Bhimavaram

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Bhimavaram
భీమవరం
City
Somarama Temple of Gunupudi, Bhimavaram
Somarama Temple of Gunupudi, Bhimavaram
Nickname(s): Second Bardoli of India
Bhimavaram is located in Andhra Pradesh
Bhimavaram
Bhimavaram
Location in Andhra Pradesh, India
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Country India
State Andhra Pradesh
Region Coastal Andhra
District West Godavari district
Mandal Bhimavaram mandal
Founded by Chalukya Bhima I
Government
 • Body Municipality
Area[1]
 • City 25.60 km2 (9.88 sq mi)
Area rank 20 (Andhra Pradesh)
Elevation 7 m (23 ft)
Population (2011)[2]
 • City 142,184
 • Density 5,600/km2 (14,000/sq mi)
 • Metro[3] 146,961
Languages
 • Official Telugu
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 534 20x
Area code(s) 08816
Vehicle registration AP 37
Website Bhimavaram Municipality

Bhimavaram is a city in West Godavari district of the Indian state Andhra Pradesh. It is the administrative headquarters of Bhimavaram mandal in Narasapur revenue division.[4][5] As of 2011 census, it is the second most populous city in the district with a population of 142,184. Mahatma Gandhi coined the name of the city as "Second Bardoli of India", when he visited the place during the freedom movement in India.[6] It one of the major pilgrimage centers in the state, which is home to Somaramam, one of the five great Pancharama Kshetras.[7]

History

Along with much of present-day coastal Andhra Pradesh, Bhimavaram was controlled by the Chola dynasty. Under Kulothunga Chola I, Bhimavaram was ruled by his sons who served as viceroys. Various stone inscriptions have been found in the town dating from his reign (c. 1096 C.E.).[8]

Etymology

The name Bhimavaram literally means "the gift of Bhima". According to a legend, in around 890–918 AD, an Eastern Chalukya king named Chalukya Bheema built a Siva temple and laid the foundation to this town.[9] It was originally called "Bhimapuram", but the name gradually changed to "Bhimavaram"; "puram" refers to a dwelling place while "varam" means an endowment in Telugu.

Demographics

As of 2011 census of India, the town had a population of 142,184. The total population constitutes 70,066 males and 72,214 females —a sex ratio of 1031 females per 1000 males. 12,157 children are in the age group of 0–6 years, of which 6,149 are boys and 6,008 are girls —a ratio of 977 girls per 1000 boys. The average literacy rate stands at 83.41% with 1,08,535 literates, significantly higher than the state average of 73.00%.[2][10] While, its urban agglomeration population was 146,961.[5]

Economy

A patch of paddy fields near Bhimavaram

Bhimavaram is located in the epicentre of the Godavari delta region. It is one of the principal trade centres of paddy in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Agriculture-based businesses like food processing, aqua culture, rice mills etc., are the chief sources of the town's revenue. The town serves as a distribution centre as well as commercial centre to its hinterland. The town is the regional centre for higher education and is known for its specialized health services.[8]

Governance

Civic administration

Bhimavaram Municipality was established in the year 1948. It was upgraded to Grade–III municipality in 1948, Grade–II in 1963 and finally to Grade–I in 1967. In the year 1980, it was a Special Grade municipality and in 2011 it was declared as Selection Grade Municipality.[11] The municipality is spread over an area of 25.60 km2 (9.88 sq mi).[8] Its urban agglomeration covers Bhimavaram municipality, partly out growths of Rayalam (rural) and Chinamiram. It has an area of 26.14 km2 (10.09 sq mi).[5]

Politics

Bhimavaram assembly constituency is a legislative assembly constituency in Andhra Pradesh.

Transport

The town is well connected with different places in the country by national highways.

Roadways

NH 214 passes through Bhimavaram. NH 5 is located around 40–50 kilometers from the town. Buses to the town are operated by Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation and other private operators.

Railways

Bhimavaram town railway station is classified as a B–category station in the Vijayawada railway division of South Central Railway zone.[12][13] Gudivada–Bhimavaram section connects it with Visakhapatnam–Vijayawada section of Howrah-Chennai main line.

Airways

The closest airports to the town are Rajahmundry Airport and Vijayawada Airport.

Culture

Somaraamam (Someswara Temple):

Bhimavaram is famous for the Gunupudi Someswara (Somarama) temple, which is one of the five holy Pancharamas. Built during the 3rd century A.D., the Shiva lingam is known for changing its color according to the lunar month; black during amavasya and white during pournami.

Sri Mavullamma Ammavaari Temple:

It is believed that Sri Mavullamma Ammavaru (Universal Mother Goddess) is the incarnation of Mahakali (the goddess of Shakti). It is believed that neighbouring villagers treat her as their own mother goddess, so she is addressed as 'Mavullamma' (Mother goddess of my own village). Sri Mavullamma came to limelight in the year 1880 AD. It is known that she was laid in Motupallivari street, under a pipal and neem tree-couple. Every year in the month of "Jyesta masa" (third month of auspicious Telugu almanac calendar) on "Paadyami" (new slender crescent moon day), devotees celebrate a month-long celebration. There is a festive look every where in and around the town. The Devasthanam Committee (Temple committee) and the local fruit and vegetable trader's committee felicitate artists, actors, actresses, musicians, and great men of all walks of the life.[14]

There are many notable people from cinema industry such as Padma Bhushan Dr. B. V. Raju, Byrraju Ramalinga Raju, M. S. Narayana, Trivikram Srinivas, Sivaji Raja, Penmatsa Subbaraju, Sunil (actor), Krishnam Raju Upalapati, Prabhas, Ravi teja etc. Other notable personalities include Yellapragada Subbarow in Science field, Swami Jnanananda in mystics, Sri Dantuluri Narayana Raju (an academician)[15] and Alluri Sitarama Raju (a freedom fighter).

Education

There are numerous educational institutions in and around Bhimavaram.[16] Some of the renowned institutions are S.R.K.R Engineering College,[17] D.N.R Educational Institutions,[18] K.G.R.L Group of Educational Institutions,[19] Sri Vishnu Educational Society,[20] Bhimavaram Institute of Engineering & Technology,[21] Grandhi Varalakshmi Venkatarao Institute of Technology (GVIT).[22]

See also

References

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  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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