Narasapuram, West Godavari district

This article is about a town in West Godavari district. For other uses, see Narsapur.
Narasapuram
నరసాపురం
Town
Narsapur Town View
Clockwise from Top Left:Godavari River, Town at Night,Town Top View,Crochet Lace, Beach Near Narsapur
Narasapuram

Location in Andhra Pradesh, India

Coordinates: 16°26′10″N 81°42′06″E / 16.4361°N 81.7016°E / 16.4361; 81.7016Coordinates: 16°26′10″N 81°42′06″E / 16.4361°N 81.7016°E / 16.4361; 81.7016
Country India
State Andhra Pradesh
District West Godavari
Revenue division Narasapuram
Mandal Narasapuram
Named for Lord Narasimha
Government[1]
 • Type Municipal council
 • Body Narasapuram Municipality
 • Municipal Commissioner D.Ramesh
 • Municipal Chairperson Pasupuleti Ratnamala
 • MLA Bandaru Madhava Naidu
 • MP Gokaraju Ganga Raju
Area[2]
 • Total 11.32 km2 (4.37 sq mi)
Elevation[3] 0 m (0 ft)
Population (2011)[4]
 • Total 58,770
 • Density 5,200/km2 (13,000/sq mi)
Languages
 • Official Telugu
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 534275
Telephone code +91-8814
Vehicle registration AP-37

Narasapuram (or Narsapur), is a town in West Godavari district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.[5] It is a municipality and mandal headquarters of Narasapuram mandal in Narasapuram revenue division.[2][6] The town is situated on the banks of the Vasista Godavari River.[7][8] The city exports Lace as the lace industry is more prevalent in the city and its surroundings.[9][10]

Etymology

Narsapur was also known as "Nrusimhapuri", named after the Lord Narasimha.[11] Gradually it changed into Narasimhapuram and now to Narasapuram.

History

The existence of Narsapur dates back to 1173 A.D. Dutch people landed in Narsapur in 1626. Narsapur used as a port by the Dutch and ships and boats were built here. It was noted for its ship building activity and some of the Europeans also were customers at this place. Even, though big ships are not built, the craft is still kept up here by building small boats. In 16th century, Portuguese established their own factory which remained as a trading centre for few years. In the 18th century, Narsapur became an important trading port. From this port, teak was exported to other regions. The ports at Kakinada and Narsapuram became famous for manufacturing ships. At present there is no port handling at Narsapur.

Madhavayapalem (Madapallam) is celebrated as one of the earliest places where the English established a factory and was famous for its trade in cloth. The trade of town has steadily declined since the abolition of the company's factory in 1827. Before independence, British civilians made imports and exports from Narsapur.

Geography

Narasapuram municipality in Narasapuram mandal map

Narsapur is located at 16°26′10″N 81°42′06″E / 16.4361°N 81.7016°E / 16.4361; 81.7016 and on the right bank of Vasista Godavari River at an altitude of ((Convert|0|m|abbr=on)).[3] The River Godavari empties into Bay of Bengal near Antarvedi, at 9.6 km from Narsapur.[6]

Demographics

As of 2011 census, the city had a population of 58,770. The total population constitute, 28,796 males and 29,974 females –a sex ratio of 961 females per 1000 males, higher than the national average of 940 per 1000. 29,974 children are in the age group of 0–6 years, of which 2,665 are boys and 2,456 are girls. The average literacy rate stands at 86.24% with 46,266 literates, significantly higher than the district average of 73.00%.[4][12]

Governance

Civic administration

Narasapuram municipality was formed in 1956. It is a I–Grade Municipality, which is spread over an area of 11.32 km2 (4.37 sq mi) and has 31 election wards.[1]

The present Chairperson of the municipality is Pasupuleti Ratnamala and the Municipal Commissioner is D.Ramesh.[13]

Politics

Narasapuram is represented by Narasapuram (Assembly constituency) for Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. Under Narasapuram mandal, the town falls in Narasapuram (Lok Sabha constituency). Bandaru Madhava Naidu is the present MLA of the constituency from Telugu Desam Party and the present MP is Gokaraju Ganga Raju from BJP.[14]

Economy

Crocheted lace

Industries

Handmade crochet lace-work is one of the most common form of industry in the town.[15]

There are many industries in and around the town such as International Lace Trade Centre,[16] Oil and Natural Gas Corporation of India,[17] Central Industrial Security Force,[18] Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute,[19] PanGodavari (Handicrafts),[20] Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme, AWS (Automatic Weather Station) installed and commissioned by IMD.[21]

Aquaculture

Fishery is one of the main occupation which generates good amount of revenue for the fisherman. It involves cultivation of a variety of estuarine fish called Pulasa.[22]

Culture

Godavari Pushkaram is celebrated every twelve years in Narasapuram to take a holy dip in the Vasista Godavari River.[23] This river is said to have been brought in by the famous Maharishi Vashishtha, one of the seven great sages of the Hindu Mythology. The place draws people from the world over throughout the year. Antarvedi, the merging of the Bay of Bengal and Vasista River, which is a tributary of the River Godavari. The place of confluence of the ocean and river is called the "Sapta Sagara Sangam Pradesam". It is also known as the Anna Chelli Gattu (meaning brother–sister embankement).[24]

