Nellore (Telugu: నెల్లూరు) is a city and headquarters of Sri Potti Sri Ramulu Nellore District, formerly Nellore district and is the sixth most populous city in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Ancient name of Nellore was "Vikrama Simhapuri".[3]
Nellore is situated about 453 kilometres (281 mi) south east of Hyderabad, the state capital and about 170 kilometres (110 mi) from Chennai on the Chennai-Kolkata national highway and about 453 kilometres (281 mi) south east of Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh. It is located on the banks of the Penna river. Nellore is well known for its production of mica (gudur), lemon (gudur) and agricultural products such as rice and it is famous for temples like Sri Erukalala Parameswari Devi Temple known as Simhapuri(Nellore) Gramadevatha,Ranganathaswamy temple, Narasimha Swamy Konda, Jonnavada Kamakshi Ammavari temple, Ayyappa Temple, Golagamudi Venkaya Swami Temple, Rajarajeswari temple, PenchalaKona. Nellore is also known for aquaculture. It is one of the fastest developing cities in Andhra Pradesh.
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Nellore), located on the banks of the Penna River, dates back to twelfth century.
Nellore was known by the name of Vikrama Simhapuri till 13th century. The district had an important role during the emergence of the Telugu language and the formation of the state of Andhra Pradesh. It had been under the rule of Maurya Dynasty, Kharavela of Chedi dynasty, Satavahanas, Kakatiyas, Pallavas, Cholas, Eastern Gangas of Kalinga Empire, Telugu Cholas, Pandyas and other dynasties.
Nothing certain is known of the History of Nellore before the time of the Cholas. The Neolithic age in Nellore is more obscure than the Paleolithic age. It is not clear to what extent this district was occupied by the Dravidians. It is supposed that Nellore was situated in Dandakaranya forests into which the Aryas first penetrated as adventurous sages with the rise of the Mauryan Empire. Nellore came under Mauryan influence and was part of the Ashokan Empire in the 3rd century B.C. It was next included in the Pallava Dominion between the fourth and sixth century A.D.
Before the district was taken over the British it was ruled by the Nawabs. During the British rule the district was at peace and did not undergo any major political changes.
The period after Indian independence brought about major political changes in the district. Until 1 October 1953, the district was part of the Madras (now Chennai) state but on 1 November 1956 when the states were recognised on the basis of linguistic differences, the state of Andhra Pradesh came into existence. During that time Nellore played an important role in the formation of the state and Potti Sriramulu, a Telugu patriot and activist had given his life to set up Andhra Pradesh.
Vedayapalem, Magunta layout, Trunk Road are most populous areas. Tourism places in Nellore district are Sriharikota well known for SHAR rocket launching center, Venkatagiri Fort, Flamingo birds Festival. Apart from temples Nellore is well known for very good movie theatres. Nellore has several beautiful beaches and well known as educational hub of nineties.
- Allur
- Ananthasagaram
- Anumasamudrampeta
- Atmakur
- Balayapalle
- Bogolu
- Buchireddipalem
- Chejerla
- Chillakur
- Chittamur
- Dagadarthi
- Dakkili
- Doravarisatram
- Duttalur
- Gudur
- Indukurpet
- Jaladanki
- Kaligiri
- Kaluvoya
- Kavali
- Kodavalur
- Kondapuram
- Kota
- Kovur
- Manubolu
- Marripadu
- Muthukur
- Naidupeta
- Nellore
- Ozili
- Pellakur
- Podlakur
- Rapur
- Seetharamapuram
- Sangam
- Sullurpeta
- Sydapuram
- Tada
- Thotapalligudur
- Udayagiri
- Vakadu
- Varikuntapadu
- Venkatachalam
- Vinjamur
- Venkatagiri
- Vidavalur
Nellore is the Sixth largest city (1.Hyderabad 2.Vizag 3.Vijayawada 4.Warangal 5.Guntur 6.Nellore) in Andhra Pradesh. As of the 2001 Indian census, Nellore has a population of 378,947, in the same year population in agglomeration was 404,775.[4] Population in the year 2009 is 500000.[5] Both males and females constitute 50% of the population. Nellore has an average literacy rate of 76% for males and 68% for females, higher than the national average of 59.5%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Talpagiri Rangantha Swamy Temple is a very famous temple situated here on the Banks of River Pennar, date backs to many centuries century but has been in history records from 12th century. Tikkana Somayaji the 2nd of the Kavitrayam wrote 15 chapters (parvaalu) of Andhra Mahabharatamu in the same temple. Next to it is situated the Desikan Temple. These temples are well maintained.
