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Uggani bajji; typical snack of Rayalaseema

Rayalaseema (Telugu: రాయలసీమ) is a geographic region in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. It includes the districts of Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool. It has a total area of 67,299 km². These Telugu speaking districts were part of Madras Presidency until 1953 when Telugu speaking districts of Madras presidency were carved out to form Andhra state.[1] Between 1953 and 1956, this region was part of Andhra state. In 1956, Andhra state was merged with Telangana to form Andhra Pradesh state.[2] The Rayalaseema was ruled by Sri Krishna Devaraya. Rayalaseema was the original home of Eastern Chalukyas. They gradually extended their sway over Karnata country because of the pressure from Cholas kings. Although Rayalaseema is a small region compared to the rest of Telugu speaking regions, its contribution to Telugu, Tamil, Urdu, arts, culture and literature is immense.

Before and around the period of Chalukya, i.e., 7CE period, it is also called "Hiranyaka Rastramu". Only during and after the Vijayanagara era is it called Rayala seema.

During British period Nizam of Hyderabad ceded this area to British people so it is also called Ceded Districts', but in order to remove traces of British rule it was renamed as Rayalaseema as 'seema' was an administrative unit of the Vijayanagara Empire similar to today's districts.

Origin of the Name[link]

The name Rayalaseema became popular only in 20th century. Earlier this region was known as Datta Mandalalu as these backward districts were ceded^[1] to the British rulers by the Nizam of Hyderabad in gratitude for British help in several wars. But at the beginning of the 20th century many intellectuals of this region were under the opinion that this name was insulting to the prestige of the public at large. On 17th and 18 November 1928 the Andhra Maha Sabha meeting was held in Nandyal town. Here a serious discussion came about on the naming of this region among the participant leaders. Chilukuri Narayana Rao suggested the name Rayalaseema as the Rayala Dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire ruled mainly this region and a culture with a proud heritage had flourished. (Earlier it was thought that this name was given by Gadicherla Harisarvottama Rao. This statement was in debate for long time but after thorough research it was found that Chilukuri must be credited). The name "Rayalaseema" was widely accepted and well received by the intellectuals and people at large.^[2] When coastal Andhra leaders started a "separate Andhra" movement to secede from Madras state the Rayalaseema leaders did not support it initially mainly due to the doubts about the development of this area if united with Andhra after the separation. To clear the doubts of the Rayalasema people the "Sribagh pact" was made on 16 November 1937.^[3]

Culture[link]

Literature[link]

Telugu culture reached its zenith during the Vijayanagara rule under Sri Krishnadevaraya. Amongst Ashta Diggajas, Allasani Peddana, Dhoorjati, Nandi Timmana, Maadayyagari Mallana and Ayyalaraju RamaBhadrudu are from this region.

Poets like Vemana, Sri Potuluri Virabrahmendra Swami from Kadapa district played a great role in educating the common people through their literary works. It is also claimed by some experts that Pothana, who penned Andhra Mahabhagavatham, was actually born at Ontimitta village of Kadapa District.

Bellary has had a rich past in Telugu drama, with famed dramatists like Bellary Raghava, Dharmavaraṃ Rāmakr̥ṣṇamācāryulu and Kolachalam Srinivasa Rao contributing to the Telugu literary drama from Bellary, supported by a number of drama theatres in the town. Today, the Raghava Kala Mandir in the town is named after Bellary Raghava.

Indian philosopher and spiritual teacher Jiddu Krishnamurti and Sir Cattamanchi Ramalinga Reddy - an essayist, poet and educationist are from this region.

Notable Urdu Literary personalities from this region, Qaisi Qamarnagari, Kareem Roomani, Barq Kadapavi, Ahmadnisar Madanapalle, Qamar Ameeni, Abdul Azeem, Saghar Jayyadi, Sathar Faizi, N.M.Jalib Saaqui Kadapa.

Music[link]

Tyagaraja - Ancestors of Tyagaraja, the celebrated composer amongst the Carnatic Music Trinity are from this area. Tyagaraja, a Mulakanadu Brahmin (a sub-sect originally prevalent only in RayalaSeema), in one of his compositions declares about the ancestors belonging to "Kakarla" village in the current day RayalaSeema.

Annamayya (a.k.a. Tallapaka Annamacharya) - born in Kadapa district and credited to have composed over 16,000 Keerthanas on Lord Venkateswara, which are popular even today among the music lovers.^[4] Apart from the songs on Sri Venkateswara, he also composed lullabies like Chandamama Raave, jaabilli raave, which every Telugu mother sings.

