Kadapa

?Kadapa Andhra Pradesh • India
Kadapa
Coordinates:
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	• 138 m (453 ft)
District(s)	Kadapa
Population	325,725 (2001[update])
Codes • Pincode • Telephone • Vehicle	• 516001 • +91-8562 • AP04
Website: www.kadapa.info

Kadapa (Telugu: కడప) formerly Cuddapah, is a city in the south-central part of Andhra Pradesh, India and is the headquarters of Kadapa District. The city's name originated from the Telugu word "Gadapa" meaning threshold or gate. It was spelled "Cuddapah" but was changed to "Kadapa" on 19 August, 2005 to reflect the local pronunciation of the name.^[1]

Kadapa is one of the important cities in Rayalaseema, Andhra Pradesh, and is situated in the south-central part of the Andhra Pradesh State. Located 8 km south of the Penna River, the city is surrounded on three sides by the Nallamala and Palakonda hills. The city is named "Threshold" because it is the gateway from the north to the sacred hill-'Pagoda' of Shri Venkateshvara (also spelt as Venkateswara) of Tirupati.

Kishkindakanda, one of the 7 kandas of the Ramayanam, is believed to have happened in Vontimitta, Kadapa. Vontimitta is 20 kilometers from the city. The Ajaneya Swamy Gandi may also be part of the Ramayanam; it is believed that the Anjaneya Swamy Vigraham in Gandi is made by Sri Rama on a hill stone with his arrow's point to thank Anjaneya for helping him in finding Sri Sita Devi.

History

Kadapa city was a part of the Chola Empire and Kakatiya empire from the 11th to 14th century. It became part of Vijayanagar empire in the latter part of 14th century. The region was under the control of Gandikota Nayaks, governors of Vijayanagar for two centuries. The most illustrious ruler was Pemmasani Thimma Nayudu (1422 CE) who developed the region and constructed many tanks and temples. Muslims of Golkonda conquered the region in 1565 CE when Mir Jumla raided Gandikota fort and defeated Chinna Thimma Nayudu. Later the British took control of Kadapa in 1800 CE. Although the town is an ancient one, it was probably extended by Neknam Khan, the Qutb Shahi commander, who called the extension "Neknamabad".^[2] The name "Neknamabad" was used for the town for some time but slowly fell into disuse and the records of the 18th century refer to the rulers not as Nawabs of Nekanamabad but nawabs of Kadapa. Except for some years in the beginning, Kadapa was the seat of the Mayana Nawabs in the 18th century. With the British occupation of the tract in 1800 CE it became the headquarters of one of the four subordinate collectors under the principal collector by name Major Munro. Relics of the rule of the Kadapa Nawabs are found in the town. Most prominent among these are two towers and the dargahs. Astahana of MaghdoomuIlahi, Shahmiria are the big shrines in the region of Rayalaseema. The town also has three churches and numerous temples.

One of the most interesting antiquities in the district is the ancient fort of Gurramkonda. The fort stands on a hill 500 ft (150 m). high, three sides of which consist of almost perpendicular precipices. According to a local legend the name Gurramkonda, meaning "horse hill," was derived from the fact that a horse was supposed to be guardian of the fort and that the place was impregnable so long as the horse remained there. The story goes that a Maratha chief at length succeeded in scaling the precipice and in carrying off the horse, and although the thief was captured before reaching the base of the hill, the spell was broken and the fort, when next attacked, fell.

Geography

Cuddapah is located at .^[3] It has an average elevation of 138 metres (452 feet). The District Of Cuddapah has an area of 8723 sq. m. It is in shape an irregular parallelogram, divided into two nearly equal parts by the range of the Eastern Ghats, which intersects it throughout its entire length. The two tracts thus formed possess totally different features. The first, which constitutes the north, east and south-east of the district, is a low-lying plain; while the other, which comprises the southern and southwestern portion, forms a high table-land from 1500 to 2,500 ft (760 m). above sea-level. The chief river is the Pennar, which enters the district from Bellary on the west, and flows eastwards into Nellore. Though a large and broad river, and in the rains containing a great volume of water, in the hot weather months it dwindles down to an inconsiderable stream. Its principal tributaries are the Kundaur, Saglair, Cheyair and Papagni rivers.

Kadapa is in the shape of an irregular parallelogram, divided in half by the range of the Eastern ghats. The city lies in the "Bugga" or "Ralla Vanka" in a hollow bordered on the south by the main Palakondas, part of the eastern ghats, and on the east by a strip of the same hills projecting north towards the Lankamalas on the other side of the Penneru. The two tracts thus formed possess different features. The first, a low-lying plain about 400 ft (120 m) to 450 ft (137 m) above sea level constitutes the north, east and south-east of the city, while the other, which comprises the southern and south-western portion, forms a high table-land from 1500 to 2,500 ft (760 m) above sea-level.

