Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh


Anantapuram
—  city  —

Anantapuram
Location of
Anantapuram
in Andhra Pradesh and India
Coordinates
Country India
State Andhra Pradesh
District(s) Anantapuram district
Population 516,359 (2009)
Time zone IST (UTC+05:30)
Area

• Elevation

• 335 metres (1,099 ft)

Anantapur (Telugu: అనంతపురం, ‎Urdu: اننت پور‎,() is a city and a municipal corporation in Anantapur district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located 356 kilometres (221 mi) south of state capital, Hyderabad and is the headquarters of the Anantapur District. Anantapur was headquarters of "Datta Mandalam" (Rayalaseema and Bellary districts) in 1799 and Sir Thomas Manro was the first collector for ceded districts. Anantapur was the important place for the British Indian Army in 2nd World War. Current JNTU-CEA campus, once a bunker for the British artillery; remains can be found on the campus location.[1]

Contents

Geography

Anantapuram is located at .[2] It has an average elevation of 335 metres (1099 feet).

Climate

Anantapur
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
0
 
30
17
 
 
1
 
33
19
 
 
3
 
36
22
 
 
16
 
36
25
 
 
65
 
38
26
 
 
57
 
35
24
 
 
60
 
33
24
 
 
62
 
32
23
 
 
134
 
32
23
 
 
117
 
31
22
 
 
31
 
30
20
 
 
10
 
29
17
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: IMD

Anantapur has a semi-arid climate, with hot and dry conditions for most of the year. Summers start in late February, and peak in May with average high temperatures in the 37 °C (99 °F) range. Anantapur does get pre-monsoon showers starting as early as March, mainly through north easterly winds blowing in from Kerala. The monsoon arrives in September and lasts until early November with about 250 mm (9.8 in) of precipitation. A dry, mild winter starts in late November and lasts until early February; with little humidity and average temperatures in the 22–23 °C (72–73 °F) range, this is the best time to visit Anantapur. Total annual rainfall is about 22 in (560 mm).

Demographics

As of 2006 India census,[3] Anantapur has a population of 516,359 (agglomeration 620,359) in City Corporation and has around 6.5 Lakhs along with Raptadu Tapovanam Sk University and other extensions. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Anantapur has an average literacy rate of 69%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 56% of the males and 44% of females literate. Ten percent of the population is under 6 years of age. Telugu, Urdu,[4] Kannada and English are the predominant languages of this city.

Personalities

History

Anantapur offers some vivid glimpses of the prehistoric past. It is generally held that the place got its name from 'Anantasagaram', a big tank, which means "Endless Ocean". The villages of Ananthasagaram and Bukkarayasamudram were constructed by Chilkkavodeya, the minister of Bukka-I, a Vijayanagar ruler. Some authorities assert that Ananthasagaram was named after Bukka's queen, while some contend that it must have been known after Anantarasa Chikkavodeya himself, as Bukka had no queen by that name.

Anantapur is familiarly known as "Hande Anantapuram", after the Hande family who ruled Anantapur and Bukkarayapatnam. The Hande family belonged to the Lingayath Balija Naidu Community. Anantapur and a few other places were gifted by the Vijayanagar rulers to famous warrior Hande Hanumappa Naidu of the Hande family.

The place subsequently came under the Qutub, Shaks, Saiyads Mughals and the Nawabs of Cuddapah, although the Hande chiefs continued to rule as their subordinates. It was occupied by the Palergar of Bellary during the time of Hunde Ramappa Naidu but was eventually won back by his son, Siddappa. Morari Rao Ghorpade attacked Anantapur in 1757. Though the army resisted for some time, Siddappa ultimately bought off the enemy for Rs.50,000.

It then came into the possession of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Tipu hanged all the male members of the Siddappa naidu of Hunde family except Siddappa Naidu who escaped from his confinement at Srirangapatnam. After Tipu's death, it was once again taken back by Siddappa Naidu. Siddappa Naidu submitted himself to Nizam because of the treaty of 1799, who took the total control of the area. He was later pensioned off when British occupied the territory.

Education

Anantapur is an important education centre.

Universities

  1. Sri Krishnadevaraya University
  2. Javaharlal Nehru Technological University (Covers Rayalaseema and nellore district's engineering colleges from 2008-09)
  3. Satya Sai Deemed University, Anantapur Campus.

