(This article has been contributed by Mr. Ratnakar Sadasyula)
Srikakulam located in the extreme North East corner of Andhra Pradesh and bordering Odisha, is known more for its backwardness, of people migrating in search of job opportunities. Add to it Tollywood movies making fun of the people's accent there. But beyond that this district has a rich history, culture and natural beauty. Here are some fascinating facts about Srikakulam district that one should know.
Featured image credit: Satya Murthy Arepalli
1. It was part of the ancient Kalinga kingdom, and made up the Southern part of the empire. Jain emperor Kharavela ruled from Srimukhalingam as the capital, and in the 5th century, the Gangas of Odisha, ruled from here with Purushottapuram(now near to Amadalavalasa) as capital. The temples at Srimukhalingam were built by the Ganga rulers, that explains their distinctive Kalinga style architecture. The idol of Shiva here has a likeness of a face, the only temple in India to have such a lingam.
2. Mahatma Gandhi toured here during Dec 1927, for 3 days, meeting many freedom fighters and activists. He also addressed a public meeting at the muncipal grounds in Srikakulam town.
3. Rajam town is the home of Tandra Paparayudu, the wise and brave General of the Bobilli king, Ranga Rao. He was known as the Bobilli Pulli, due to his exploits in the battle field, which often struck terror in the fear of the enemies. After the Battle of Bobilli, that destroyed the fort and kingdom, he wreaked vengenance on the rival Vijayanagar ruler Vijayarama Raju.
4. Rajam is also the home to Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao, better known as GMR, whose group of industries is one of the well known infrastructure firms having presence in 7 nations. GMR group has been the one that built Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad and Sabiha Gocken Int'l Airport in Istanbul, Turkey. It also owns Delhi Daredevils in IPL.
5. Ponduru is famous for its Khadi, in fact the town is identified with it. The Khadi Cooperative here was inaugurated by Acharya Vinoba Bhave in 1953. The town is especially famous for its very fine Khadi variety, that is made only here. The fine Khadi is weaved using a fishing bone, and a variety of hill cotton, the only place in India to do so. Currently this industry employs around 1000 people in 40 villages around here. The Khadi here is exported to various countries too. The dhoti worn by actor ANR is made out of the Khadi here, and he would regularly order it from here.
6. One of the few Olympic medalists for India, Karnam Malleswari, hails from this district. She took up weightlifting when few women showed interest in the sport, and won silver medal at the 1998 Asiad in Bangkok. In 2000 she created history becoming the first woman to win an Olympic medal for India, when she won the bronze in Sydney Olympics.
7. Sardar Gouthu Lachanna, hailing from a poor toddy tapper family in Barua , gained fame by taking active part in the freedom struggle. At a time when Congress had no opposition in India, he stood against it, and played a key role in the founding of the Bharatiya Lok Dal and Janata Parties.
8. Gidugu Rammurthy, born in a small village near Odisha border, championed the cause of using Vyavaharika Bhasha(language of common people) as opposed to the Grandhika Bhasha, then in vogue among Telugu authors. He took literature to the masses using ordinary spoken Telugu, much to the consternation of the more conservative writers. He also created a script for the tribal Savara language and learnt that.
9. "Maa koddhu ee Telladoratanam"( We don't need this White Lords' rule), the clarion call of the freedom struggle in Andhra Pradesh, was given by Garimella Satyanarayana, who was born in a small village near Sarubujilli here.
10. Palasa is famous for its cashew cultivation, around 50 tonnes of cashew is exported from here daily. The cashew industry here is a source of livelihood to around 50,000 people both directly and indirectly. It has driven the economy here, in the form of trading, processing units, as well as workers, growers. The cashew here is sent to UP, Chattisgarh, Punjab, MP, Bihar and Rajasthan. The turn over is estimated to be around 350 crores.
11. Uddanam region covering Sompeta, Kanchili, Ichapuram, Kaviti mandals is famous for its coconut groves and cultivation. Around 12-15 lakhs worth business is conducted here, and many coir processing industries, coconut trading centers here provide livelihood to the people.
