Annamayya

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Annamayya district map

Annamayya (अन्नामय्या) district is one of the eight districts in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, established in 2022. Rayachoti serves as the district's administrative headquarters, while Madanapalle is the most populous city in the district. It is located on Ram Van Gaman Path.

Etymology

The district is named after Annamacharya, a 15th-century Hindu saint from Tallapaka, Rajampeta, and the earliest known Indian musician to compose songs called sankirtanas in praise of the Hindu deity Venkateswara.

History

Annamayya district was formed on 4 April 2022 from parts of the former Chittoor and YSR Kadapa districts as part of the reorganisation of Andhra Pradesh districts, using parliamentary constituencies as the basis for the new boundaries.

Rayachoti is home to many megalithic sites and stone circles. Devandlapalli, located in the T. Sundupalle mandal of the district, is a well-known megalithic site.

Nandalur is an important Buddhist site in the district, along with Tallapaka, Rajampeta, Konduru, and Khazipeta.

Geography

Annamayya district is located in the extreme southwestern part of Andhra Pradesh, within the geographical coordinates of 13° 19’ 55” to 14° 42’ 32” northern latitude and 78° 18’ 55” to 79° 20’ 26” eastern longitude. It is part of the Rayalaseema region. The district is bordered to the north by Kadapa District, to the west by Sri Sathya Sai district, and to the south by Chikballapur and Kolar Districts of Karnataka and Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. To the east, it is bordered by Nellore and Tirupati districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Natural resources

The Palakonda Hills, also known as the Seshachalam Hills, Nallamalais, and Lankamalais, are the major hill ranges in the district. The Cheyyeru River is the main river of the district, joining the Penneru River at Gundlamada in Vontimitta Mandal. The bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata) and Madras langur are commonly found in the area. Tigers, leopards, and other wild animals can still be seen in the hill ranges. The grey partridge (kamju in Telugu) and quail are commonly seen in the forests and countryside.

Administrative divisions

The district is divided into three revenue divisions: Madanapalle, Rajampeta, and Rayachoti. These are further subdivided into a total of 30 mandals, each headed by a sub-collector.[14] The mandals are:

Madanapalle revenue division

1. Beerangi Kothakota
2. Kalikiri
3. Kurabalakota
4. Madanapalle
5. Mulakalacheruvu
6. Nimmanapalle
7. Peddamandyam
8. Peddathippasamudram
9. Ramasamudram
10. Thamballapalle
11. Valmikipuram

Rajampeta revenue division

1. Chitvel
2. Nandalur
3. Obulavaripalle
4. Penagalur
5. Pullampeta
6. Railway Koduru
7. Rajampet
8. T. Sundupalle
9. Veeraballi

Rayachoti revenue division

1. Chinnamandyam
2. Galiveedu
3. Gurramkonda
4. Kalakada
5. Kambhamvaripalle
6. Lakkireddypalli
7. Pileru
8. Ramapuram
9. Rayachoti
10. Sambepalli

Tourism

The prominent religious sites in the district include the Sri Parasurameshwara Temple in Attirala and the Sowmyanadha Swamy Temple in Nandalur. Horsley Hills is a major hill station in the region.

Volcanogenic bedded Barytes: Volcanogenic bedded barytes located at Mangampet in the Obulavaripalle mandal have been declared a geo-heritage site by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) for their protection, maintenance, promotion, and enhancement of geotourism.

अन्नामय्या

अन्नामय्या जिला भारतीय राज्य आंध्र प्रदेश के छब्बीस जिलों में से एक है और राजमपेटा संसदीय निर्वाचन क्षेत्र से गठित रायलसीमा क्षेत्र के आठ जिलों में से एक है। रायचोटी नगर जिला प्रशासनिक मुख्यालय है और मदनपल्ली जिले का सबसे बड़ा शहर है। नवगठित जिले की साक्षरता दर 64.53% है, जो राज्य की साक्षरता दर 67.35% से कम है।

नामकरण: जिले का नाम 15 वीं शताब्दॆ के हिंदू संत अन्नामचार्य के नाम पर रखा गया है, एक जो ताल्लापाका, राजमपेटा के रहने वाले थे और भगवान वेंकटेश्वर की स्तुति में संकीर्तन नामक गीतों की रचना करने वाले सबसे पहले ज्ञात भारतीय संगीतकार थे।