As a large percent of population is rural and dependent on agriculture, their way of life is more traditional in nature. Though the people here are progressive in thought, they prefer traditional way of life. The common dressing habits are Pants and Shirts for men and Saree for women.
Telugu is the official language of Nellore district. The other prominent languages that are spoken in the region is Tamil.
As far as art and literature is concerned, Nellore has produced many great poets and literary personalities of fame.
Nellore is famous for its dishes especially sea foods and ranks number one in food for Andhra Pradesh.[citation needed] It is also famous for authentic andhra sweet like bobbatlu.
The major form of entertainment in the district is movies. People in this region love watching movies of various kinds.
Talpagiri Ranganadhaswamy Temple
Sri Talapagiri Ranaganatha swamy Temple is located in Nellore city and is about 5 km (3.1 mi) away from Nellore-1 APSRTC Bus stand and 1 km (0.62 mi) away from Nellore railway station. Ranganada Swamy Temple in Nellore is more than 600 years old. This temple is situated on the banks of the River Penner and is marked by a huge 96 feet tall Galigopuram with seven gold kalasams and its architectural splendour constructed by SRI Yeragudapati Venkatachalam Panthulu. The annual Rath Yathra of the God is a much awaited ritual in Nellore.
There are seven kalisams, which brings beauty to the temple. Every year during the month of March–April (varies according to Hindu calendar) grand festival is celebrated. These are called Brahmotsavam.
On the bank of river penna sri kashyapa Maharshi performed yagna and as a fruit of his penance conferred upon him the gift of establishing himself as Ranganadha Swamy at Nellore. In 7th century, by Pallava ruler Sri Rajaraja Narendra, Subsequently in 13th century Sri Jatha Varma has offered precious stones and metal to Lord Ranganadha Swamy. The Andhra Maha Bharatam i.e. from Viratprvam to the end of the epic was written by the poet Sri kavi Brahma Tikkana, on the bank of pennar river. On the east there is seven storied Maha gopuram, south Sri Ranganayaki Lakshmi Devi temple and beautiful mirror dias, west is sacred Pennar river and north Sri Andal Ammavari temple.
Sri Gayathri devi Vishwakarma Temple
The Vedamata Gayathri devi, and Veda pitha sri.Virat Vishwakarma Temple is located at Virat nagar, in main road of Nellore.This temple is considered to be one among the biggest Gayathri devi temples of Andhra pradesh.The temple is attracting huge number of devotees and is said by devotees that, five times circumbenation of the temple sanctorium fulfills their wishes. Sree Govindamambadevi sametha, Sree veera brahmendra swamy temple is also located at this temple premises.
Jonnawada
Mallikarjuna Swamy kamakshi tai temple is located about 12 km (7.5 mi) from Nellore. It has good connections with the Railway station at Nellore. A famous Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Kamakhsi Tai temple is located on the bank of river Pennar, 12 km (7.5 mi) from Nellore. It attracts many pilgrims. The village is part of Buchireddipalem Mandal. In Tretayuga Mahamuni Kasyapa Brahma performed yagna and pleased Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy thus this place is named as ‘Yagnavatika Jonnawada’. Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Kamakhsi tai grant to the innumerable devotes their desires, as their God head. Since then he continues conferring boons and his blessings on his devotees. This temple is constructed in the year 1150 (Tretayuga). The goddess Kamkshi is believed to be an incarnation of Shakti. A ‘Sri Chakram’ was installed here by Sri Jagadguru Sankaracharya. Pilgrims take a holy dip in the lake known as Kachpateertham, near the temple, which washes away all their bad karma. Brahma Rushi Sri Kashyap Mahamuni visited Bhoolokam (The Earth) and wanted to perform Yagna and chosen north of vedadri as Yagna Vatika (place to perform yagna) after successful completion of the Yagna a bright light appeared. It has spread over the whole bhoolokam. Later Lord Eswara appeared as Lord Mallikarjuna, who came out from fire of Yagna.
