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Kadapa is a city in Andhra Pradesh. It is the headquarters of the Kadapa District. It was spelt Cuddapah previously but the name was changed to Kadapa with effect from 19 August, 2005 to reflect the actual Telugu pronunciation of the word [1].

Location: South-Central Part Of Andhra Pradesh Name Derived From: A Telugu Word Called Gadapa ("Gate") Nearby Attractions: Puspagiri, Vomtimitta, Jyothi

Cuddapah is situated in the south-central part of the Andhra Pradesh State. Located 8 km south of the Penner River, the city is surrounded on three sides by the Nallamalai and Palkonda hills. The name Cuddapah is derived from the Telugu word 'Gadapa' ("gate"). The city is so named because it is the gateway from the north to the sacred hill-'Pagoda' of Shri Venkateshvara (also spelt as Venkateswara) of Tirupati .

It lies sprawling along the "Bugga" or "Ralla Vanka" in a hollow bordered on the south by the main Palkondas and on the east by a strip of the same hills projecting north towards the Lankamalas on the other side of the Penneru. The portion of the hollow occupied by the town is only about 400 ft to 450 ft above the sea level, while some of the nearer points of the hills rise even to 1,000 ft.

An Ancient Town

Cuddapah city was a part of the Chola empire from 11th -15th century. Muslims conquered it in 1565, and then the British took control of it in the 1800. Although the town is an ancient one, it was probably extended by Neknam Khan, the famous Qutub Shahi commander, who called the extension "Neknamabad". It is not probable that Nekanamabad was the name given to the whole town.

In any case it fell into disuse and the records of the 18th century refer to the Mayana rulers not as Nawabs of Nekanamabad but the Nawabs of Cuddapah. Except for some years in the beginning, Cuddapah was the seat of the Mayana Nawabs in the 18th century. With the British occupation of the tract in A.D 1800, it became the headquarters of one of the four Subordinate Collectors under Principal Collector, Major Munro.

In Cuddapah, are the relics of the rule of the Cuddapah Nawabs. Most prominent among these are two towers and the dargahs. It also has got three churches and numerous temples.

Prime Attractions

Ontimitta Kodanda Rama Swami temple is here. French traveler Tavernier described is as one of the most beautiful temples in India. The Sanctum Sanctorum and annex structures were built in a vast area. The temple is very high. The canopy is built with 32 pillars. It is called Madhya Ranga Mandapam. Tavernier visited this place in 1652 A.D. he was astonished at the freedom the people here enjoyed. The archeological department is renovating it.

Gandikota Or The Gorge Fort Gandikota or 'The Gorge Fort' is situated about 6 miles to the west of Jammalamadugu in Cuddapah district. The width within the fort is at its broadest, about five and a half furlongs from west to east and almost a mile from northwest to southeast.

Masjid-e-Azam This beautiful mosque is located near the George fort and was built in 1691 AD during the reign of Aurangzeb.

Chand Phira Gumbadh Chand Phira Gumbadh is the mausoleum of Syed Shah Mohammed Hussian. It is located in a square building with large dome in the centre, surrounded by tall walls, in the heart of the city.

Bramham Gaari Matham This is the birth place of the writer of the future who has foreseen a large number of happening in present day he has foreseen these during the 14th century and has been a victim of nawab's wrath. Sri Veerabramhendra Swamy is very famous allover Andhra Pradesh that he could be considered as the contemporary of Nostradamus.

Sambepalli

Excursions

Pushpagiri A place very close to Cuddapah, where there are few temples that attract tourists the largest and the best known of them is the Chennakesava Temple, which has a lofty gopuram, sculptures depicting scenes from the epics, floral motifs and elaborately engraved pillars.

Jyothi The sculptured mandapam with 32 pillars, the inner chamber and the sanctum make it a most impressive temple.

Fairs

Gangamma Jatra, an annual Jatra of the Shrine of Gangamma is an important event in Anantapuram, Cuddapah district.

How To Get There

Air: The nearest airport is at Renigunta and Chennai .

Rail: Cuddapah has a railway station on the Chennai-Guntakal line. Tourist will find no difficulty in moving around this place.

Road: Cuddapah being the headquarters of the district, is well connected with all the places within the state and other parts of the country also. The state transport corporation and private operators run buses to all the important tourist places in the town.

General Information

Area: 15,359 km² Climate: Tropical Temperature Range: Summer: 30 °C. - 44 °C. (81.56F - 119.6F Approx.) Winter: 21 °C. - 30 °C. (57F - 81.56F Approx.) Rainfall: 695 mm (Seasonal) Clothing: Light Cottons STD Code: 08562

Rivers: Penna, Chitravathi, Kunderu, Papaghni, Sagileru and Cheyeru

Nearby Cities

Pushpagiri[2]: 16 km Renigunta: 131 km Tirupati[3]: 132 km

Population

The city of Kadapa has a population of 125,725 (agglomeration 260,899) (2001) census).

Literature & Education

Literature : Kadapa is birth place for many ancient and contemporary poets. The great Annamacharya well known as Annamayya was from Rajampet which is an hour and half away from Kadapa. He has written over 30000 songs and slokas on the Great Lord Venkateswara in in 17th century. The other poets like Puttaparty NarayanaCharyulu was from Proddatur which is 50 km away from Kadapa.

Education: Recently a new University named as 'Sri Yogi Vemana University' is established in this town. Govt. of Andhra Pradesh have taken up a multi crore (about Rs.125 Crores) health project named as 'Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Mediacal Sciences' (RIMS) at Kadapa comprising of a 750 bedded super specialty hospital, a Medical College (150 students intake) and a Nursing College for 100 students to cater the needs and to improvise the health condition of backward drought prone area of Rayalaseema Region. The project is located in a cool and cute area near Palakonda hills in an area of 182.25 acres. The hospital is planned with a permanent helipad to airlift patients in emergency to Hyderabad or to any metropolitan city in the country.

Agriculture and Industries

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 4000 Hectares 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 30lakh tons of lead, 740lakh tons of barrettes, 27000tons asbestos deposits are there. It is estimated that 700lakh tons of barites 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 10lakh tons. Bharat cement corporation increases its capacity to 10lakh tons. National mineral development corporation is extracting asbestos in Brahman palli and barieties in Mangampet. Kadapa is also famous for its stone called as "cuddapah stone" used in building construction and for slabs especially in the south India.

The forest area is 5.05lakh hectors. It is 32.87% of the district area. It is learnt that elephants required for Golconda army were supplied from here. Em the northeast part of the district rainfall is high. Red sandalwood is available in plenty. This is the only area in India where red sandalwood is available. A National park is set up in Seshachalam hills for prospecting wild animals. 181 are employed in the only one paper industry in the district and its capital investment is Rs.227lakhs. There are mineral related industries and electrical instruments industries. Zuari Cements, India Cement Ltd, Corus India Ltd are the other industries.

External links

• Kadapa Website
• District Profile