Demographics

The population of the district in 1901 was 1,291,267. As of 2001 India census,^[4] Kadapa had a population of 3,25,725. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Cuddapah has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 76% and, female literacy is 64%. In Kadapa, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

The primary languages spoken in the city are Telugu and Urdu. English is used as a medium of education in many of its educational institutions. The city and the district of Kadapa was notorious for factional inter and intra political rivalries. However, things seem to have improved recently. The city has a large non resident citizens spread across the nation and globe. The less educated from the city and district often go to Persian gulf countries such as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia for employment.

Points of interest

• Alladu Palle - Sri Veera Bhadra swamy temple at Alladupalle in chapadu mandal is a great holy place for the devotees all over the district. the temple lies on the mydukur- proddatur main road 6 km from mydukur on the banks of kundu river. The tirunala will take place every year on mahashiva raatri. Devotees visit the temple everyday on big numbers.

• Ankalamma Gudur - This is the place where Ankalamma swamy temple is located. It is a great holy place for the devotees all over the district. The temple lies on the Pulivenlda - Simhadripuram main road 14 km from Pulivendla. The Ankalamma Tirunala will take place every year. Ankalamma devotees visit the temple every Thursday and Sunday on big numbers.

• Bramham Gaari Matham - This is the birthplace of the writer of the future who had foreseen a large number of happenings in the present day. He foresaw these during the 14th century and had been a victim of nawab's wrath. Srimadhvirat Pothuloori Veerabramhendra Swamy is very famous all over Andhra Pradesh that he could be considered as a contemporary of Nostradamus.^[5]

• Devuni Kadapa - This is the place near Kadapa city , where people believe that before setting up a journey to holy place of Sri Venkateswarlu i.e "Seven Hills, they should come visit this place and set course the journey. Even people say that the name of the Kadapa is derived from this place as Devuni GADAPA means door frame.
• Gandikota or The Gorge Fort - It is situated about 6 miles (10 km) to the west of Jammalamadugu in Kadapa district. The width within the fort is at its broadest, about five and a half furlongs from west to east, and almost a mile from northwest to southeast.

• Gangamma Jatra - an annual Jatra of the Shrine of Gangamma is an important event in Anantapuram and Kadapa districts. This is a one of the famous and religious Jatara in Kadapa. You can find different kind of monkeys near the temple; which are friendly.

• Gundi - This is one of the famous temple in Kadapa which is 7 km from vempalli in pulivendula taluka. Here Sri Anjaneya swamy statue was established long back. People believe that Anjaneya swamy statue is made with god rama's arrow by himself on his way back to ayodhya(rama's kingdom). There is a belief that only holy people can see the golden welcome rope between two hills in Gundi. It is also said that people who get to see the golden welcome rope will expire and reach directly to heaven. If you get inside the temple you will get to see the pictures on the walls of the temple on who was expired after he saw the golden welcome rope between two hills

• Joukupalli - This is the place where siddaguru swamy ( Disciple of Bramham garu) temple is located nearby just 0.25 kilometers. One of the prominent place in andhra pradesh, where one can see advanced culture and the inherent beauty of our great Indian ethics.

• Jyothi - The sculptured mandapam with 32 pillars, the inner chamber and the sanctum make it a most impressive temple.

• Kadapotsava - A large celebration in Kadapa that was originally started to remove the bad opinion on Kadapa that it is a faction district which is being populared unnecessarily by the cinemas and media and to show the culture and traditions of Kadapa. It is started in the year 2003. The celebrations are for 5 days continuously in which people take part continuously. Celebrities will be coming from all over the India at that time. During Kadpostavas there are cultural activities and various entertainment programs going on various important places in Kadapa. There are various stalls on the streets of Kadapa with thousands of people there. Some many thousands of people come to Kadapa during Kadapostavas. These celebrations are focussed mainly in the media during Kadapostavalu.

• Ontimitta - This is the place where the Kishkindakanda, one of the 07 kandas of Ramayanam happened. Kodanda Rama Swami temple is there. French traveler Tavernier described it as one of the most beautiful temples in India. The Sanctum Sanctorum and annex structures were built in a vast area. The temple is very high. The canopy is built with 32 pillars. It is called Madhya Ranga Mandapam. Tavernier visited this place in 1652 A.D. and he was astonished at the freedom the people there enjoyed. The archaeological department is renovating it.