There is bus service from Nellore to Jonnawada. For the convenience of the pilgrims there are choultries of the Devastanam and TTD and also private choultries. Every year, during the celebration of Brahmstsavam in the month of Vaisaka, Lakhs of devotees throng the holy centre to worship the goddess to attain salvation and Friday is the day very dear to Kamakshitai. One can find persons, persecuted by evil spirits, circumambulating in the temple precinct. A bathing ghat has been built on the bank of the Penna, for the convenience of the pilgrims.
Narasimha Konda
Vedagiri Lakshmimarasimha Swamy devastanam came into being nearly 500 years ago, on the summit of Narasimhakonad. According to the rock inscriptions, this temple was built by the Pallava king Narsimha Varma in the ninth century. Legend goes that the sage Kasyapa established the temple on the bank of Pinakini. And the vedic scripture Brahma Puranareveals that the seven sages (Saptarishis) performed “yagnam” (Sacrifice) on the top of Narasimhakonda. The seven (Koneru) tanks were renovated with Mandapas on the hilltop. The holy place lies 15 km (9.3 mi) away from Nellore, on the southern bank of the river Pinakini. Every year “Brahmotsavams” are celebrated here in the month of May. Jonnawada is to the north of the river.
Penchalakona
This is a very ancient sacred place (pilgrim centre). Legend says that Lord Narasimha manifested himself here as a huge of rock in “Yoga mudra” (in an entwined contemplative posture) and hence it acquired the name of “Penusila” (huge rock) and in course of time became famous as “Penchalakona”. Legend has it that after slaying the demon Hiranya Kasipa, Lord Narsimha bathed in Penchalakona and withdrew that “Avatara”(incarnation) of Narasimha, shedding his anger and ferocity. The Lord here goes by the name of Somasila Narasimhaswamy and has become one of the Nava Narasimhas (nine manifestations). People believe that because the sage Kanva resided in this area in the past, the river flowing here acquired the name Kanva Nadi and that with efflux of time it became Kandaleru. It is also learnt that the temple was renovated in the 10th century.
Penchalkona lies at the foothills of Veligondalu (mentioned earlier), at a distance of 80 km (50 mi) from Nellore. Narasimha Jayanthi is celebrated every year in the month of May and devotees flock specially on Saturday. The Devestanam choultries provide facilities to the pilgrims and there is bus service too.
Nellore has a university, a number of schools, degree colleges and also engineering colleges. Even many medical colleges including dental colleges are also present in the region. In fact the district has a heritage of being an important educational center right from the early times which dates back to the period of formation of Andhra Pradesh.
Veda and Sanskrit college, V.R. College, C.A.M High School and ABM High Schools RSR Municipal High Schools are the oldest educational institution in Nellore town. They were originally affiliated with either Madras University or Andhra University. After that to Sri Venkateswara University and now the colleges have become part of Vikrama Simhapuri University. The next college that came into existence was Sarvodaya college, opposite to RTC Bus stand.
On the other hand, providing educational facilities to rural areas is largely confined to the shelves of the Andhra Pradesh 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. A few ancient colleges which have contributed education to Nellore are
- Vikrama Simhapuri University is the university in nellore that was newly established in the year 2008. At present the university doesn't have permanent buildings, the works for that are in process. The university is now successfully running in the V.R.High School Campus (old law college campus).
