Kadapa district

Kadapa district కడప జిల్లా
District of Andhra Pradesh
Location of Kadapa district in Andhra Pradesh
Country	India
State	Andhra Pradesh
Administrative division	Kadapa district
Headquarters	Kadapa
Tehsils	50[1]
Government
• Lok Sabha constituencies	Kadapa, Rajampet
• Assembly seats	10
Area
• Total	15,379 km2 (5,938 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Total	2,884,524[2]
• Urban	34.1%
Demographics
• Literacy	67.88%
• Sex ratio	984
Major highways	NH 18
Coordinates	14°28′N 78°49′E / 14.467°N 78.817°E / 14.467; 78.817Coordinates: 14°28′N 78°49′E / 14.467°N 78.817°E / 14.467; 78.817
Website	[Kadapa district Official website]

Kadapa district is a part of Rayalaseema region (highlighted in blue) in Andhra Pradesh

Gandikota Penna Canyon

Kadapa district is one of the 13 districts in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is also one of the 4 districts in the Rayalaseema region of the state. The city of Kadapa is the seat of administration for the district.^[3]

History

Rock paintings

Paleolithic rock paintings found at Chintakunta^[4] caves near Muddanuru in Kadapa district are said to be the second largest group of paintings in India after Bhimbetika rock art paintings. The rock paintings with mystic figures are also found at Dappalle^[5] village near Mailavaram Dam in Jammalamadugu Taluk of the district.

Prehistoric Culture

Many Paleolithic sites were found along the length and breadth of kadapa district, as the surroundings of Jammalamadugu, Mailavaram Dam^[5] and Gandikota.
Some megalithic burial sites were explored near Porumamilla, Sankhavaram and also at Yellatur^[6] village near Kadapa. The surroundings of Vontimitta are also noted as Megalithic cultural sites.
The section of Rayachoti consists of many documented and undocumented Megalithic sites and stone circles. A noted megalithic site at Devandlapalli^[7] in Tsundupalle taluk of the district.

Buddhism & Jainism

Kadapa has historical importance since BC era. It was connected with Mouryans in BC era and Sathavahanas. Buddhism must have flourished here for many years along the banks of rivers Cheyyeru and Penna. Nandalur^[8] is an important Buddhist site in the district along with Tallapaka, Rajampeta, Konduru, Khazipeta in the district.
Jainism also had enough patronage in Kadapa district history, the remnants of buried Jain Temple are found at Danavulapadu^[9] village on the banks of river Penna.

Medieval history

It was part of the area ceded to the British by Nizam. The District was formed by splitting the Ceded Districts into two in 1808 during the British rule, the other district being Bellary.^[10] The British spelt the district as Cuddapah.

The district is part of Rayalaseema, commemorating the name of Rayulu (Kings) of the Vijayanagar Empire, who ruled the area in the 16th century. Gandikota fort located on the bank of Penna river was the citadel of Pemmasani Nayaks, commanders of Vijayanagar army and who won the battles of Raichur and Gulbarga for the Vijayanagar kings.

The old records of the district reveal that Kadapa previously called Gadapa which means in Telugu language threshold. The ancient village of Kadapa with its large tank and temple of Lord Venkateswara at Devuni Kadapa was convenient camping place for the myriads of pilgrims travelling to the holy shrine of Tirupathi. There was a belief that the pilgrims have to first visit Devuni Kadapa, before going to Tirupathi to pray of Saint Annamacharya and Saint Potuluri Veera Brahmam who foretold about the future and advocated a classless society. The ancient temple at Vontimitta which inspired Pothana to compose Andhra Maha Bhagavatham is also in the district. In the olden days Kadapa was also called "Heranyanagaram".

Recent historical records reveal that in Jyothi village located in Sidhout mandal has 108 Shiva lingas on the bank of Penna river.

Geography

Districts of Andhra Pradesh

Kadapa District occupies an area of 15,938 square kilometres (6,154 sq mi),^[11] comparatively equivalent to Canada's Prince Patrick Island.^[12]

The main rivers in this district are Penna, Chitravathi, Kunderu, Papagni, Sagileru, Bahuda and Cheyyeru. The forest area is 5,050 km². It is 32.87% of the district area. It is the only district in the state of Andhra Pradesh (AP) that is surrounded by AP districts on all sides. All other districts are either skirting the Bay of Bengal and/or border neighboring states.

Economy

Besides its historical importance, the district has occupied an important place in the industrial map of Andhra Pradesh with its highly valued rich mineral resources.

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.

This district is the repository of mineral wealth. As per the 1983 survey of geological survey of India 3 million tons of lead, 74,000,000 tons of barytes, 27000 tons of asbestos deposits are there. It is estimated that 70 million tons of barytes 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 1 million tons. Bharat cement corporation increases its capacity to 1 million tons. National mineral development corporation is extracting asbestos in Brahman palli and barieties in Mangampet. Kadapa is also famous for its stone called as "kadapa stone" used in building construction and for slabs especially in the south India. In Tummalapalle, there are 49,000 tonnes of confirmed uranium deposits which are mined and processed locally.^[13][14] Zuari Cements, India Cement Ltd, Bharati Cements, Dalmia Bharat Cements, Govindaraja Textiles, Nsl Textiles, Samyu Glass, Bharati Polymers, Sajala woven shocks, Corus India Ltd are other industries.

