Pithapuram
Encyclopedia
For famous Playback singer
see Pithapuram Nageswara Rao
Pithapuram is a town and a municipality
in East Godavari district in the India
n state
of Andhra Pradesh
.
Pithapuram railway station is on the Chennai
-Howrah Railway line. Pithapuram is famous for its Ancient Hindu temple
s. Pithapuram was previously known as Puruhoothika puram (పురుహూతికా పురం) and later known as Pithikapuram (పీఠికా పురం). Pithapuram is also known as Dakshina
Kasi
.
, Pitapuram had a population of 50,103 Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Pitapuram has an average literacy rate of 61%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 66%, and female literacy is 57%. In Pitapuram, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
during the rule of Vikramendravarma I. They ruled for over two centuries from the first quarter of the 5th Century A.D. The records discovered indicate that their dominion extended over Vishakhapatnam, West Godavari
, Krishna
and Guntur
besides the present East Godavari
district. Ranadurjaya, a member of the Durjaya family, ruled pistapuram or Pithapuram as a Vassal of Vikramendravarma in recognition of his services to the State. Another Vishnukundina ruler Indrabhattaraka, defeated the rulers of Vasishta Gotrikas and re-established his authority over this region. His success was, however, short-lived. The early Gangas of Kalinga
with the support of some petty rulers, completely routed Indrabhattaraka's army. This resulted in Vishnukundin's power suffering a severe set-back. Indrabhattaraka was followed on the throne by a few others belonging to the same family. madhavavarma III was the last important ruler of this family. Madhavavarma III was, however, killed in a battle. He was succeeded by his son, Manchannabhattaraka who strove hard to maintain his hold over the ancestral dominion without much success.
Later, the western Chalukya ruler of Badami, Pulakesin II, with the help of his brother Kubjavishnu, attacked Pistapura and emerged victorious. Kubjavishnu was given the newly acquired territories in the east, in token of appreciation of the services rendered by him.
The rulers of Eastern Chalukya dynasty founded by Kubjavishnu, ruled first from Pistapura, next from Vengi and then from Rajamahendri (Rajahmundry). Chalukya Bhima I, who ruled furing A.D.892-921, built a temple in honour of Siva at Draksharama. In the subsequent period which marked a civil war for power, Amma I, son of Vijayaditya IV, came out victorious and ruled the kingdom for seven years. He was succeeded by his son Vijayaditya V, who was ousted from power within a fortnight of his accession. He was compelled to take refuge in the fort of Pithapuram, where he founded a dynasty.
After this Koppula Prolaya Nayaka of the Kapu Caste ruled Pistapuram under the Kakateeya rulers and when the Kakateeyas were defeated. He was part of the Confederation of Nayaks who revolted against the Sultans and drove them out of Warangal. His descendants are still in various villages in East Godavari District. He became independent rulers one the Musunuri Nayaks were eastablished on the throne of Warangal.
Pithapuram was also ruled by Velogoti family of the Velama
Caste and was a samasthanam during the British rules they were closely linked to the Venakatagiri Velama Families..
Pithapuram Raja(King) is a Freedom fighter
Missionaries of the Canadian Baptist Mission
established their medical enterprise here in the form of the famed hospital Christian Medical Centre. CMC, Pithapuram was known for its quick and healing touch since the eighteenth century.
Pitapuram is also famous in Andhra Pradesh for the Sri Surya Ayurvedic Nilayam.Manufacturing Authentic Sastric and proprietary Ayurvedic Medicines since 1926,SAN has branches throughout Andhra Pradesh and agencies in Karnataka,Kerala,Gujarat and Rajasthan.This is the second company to get GMP license in AndhraPradesh. The Palanki Family owns the Sri Surya Ayurvedic Nilayam. The headquarters of the company is in Pitapuram.
. The Sri Surya Ayurvedic Nilayam has traditional Ayurvedic remedies passed down by the Palanki Family. The Sri Surya Ayurvedic Nilayam is currently owned by Sitharamiah Palanki. The Palanki Family is a Brahmin
family and has descended from a large town (or small kingdom
) called Palanki.