Institutions

  1. Sri Venkateshwara Institute Of Technology, Hampapuram. (N.H.43)
  2. ACME Engineering Academy,Aanantapur.
  3. Narayana e-techno school and junior college,Anantapur
  4. Sri Chaitanya techno school, Anantapur
  5. Akshara International School,Ananatapur
  6. Bhasyam Public School,Anantapur
  7. Ravidnra Bharathi Public School,Anantapur
  8. Oxford International School,Anantapur
  9. Kesav Reddy Concept Schools,Anantapur
  10. Sri Sathya Sai Arts & Science junior college for women-Anantapur
  11. Govt., ITI for women, Anantapur.
  12. Govt., ITI for boys, Anantapur[5]
  13. SpringDale High School ===
  14. St.Joseph Public School
  15. SSBN PG and Degree College (Autonomous)
  16. Sri Sai College of Nursing
  17. Government Medical College
  18. Government Junior College for Boys, New Town
  19. Kasturba College of Physiotheraphy
  20. PVKK Institute of Technology
  21. Ragavendra College of Pharmacy
  22. Little flower group of schools and B.E.D college
  23. Sri Gayathri English Medium School, 1st Road, Anantapur.
  24. Police Training College
  25. Govt Polytechnic College
  26. Gouse E-Techno school
  27. Sri Satya Sai Baba BEd College, Penukonda
  28. Anantapur Development Initiative
  29. Sri Krishnadevaraya Engineering College (University Campus)
  30. Moula Ali Engineering College
  31. INTELLECTUAL Engineering College, (formerly INTELL engineering college)
  32. Sri Balayesu Educational Institutes, Hindupur.
  33. Gates Institute of Technology, (Gooty,47 km away from Anantapur)
  34. Sri Krishnadevaraya Engineering College, Gooty
  35. Sri Ramanajun Institute of Technology, Anantapur
  36. SV Degree & PG college
  37. Sri Satya Sai Educational Institutions
  38. INTELL M.C.A College
  39. Sri Vani PG College
  40. CVLNR PG College
  41. Sri Balaji PG College
  42. Besant PG College
  43. CMI Degree College
  44. Sri Sai Degree College
  45. Corporate Colleges like Nalanda, Sri Chaitanya, Narayana etc.
  46. Viswa Bharathi English Medium School
  47. Vivekananda Educational Academy, Chittoor, Anantapur, Kadapa etc.
  48. Concept schools like Narayana E-Techno schools,K eshava Reddy Talent Schools etc.
  49. Sri Rama Rural Development And Educational Society Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, India.
  50. SPVM Degree College, Gorantla (Anantapur dist) by Mr. Bhakthavatsalam (principal)
  51. The greater Gownipalli Z.P. High school
  52. Medhavi Jr College, Anantapur
  53. Baba Residential Learning Centre, Brahmanapalli,Puttaparthi
  54. LRG High School
  55. Gayatri English Medium High School
  56. Kendriya Vidyalaya (S.K.University)
  57. C.V.R.memorial high school
  58. Guild Of Service Girls High School
  59. Sree VidyaNikethan High School,VenuGopoal Nagar
  60. Sree Chaitanya Junior Kalasala,Anantapur
  61. Government Arts College, Anantapur

Government Arts College (affectionately known as The Grand Old Lady of Rayalaseema) Anantapuram, established in the year 1916. The college boasts a long list of high profile alumni including India’s former presidents, Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan and Dr. Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy; Former Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh like Sri Damodaram Sajeevaiah and Kotla Vijayabhaskar Reddy; and other persons like Dr U.R. Rao, former Chairman, ISRO and Y. Venugopala Reddy, the present Governor of Reserve Bank of India, hail from the same college.

  1. Radha school of learning,High school,Samathagram,Anantapur.

Industries/Factories

  1. Saptagiri Camphor (The largest Camphor factory in Southern India)
  2. Siflon Drugs
  3. MG Metallics and Springs
  4. Jyothi Hardware
  5. Monarch Pipes
  6. Bhaskar Fertilisers
  7. Hema Industries
  8. Renuka Fertilisers
  9. Amaron Batteries

Sports

Anantapur has many sports facilities and has played host to Irani Cup in 1963-64 when Rest of India scored their lowest total of 83 against the then Ranji trophy winners Bombay, played at the Sanjeeva Reddy stadium. Several Ranji trophy matches and other regional tournaments for basketball, badminton, etc. have been hosted in Anantapur. Rafael Nadal, the Spanish tennis star is setting up the Nadal Tennis School (NTS), the first of its kind in the world, at the Anantapur Sports Village (ASV).[6]

The Anantapur Sports Village (ASV), located alongside the National Highway 7, has all the makings of a major sports destination. The Anantapur Cricket Ground, no doubt, enjoys the pride of place in the 40-acre (160,000 m2) complex, but the other facilities here do not lag behind either. That the complex is managed by the Rural Development Trust (RDT), an NGO, is commendable, but where it scores is in the maintenance. Unlike other infrastructure, say in Hyderabad or Pune where they lie mostly unused, there’s activity here, almost right through the year.[7]