In 2006 the Indian government named kadapa district as one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640).^[15] It is one of the thirteen districts in Andhra Pradesh currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).^[15]

Demographics

According to the 2011 census Kadapa District has a population of 2,884,524, Hindus are 83.7%, Muslims are 14% & Christians are 2.3%^[16] roughly equal to the nation of Jamaica^[17] or the US state of Arkansas.^[18] This gives it a ranking of 132nd in India (out of a total of 640).^[16] The district has a population density of 188 inhabitants per square kilometre (490/sq mi) .^[16] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 10.87%.^[16] Kadapa district has a sex ratio of 984 females for every 1000 males,^[16] and a literacy rate of 67.88%.^[16]

Administrative divisions

Kadapa District has 3 Revenue Divisions viz., Kadapa, Rajampeta and Jammalamadugu divisions.^[19] The district has 50 mandals under these revenue divisions. It also has a Municipal Corporation of Kadapa and 6 municipalities namely, Badvel, Mydukur, Proddatur, Pulivendula, Rayachoti, Jammalamadugu and a Nagar panchayat of Rajampet.^[20][21]

There are a total of 51 Mandals in Kadapa District.^[22]

Mandals

The mandals are listed with respect to their revenue divisions in the following table:^[19][23]

Assembly constituenties

Education

There are good number of schools, degree colleges, engineering colleges and universities. These include IIIT at Idupulapaya, Yogi Vemana University at Kadapa, KSRM College of Engineering, RIMS College of Dentals and Govt.Hospitals, JNTU-A College of Engineering at Pulivendula, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary College at Proddatur, Yogi vemana Engineering College at Proddatur , Hyderabad Public School at Kadapa.

Tourist locations

Shahi Mosque at Mydukur

Veerabrahmendra swamy temple pranganam

Vontimitta Carving

The district is home to many tourist locations which include temples and forts, each has its uniqueness in design and architecture with its own history.^[24][25]

• Vontimitta - Vontimitta is famous for the temple of Sri Kodandarama Swamy temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Rama, located in Vontimitta town in Korajampet taluk of Kadapa District in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The temple, an example of Vijayanagara architectural style, is dated to the 16th century. It is stated to be the largest temple in the region.[2][3][4][5] It is located at a distance of 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Kadapa and is close to Rajampet.[6]
• Rayachoty - Rayachoty is famous for the temple of Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple which was renovated by srikrishna Devaraya in 14th century.

• Nandalur - Nandalur is famous for the temple of Sri Soumyanatha Swamy.An ancient Buddhist site is located on a small hill near Nandalur called Lanja Kanuma Gutta.
• Tallapaka - Tallapaka is the birthplace of Tallapaaka Annamacharya a renowned Telugu poet and ardent devotee of Lord Venkateshwara often regarded as Telugu Padakavita Pitamaha.
• Gandikota - Gandikota is a well-known historical place, where several historical monuments are located and some movies are shot here, like Maryada Ramanna, Ek Veera and Super Cowboy, etc.
• Bramham Gari Matham - The place where the scripts of foretell of Pothuluru Virabrahmendra Swami are kept.
• Ameen Peer Dargah - A 324-year-old Sufi shrine in the city of Kadapa.
• Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary - A wildlife sanctuary headquartered in the city of Kadapa which is the only home of an endangered species called the Jerdon's courser

Notable personalities

• Tallapaka Annamacharya
• Pothuluri Veerabrahmam a well-known saint and astronomer, often called as 'Nostradamus of India'
• Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy : Chief minister of andhra pradesh state (2004-2009)
• Allasani Peddana -One of the poet in Astdiggajalu in srikrishnadevarayalu.
• Bhaktha Kannappa
• Molla (poet) Poet.
• C.P. Brown - worked as collector and he served to Telugu language.
• B. Nagi Reddy South Indian film producer
• B. Padmanabham, Veteran film comedian and producer
• Bomireddi Narasimha Reddy (B. N. Reddy), famous film Director
• pasupuleti Kannamba first generation Telugu heroine and producer .first heroine who was famous for sword fights.
• Santha Kumari, an Indian musical artist and film actress
• Dr. Yaga Venugopal Reddy, better known as Y. V. Reddy, - former Reserve Bank of India Governor
• 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.
• A. V. S. Reddy, former AP State Election Commissioner
• V. N. Reddy an Indian cinematographer
• Yogi Vemana, popularly known as Vemana was a great Telugu philosopher and poet. His poems were written in Telugu, and are known for their use of simple language and native idioms. His poems discuss the subjects of Yoga, wisdom and morality. He is popularly called Yogi Vemana, in recognition of his success in the path of Yoga.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kadapa district.

• Official website

	Kurnool district		Prakasam district
	Anantapur district		Nellore district
		Kadapa district
		Chittoor district

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