12. The Sun temple at Arasavilli, is one of the famous ones in India. From March 9-12 and Oct 1-3, the sun rays directly touch the idol here during sunrise. Srikurmam has the only temple in India dedicated to Kurmavatara of Mahavishnu.
13. Telineelapuram near Tekkali is famous for its bird sanctuary, that sees Pelicans, Painted Storks during winter time. Apparently the locals here protect the birds fiercely, and any one killing the birds is given a death punishment a la the Bishnois in Rajasthan.
Image Credit: Satya Murthy on Flickr.
2. Mahatma Gandhi toured here during Dec 1927, for 3 days, meeting many freedom fighters and activists. He also addressed a public meeting at the muncipal grounds in Srikakulam town.
3. Rajam town is the home of Tandra Paparayudu, the wise and brave General of the Bobilli king, Ranga Rao. He was known as the Bobilli Pulli, due to his exploits in the battle field, which often struck terror in the fear of the enemies. After the Battle of Bobilli, that destroyed the fort and kingdom, he wreaked vengenance on the rival Vijayanagar ruler Vijayarama Raju.
4. Rajam is also the home to Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao, better known as GMR, whose group of industries is one of the well known infrastructure firms having presence in 7 nations. GMR group has been the one that built Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad and Sabiha Gocken Int'l Airport in Istanbul, Turkey. It also owns Delhi Daredevils in IPL.
5. Ponduru is famous for its Khadi, in fact the town is identified with it. The Khadi Cooperative here was inaugurated by Acharya Vinoba Bhave in 1953. The town is especially famous for its very fine Khadi variety, that is made only here. The fine Khadi is weaved using a fishing bone, and a variety of hill cotton, the only place in India to do so. Currently this industry employs around 1000 people in 40 villages around here. The Khadi here is exported to various countries too. The dhoti worn by actor ANR is made out of the Khadi here, and he would regularly order it from here.
6. One of the few Olympic medalists for India, Karnam Malleswari, hails from this district. She took up weightlifting when few women showed interest in the sport, and won silver medal at the 1998 Asiad in Bangkok. In 2000 she created history becoming the first woman to win an Olympic medal for India, when she won the bronze in Sydney Olympics.
7. Sardar Gouthu Lachanna, hailing from a poor toddy tapper family in Barua , gained fame by taking active part in the freedom struggle. At a time when Congress had no opposition in India, he stood against it, and played a key role in the founding of the Bharatiya Lok Dal and Janata Parties.
8. Gidugu Rammurthy, born in a small village near Odisha border, championed the cause of using Vyavaharika Bhasha(language of common people) as opposed to the Grandhika Bhasha, then in vogue among Telugu authors. He took literature to the masses using ordinary spoken Telugu, much to the consternation of the more conservative writers. He also created a script for the tribal Savara language and learnt that.
9. "Maa koddhu ee Telladoratanam"( We don't need this White Lords' rule), the clarion call of the freedom struggle in Andhra Pradesh, was given by Garimella Satyanarayana, who was born in a small village near Sarubujilli here.
10. Palasa is famous for its cashew cultivation, around 50 tonnes of cashew is exported from here daily. The cashew industry here is a source of livelihood to around 50,000 people both directly and indirectly. It has driven the economy here, in the form of trading, processing units, as well as workers, growers. The cashew here is sent to UP, Chattisgarh, Punjab, MP, Bihar and Rajasthan. The turn over is estimated to be around 350 crores.
11. Uddanam region covering Sompeta, Kanchili, Ichapuram, Kaviti mandals is famous for its coconut groves and cultivation. Around 12-15 lakhs worth business is conducted here, and many coir processing industries, coconut trading centers here provide livelihood to the people.
12. The Sun temple at Arasavilli, is one of the famous ones in India. From March 9-12 and Oct 1-3, the sun rays directly touch the idol here during sunrise. Srikurmam has the only temple in India dedicated to Kurmavatara of Mahavishnu.
13. Telineelapuram near Tekkali is famous for its bird sanctuary, that sees Pelicans, Painted Storks during winter time. Apparently the locals here protect the birds fiercely, and any one killing the birds is given a death punishment a la the Bishnois in Rajasthan.
Image Credit: Satya Murthy on Flickr.
