Velandu is a name of the region on the banks of River Krishna in the ancient Telugu country. The terms Velandu or velnadu are often used synonymous with present Guntur district.
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The lush coastal area of the Krishna river delta from Guntur to Srisailam is called Velanadu. People here are highly industrious in agricultural ventures and farming
This area showed the evidences of Palaeolithic (old stone) age in India and one of the ancient places of presence of human being. Chebrolu excavations found terracotta figurines and old coins showing the relations with Roman Empire. Many inscriptions left by kings found throughout the region reveal that it was a base for lot of ancient Hindu kingdoms. Bhattiprolu was the capital of Prati Palaputra kingdom since the 5th century BCE. Amaravathi was an ancient Buddhist place and also the capital of Satavahanas, the first great south Indian Kingdom in 3rd century BCE. It was successively ruled by famous dynasties such as the Ikshavakus, Pallavas, Anandagothrins, Vishnukundins, Chalukyas, Cholas, Kakatiyas, Kota, Reddies, Vijayanagaras and Qutb Shahis. Later it became part of British state Madras until Andhra Pradesh state was formed.
Since 12th century, several subordinate kingdoms like Velanati Chodas of Chandolu also brought fame to this region.Being a brahmin clan they were warriors too,they fought wars along with mighty Cholas. This region also witnessed several wars with outsiders and as well between local groups, like the famous Palnadu battle which was treated as "Andhra Kurukshetra" between local clans and the Godavari battle which decimated the presence of Kalyani Chalukyas in Andhra Pradesh.Velnadu brahmins have significantly contributed to the culture, literature and welfare of the Vijayanagar Empire in the erstwhile Mysore region(now Karnataka)
Velnadu is a brahmin subcaste under "smarthas". They are intelligent, hardworking and forgiving in nature. They are also very trustworthy people. South Indian food cooked by the womenfolk is greatly relished A few brahmins from this region still carry the name 'Vaidiki Velanadu' or 'Velandu' as their subsect and treat the Rishis like Bharadvaja, Gouthama, Kousika, Koundilya, Haritasa (Haritha) etc as their Gothra (ancestors). These brahmins are spread across South India, predominantly in Andhra Pradesh, with small numbers in Tamilnadu and Karnataka.
As a folklore history, Velanadu Brahmins migrated to Srirangapatnam - Mysore and Guntur Andhra pradesh to Tamilnadu.It is believed that the king Krishnadevaraya appointed above 2000 Brahmins to perform daily rituals for the warriors during the war against the Nawabs of Mughal empire which is a known fact. Their families then settled in various parts of Tamilnadu after the defeat of Krishnadevaraya and performed services like horoscopy, astrology, Nithya karma, Marriage and death ceremonies. This history has been passed by from the ancestors.The velanadu people who have settled in tamil nadu have gained a tamil accent and have developed a telugu that is well distinguishable from the telugu spoken in andhra pradesh.They are often being ridiculed for the different telugu they speak to such an extent that some claim that their language isn't telugu itself.Marriages are often being done with other communities such as Niyogi,Venginadu,Mulakanadu etc.Inter-lingual marriages have been on the rise.These people have settled in the nook and corner of tamil nadu like tiruchi,tuticorin,vellore,pudukottai etc and have merged so well with the tamil people.Today,there are so many engineers,doctors and other professionals,that the community can boast of proudly.A velanadu school has been set u in T.Nagar in Chennai,which is a hub for this community where matrimonial services are also provided.A sad trend is that,their language has not gained enough recognition and is in the decline.