Sri Cherukupalli Venkateswarlu: Prominent Vedapandit.
Sri Cherukupalli Venkateswarlu was a famous vedapandit and honoured as Yaatra Kesari. He was a popural purohit around the AP and other states.
This complex has a Sarovar after taking bath people offer prayers to their ancestors, as this temple complex is called Pada Gaya. It has Gayasura's Padas(Feet) and Vishnu Padas (Feet).
Gayasura's body was cut in three portions and out of that Head has fallen at Siro Gaya
(Called Gaya in Bihar) Below chest (Nabhi) portion has fallen in Nabhi Gaya, Biraja Temple
Jajpur in Orissa
and the Legs (Padas) have fallen here hence called Pada Gaya.
Swayambhu Sri Dattatreya Swamy is also in the Temple Complex. Sripada Srivallbha Swamy's idol is worshipped separately in the same complex. It is the only place where an idol of Sri Datta incarnation is worshipped. Rest of the two places Kurugadda and Ganaga puram Swamy's padukas are being worshipped.
Recently in April 2008, another temple Akhanda Datta Brundavan has been constructed as Saibaba is the main Idol with his earlier incarnations namely Sri Pada Srivallbha Swamy(Pithapuram), Sri Nrusimha Saraswathi swamy(Ganagapur in Karnataka (Near Gulbarga,) Shri Swami Samarth (Akkalkot Maharaj)in Maharashtra, Sri Manik Prabhu (Humanabad,Bidar in Karnataka) (near to Hyderabad). This temple was inaugurated with the pious hands of Guruji Chandra Bhanu Satpathy Ji of Chatrapur, New Delhi near to famous Qutub Minar.
PRAJA (people's revolutionary anarchist judicial association)
Sahrudaya Mitra Mandali, an welfare organization
Jana Vigyana Vedika, an organization working for scientific temper
A to Z voluntary blood donate organization
Spandinche Hrudayam , welfare organization
Sree Pada Karunalayam, real place for real humanity
Umar Alisha Rural Development Trust is a Voluntary organization working for the overall development of the rural areas.
Playback singer
A playback singer is a singer whose singing is prerecorded for use in movies. Playback singers record songs for soundtracks, and actors or actresses lip-sync the songs for cameras, while the actual singer does not appear on screen.-South Asia:...
see Pithapuram Nageswara Rao
Pithapuram Nageswara Rao
Pithapuram Nageswara Rao is a popular Playback singer during the early period of Telugu cinema. He sang thousands of songs mostly of comedy nature in 1950s and 1960s along with Madhavapeddi Satyam and others.-Brief lifesketch:...
Pithapuram is a town and a municipality
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
in East Godavari district in the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
.
Pithapuram railway station is on the Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
-Howrah Railway line. Pithapuram is famous for its Ancient Hindu temple
Hindu temple
A Mandir, Devalayam, Devasthanam, or a Hindu temple is a place of worship for followers of Hinduism...
s. Pithapuram was previously known as Puruhoothika puram (పురుహూతికా పురం) and later known as Pithikapuram (పీఠికా పురం). Pithapuram is also known as Dakshina
Dakshina
Dakshina in the historical Vedic religion is the term for the recompense paid by the sacrificer for the services of a priest, originally consisting of a cow...
Kasi
Kasi
KASI or Kasi may refer to:* Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, South Korea* Kingdom of Kashi, or Kasi, an ancient kingdom with Varanasi as its capital* 1430KASI, a radio station licensed to serve Ames, Iowa...
.
