Nellore district General information 

Nellore also known as  Vikrama Simhapuri. Historically, the place has very importance. Culturally, Nellore city stands unique among the other towns of Andhra Pradesh as it is supposed to be the place where the greatest of the Telugu poets, Tikkana Somayaji, who translated the major part of Mahabharata into Telugu, lived. Potti Sriramulu, Telugu patriot and activist, who fasted to death for the formation of Andhra state within the Indian Union was from  Nellore. Nellore also has strategic commercial importance as it lies between the cities of Vijayawada and Chennai.

Nellore is famous for Rice and Aqua culture. There are many places of Historical importance, the Ranganayakula Temple on the bank of the river Penna, the Udayagiri fort, the Narasimha Konda, Penchala kona, Venkatagiri fort, Mypadu beach,famous rocket launching centre at Sriharikota,the Krishnapatnam port, Nelapattu etc..


History

 NELLORE District situated in the South Eastern portion of the state with a costal length of 163 KM bounded by Bay of Bengal on the East. The district was known as VIKRAMA SIMHAPURI until 13th Century and later it came to be referred to as Nellore.

   Historically the district was under the rule of mouryas, sathavahanas, pallavas, cholas, telugcholas, kakatias, pandyans etc. The great Telugu poet Tikkana Somayaji translated 15 parvas of Sanskrit Mahabharata into Telugu in Nellore.

   The city derives its name from the Tamil, “nelli” which means rice, as paddy cultivation is the predominant occupation in this  region. Nellore has a long history that streches back to the 6th century A.D. Once ruled by the Pallava and Chola dynastics, Golconda vassals, Nawabs of Arcot and the Vijayanagara kings, Nellore, which was in the erstwhile Madras State, became a part of Andhra Pradesh in 1956.      
          Nothing certain is known of the History of Nellore before the time of the Cholas. The Neolthic age in Nellore is more abscure than the Paleolithic age. It is not clear up to what extent this district was occupied by the Dravidains.
        It is supposed that Nellore was situated in Dandakaranya forests into which the Aryas first penetrated as adventurous sages with the rise of the Mouryan Empire Nellore also seems to have under its influence and was part of the Ashoka Empire in the 3rd century B.C. It was next included in the Pallava Dominion between the fourth and sixth century A.D.    
            Satish Dhawan Space Research Centre (SHAR) near Sullurpet has the worldwide significance of Scientific importance.  Nelapattu is a beautiful Bird sanctuary where Pelicans, Flamingo, Strocks and other 20 variety of birds comes from other countries and stays from October to February, March every year.  Pulicat lake is an important sight seeing place extended to about 12 Kms where storck and other birds from various countries comes in November, lays eggs, leaves the chicks there and left the place.

      Beach resorts like Mypadu, Tupilipalem, Krishnapatna port, Somasila Dam and Kandaleru Dam is beautiful holidays resort.  Sri Ranganayukula Swamy temple at Nellore, Sri Narasimha Swamy at Penchalakona, Kamakshi Temple at Jonnawada, Narasimha Swamy temple at Narasimhakonda, Kasumuru and AS Pet darghas area religious importance. Udayagiri Fort and Bhairavakona are historical places of importance.

Geography


Nellore District, the Southern most Coastal District of Andhra Pradesh lies between 13-30’ and 15-6’ of the Northern latitude and 70-5’ and 80-15’ of the Eastern Longitude and extending over an area of 13076 Sq.Kms, accounting for 4.75% of the total area of the state. It is bounded on the north by Prakasam District on the East by Bay of Bengal on the South by Chittoor District and Chengalpattu District of Tamilanadu and on the West by Veligonda Hills which separate it from Kadapa District.
     
    Administratively the District is divided into 46 Mandals, covering three Revenue Divisions with Head Quarters at Nellore, Gudur and Kavali. There are three Municipalities namely Nellore, Gudur and Kavali and in addition there are two Census Towns i.e. Kovurpalli, Venkatagiri.

       The district broadly 2 natural divisions from North to South. The eastern Half of the District adjoins coastal belt is fairly fertile and the western half of the district has low elevation towards west with large track of low shrub jungles diversified with rocky will stony plains.


Demography

The population of the district was 2,668,564 of which 22.45% were urban as of 2001.Total population has reached up to 7 lakhs according to recent assembly elections census. Telugu is spoken by a majority of the people in the district, while Tamil is spoken by a few in the southern parts and southern coastal region of the district


River

The Pennar and Swarnamukhi are the principal rivers, besides the streams like Kandaleru and Boggeru.

