Nellore
Nellore city is the headquarters of
Nellore District, the southernmost coastal district in the state of
Andhra Pradesh,
India. The population of the city is 378,947 (
agglomeration 404,922) (
2001 census). According to
2004 assembly election census Nellore population has increased upto 7 lakhs due to immigration of people from many other areas.It is situated in the south east corner of Andhra Pradesh, on the south and north banks of the River
Pennar (also spelled Penna or Penneru).
The area of the district is 13,076 km². The district is bounded by the
Bay of Bengal to the east, the district of
Cuddapah to the west, the district of
Prakasam to the north and the state of
Tamil Nadu to the south.
Nellore district formed part of the composite
Madras State until
1 October,
1953. On
1 November,
1956, when the states were reorganised on a linguistic basis, this district came under Andhra Pradesh. The city of Nellore attained the status of a Municipal Corporation in 2004.
Nellore was also known as
Vikramasimhapuri. The city derives its name from the
Tamil word for rice paddy,
Nellu and since the areas surrounding Nellore are fertile and dominated by rice paddies, the city got the name Nellore. Historically, the place is very important. Culturally, Nellore city stands unique among the other towns of Andhra Pradesh as it is supposed to be the place where the greatest of the
Telugu poets,
Tikkana Somayaji, who translated the major part of
Mahabharata into Telugu, lived here. He is believed to be one of the minsters at Simhapuri then ruled by Manumasiddhi and used his skills to get political help from
Kakatiya dynasty.
It also has major role in recent state history.
Potti Sriramulu, Telugu patriot and activist, who fasted to death for the formation of Andhra state within the Indian Union was from Nellore. Nellore also has strategic commercial importance as it lies between the cities of
Vijayawada and
Chennai.
Nellore is famous for paddy cultivation.It is also known for
aquaculture along the
Bay of Bengal.It is called the cradle of Indian aquaculture.Flamingo Festival is celebrated in this district's famous bird sanctuary at Nelapattu.There are places of historical importance like Udayagiri fort, Narasimha Konda,Penchala kona,Venkatagiri fort,Mypadu beach,kothakoduru beach and Krishnapatnam port.Famous rocket launching station, Satish Dhawan Space Research Station, SHAR (Sriharikota High Altitude Range) Center, is located near Sullurpeta, in southern part of this district.Three major cities in the district are Nellore, Kavali, and Gudur.
|
The Leelamahal Theatre road opposite the landmark Venkatagiri Raja College(VRC) flooded by rain water |
On other hand Nellore also has got dubious distinction of poverty in plenty. In summer people have to run pillar to post to get 1 bucket of potable water. The problem is perennial in most parts of the district. Mindless aqua culture lead to hard water usage even within the town.The nellore town planning is haphazard and never ending growth is adding further difficuties. The real estate thrives along national high way,though actually its not desirable to built a home near express high ways, where entry is restricted.
Nellore city these days expanded enormously. It is a major port and market center.Krishnapatnam port is hoped to become a world class deep water port.Iron ore and Granite is being exported from this port to other countries like China etc.Industrial developement is very rapid in Nellore.Nellore will be called as 'Power City' soon, because of the construction of two Ultra Mega Power Projects of capacity 4000MW each in Nellore district.An International Leather park will start functioning near Tada,Nellore in a few months.Tada is at a distance of 80kms from Nellore City is showing promising future with new Industrial Ventures like Adidas factory, Tata's Leather park and Automobile city ventures.In addition to this State Government is trying to develope whole Nellore District as an Industrial Hub along with Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam.Proximity to the sea as well as its central location in this agricultural heartland has helped Nellore to grow as a city.Also it is famous for rice and aqua (prawn and fish) culture. Nellore is an important center for products such as cotton,lemon and oilseeds. A main railway line passes through and national highway number 5 serves the city. It offers the visitor a few good religious sites like temples to visit as well as a pristine beach,Kotha Koduru nearbyThe nearest international and domestic airport is about 170 km south(
Chennai).A propasal is there to setup a new airport to connect to cities like
Hyderabad and
Vishakapatnam which lie at other end of
Andhrapradesh.But God knows when it will come into the existence!To talk about real hard facts,Nellore town has not witnessed laying of drainage system for past 25 years while population outstripped it.This has caused some what dubious distinction of arthropoda outsmarting homo sapiens within the town! Yearlong, people suffer from countless mosquito bites.House flies infest day and night.Town roads are guarded by pigs and garlanded by mosquitoes and houseflies.People have to vade through waterlogged roads in rains and drainage water clogged roads in summer. Leptospirosis is endemic interspersed by seasonal epidemic of Japanese encephalitis. Malaria, filaria,chicken gunya and enteric fevers are quite common. Hospitals are choked to full throughout the year. With poor maintenance of town roads, one can expect traffic jams and has to resort to circus feats to get away. Air is full of dust leading to respiratory problems.With poor maintenance of town roads, one can expect traffic jams and has to resort to circus feats to get away.People lack sanitation awareness and often throw garbage from home on roads. One survey found that children and old people are the most silent sufferers with malnutrition confounded by communicable diseases.Though the district experiences the typical climate of the region, it is frequently affected by droughts,cyclones and floods damaging the crops and aquaculture.