• Pushpa Giri temple - located on the banks of river pennar is the oldest one located near to kadapa town.

• Pushpagiri - A place very close to Kadapa, where there are few temples that attract tourists. The largest and the best known of them is the Chennakesava Temple, which has a lofty gopuram, sculptures depicting scenes from the epics, floral motifs and elaborately engraved pillars.

• Sri Venkateswar Swamy Temple Lakshmi Palem - 3 km from Badvel town on Porumamilla route. This is an ancient temple more than 400 years old built by Matli Anantha Raju, a local feudator of Vijya Nagara Kings.The presiding deity is Venkateswara Swamy and the Utsav idols bear a close resemblance to Tirupati Malayappa idols. The temple celebrates the Brahmotsavams every year in the month of Phalgunam.

• St. Mary's Cathedral, Mariapuram - St. Mary's Cathedral (built in 1934 and set in Gothic style) in Kadapa is the seat of the Bishop of Cuddapah. The present Bishop of Kadapa is the Most Reverend Dr. G. Prasad.

• Tallapaka - Tallapaka is a village in Rajampet mandal of Kadapa district. The village has the distinction of being the birthplace of Vaaggeyakara (Means: Lyricist cum Composer) Annamacharya the famous lyricist/composer of devotional songs on Lord Venkateswara who made invaluable contribution to music and literature during the 15th century. Several temples are there in Tallapaka. Dhyana Mandiram was constructed in memory great Saint Tallapaka Annamacharya, at Tallapaka.^[6]

• Vempalli Gandi - This is the place where God Sri Rama on his way to Ayodya from Lanka stayed for one night to take rest. For conveying thanks to Sri Hanuman for his help in getting Sri Sita devi, God Sri Rama made Hanuman statue on a hill stone with the point of his arrow. which you can still see here. And also in Vempalli there is a hill temple where in you need to cross the river and climb the hill to worship Yeddulakonda Rayudu. It is said that Yeddulakonda Rayudu has more property than Lord Sri Venteswara. one thing we need to discuss here is it is said that there are diamonds in around the hill. So we can find many diggings left open by people who search for diamonds. On the bank of the river which you cross to climb the hill temple there is a place called GAVI. Gavi is the place where lord Shiva is resided.

• Yellala Sanjeevaraya Swamy Temple - Currently known as Vellala. This is the place near to proddatur around 20 km from there and other way is from Chagalamarri,Karnool District one can reach same distance. Sanjeevaraya Swamy called Anjaneya or Hanuman. Its is one of the well developed and famous temple in Kadapa District.

• Karunagiri (Christian pilgrim place, very near to Mydukur), was devloped by Rev.Fr.Tom chitta, which has most beautiful scenic beauties, located not far from Mydukur and under 60 km from district head quarters Kadapa

Transportation

As a district headquarters, Kadapa is well connected by road to the rest of the state and beyond. The state transport corporation and private operators run buses to all the important tourist places in the town.

Rail

Kadap station (Station Code: HX) is located on the Renigunta-Guntakal section of the Guntakal Division of South Central Railway. It has three daily trains to Hyderabad.

• Tirupati-HYB Rayalaseema Exp
• Chittoor-Kachiguda Venkatadri Exp
• Chennai Egmore-Kachiguda Express.

It also has a weekly express Rameswaram-Okha Exress to HYB. Kadapa has a railway station on the Chennai-Tirupati-Pune-Mumbai line. The nearest airports are at Renigunta and Chennai.

Literary connections

The neighbourhood of Kadapa was the birthplace of several ancient and contemporary poets. The great Annamacharya well known as Annamayya was from Rajampet which is an hour and half away from Kadapa. He wrote over 30,000 songs and slokas on Venkateswara in the 15th century.nachana somana (tudimela dinne near khajipet)"molla ramayanam" famekavaitri molla(gopavaram near badvel),tallapaka thimmakka,(tallapaka)kavi choudappa(hailed in pullur near khajipet), Janamanchi Seshadri Sarma , Durbhaka rajasekhra sathavadhani,Puttaparty NarayanaCharyulu and Gadiyaram Venkata Sesha Sastry [Proddatur which is 50 km distant from Kadapa.)were the poets of the olden days. The late Rachamallu Ramachandra Reddy, the late Y.C.V. Reddy, the late Sodum Jayaram, Dr. Kethu Viswanadha Reddy, Dadahayat, tavva Obul Reddy , Sannapu Reddy and Viswa prasad are the well known writers of the district. A collection of 47 short stories each one by the writers of kadapa district by name " kadapa katha " released by the chief minister Dr. Y.S.Raja Sekhar Reddy in the sabhabhavan of kadapa collectorate. " kadapa katha " edited by Tavva Obul Reddy and published by A.Rajendra prasad of nandalur kathaanilayam.The stories represents the life of kadapa people. the stories were published earlier in various telugu magazines and daily news papers, in the span of 50 years from 1956 to 2006.