Religious destinations

Altar view

Some of the religious destinations in the town are, AdiKesava Emberumaanar Temple, a Vaishnavite temple of 300 years old which was constructed by translator of the British East India Company, Prasannagresara Puppala Ramanappa Naidu;[25] Christ Lutheran Church is in the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church and a member church of West Godavari synod.[26]

Landmarks

The Perupalem Beach is located at a distance of 20 kilometers from the town.[27]

Education

Taylor High School is one of the major landmarks in Narsapuram showcasing the Dutch and the British buildings. The high school was founded by British Educationist and local Revenue Officer H. Taylor in 1852, and was later named after him.[28] The ‘manyam veerudu’ (jungle hero) Alluri Sitarama Raju had his schooling in this institution before he led the Rampa rebellion against the British.[29] Chilakamarti Lakshmi Narasimham, a freedom fighter and a noted Telugu litterateur also attended the school.[30]

Swarnandhra College of Engineering and Technology, an affiliation to Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University of Kakinada,[31] Sri Yerramilli Narayanamurthy college which was established in 1949 are some of the other professional colleges.[32]

Transport

Narsapur Railway Station

Roadways

APSRTC operates buses from Narsapur bus depot to most of the destinations in the state. National Highway 216 connects NH 5 near Ongole, a short route for Kolkata  – Chennai route.

Railways

Narasapuram railway station is a terminal station located on the Bhimavaram–Narasapuram branch line in Vijayawada railway division of South Central Railway zone. It is classified as a B–category station in the Vijayawada railway division of the South Central Railway zone.[33]

Waterways

Narasapur Port is proposed for developing it as a minor port, fishing harbor and ONGC Jetty.[34]

Airport

The closest airports to the town are Rajahmundry Airport.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Municipalities, Municipal Corporations & UDAs" (PDF). Directorate of Town and Country Planning. Government of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  2. 1 2 "District Census Handbook - West Godavari" (PDF). Census of India. pp. 22, 54. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Maps, Weather, and Airports for Narasapuram, India". fallingrain.com.
  4. 1 2 "Cities having population 1 lakh and above". The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  5. ↑ "Mandal wise villages" (PDF). Revenue Department - AP Land. National Informatics Center. p. 9. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  6. 1 2 "Guntur District Mandals" (PDF). Census of India. pp. 460, 470. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  7. ↑ Nagaraja, G (10 October 2012). "Narsapur civic body set to get a voice". The Hindu (Narsapur). Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  8. ↑ Edgar Thurston (2011). The Madras Presidency with Mysore, Coorg and the Associated States (reissue ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 25. ISBN 9781107600683. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  9. ↑ "Handicraft exports jump 44 p.c. in November". The Hindu (New Delhi). 27 December 2009. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  10. ↑ "Godavari Delta Women Lace Artisans Co-Operative Cottage Industrial Society Ltd., - Manufacturers and Exporters of Handmade Cotton Crochet Laces & Processed Cotton Made ups". gdwlace.com.
  11. ↑ "Layout page". areaprofiler.gov.in.
  12. ↑ "Chapter–3 (Literates and Literacy rate)" (PDF). Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  13. ↑ "AP will be best State in world by 2050: Parakala". The Hans India. 8 January 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  14. ↑ "AP Legislature MLAs". AP State Portal. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  15. ↑ Chari, Pushpa (6 January 2011). "On a creative trip". The Hindu. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  16. ↑ "International lace trade centre to be set up at Narsapuram in AP". The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  17. ↑ "ONGC". godavarimahapushkaram2015. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  18. ↑ "CISF". Cntral Industrial Security Force. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  19. ↑ "CMFRI". Central Marine Fisheries Institute. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  20. ↑ "Pangodavari". pangodavari. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  21. ↑ "List of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS)" (PDF). India Meteorological Department, AWS Lab. Pune, India. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  22. ↑ Murali Sankar, K.N (23 July 2015). "Pulasa fishermen wait for Pushkaram to end". The Hindu. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  23. ↑ Hyland, Paul (1994). Indian balm : travels amongst fakirs and firewarriors. London: TPP. p. 52. ISBN 1845110854. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  24. ↑ "AP Tourism Blog - Written words last a lifetime!". aptdc.gov.in.
  25. ↑ "Sri Adikesava Perumal Brahmotsavams, Narsapur - Antaryami.net Sri Vaishnava Portal". antaryami.net.
  26. ↑ "Christ Lutheran Church - Popular Church In Narsapur". indiamapped.com.
  27. ↑ Puja Tripathy. "Perupalem Beach". Coastal Tourism India.
  28. ↑ "A major landmark fallen on bad days". The Hindu. 1 May 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  29. ↑ "Alluri Sita Rama Raju Biography". Baynews. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  30. ↑ Special Correspondent. "A major landmark fallen on bad days". The Hindu.
  31. ↑ "Swarnandhra College of Engineering & Technology - Home". www.swarnandhra.ac.in. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  32. ↑ "About us | Shri YN College". www.sriyncollege.org. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  33. ↑ "Divisional info" (PDF). Indian Railways. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  34. ↑ "Department of Ports, Andhra Pradesh". apports.in.

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