Nellore people love it for many reasons, one of them being culture and nature and nostalgia. Though many make fun of rural Nellore
telugu accent,almost every one likes Nelloreans for their lavishness.Most are Happy-go-lucky and take-it-easy types, and there are enough who are highly ambitious and hard working.These people make Nellore a much spoken about place. Nelloreans in general are respected in other places worldwide.Residents of nellore are friendly and supportive. They offer food and water to needy even if the person is a stranger. In earlier times they used to give even shelter,but as it become risky now a days,the practice is stopped. House wives pay visit to nearby temple in evenings.Men like to watch a movie.People do not hesitate to spend money for personal things and derive pleasure in getting the attention of others by 'showing' belongings.They like to discuss when an air port would be built,where actually there is dearth of basic ameneties like sanitation,drainage system,non erratic power suppy and potable water.Men aged between 18-40 years spend evening times hanging around shops selling mobile phones,busy knowing latest models and prices and service providers with lowest rates.
Nellore has been famous in the state from 1985,for its coaching institutions catering to various streams at the level of plus 2(popularly known as intermdiate education).Notable among them are Narayana and Ratnam. Narayana also runs a medical College,a dental College and an engineering College.Till later half of 1990s,an institution ran by Mr.Kodandaramayya(popularly nicknamed 'KORA') was famous in getting more number of students into medical field.After his downfall,Ratnam group gained top spot in educating for EAMCET,medical stream.All three,Mr.Ratnam,Mr.KORA,Mr.Narayana were employees(1980s) of VR College,Nellore.Mr.Narayana murthy,senior among all also had a separate coaching centre until middle of 1990s.Narayana was also the student of Mr.Narayana murthy.In addition,number of colleges and educational institutes are invogue. They 'coach'the students preparing for various entrance examinations. The term 'Education' has acquired a different meaning here.Student is stuffed with 'study material' and long hours of 'study hours' leaving very little scope to think and assimilate the subject.Many are just 'echo boards' and not able to justify the ranks they secure.At present,there are almost 100 such coaching centers and residential schools and colleges in various fields.
A few ancient colleges which have contributed education to Nellore are :
*Veda and Sanskrit college - The theosophist refers to visit of Dr.Annie besant and establishment of vedic school which later became a college
*Venkatagiri Raja's College (VRC)and high school
*Sarvodaya College
*Dodala Kousalyamma Women's College (DKW)
*St.Peters school
*St.Johns school
*St.Joseph's English Medium High SchoolVeda and Sanskrit college and V.R. College are the oldest educational instituion in Nellore town. The next to be founded was DKW College for women. They were originally affiliated to Madras University or Andhra University, now the colleges have become part of S.V. University.Next college that came into existence was Sarvodaya college,opposite to RTC Bus stand.Others are
*KAC Govt. Junior College
*Srinivasa Degree College
On other hand providing educational facilities to rural areas is largely confined to shelves of the Andhrapradesh Government. As of 2006 Srinivasa Degree College is the only degree level college to be set up in Kovur mandal since India's Independence in 1947. The college is providing good educational facilities to the local population and made a mark for itself in computer training.