Urdu literature in Kadapa

Kadapa has been the hub of Urdu literature from hundreds of years. It has produced several Urdu poets and writers in the past. Urdu language has flourished a lot in kadapa due to the efforts of these Urdu patriots. Dr.Rahi fidayee, Dr.Saagar Jayyadi, Aqeel Jamid, Iqbal Qusro, Mahmood Shahid, Prof Anwarulla Anwar are recognized as Prominent Poets in the Urdu world. Yousuf Safi has done work on the Urdu Stage and Drama. His prominent works include Kal Ki Dhup, Majnu Shah and 1857-Inquilab. Barq Kadapavi an eminent poet, who represented Kadapa internationally for the first time in International Poets Meet. Taabish Rabbani and Shakeel Ahmed Shakeel are carrying the flag of Urdu poetry in Kadapa.

Education

Schools and colleges in the Kadapa and the surrounding area include:

• Vivekananda Educational Academy, Chittoor, Anantapur, Kadapa
• Yogi Vemana University
• Kandula Srinivasa Reddy Memorial College of Engineering (Est. 1978)
• Kandula Obula Reddy Memorial College of Engineering
• Annamacharya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Rajampeta (Est. 1998)
• Madina Engineering College (Est. 1998) (Muslim Minority College)
• Vagdevi Engineering College, Proddatur
• Sri Sai Institute of Technology and Sciences, Rayachoti
• Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Pulivendla
• G.I.T.S , Chennur
• Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Putlam palli Kadapa
• Fatima Institute of Medical Sciences, Kadapa
• S.V.I.S.T College of Engineering, Kadapa (Est. 2007).
• A.P. Residential School, Mukkavaripalli, Kadapa

The state government of Andhra Pradesh has completed a multi crore (about Rs.125 crores) health project Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) at Kadapa comprising of a 750-bed super specialty hospital, a medical college (intake of 150 students) and a nursing college for 100 students to cater for the needs and improve the health of the backward, drought-prone area of Rayalaseema Region. The project is located in near the Palakonda hills in a site of 182.25 acres. The hospital is planned with a permanent helipad to airlift patients in emergency to Hyderabad or any other large city.

Agriculture and industries

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. The principal crops are millet, rice other food grains, pulse, oilseeds, cotton and indigo. The two last are largely exported. There are several steam factories for pressing cotton, and indigo vats. The district is served by lines of the Madras and the South Indian railways.

This district is the repository of mineral wealth. As per the 1983 survey of geological survey of India 30lakh tons of lead, 740lakh tons of barrettes, 27000tons asbestos deposits are there. It is estimated that 700lakh tons of barites 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. Brahmani Steels will establish a steel factory in Jammalamadugu constituency with an investment of Rs. 25,000 crores and an installed capacity of 10 million tonnes by 2017^[7]

The steel factory would be the biggest in the country and would generate direct employment to 25,000 persons and indirect employment to two lakh persons in the area.

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 sandalwood is available in plenty. This is the only area in India where red sandalwood is available. A National park is set up in Seshachalam hills for prospecting wild animals. 181 are employed in the only one paper industry in the district and its capital investment is Rs.227lakhs. There are mineral related industries and electrical instruments industries. Zuari Cements, India Cement Ltd, Corus India Ltd are the other industries.

Notable citizens

• Y.V.Reddy - Reserve Bank of India Governor
• Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy - politician and Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
• C. Ramachandraiah - politician, served in the Rajya Sabha
• M. V. Mysura Reddy - politician
• Dr. S.A. Khaleel Basha - Ex-MLA, Cuddapah, Former minister for Minority Welfare, Former Public Accounts Chairman.
• Justice K. Jayachandra Reddy - Former Supreme Court Judge, Former National Law Commission Chairman, Former Press Council of India Chairman, Member of the Expert Group appointed by United Nations.
• Barq Kadapavi - Urdu poet, represented Kadapa internationally for the first time in International Poets Meet.

References

External links

• colourful webpages on kadapa information
• socio-political website
• Kadapa Website
• Favourite portal of Kadapa District
• District Profile
• Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Kadapa

This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.