Pithapuram

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia
Pithapuram
Clockwise from top left: Kukkuteswara and Padagaya Temple Complex, Pithapuram Railway Station, Ratnachal Express speeding through Pithapuram Railway Station, fields near Pithapuram, landscape view at Pithapuram, Kunti Madhavaswami Temple
Clockwise from top left: Kukkuteswara and Padagaya Temple Complex, Pithapuram Railway Station, Ratnachal Express speeding through Pithapuram Railway Station, fields near Pithapuram, landscape view at Pithapuram, Kunti Madhavaswami Temple
Pithapuram is located in Andhra Pradesh
Pithapuram
Pithapuram
Location in Andhra Pradesh, India
Coordinates: 17°07′00″N 82°16′00″E / 17.1167°N 82.2667°E / 17.1167; 82.2667Coordinates: 17°07′00″N 82°16′00″E / 17.1167°N 82.2667°E / 17.1167; 82.2667
Government
 • Member of Legislative AssemblyPendem Dhorababu[1]
Area
 • Total41.13 km2 (15.88 sq mi)
Elevation
10 m (30 ft)
Population
 (2011)[3]
 • Total52,360
 • Density1,300/km2 (3,300/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialTelugu
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle RegistrationAP05 (Former)
AP39 (from 30 January 2019)[4]

Pithapuram is a town and a municipality in the East Godavari district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The town also forms a part of Godavari Urban Development Authority. The town is home to one of the eighteen Maha Sakthi Peethas, which are significant shrines and pilgrimage destinations in Shaktism.[5]

Sripada Sri Vallabha, a prominent Hindu saint of 14th century was born and lived in Pithapuram.[6] He is considered by his devotees as one of the first complete avatars (incarnations) of the deity Dattatreya in Kali Yuga.[7]

History[edit]

Pithapuram was originally called Pithikapuram. The earliest extant inscription to mention the city is the 4th century king Samudragupta's Allahabad Pillar inscription, which states that he defeated the king Mahendra of Pithikapuram.[8] The inscriptions of the 4th and 5th century Vasishtha and Mathara dynasties also mention Pishtapura, describing it as a part of Kalinga.[8][9] In the 7th century, the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II annexed Pishtapura to his kingdom.[8] Later, Pithapuram was one of the Rastras, an administrative division, of the Vengi Chalukyas.[10] One of the collateral branches of Chalukyas called Pithapuram Chalukyas, ruled the area around Rajahmundry, Pithapuram and Draksharama in the 12th and 13th centuries.[11]

The town hosts temple of Puruhitika devi. It is one among 18 Sakthi Peethas.

Geography[edit]

Pithapuram is located at 17°07′00″N 82°16′00″E / 17.1167°N 82.2667°E / 17.1167; 82.2667.[12] It has an average elevation of 10 meters (33 feet). It is located near several beaches though not one in particular. It is in between 2 major cities; Kakinada and Rajahmundry. Pithapuram is landlocked and most of its economic activity takes place in Kakinada. Pithapuram is also well known for the C.B.M. Christian Medical Centre which was started by missionary doctor Dr. E. Smith.

Demographics[edit]

As of 2011 Census of India, the town had a population of 52,360. The total population constitutes 25,891 males, 26,469 females and 5,116 children, in the age group of 0–6 years. The average literacy rate stands at 75.00% with 35,434 literates, higher than the national average of 73.00%.[3][13]

Transport[edit]

Pithapuram town is situated on NH 216. Pithapuram railway station is located on Duvvada-Vijayawada section of Howrah-Chennai main line. Rajahmundry Airport is located 55 km from Pithapuram.[14]

Literature[edit]

  • Kuchimanchi brothers
  • Devulapalli Krishnasastry
  • Avantsa somasunder
  • Masilamani
  • Mokkapati Narasimha Sastry
  • Ryali Prasad
  • Puranam Subrahmanya Sarma
  • Umaralisha
  • Balantrapu Rajanikantharao
  • Venkata Parvateesa Kavulu
  • Venkata Ramakrishna Kavulu

References[edit]

  1. "MP, MLA participate incockfight at Pithapuram". The Hindu. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  2. "Municipalities, Municipal Corporations & UDAs" (PDF). Directorate of Town and Country Planning. Government of Andhra Pradesh. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 January 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Census 2011". The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  4. "New 'AP 39' code to register vehicles in Andhra Pradesh launched". The New Indian Express. Vijayawada. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  5. "Constitution of Godavari Urban Development Authority with headquarters at Godavari" (PDF). Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department. Government of Andhra Pradesh. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  6. http://www.sreedattavaibhavam.org/sree-pada-sree-vallabha
  7. http://www.sripadasrivallabhamahasamsthanam.com
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Ashvini Agrawal (1989). Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 109. ISBN 978-81-208-0592-7.
  9. S. Sankaranarayanan (1977). The Vishṇukuṇḍis and Their Times: An Epigraphical Study. Agam Prakashan. p. 51.
  10. "Role of Chalukyas of Vengi and its Polity During Post-Gupta Period". History Discussion. 31 July 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  11. (PDF) https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/144085/8/08_chapter%202.pdf. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. Falling Rain Genomics.Pithapuram
  13. "Chapter–3 (Literates and Literacy rate)" (PDF). Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  14. "Vijayawada Division – A Profile" (PDF). South Central Railway. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 January 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2016.

Template:Shaktism Template:Hindu holy cities Template:Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh

Information red.svg
Scan the QR code to donate via UPI
Dear reader, We kindly request your support in maintaining the independence of Bharatpedia. As a non-profit organization, we rely heavily on small donations to sustain our operations and provide free access to reliable information to the world. We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to consider donating to our cause, as it would greatly aid us in our mission. Your contribution would demonstrate the importance of reliable and trustworthy knowledge to you and the world. Thank you.

Please select an option below or scan the QR code to donate
₹150 ₹500 ₹1,000 ₹2,000 ₹5,000 ₹10,000 Other