Geography
Pithapuram is located at 17.1167°N 82.2667°E. It has an average elevataion of 10 meters (36 feet). It is located near several beaches though not one in particular. It is in between 2 major cities; Kakinada and Rajahmundry. Pitapuram though is landlocked town and most of the economic activity takes place in Kakinada.Demographics
India censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, Pitapuram had a population of 50,103 Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Pitapuram has an average literacy rate of 61%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 66%, and female literacy is 57%. In Pitapuram, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
History
The earlist name of Pithapuram was Peetikapuram.The Area passed into the hands of the VishnukundinaVishnukundina
The Vishnukundina Empire was an Indian imperial power controlling the Deccan, Orissa and parts of South India during the 5th and 6th centuries, carving land out from the Vakataka Empire. It played an important role in the history of the Deccan during the 5th and 6th centuries CE...
during the rule of Vikramendravarma I. They ruled for over two centuries from the first quarter of the 5th Century A.D. The records discovered indicate that their dominion extended over Vishakhapatnam, West Godavari
West Godavari
West Godavari District is one of the 23 districts of Andhra Pradesh, India. Eluru, is the district headquarter...
, Krishna
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
and Guntur
Guntur
Guntur , is a city and a municipal corporation in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, located to the north and west of the Bay of Bengal. It is approximately to the south of the national capital, New Delhi and south east of state capital, Hyderabad. Guntur is the fourth largest city in Andhra...
besides the present East Godavari
East Godavari
East Godavari District is a district situated on the northeast of the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. Its district headquarters is Kakinada. It is the second richest district in the whole country...
district. Ranadurjaya, a member of the Durjaya family, ruled pistapuram or Pithapuram as a Vassal of Vikramendravarma in recognition of his services to the State. Another Vishnukundina ruler Indrabhattaraka, defeated the rulers of Vasishta Gotrikas and re-established his authority over this region. His success was, however, short-lived. The early Gangas of Kalinga
Kalinga
Kalinga is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is Tabuk and borders Mountain Province to the south, Abra to the west, Isabela to the east, Cagayan to the northeast, and Apayao to the north...
with the support of some petty rulers, completely routed Indrabhattaraka's army. This resulted in Vishnukundin's power suffering a severe set-back. Indrabhattaraka was followed on the throne by a few others belonging to the same family. madhavavarma III was the last important ruler of this family. Madhavavarma III was, however, killed in a battle. He was succeeded by his son, Manchannabhattaraka who strove hard to maintain his hold over the ancestral dominion without much success.
Later, the western Chalukya ruler of Badami, Pulakesin II, with the help of his brother Kubjavishnu, attacked Pistapura and emerged victorious. Kubjavishnu was given the newly acquired territories in the east, in token of appreciation of the services rendered by him.
The rulers of Eastern Chalukya dynasty founded by Kubjavishnu, ruled first from Pistapura, next from Vengi and then from Rajamahendri (Rajahmundry). Chalukya Bhima I, who ruled furing A.D.892-921, built a temple in honour of Siva at Draksharama. In the subsequent period which marked a civil war for power, Amma I, son of Vijayaditya IV, came out victorious and ruled the kingdom for seven years. He was succeeded by his son Vijayaditya V, who was ousted from power within a fortnight of his accession. He was compelled to take refuge in the fort of Pithapuram, where he founded a dynasty.
After this Koppula Prolaya Nayaka of the Kapu Caste ruled Pistapuram under the Kakateeya rulers and when the Kakateeyas were defeated. He was part of the Confederation of Nayaks who revolted against the Sultans and drove them out of Warangal. His descendants are still in various villages in East Godavari District. He became independent rulers one the Musunuri Nayaks were eastablished on the throne of Warangal.
Pithapuram was also ruled by Velogoti family of the Velama
Velama
Velama or the Velama Doralu is a social group found mainly in Andhra Pradesh. Velamas are classed as "Upper Shudras". The history of Velama's is as old as Telugu bravery. Military exploits of Velamas form an important part of Telugu tradition, history and folklore...
Caste and was a samasthanam during the British rules they were closely linked to the Venakatagiri Velama Families..
Pithapuram Raja(King) is a Freedom fighter
Background
The Pithapuram Zamindar established the Pithapuram Raja Government Degree College in Kakinada. These Kings also gave lands to the missionaries for the establishment of a century old humanitarian hospital (Christian Medical Centre).Missionaries of the Canadian Baptist Mission
Canadian Baptist Mission
Canadian Baptist Mission was established by the Baptist Missionaries of Canada ca. 1850.-Present status:CBM was later renamed as the Canadian Baptist Overseas Mission Board...
established their medical enterprise here in the form of the famed hospital Christian Medical Centre. CMC, Pithapuram was known for its quick and healing touch since the eighteenth century.