Tarigonda Vengamamba - Belongs to Tarigonda near Tirupati and composed many songs and poems on Tharigonda Narasimha Swamy and Lord Venkateswara.

Rallapalli Anantha Krishna Sharma - Sangita Kalanidhi, a musicologist and scholar from Ananthapuram area.[3]

SriPada Pinakapani - Settled in Kurnool (21st Century). He is guru of other Telugu stalwarts like Oleti Venkateswarlu, Nedunuri Krishnamurti, Nookala Chinna Satya Narayana, Malladi Brothers and others.

Pilgrimage[link]

A pillar at Ahobilam temple in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh

Rayalaseema has many important places of pilgrimage for Hindus.

• Tirumala Venkateswara Temple - Abode of Lord Venkateswara.
• Srisailam - Abode of Mallikarjuna (Lord Shiva).
• Adoni - Sri Mahayogi Lakshmamma Avva Temple
• Ahobilam - Where Narasimha blessed Prahlada.
• Srikalahasti - Temple of Lord Shiva
• Mahanandi - Lord Shiva temple
• Yaganti eswara - Lord Shiva temple
• Mantralayam - One of the most important pilgrim places for Madhva sect of Brahmins.
• Puttaparthi - Abode of Sri Satya Sai Baba.
• Kanipakam - Temple of Lord Ganapathi
• Kadiri - Lord LAKSHMI NARASIMHA SWAMY [Along with Prahalada].
• Kasapuram, Guntakal - Sri Nettikanti Anjaneya Swamy Temple, built during Krishna Devaraya regime.
• Lepakshi nandi temple in Ananthapuram district
• KonetiRayala Swamy Temple Famous for the temple of Lord Venkateshwara in Keelapatla Village, Chittoor Dt.
• Ontimitta - Famous for the temple of Sri Rama, where on the Sri Ramanavami day, Mutyalatalambralu is accorded to the lord by the state government along with Bhadrachalam.
• Bramhamgari Matam Famous for the temple Sri Pothuluri Veera Bramhendra Swamulavaru.
• Pushpagiri Famous for the temple Sri Chennakesava Swamy beside of Penna River
• Tallapaka birthplace of annamayya
• Tadipatri Famous for the temple of Lord Sri Rama and shiva
• Narayanavanam Famous for the temple of Lord Venkateswara
• Ardhagiri Famous for the temple of Lord Sri veeranjaneya
• Brahmagundam - Lord Brahmagundeswara swamy temple
• Gandi-Anjaneya swamy temple where lord rama moulded the idol of anjaneya

Tourism[link]

Tirumala Venkateswara Temple - Abode of Lord Venkateswara. The temple is the richest and the most visited place of worship in the world.

Gandikota-One of the famous fort in A.P. Gandikota was founded in 1123 by Kakaraja, a subordinate of Ahavamalla Someswara I, the Western Chalukyan king of Kalyana. The town played a significant role during the Kakatiya, Vijayanagara and Qutub Shahi periods. Gandikota is a small village (Lat. 14° 49'5" N and Long. 78° 16'58 E) on the right bank of the river Pennar, 15 km from Jammalamadugu in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh in India.Now Gandikota project is being built for the sake of kadapa district agriculture as the part of jalayagnam and developing tourism Eco-center.

Shahi Jamia Masjid, Adoni- One of the oldest construction in South India. The Jamma Masjid is located within the fort it's a fine piece of Muslim architecture. It was built somewhere around 1680 AD by Madu Qadiri, who was an Adil Shahi Governor.^[5]

Penukonda fort - One of the big fort in Rayalaseema. Second capital of Vijayanagara samrajyam. People believed it as Sri Krishnadevaraya's summer spot. Gagan mahal, Khilla, thimmarasu samdhi, jine temple. From Anantapur 75 km, from Banglore130 km. Nagaloor Anjeneyaswamy (8 feet height) temple in Nagalore (just 14 km from Penukonda), villagers recently reconstructed the temple, they believe its around 800 years old.

Belum Caves - the second largest cave in Indian sub-continent and the longest caves in plains of Indian Subcontinent. It is located at Belum Village in Kolimigundla Mandal of Kurnool District.

Gandi, Kadapa District.

Gurramkonda, Chandragiri, Horsley Hills and Talakona of Chittoor district.