 
Climate

The climate of Nellore town is generally dry and salubrious. April and May are the hottest months and the hot winds generally last till the end of the June. As the Bay of Bengal is at s distance of 15 miles from the city, the sea breeze renders the climate of the city moderate both in winter and in summer. The hottest day falls in May with some shift to June during some years. The coolest day falls between the months of December and February. The southwest Monsoon is not very important for this town. Winds are from west and North – West during this season. This town and region depends mainly on the North – East monsoon. The North – East monsoon occurs along the East Coast of India during the month of October and continues till December. This period gives about 60% annual rainfall.


Land

The total Geographical area of the District is 13.16 lakh Hectares. Of this 41.3% alone is erable and 18.7% is forest area. The rest is distributed among Barren and Uncultivable Land (13.8%) and Land put into Non Agricultural uses (16.5%) out of the erable area. The net area sown forms 23.8% while cultivable waste and fallow (current and old) lands Constitute 11%.


MINERAL

The District is endowed with variety of major and minor Minerals. They are Mica, Silica etc.


Culture

Telugu is the language of the land. Most people live in villages (as opposed to cities or towns). While men can be seen in pants and suits, as well as in more traditional attire such as dhotis and lungis, women mostly limit themselves to sarees. The other major language spoken in the district is Tamil, as it a district bordering Tamil Nadu state.

Art and Literature

Nellore region produced famous Telugu artists ranging from ancient poets like Tikkana and to modern artists like Atreya. Ancient telugu poets Tikkana, Molla, Marana, Ketana laid foundations for telugu literature here. Tikkana, the second in Kavitrayam translated Sanskrit epic Mahabharat. Molla, the second telugu poetess had translated Ramayan into telugu. Ketana, a disciple of Tikkana, dedicated his work called "Dasakumara Charitram" to Tikkana. Ketana also wrote Andhrabashabushanam, a grammar book for telugu. Marana, another poet and disciple of Tikkana wrote "Markandeya Puranam". Ramarajabhushanudu from this region was patronized by Krishnadevaraya.

During British period, 'Nellore' was the only education center in the regions that constituted the current day Andhra Pradesh.

The main entertainment in the region is movies and related activities. S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, one of the India's top singers hailed from Nellore. Famous telugu lyrics writer Acharya Atreya is from this region. Pattabi Rami Reddy, a poet and director from Nellore wrote Ragala Dozen (A Dozen Melodies), a collection that recorded his observations in Madras and Nellore. He also produced a Telugu film, Pellinaati Pramanalu, the National award winner, and directed films Samskara, Chandamarutha, Sringaramasa, and Devara Kaadu.[9]. Nellore also is place of many yesteryear telugu actors like Rajanala and Ramana Reddy.

Architecture

    * Venkatagiri fort, Venkatagiri—70 km from Nellore
    * Udayagiri Fort,96 km from nellore
    * Ranganayaka Temple, more than 500 years old temple with huge 29 m tall Galigopuram.
    * Bhairavakonda Caves

Politics

Nellore people participated in Indian Independence movement and also in fight for formation of separate state for Telugu people. Notable freedom fighters are Muttharaju Gopalarao and Potti Sriramulu. People of Nellore district have vivid interest in politics. It produced two former chief ministers of state, Dr Bezawada Gopal Reddy and Nedurumalli Janardhana Reddy. The main political parties of the district are Congress and Telugu Desam party. Communist parties of India also have more followers compared to the neighboring districts like Cuddappah and Ongole. Puchalapalli Sundaraiah, the great communist who sacrificed his life and properties for poor practiced communism here.

There are many patrons for the causes of district. Notable among them is Rebala Laxminarasa Reddy, who donated the town hall and pediatric hospital and Venkata Giri Raja, who constructed first college in the Nellore. Ex BJP National President Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu comes from this district, Chavatapalem village.

Temples

Nellore has abundant of temples and few of the famous temples are listed here.
Jonnawada Temple of Kamakshi Devi