Pitapuram is also famous in Andhra Pradesh for the Sri Surya Ayurvedic Nilayam.Manufacturing Authentic Sastric and proprietary Ayurvedic Medicines since 1926,SAN has branches throughout Andhra Pradesh and agencies in Karnataka,Kerala,Gujarat and Rajasthan.This is the second company to get GMP license in AndhraPradesh. The Palanki Family owns the Sri Surya Ayurvedic Nilayam. The headquarters of the company is in Pitapuram.
Writers, Poets, and Famous People from Pithapuram
- Vedula Lakshmi Ganapathy Sastry
- Mokkapati Narasimha SastryMokkapati Narasimha SastryMokkapati Narasimha Sastry was an Indian, Telugu language novelist.His major work was the humorous novel, Barrister Parvateesam.- References :...
- Adipudi Somanatha Rao
- Devulapalli Krishna Sastry
- Dr. Somasunder Avantsa
- Garigipati Subrahmanyam garu
- Pithauram Nageswara Rao
- Dr. K. Venkata Rao Reddy
- The Palanki Family - Ayurvedic Company, Sri Surya Nilayam, Influential People in Pitapuram
- Sri Cherukupalli Venkateswarlu:Veda Pandit
- Kubjavishnu - The founder of the town. Friends of the Palanki Family. The Palanki Family was associated with his dynasty.
- Kota NookaRju sarma sri kukkuteswaraswamy devasthana pradhana archakulu Hindi panditulu.
- Dr.Madabhushi Bhavanacharyulu(freedom fighter,tamarapatra holder).
The Palanki Family
The Palanki Family owns the Sri Surya Ayurvedic Nilayam (est. 1926). It is one of the largest Ayurvedic companies in South IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The Sri Surya Ayurvedic Nilayam has traditional Ayurvedic remedies passed down by the Palanki Family. The Sri Surya Ayurvedic Nilayam is currently owned by Sitharamiah Palanki. The Palanki Family is a Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
family and has descended from a large town (or small kingdom
Monarchy
A monarchy is a form of government in which the office of head of state is usually held until death or abdication and is often hereditary and includes a royal house. In some cases, the monarch is elected...
) called Palanki.
Sri Cherukupalli Venkateswarlu: Prominent Vedapandit.
Sri Cherukupalli Venkateswarlu was a famous vedapandit and honoured as Yaatra Kesari. He was a popural purohit around the AP and other states.
Temples
- Kukkuteshwara Swamy temple - The most famous temple at Pithapuram is that of Lord ShivaShivaShiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
. Lord Shiva is known as Kukkuteshwara Swamy here. The consort of Kukkuteshwara Swamy is known as Raja Rajeswari. There is the temple of Puruhutika Devi inside the campus of this temple. It is one of the Asta Dasa Shakti Pithas. Maha ShivaratriMaha ShivaratriMaha Shivratri or Maha Sivaratri or Shivaratri or Sivarathri is a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha of the month of Maagha or Phalguna...
, Sarannavarathri and Kaartika Masam are the main festivals celebrated at this templeTempleA temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
.SRI VASAVI KANYAKAPARAMESWARI TEMPLE (KOTAGUMMAM)
This complex has a Sarovar after taking bath people offer prayers to their ancestors, as this temple complex is called Pada Gaya. It has Gayasura's Padas(Feet) and Vishnu Padas (Feet).
Gayasura's body was cut in three portions and out of that Head has fallen at Siro Gaya
Gaya, India
Gaya is the second largest city of Bihar, India, and it is also the headquarters of Gaya District.Gaya is 100 kilometers south of Patna, the capital city of Bihar. Situated on the banks of Falgu River , it is a place sanctified by both the Hindu and the Buddhist religions...