- Veda and Sanskrit college and school - 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: This is an aided college and the High school, The assets are once donated by Raja of Venkatagiri way back in 1885 due to the efforts of their dewan sri sunku Narayana swami chetty B.A., who is the founder of the high school in 1875. This humble beginning has grown to its peak during the years 1950-1985 with all combinations of groups, giving the best education. Due to the privatization policy of the Govt. during early 1990 it started losing its glory and could not with stand the competition and striving hard for its present position in vain. Now it remains as a landmark in nellore town. The efforts are to be made to revive its past glory from its old students or alumni.[6]
- Viswa Bharathi Blind School, Nellore (Near from RajaRajeswari Temple, Government Hospital (Opp)).
- ZPP High School, Podalakur Road, Nellore.
- PPM UP School, Nethaji Nagar, Nellore.
- LLF School, Vedayapalem, Nellore
- Sri Bhavani ITI, Nellore (Founded by Shri M.V.Subrahmanyam)
- NBKR IST, Vidyanagar, Kota, Nellore.
- Modern school, Nellore
- Mekapatti Rajamohan Reddy Institute of Science and Technology,[7] Udayagiri
- Sri Balaji Vidyalayam Link: Sri Balaji Vidyalayam
- V. R. Children's Academy
- Ratnam Group of Schools (one of the best source for school education in the city)
- Sanghamitra Vidyalayam High School, B.V. Nagar, Nellore
- gomathy international school, Nellore
- narayana concept school, Nellore
- Dr. SRK School, Magunta Layout
- Simhapuri Public School (ICSE Residential School) surrounded by three mountains in Nellore
- Ravindra Bharathi school
- Global Wisdom International School
- Sangamitra School
- Geethanjali institute of science and technology, kovur mandal, nellore dt.
- Audisankara College of Engineering & Technology
- Gokula Krishna College of Engineering & Technology
- Quba College of Engineering and Technology,venkatachalam
- Audisankara Institute of Technology
- Audisankara College of Engineering for Women
- Audisankara College of P.G. Studies
- Audisankara College of Education
- Jagan's Institute of Management Studies, Nellore.
- Jagan's Institute of Science and Technology, Nellore.
- Sarvodaya College, Near RTC
- KAC Govt Degree College
- Rao's Degree College
- Sana College of Computer Studies
- Sri Venugopala Swamy College of arts and science (SVGS)
- Dodla Kousalyamma Women's College (DKW), Podalakur Road
- Govt Women's Polytechnic College, Opp. Bollineni Hospital
- Agriculture Polytechnic College
- Fishery Sciences College
- Govt ITI College
- Narayana Engineering College, Nellore
- Narayana Medical College, Nellore
- Vivekananda Degree college, Nellore
- V.R. PG College, Complex Road
- V.R. Law College, Complex Road
- Jagan's Degree College, Nellore
- Sarvodaya PG Centre, Trunk Road
- Priyadarshini college of engineering, Nellore
- Geethanjali Institute of PG Studies, Nellore
- Sree Bharathi Jr College
- Sri Chandra Reddy Junior College, Nellore
- Sri Chandra Reddy Degree College, Nellore
- Sree Venkateswara College of Engineering, Nellore
- ZPP High school,A.S.Peta,nellore
- Raghava Talent school, U.S.Peta, Nellore
- ZPP High School, Kodavalur
- LLF School,Vedayapalem,Nellore
- Ravindra Bharathi School, FathekhanPet, Nellore.
- P. N. M. High School, Janda street
- S.T. Mary's English Medium High School, Naidupet
- St. Peters High School,
- St. Johns English Medium High School
- St. Joseph's English Medium High School
- Sri Netaji(MSR) Pilot High school, Nellore
- Mythilee English Medium High School, Near Nippo Factory, Nellore.
- Veda Vyasa High School, magunta layout,Nellore.
- Enugu Sundararami Reddy Municipal High School
- Veda Samskrutha Patasala
- C. A. M. High School
- R. S. R. Municipal High School
- Government Model High School
- Little Angels English Medium School
- Priyanka Concept English Medium School, Fathekhanpet, Nellore
- Y.V.M. high school
- M.S.M. high school
- C.V.S Academy (bank exam coaching center)
- St. Ann's English medical High School, kavali
- Sri Nethaji (M.S.R) Pilot High School, Nellore.
