Chilakaluripet

Chilakaluripet
చిలకలూరిపేట
City
Chilakaluripet

Location in Andhra Pradesh, India

Coordinates: 16°05′21″N 80°10′02″E / 16.08917°N 80.16722°ECoordinates: 16°05′21″N 80°10′02″E / 16.08917°N 80.16722°E
Country India
State Andhra Pradesh
District Guntur
Area
 • Total 27 km2 (10 sq mi)
Elevation 25 m (82 ft)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 101,550
 • Density 3,800/km2 (9,700/sq mi)
Languages
 • Official Telugu
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 522 616

Chilakaluripet is a city in Guntur district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is the headquarters for Chilakaluripet mandal and one of the 12 municipalities in Guntur district, located in Narasaraopet Revenue Division.[2][3]

History

Chilakaluripet was known as "chilakala thota, Rajagari Kota and Purushothama patnam" in the 18th and 19th centuries. A village on the outskirts of Chilakaluripet has a great history. The British used to call this town as "Chick pet". Due to the number of orchards in and around the town, parrots used to flock here and live on the trees. Hence, this place was called "Chilakaluru" during the time of Chilakaluripet zameendars(Land Lords).

Before independence, the Chilakaluripet zameendars were always liberal with the people. They prevented the people from paying much taxes to the government.When the decoits, namely 'Pindaries' attacked chilakaluripet during the late 1800s, they were driven out by the able administration of zameendars. In 1818, these zameendars printed their own gold coins with the symbol 'pagoda'. They received the 'best administrative award' from the British in revenue affairs. They used to import horses of fine quality from foreign countries such as Persia and Eastern Europe. Chilakaluripet was transformed into a municipality after India gained Independence. At present also the zameendary heriditor Sri Raja Manuri Raghavendra rao and his family were living in there zameendary palace named "Pedda kota".

Demographics

As of 2011 Census of India, the town had a population of 101,550. The total population constitute, 50,201 males and 51,349 females —a sex ratio of 1023 females per 1000 males, higher than the national average of 940 per 1000.[1][4] 9,525 children are in the age group of 0–6 years, of which 4,916 are boys and 4,609 are girls—a ratio of 938 per 1000. The average literacy rate stands at 72.08% with 52,106 literates, lower than the national average of 73.00%.[1][5]

Economy

Chilakaluripet has many small to medium scale industries. Many cotton spinning mills, tobacco companies and stone crusher factories are situated around the town providing employment to a large number of people. Andhra Pradesh government built the Spices Park in Maidavolu village of the constitution. The main idea behind constructing this is it serves as a processing and storage facility for chillies, turmeric and other spices. This may improve the economic prospects of the region drastically. It is also famous for its jeep building industry.

Transport

The primary mode of transportation in Chilakaluripet consist of buses and other private vehicles. APSRTC and private buses ply from here to all the major cities and towns across Andhra Pradesh. APSRTC operates several buses to the state capital every day. The nearest railway stations are Guntur, Narasaraopet and Chirala, 35 km, 20 km and 35 km respectively. The nearest airport is in Gannavaram, Vijayawada which is about 85 km from Chilakaluripet.

Culture

Hinduism is the most widely followed religion; Islam and Christianity are also followed by many. Many major festivals like Sankranthi, Maha Shivarathri, Vinayakachavithi, Sri Ramanavami, Diwali, Ramzan, Bakrid and Christmas are celebrated. Sri Ramanavami is celebrated in the town for three days. Coconut thatched roofs are laid across the business area of the town during March and April every year. Thousands of people gather in the town for festival celebrations from nearby villages.

Sport

Cricket is the most popular sport followed and played here just like any other Indian town. Other sports like badminton,volleyball and kabaddi are also enjoyed by the people in and around the town. Traditional sports like bull racing are organised every year during the Sankranthi period(January).

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Cities having population 1 lakh and above" (PDF). The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  2. ↑ "Adminsistrative divisions of Guntur district" (PDF). guntur.nic.in. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  3. ↑ "Basic Information of Municipality". Commissioner & Director of Municipal Administration. Municipal Administration & Urban Development Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  4. ↑ "Sex Ratio". The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  5. ↑ "Chapter–3 (Literates and Literacy rate)" (PDF). Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. Retrieved 29 August 2014.