While the entirety of the world assumes that Kadapa is all about factions and bombs, we are all missing out the real and beautiful sides of Kadapa that can make anyone puff up in pride. All thanks to our movies, Kadapa has missed out on being highlighted for being the historic and touristic marvel that it is. Chai Bisket figured everyone needs to know the magnificent sides of the district so we compiled these few things that deserve a shining spotlight.
1. 450 year old Vontimitta Kodanda Rama Temple in Kadapa District was described as the most beautiful temple in India by a 17th Century French traveler Tavernier.
Image Credit: Travelux.
2. While most of the early historic Rock paintings in India are found in Madhya Pradesh, Kadapa recently unearthed rock paintings that defined the lives of prehistoric men.
Image Credit: Kadapa Online
3. A great star, Vaggeyakara Annamacharya, was born in 1424 at Tallapaka Village in Rajampet Mandal. He favoured the lyrical style of poetry and composed songs and psalms. He composed more than thirty two thousand devotional hymns- Sankeerthanas on Lord Venkateshwara.
Image Credit: Wikipedia
4. Kadapa district is known for being the largest exporter of black limestone which incidentally is famously known as Kadapa limestone.
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5. Peddapasupula village from the Jammalamadugu Mandal of Kadapa is one of the only alcohol-free villages in the two sister states.
Image Credit: The Hindu
6. If you are looking for secularism, then look no more! Ameen Peer Dargah is popular amongst both Hindus and Muslims.
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7. Kadapa District Administration launched a Travelers’ App called Magnificent Kadapa. It’s meant to make tourism easy in Kadapa and includes maps, documents and photographs.
Image Credit: The Hindu
8. Did you know India had a Grand Canyon of its own?! And it belongs in Kadapa. Gandikota is known for its Gorge View.
Image Credit: My Travel Tales
9. Yogi Vemana, whose poems we learnt as children, was from Kadapa. His verses were later translated to French and English as well!
Image Credit: Andhra Bulletin
10. Kadapa is a land of various cultures, which have coexisted peacefully throughout the ages. Huen Tsang, the great Chinese traveller, gives clear existence of nirgantha heretics (Jain) and Sangharams (Buddhist monasteries) through his travel in the 7th century AD. Muslims arrived in the 14th century, while Christians came in the first half of the 18th century.
Image Credit: Gemstone Universe
11. Charles Philip Brown, who was the assistant Collector of then Cuddupah, stands out like a beacon among European scholars who contributed to Telugu studies. He rendered an unbelievable service to Telugu with an amazing zeal and interest; he was the first Indologist to publish Telugu classics with commentaries. He collected a large number of palm-leaf manuscripts. Brown's magnum opus was his dictionary, Telugu-English, English-Telugu and mixed dialects in 1852.
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12. Sidhout Fort, often referred to as the gateway to Srisailam or Dakshina Kasi, encompasses beautifully sculpted temples inside its premises. Built in 1303 AD, the fort stands on the banks of river Pennar and covers an area of 30 acres. The majestic gateways at the two ends have embellished pillars and intricate carvings of Gajalakshmi at the top. 17 square bastions which protected the area are still an impressive sight. A special feature of the fort is an ancillary passage allowing people to enter when the main gates are closed.
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