- viswabharathi school, venkateswarapuram
- Sadhana public school.
- sri venkatadri E.M. high school, nawabupeta, nellore.
- Narendra Bharathi Oriental HighSchool, Kavali, Nellore.
Enugu Sundararami Reddy Municipal High School
- Shri. Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy (INC)
The factors which have aided the economy of Nellore to flourish are proximity to the sea and fertile land towards the eastern part of the district. The district has a cultivable area equal to 41.3 percent. The predominant occupation of the people of Nellore is agriculture and the crops which are most commonly grown in the district are Paddy, Jowar, Bajra along with Tobacco, Chillies, Groundnut and sugarcane. Based on these crops a number of agro based industries have come up in the district like rice bran oil plants, rice and paraboiled rice mills and sugar factories.
Aqua culture in the district is also of prime importance. It includes prawn and fish culture. Many people in the district depend on aqua culture for their subsistence.
The handloom sector of the district is also a major small scale industry of the district and a large number of people depend on it for living. Some of the important industries of the region are Mica Mines and thermal power plant. The Krishnapatnam port which is located 20 kilometers from the district serves as a major center for economic activity of the district.
Hand made gold jewellery studded with precious and semi precious stones is main small sector industry in Nellore its being supplied to all over south Indian markets its biggest small sectore industry biggest booster to Nellore economy as well.
Nellore is emerging as one of the most leading gold jewellery producer.
Dairy is an upcoming industry in Nellore district.
The branded retailers like Peter England,Reliance,Levis,Reebok,Pepe Jeans,Adidas & Basics etc. have started their outlets
Nellore has some fantastic tourist spots which have immensely contributed to the tourism potential of the district. The region has a combination of religion, nature and history in its expanse of tourism. Some of the famous temples of the region are Ranganayaka Temple, Jonnawada, Penchalakona, Mahalakshmi temple in Fathekhan Pet, Narasimhskonda, Erukalala Parameswari Temple, Barashahid Dargha, Rajarajeswari Temple, Mulasthaneswara Temple(Lord Shiva), Ayyapa Temple, Golagamudi, Kasumur Dargha, Adavilo Vinayakudu(Gudur), Ammavari temple in Sulurupeta, Srivenkateswarapalem(Between Bitragunta and kavali), Someswaralayam(Somasila) and a lot more. The places in Nellore district which are a treat for the eyes of a traveller are Somasila Dam, Kandaleru Dam, Pulicat Lake and the Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary. The Udaygiri fort which is at a distance of 100 kilometers from Nellore stands as a historical testimony of the region.
The only entertainment for Nelloreians is "Movie Theaters".
Beaches near Nellore
Kotha Koduru, Maipadu and Mutthukuru are the beaches near Nellore. These beaches are a cheap and cool way to get away from the hot sun during the extended summer. Nellore residents are generally risk averse. Nellore has at least 100 KM of coastline yet does not have any water sports activities.
Nellore is well connected by rail on the major railway route its connected all over India with all 54 pairs of major trains & 1 passenger train having its halt here for chennai central & tirupathi.
Nellore is well connected to all the major cities and states in India. The city is also connected by a well maintained network of roads to all major towns and cities of the state and country its on the national golden quadriangle route of NH5 which is serving it with four way lane highway. But the drainage system is very poorly maintained. It is just 173 km north of Chennai city. City has 2 Major Bus stations one at Sarvodaya College and other Sri Potti Sree Ramulu Bus Station....
Near by nellore comes the Asia's Biggest Port that is Krishnapatnam with highest amount of ships take the loads and goes to the countries like china, Korea and Japan. Usually the major amount of the raw-material exported form this port is Iron-ore from Bellary. The port inauguration was done by Sonia Gandhi and prime minister Manmohan singh.
The nearest airport is located at Renigunta[Tirupati] and Chennai.