Thimmama Marrimanu - World's largest occupied banyan tree, it covers 5.2 acres (21,000 m²). Age of the tree 550 years. It holds a Guinness Book record. Near Kadiri, from Anantapur 120 kilometres, from Kadiri 20 kilometres.

Kadiri Sree Khadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Kadiri, Anantapur Dist.

From Anantapur 90 kilometers, From Hindupur 85 kilometers, From Madanapalle 80 kilometers.

Penna ahobilam Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Penna ahobilam, Uravakonda, Anantapur Dist.

From Anantapur 39 kilometers, From Uravakonda 11 kilometers, From Bellary 60 kilometers.

Spiritual proponents[link]

• Annamayya - Spiritual guru also had written songs on Sri Venkateswara, an interesting mention of the lullaby Chandamama Raave, jaabilli raave, which every Telugu mother sings.
• Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji - Pontiff of Avadhoota Datta Peetham, is from Bommeparthy (Jayalakshmipuram) in Anantapuram district.
• Swami Poornananda ji - Avadhoota Swami of Srisailam.
• Yogi Vemana - Poet
• Sri Pothuluri Veerabramhendra Swamy - Poet and clairvoyant.
• Puttaparti Satya Sai baba - Spiritual and religious savant.
• Jiddu Krishnamurti - Philosopher, Madanapalle.
• Mumtaz Ali - The Satsang Foundation, Madanapalle.

Mahanandi Temple:- Mahanandi temple was famous for lord siva with special temple architecture. It is near to nallamalla forest.Surrounding this temople eight more siva temples there that why the nearby town is called Nandyal (mean—combination of nandi alayas)

Politics[link]

This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability.

Rayalaseema is underdeveloped compared to the Coastal Andhra region of the state. The growing movement in Telangana to secede from Andhra Pradesh, as well as southern India's long droughts have caused several movements to coalesce around Rayalaseema's grievances. All of these movements are calling for greater official attention for the region, especially in the form of new water projects to harness the Krishna and Godavari rivers to the aid of the region's beleaguered farmers. Since Rayalaseema comprises only four districts, some people of Rayalaseema want to advocates the inclusion of neighbouring coastal Andhra districts of Nellore and Prakasam and even the Kannada-speaking district of Bellary in Karnataka and demand for a separate Rayalaseema state, though people of coastal districts refuse for such proposal.

Various organizations like Rayalaseema Hakkula Ikya Vedika promoted by Sri T G Venkatesh are demanding the establishment of second capital in Kurnool. Kurnool is an important city in the Rayalaseema region. It was the capital of Andhra State from 1 October 1953 to 1 November 1956 and at present is the headquarters of Kurnool District.

Though the area comprises 4 districts, several chief ministers came from this region. They include Neelam Sanjiva Reddy the former President of India,previous Chief Minister Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Damodaram Sanjivayya, Nara Chandrababu Naidu and even the current chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy is from Rayalaseema region.

Factionism[link]

This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability.

The peculiar phenomenon of factionism in Rayalaseema goes back to the times of the Vijayanagara Empire. Village chieftains known as Poligars (to be clear Paalegarlu, thopugallu) were crucial for the survival of the kingdom. Vijayanagara rulers depended upon these chieftains for military support in times of crisis and granted a fair degree of autonomy. The British tried to eliminate factionism in the region by hanging a couple of the chieftains publicly, but failed to eradicate it. Land reforms to distribute land and wealth usurped by Palegars have met limited success, which resulted in another violent phenomenon known as Naxalism. Factionism has political patronage and is a flourishing activity today.

Factionism has been hindering the progress of Rayalaseema. Many politicians and families are associated with factionism, spending their valuable time to protect themselves from their opponents and planning how to attack or even kill their opponents. For surviving and managing their gangs, they indulge in rowdyism and asking commissions (or percentages) from the government projects. Because of this, some government projects (such as the new broad gauge railway line, irrigation related work etc.) were stopped or postponed. If any government servant does not listen to these factionists, they are threatened.^{[citation needed]}

See also[link]

• Kosta/Coastal Andhra
• Telangana

References[link]

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (December 2009)

• "Rayalaseema's bane" on Frontline
• "The Killing Fields of Rayalaseema" on Rediff
• Article in the Deccan Herald on the Rayalaseema separatist movement

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Rayalaseema

• Rayalaseema Tourist attractions
• [4]
• Mastanantapur
• Information of Kadapa district
• Founded by Sri Mumtaz Ali

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