Nellore has distinction of highest density of health providers in India at one place.Pogathota and surrounding areas have almost 500 private hospitals.Most of them are busy, thanks to poor sanitation of the district especially within the town.With hectic competition,many clinics resort to heavy and unsolicited advertisements in local cable TV channels.For want of recognition some arrange 'free' health camps in near by towns and villages in arrangement with local "quacks".One private medical college arranges to and fro free transport on daily basis for want of patients.Some MBBS graduates put up boards claiming having non- existent and not recognized qualifications like MDRC,Dip in Diabetology to cash on current epidemic of diabetes causing long-term damage to patients.Poorly trained MBBS,postgraduate diploma,MD or MS degree holders with lack of quality CME,present bleak picture.One can see some with framed(fake) certificates like DcGO,Dch Ireland,Australia,London,Yugoslavia,FACS,FAGS,FAMS,FICS,FAGE,MB(and what not!)hoodwinking the sick.Some MBBS doctors who did non-clinical degree like MD(Biochemistry) practice as 'Endocrinologists'and master physicians(not letting the biochemistry name on the display board).Every tree and pole carrying electricity wires in town bears at least one advertisement board of a clinic/hospital.If doctors attend any medical education programme at a hotel,they prefer food/liquor served,rather than analysing what they heard.Most have lost the habit of reading and updating the knowledge,a reflection of poor standards,when medicine is an ever changing and progressive science.The real sufferer is the common man who has to spend a lot on unnecessary investigations and procedures.Pediatric hospitals especially are notorious for cashing on parents' anxiety projecting common ailments as life threatening.Surgical specialists(including orthopedics)overcharge minor procedures.Caeserian section is 'quite popular'.Chest specialists indiscriminately use steroids,negelcting their longterm side-effects.Some superspecialists cash on their qualification and never practice the full potential they assume.To conclude the medical fraternity of nellore town is far from the humanity. Some well known and credited (list is not exhaustive) medical services within the town are listed below.
*DSR Govt. General Hospital (originally situated at Santhapet, the hospital moved to present location at dargamitta )
*Peoples Poly Clinic(Previous name:Ramachandrareddy hospital)
*Jayabharath Hospital
*St.John's hospital
*Bollineni Super Speciality Hospital
*Indian redcross society
*ABM HOSPITAL(American Baptist Hospital,opp taluq office)
*
*
Kavi Tikkana -
of kavitrayam*
Molla - allegedly first telugu poetess/writer
*
Acharya Atreya - Story/Song writer
*
S P Balasubrahmanyam - Singer and actor
*
Potti Sriramulu - Martyr
* Puchalapalli Sundaraiah-Communist
*VT Venkataram -( Famous Consumer movement Activist)
*A C Subba reddy- ex minister and grand old politician
*Rebala laxminarasa reddy -(town hall and paediatric hospital are his gifts to nellore)
Nellore district is divided into the following Mandals:
*
Allur*Ananthasagaram
*Anumasamudrampeta
*
Atmakur*Balayapalle
*Bhogolu
*
Buchireddipalem*Chejerla
*Chillakur
*Chittamur
*Dagadarthi
*
Dakkili*Doravarisatram
*Duttalur
*
Gudur*Indukurpet
*Jaladanki
*Kaligiri
*Kaluvoya
*Kavali
*Kodavalur
*Kondapuram
*Kota
*
Kovur*Manubolu
*Marripadu
*Muthukur
*Naidupeta
*Nellore
*Ojili
*Pellakur
*Podlakur
*Rapur
*Seetharamapuram
*Sangam
*Somasila
*
Sullurpeta*
Sydapuram *Tada
*Thotapalligudur
*Udayagiri
*Vakadu
*Varikuntapadu
*Venkatachalam
*Vinjamur
*Venkatagiri
*Vidavalur Note: The above lists are not comprehensive.
* Kovur Thermal Power Plant ( defunct)
* Nellore Nippo Battery factory
* Acqua and fisheries throughout the district
* Mica Mines in Gudur and Sydapuram mandals
S.No Name Location Theme 1 Anumasamudram Peta(Rahamatabad) Nellore Pilgrim Centres
Located 60 Kms from Nellore , The site of an ancient mosque, where an annual urnus of Khaja Rahamthullah attracts pilgrims from all over the state.
2 Chengalamma Temple Sulurpeta Pilgrim Centres
Located 100 Kms from Nellore, Situated on the banks of river kalingi is the Chengalamma Temple which represents the culmination of three goddesses namely Saraswathi, Mahalaxmi and Parvathi.
3 Jonnawada Nellore Pilgrim Centres
Located 25 Kms from Nellore, It is famous for the temple of Goddes Kamakshi, praying to whom is belived to relieve one from all problems and diseases. A ' Sri Chakram' installed by Sri Jagadguru Sanka...
