Narasapuram, West Godavari

This article is about a town in West Godavari district. For other uses, see Narsapur.

Narasapuram నరసాపురం
Town
Sunrise at Valandhar revu near Narsapur Sunrise at Valandhar revu near Narsapur
Narasapuram Location in Andhra Pradesh, India
Coordinates:
Country	India
State	Andhra Pradesh
Region	Coastal Andhra
District	West Godavari
Named for	Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy
Talukas	Narasapuram
Government
• Type	Municipal council
• Body	Narasapuram Municipality
Area
• Total	11.32 km2 (4.37 sq mi)
Elevation	2 m (7 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	58,770
• Density	5,200/km2 (13,000/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Telugu
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	534275
Telephone code	+91-8814
Vehicle registration	AP-37

Narasapuram (or Narsapur), is a town in West Godavari district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a municipality, mandal headquarters of Narasapuram mandal and also the divisional headquarters of Narasapuram revenue division. The town is situated on the banks of the Vasista Godavari River. The city exports Lace as the lace industry is more prevalent in the city and its surroundings.

Etymology

Narsapur was also known as "Nrusimhapuri". Which indicates Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy,and this town named after the Lord Narasimha Swamy. First it was called as ‘Nrusimhapuram’, gradually it changed into Narasimhapuram, now it is called Narasapuram.

History

The existence of Narsapur dates back to 1173 A.D. Dutch people landed in Narsapur in 1626. Narsapur used as a port by the Dutch and ships and boats were built here. It was noted for its ship building activity and some of the Europeans also were customers at this place. Even, though big ships are not built, the craft is still kept up here by building small boats. In 16th century, Portuguese established their own factory which remained as a trading centre for few years. In the 18th century, Narsapur became an important trading port. From this port, teak was exported to other regions. The ports at Kakinada and Narsapuram became famous for manufacturing ships. At present there is no port handling at Narsapur.

Madhavayapalem (Madapallam) is celebrated as one of the earliest places where the English established a factory and was famous for its trade in cloth. The trade of town has steadily declined since the abolition of the company's factory in 1827. Before independence, British civilians made imports and exports from Narsapur.

Geography

Narsapur is located at on the right bank of Vasista Godavari River. The River Godavari empties into Bay of Bengal near Antarvedi, at 9.6 km from Narsapur. An oppressive summer season and good seasonal rainfall characterizes the climate and the air is humid throughout the year.

Demographics

As of 2011 census, the city had a population of 58,770. The total population constitute, 28,796 males and 29,974 females –a sex ratio of 961 females per 1000 males, higher than the national average of 940 per 1000. 29,974 children are in the age group of 0–6 years, of which 2,665 are boys and 2,456 are girls. The average literacy rate stands at 86.24% with 46,266 literates, significantly higher than the district average of 73.00%.

Governance

Civic administration

Narasapuram municipality was formed in 1956. It is a I–Grade Municipality, which is spread over an area of 11.32 km² (4.37 sq mi) and has 31 election wards.

Politics

Narasapuram is represented by Narasapuram (Assembly constituency) for Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. Under Narasapuram mandal, the town falls in Narasapuram (Lok Sabha constituency). Bandaru Madhava Naidu is the present MLA of the constituency from Telugu Desam Party.

Economy

There are many industries in and around the town such as International Lace Trade Centre (ILTC), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation of India(ONGC), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), PanGodavari (Handicrafts), Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS), AWS (Automatic Weather Station) installed and commissioned by IMD.

Handmade crochet lace-work is one of the most common form industry in the town.

