the other industries.
River
Penna, Chitravathi, Kundu, Papaghni, Sagileru, Mandvya, Gunjaneru and Cheyyeru.
Main Towns
Kadapa, Proddatur, Rajampet, Mydukur, Jammalamadugu, Pulivendula, Rayachoti.
Tourist Place
Nandaluru, Masjid-E-Azam, Vempalli, Jammalamadugu, Gandikota fort and Chand Phira Gumbadh,
Pilgrimage Centers
Tallapaka, Pushpagiri, Siddhavatam, Vontimetta, Jyoti Jammalamadugu, and Proddatur temples Pothuloori Veerabramendra Swamy Mutt at KandhimallayaPalli, Devuni Kadapa, Alladupalli, Gandi.
Accessibility
Kadapa is well connected by road and rail with other parts of the state.