Snap shots in and around the city

  1. Anantapur Clock Tower is in the heart of the city which brings back the memories of the Independence days during which it has been built.
  2. Lepakshi Temple (is renowned as the repository of the best mural paintings of the Vijayanagar Kings. Lepakshi consists of three shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and 'Virabhadra'). The temple is decorated with superbly sculptured pillars on which are carved life-size representations of musicians and dancers in various poses displaying spirit and vigour. One can also see the world's largest Nandi (stone sculpture of the bull which Lord Shiva rides and the gate keeper of the Shiva) Lepakshi is 14 km from Hindupur
  3. Puttaparthi, Prasanthi Nilayam (Home of Sri Satya Sai and to many facilities such as super speciality hospital, educational institutions, founded by Sri Satya Sai)
  4. Thimmamarri manu (A large Banyan tree spread over 5 acres (20,000 m2) of land near Kadiri. This tree was recorded as the biggest tree in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1989)
  5. Venkateswara Swamy Temple & Shiva Temple in Tadipatri. Architectural beauty.
  6. Hanuman temple, Kasapuram, near to Guntakal
  7. Belum Caves (natural Caves), 28 km from Tadipatri.
  8. Sri Nallalamma Swamy Temple in the village Kanampalli, approximately 22 km from Anantapur.
  9. Sri Nagalingeswara Swamy Temple in the village Neelampalli, approximately 12 km from Anantapur.
  10. Buttre pally waterfall near kadiri 15 km from kadiri which falls only in rainy season.
  11. Lakshmi Narasimha swamy temple Pennaohbulam which is 35 km from Ananthapur.
  12. Kadiri Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple famous for the idol sweating[8]
  13. Devarakonda only hill in Anantapur has a temple at the top.
  14. ISKCON temple on the outskirts of the city on NH 7.
  15. Temple of Lord Siva and Parvathi in Kuderu 20 km from Anantapur.
  16. Temple of Sri Subramanyeswara Swamy in Pampanuru 20 km from Anantapur.
  17. Temple of Sri Shiva in Kandukaru village 10 km from Anantapur (Old temple found in diggings).
  18. Penukonda (Ghanagiri) 70 km from Anantapur and 120 km from Bangalore Air port: Hazrat Baba Fakroddin Dargah, Biggest Hanuman Statue laid from 14th century at entrance of Penukonda, Port wall, Timmarusu Samadhi, Big Narasimha swamy temple and big tank at hill top, One of the oldest Jain temple in the world (Pache Parswanatha swamy temple), Gagan Mahal (Summer resort for empire Krishna devaraya) are located in only Spiritual Town
  19. Hanuman temple near Somuladoddi
  20. Sri Rama Swamy temple in Kalyandurg
  21. Katakoteshwara Temple near to Chillavaripalli in Anthapur district
  22. Sri Ramalingeswara Swami temple in Jarutla Rampuram near to Uravakonda. 15 km from Uravakonda and 65 km from Anatapur. 15 km from Penna Ahobilam. This temple is in remote area. In this temple the water always flows under Siva Lingam from north to south. That's why we called it South Kasi. Beside this temple is a big hill and a big forest (around 6,500 acres) and behind this temple is Penna River and M.P.R Dam.
  23. Ganesh Park or popularly "Cheruvukatta" is a series of temples starting with Musalamma katta is on the bank of Ananthsagar in the old town of the city.
  24. Sri Sringeri Sankar Matt situated on the Bengaluru Highway opposite the Sri Satya Sai Institute of Higher Learning is a seat of knowledge. The temple complex is situated on 1.8 acres (7,300 m2) and has the shrines of Sri Saradamba, Lord Ganesha, Sri Sankaracharya and Lord Chandra mouleeswara. The serene atmosphere and picturesque location makes the temple aa place to be visited daily.
  25. Pampanuru a shrine of Lord Subramanya is 30 km away from the city.
  26. Mallapuram mountains at 68 km from Anantapur

Transportation

Anantapur City is well connected to most major cities in India by the National Highways 7 and 205. Anantapur also has direct train connection to Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Adoni, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Pune, Vishakapatnam, etc. Puttaparthi which is 80 km south of Anantapur is the nearest airport with scheduled air services while Bangalore, 168 km away (Devana Halli) has an international airport and is well connected to rest of India.

References

  1. ^ http://www.tarimela.com/
  2. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Anantapur
  3. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01. 
  4. ^ http://www.languageinindia.com/april2003/urduinap.html
  5. ^ www.itibatp.com
  6. ^ http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/04/stories/2009060460411700.htm
  7. ^ http://www.sportstaronnet.com/tss3212/stories/20090321503102600.htm
  8. ^ http://www.srikadirinarasimha.org

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