4 Kasumur Nellore Pilgrim Centres
Located 25 Kms from Nellore, Known for the Dargah of Hazarath Karimillah Sha Khadri alias Mastan valli, a visit to which is belived to cure various ailments. A popular place of pilgrimage for people o...
5 Koduru Nellore Beaches
Located 10 Kms from Nellore , A picturesque beach. It is the perfect weekend getaway for the people living in and around the area.
6 Maipadu Beach Nellore Beaches
Located 25 Kms from Nellore Laze on The golden sun - kissed beach as the gentle waves of sea lap at the fine sand.the luch vegetation all round makes for an enchanting setting. Exciting trips on the l...
7 Nelapattu Bird Sancturay Sullurpeta Wild Life
A must-visit for all bird lovers, this world-renowned sanctuary on the banks of Pulicat lake, is spread over 486 sq.km. Here you can sopt the famous Siberian Cranes and nearly 160 species of birds fro...
8 Penchalakona Nellore Pilgrim Centres
Located 50 Kms from Nellore , A major pilgrimage centre, it is famous for the temple of Sri Penusila Narsimha Swamy ,situated at the foot of a hill. Mountains and dense forests surround the scenic spo...
9 Pulicat Lake Sulurpeta Lakes & Rivers
Pulicat Lake is the second blackish water lagoon in India and is famous for the presence of a variety of aquatic & terrestrial birds like flamingoes, painted storks, grey pelicans and seagulls and lar...
10 Ramathirdham Nellore Pilgrim Centres
Located 31 Kms from Nellore, it is famous for the temple of Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy . Lord Siva and Kamakshamma are the presiding deties while Vigneswara and Subramanya Swamy are the also worshipped ...
11 Ranganayaka Temple Nellore Pilgrim Centres
More than 500 years old, this temple is situated on the baks of the river Pennar and is marked by a huge 29mts tall Galigopuram with seven gold kalasams. Well-known for its architectural splendour, th...
12 Somasila Somasila Leisure Spots
Located 80 Kms from Nellore , a dam is Constructed here across the Pennar river as it flows through the narrow Velikonda Hills. A famous Siva Temple built during the 7 th century A.D.is worth a visit.
13 Sri Raja Rajeshwari Ammavari Devasthanam Nellore Pilgrim Centres
History of the Temple in Brief. Sri Arul Jyoti Nataraja Murthy Swamy of Sri Arul Jyoti Nataraja Murthy Swamy Ashram Pitadhipathi wished to have a temple for Sri Devi. In 1968 Sri Ratna Swamy Mudiliar...
14 Sri Venugopala Swamy Devasthanam Moolapet Pilgrim Centres
Sri Venugopala Swamy Devasthanam, is in Moolapet of Nellore District . Built in 1883, the presiding diety of the temple is Sri Rukmini Satyabhama Sametha Sri Venugopala Swamy. The idols are in lblack ...
15 Udayagiri Fort Udayagiri Monuments Located 96 Kms from Nellore, This is the site of a mighty fortress built by the Vijayanagar Kings in the 14 century. A towering peak reaching a heaight of mts can be seen here ,which is called Sanjiva...
16
Sriharikota, SHAR - famous rocket launching centre.This is the second most important rocket launching centre in the world after French Guayana.
17 Nellore Lake(Nellore cheruvu,podalakur road):
Ph:0861-2306089
Charges per person Adult Child
1.Deluxe boat/25 seater Rs.20/- Rs. 15/-
2.Pedal Boat 20 minutes Rs.10/-
3. Speed Boat 4 persons, 6 min trip Rs.120/-
Note: Tariff subject to change without prior notice.
Facilities:Padel Boating,Speed Boats,Deluxe Boats and Restaurant
18
Krishnapatnam port
19 Venkatagiri fort
20 Kotha kodur beach(via totapalligudur)
21 Devuduvellamaplli Eswaraiah temple it's one of the famous temple in near districts Cuddapa,Chittur, in every year Aprial month they celebrate tirunalu its very powerful Piligramege.
22 Baarah Shahid Dargaah ( A place where muslim martyrs fell - supposedly from Crusade wars Baarah - twelve , shahid - martyr )
23 Children's Park, Swatantra Park, Mahaboob Khan Park etc...
*
link title-operated by district news paper Zaminryot
*
Nellore Website*
NelloreTimes Website*
GIPS Website