    * Ranganayaka Temple, this temple is situated on the banks of the river Pennar.
    * Jonnawada-Located 12 km from Nellore, It is famous for the temple of Goddess Kamakshi, praying to whom is believed to relieve one from all problems and diseases. A 'Sri Chakram' installed by Sri Jagadguru Sankaracharya. It is also one of the oldest temples in Nellore(1150CE). Nearby hill Narasimha Konda is also famous for another deity called Narasimha Swamy.
    * Penchalakona- Located 70 km from Nellore in Rapur mandal. A major pilgrimage centre. It is famous for the temple of Sri Penusila Narsimha Swamy, situated at the foot of a hill. Mountains and dense forests surround the scenic spot.
    * Someswara Swamy Temple - A famous Siva Temple built during the 7th century AD near somasila dam.
    * Ramathirdham- 31 km from Nellore, it is famous for the temple of Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy. Lord Siva and Kamakshamma are the presiding deities while Vigneswara and Subramanya Swamy are the also worshipped.
    * Chengalamma Temple, Sulurpeta- Pilgrim Centres. Located 100 km from Nellore, Situated on the banks of river kalingi is the Chengalamma Temple which represents the culmination of three goddesses namely Saraswathi, Mahalaxmi and Parvathi.
    * Golagamudi Venkaiah Swamy Temple- It is Located 15km from Nellore it is one of the famous temple in nellore.
    * Kasumur-Located 25 km from Nellore, Known for the Dargah of Hazarath Karimillah Sha Khadri alias Mastan valli, a visit to which is believed to cure various ailments. A popular place of pilgrimage.
    * Sri Raja Rajeshwari Ammavari Devasthanam, Nellore- Sri Arul Jyoti Nataraja Murthy Swamy of Sri Arul Jyoti Nataraja Murthy Swamy Ashram Pitadhipathi wished to have a temple for Sri Devi.
    * Sri Venugopala Swamy Devasthanam, Moolapet, Nellore-Built in 1883, the presiding deity of the temple is Sri Rukmini Satyabhama Sametha Sri Venugopala Swamy. The idols are in lblack ... Udayagiri Fort-Located 96 km from Nellore, This is the site of a mighty fortress built by the Vijayanagar Kings in the 14th century. A towering peak can be seen here.
    * kakaturtirath jain temple

The Jain Temple, which is located on the National Highway No 5, is 12 km from Nellore Town. From where number of buses are available. It is in the village of Kakutur, Venkatachalam Mandal of Nellore District. It is 24th "Theerthamkarathi Dham" and is one considered one of the best architectural Dham in the world.


Flora and Fauna

Nellore is rich in flora and fauna. It had a lush coastal belt, moist Eastern Ghats, dry forests and short bushes.

The fauna is equally wonderful. Pulicat Lake near Sullurpeta, 75-80 km from Nellore, is a habitat for a variety of aquatic & terrestrial birds like flamingoes, painted storks, grey pelicans and seagulls and much more. There is a sanctuary called Nelapattu Bird Sancturay, on the banks of Pulicat lake, is spread over 486 km². It boasts the famous Siberian Cranes and nearly 160 species of birds. The annual Flamingo Festival is celebrated at this bird sanctuary at Nelapattu.

Nellore district is also famous for good lakes and beach parks. Kotha Koduru , located 22 km from Nellore has a picturesque beach. Maipadu beach , located 14 km from Nellore, is famous for sand dunes and giant sea waves. Nellore Lake park (Nellore cheruvu, near Podalakur road) provides boating and a restaurant.


Education

Nellore has scores of schools, engineering and other degree colleges. On the other hand, providing educational facilities to rural areas is largely confined to the shelves of the Andhra Pradesh Government. Presently all colleges areaffiliated with Sri Venkateswara University. Vikrama Simhapuri University was established two years back for Nellore District. Soon all colleges will be affiliated to the new University.The medical, dental and nursing institutions are affiliated to Dr. N.T.R. University of Health Sciences[1], A.P. at Vijayawada.

The headquarters of famous Narayana Educational Society is in Nellore. The Society include Narayana Medical college (Offering UG and PG Studies), Narayana Dental College (Offering UG and PG in all Nine specialties of Dentistry), Narayana Nursing Institutions, Narayana Yoga & Naturopathy College, Narayana Pharmacy College, Narayana College of Physiotherapy, Narayana Engineering Colleges, Junior colleges and schools all over the country. The Medical, Dental and Nursing institutions are situated in a single (chintharedy palem)Campus at Nellore is an ideal place for all kind of medical education with Narayana General, Dental, Yoga and Naturopathy and Super speciality hospitals.


Tourist Place

The tourist places are

1. Talpagiri Ranganadhaswamy Temple, Nellore
2. Jonnawada
3. Narasimhakonda
4. Penchalakona
5. Mannar Poluru
6. Chengalamma Temple - Sullurupet
7. Somasila Dam
8. Kandaleru Dam
9. Udayagiri Fort
10. Pulicat Lake
11. Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary
12.  Sri Mulasthaneswara Swamy Temple: Nellore.
13.  Mallam – Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple:
14.  Kasumuru – Masthana vali Dargah:
15.  A.S.Peta – Dargah:
16.  Golagamudi: Bhagavan Sri Venkaiahswamy Mandiram
17. Krishnapatnam
18.  Prabhagiri Patnam
19.  Sriharikota .