Culture

• Sri Kapila Malleswara Swamy Temple is believed to have been constructed between 11th and 12th century. The place is also known as 'Gopada Kshetra'.The ashram of Sage "Kapila" was located at the spot where the current temple stands.The Shivling was established by the Sage Kapila. Once a cowherd noticed one of his cow shedding milk involuntarily on a particular spot daily. On inquiry the cowherd discovered the Shivling.The cow that used to shed milk was brown in color. As brown is known as Kapila in Sanskrit, hence the name Kapila Malleswara Swamy for the temple.
• Sri AdiKesava Emberumaanar Swamy Temple is a famous temple in Narsapur.It is one of the famous Sri Vaishnava temples in India.It was Constructed nearly 300 Years back by Sri Prasannagresara Puppala Ramanappa Naidu,a translator working for the British East India Company, to fulfill his acharya U.Ve Sriman Eunni Ramanujacharya swamy‘s desire. This is the image temple of SriPerumbudur Temple which is famous as avatara Sthala of Saint Ramanuja, the great philosopher of Vaishnavism. This temple follows Sri Perumbudur temple tradition. This is only one of its kinds in Andhra Pradesh.The temple history tells that if the vampires will take a dip in that swamy Pushkarini, they destroy all their curses that’s why we called that the place as Abhinava Bhoothapuri. U.Ve Sriman Kidambi GopalaKrishnamacharya Swamy wrote in his Kavyas about the main Utsavas of the temple.

Christ Lutheran Church

• Christ Lutheran Church is in the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church and is also a member church belonging to West Godavari synod. The corner stone was set up in 1923 by Fr. Heyer and Fr. Barger. The Christ Lutheran Church started functioning in 1929. It was constructed in the gothic style with a brick exterior. Its bell tower accommodates a bell, which yields a good tone. Its bell was made in Watervliet, New York by the Meneely Bell Foundry. This church also contains a magnificent stained glass behind the altar.

Tourism

Godavari Pushkaram is celebrated every 12 years in Narasapuram to take a holy dip in the Vasista Godavari River. This river is said to have been brought in by the famous Maharishi Vashishtha- one of the seven great sages of the Hindu Mythology. The place draws people from the world over throughout the year. Antarvedi, the merging of the Bay of Bengal and Vasista River, which is a tributary of the River Godavari. The place of confluence of the ocean and river is called the "Sapta Sagara Sangam Pradesam". It is also known as the "Anna Chelli Gattu". The Perupalem Beach is located at a distance of 20 kilometers from the town.

Higher Education

Taylor High School is one of the major landmarks in Narsapuram showcasing the Dutch and the British buildings. The high school was founded by British Educationist and local Revenue Officer H. Taylor in 1852, and was later named after him. The ‘manyam veerudu’ (jungle hero) Alluri Sitarama Raju had his schooling in this institution before he led the Rampa rebellion against the British. Chilakamarti Lakshmi Narasimham, a freedom fighter and a noted Telugu litterateur also attended the school.

Swarnandhra College of Engineering and Technology was established in 2001 at Seetharamapuram,Narsapur.This college is Permanently Affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada. Sri Yerramilli Narayanamurthy college (Autonomous) was established in 1949 in Narsapur Town of west Godavari on the banks of river Godavari.It attained the status of the full-fledged college in 1956 and has been elevated to Post-Graduate level in 1989-90.This college was founded in 1949 as "THE NARSAPUR COLLEGE" BY SriYerramilli Narayanamurthy, an eminent Advocate and educationalist to cater the needs and to improve the facility of collegiate education in the Godavari Districts.

Transport

Railways

Narsapur is the Terminal(end) station in west godavari district. The town is well connected to Hyderabad. It is the terminal station in the Vijayawada  – Bhimavaram  – Narsapuram sections of Vijayawada railway division. The depot at Narsapuram undertakes primary maintenance and repairs of 08 express and 09 passenger trains. It is classified as a B–category station in the Vijayawada railway division of South Central Railway zone.

Roadways

APSRTC, the state owned public transport service operated from Narsapur Bus depot to major cities and towns and even to smaller villages. National Highway 216 starting at Narsapuram and terminating at NH 5 near Ongole reduces the travel time on the coastal corridor between Kolkata  – Chennai route.

Waterways

Narasapur Port (proposed to be developed as minor Port), Fishing harbor and ONGC Jetty. Narsapur is well connected with EastGodavari through ferry along the river Godavari.

See also

• List of municipalities in Andhra Pradesh