(Called Gaya in Bihar) Below chest (Nabhi) portion has fallen in Nabhi Gaya, Biraja Temple
Biraja Temple
Viraja Temple or Viraja Kshetra , or Oddyana Peetha, , is one of the ancient Hindu temples located in the Jajpur district of Orissa, India. This present temple was built in 13th century. It is situated in the Jajpur township which is nearly 125 KM north from Bhubaneswar...
Jajpur in Orissa
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
and the Legs (Padas) have fallen here hence called Pada Gaya.
Swayambhu Sri Dattatreya Swamy is also in the Temple Complex. Sripada Srivallbha Swamy's idol is worshipped separately in the same complex. It is the only place where an idol of Sri Datta incarnation is worshipped. Rest of the two places Kurugadda and Ganaga puram Swamy's padukas are being worshipped.
Recently in April 2008, another temple Akhanda Datta Brundavan has been constructed as Saibaba is the main Idol with his earlier incarnations namely Sri Pada Srivallbha Swamy(Pithapuram), Sri Nrusimha Saraswathi swamy(Ganagapur in Karnataka (Near Gulbarga,) Shri Swami Samarth (Akkalkot Maharaj)in Maharashtra, Sri Manik Prabhu (Humanabad,Bidar in Karnataka) (near to Hyderabad). This temple was inaugurated with the pious hands of Guruji Chandra Bhanu Satpathy Ji of Chatrapur, New Delhi near to famous Qutub Minar.
- Sripada Sri Vallabha Samsthanam (dated around 14th century). It is the birth place of Sripada Sri Vallabha, the first incarnation of Dattaatreya swamy, the divine Guru. It is believed that even today he seeks bhiksha in various forms during the noon time at Pithapuram.
- Venu Gopala Swamy temple
- Kunthi Madhava Swami Temple – It is one of the pancha madava skathra (others being one at Prayaga (U.P), Sundara Padmanabha in Kerala, Sethu Madhava at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu.) This temple was established by Lord Indra and was worshipped by Sri Rama in Treta Yuga and Kunthi and Pandavas in Dwapara Yuga From then on this Madhava Kshetra is known as Kunthi Madhava Kshetra. Maharshi Vedavyasa visited this temple.
- Sripada Vallabha Anagha Datta Kshethram (Constructed by Sri Ganapathi Sachidananda Ashram)
- Nukalamma Temple (Grama Devatha)
- Kukka Pamu Gudi ( Seethayyagari thota)
- Ramakovela (Mangayamma Rao Peta)
- Venkateswaraswami Temple (near Kukkuteshwara Swamy temple)
- Kothi Gudi (near market)
- Sanyasiralla Gudi (near market)
- Vinayakudi Gudi (near Kota gummam)
- Sai baba Gudi (near Chinna Post Office)
- Gali gangalamma temple (near old bus stand)
- Puruhutika ammavaru (near old bus stand )
- Kota Sattemma Talli Gudi (Seethayyagari thota)
- Sri Kodanda Ramalayam (Pakshula Marri Street)
- Sri Viswa Viznana Vidya Adhyatmika PeethamSri Viswa Viznana Vidya Adhyatmika PeethamSri Viswa Viznana Vidya Adhyatmika Peetham is a theosophical congregation which states that it is based on the principles of oneness of God, and discovering divinity in the self. The ashram is situated in Pithapuram, East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India.-Origin:Sri Viswa Viznana Vidya...
, Near Old Bus Stand - Established in 1472 AD in India,working for National Integration and Communal Harmony.
Organizations
Center For Anarchist Studies (C.A.S)PRAJA (people's revolutionary anarchist judicial association)
Sahrudaya Mitra Mandali, an welfare organization
Jana Vigyana Vedika, an organization working for scientific temper
A to Z voluntary blood donate organization
Spandinche Hrudayam , welfare organization
Sree Pada Karunalayam, real place for real humanity
Umar Alisha Rural Development Trust is a Voluntary organization working for the overall development of the rural areas.
Cricket grounds
- Rajivi Gandhi school ground
- RRBHR Cricket Ground
- Rajugari Kota
- Dulla Santa
- bindhumadhava stadiums
External links
- Pithapuram map at Wikimapia.
- Temples in Pithapuram