Bhimavaram

Bhimavaram
భీమవరం
City

Somarama Temple of Gunupudi, Bhimavaram
Nickname(s): Second Bardoli of India
Bhimavaram

Location in Andhra Pradesh, India

Coordinates: 16°32′35″N 81°31′23″E / 16.543°N 81.523°E / 16.543; 81.523Coordinates: 16°32′35″N 81°31′23″E / 16.543°N 81.523°E / 16.543; 81.523
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 25.64 km2 (9.90 sq mi)
Area rank 20 (Andhra Pradesh)
Elevation 7 m (23 ft)
Population (2011)[2]
 • City 142,184
 • Density 5,500/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. It one of the major pilgrimage centers in the state, which is home to Somaramam, one of the five great Pancharama Kshetras.[6]

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.).[7]

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.[8] 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][9] 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.[7]

Governance

Civic administration

Bhimavaram Municipality was established in the year April 1948. It was upgraded to Selection Grade municipality in 2011.[10] The municipality is spread over an area of 25.64 km2 (9.90 sq mi).[1] 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. NH 214 passes through the town. The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation operates bus services from Bhimavaram bus station.[11] 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.

Culture

Somaraamam (Someswara Temple):

Beemavaram 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

  1. 1 2 "Municipalities, Municipal Corporations & UDAs" (PDF). Directorate of Town and Country Planning. Government of Andhra Pradesh. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 January 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Andhra Pradesh (India): Districts, Cities, Towns and Outgrowth Wards - Population Statistics in Maps and Charts". citypopulation.de.
  3. ↑ "Andhra Pradesh (India): State, Major Agglomerations & Cities - Population Statistics in Maps and Charts". citypopulation.de.
  4. ↑ "West Godavari District Mandals" (PDF). Census of India. p. 457. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 "District Census Handbook - West Godavari" (PDF). Census of India. p. 22,23–54. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  6. ↑ "Toursim". Bhimavaram Municipality. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  7. 1 2 "About Bhimavaram Municipality.". Bhimavaram Municipality. 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  8. ↑ "Welcome to Bhimavaram Info". bhimavaraminfo.com.
  9. ↑ "Literacy of AP (Census 2011)" (PDF). AP govt. portal. p. 43. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  10. ↑ "Administration". Bhimavaram Municipality. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  11. ↑ "Bus Stations in Districts". Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  12. ↑ "Vijayawada Division – a profile" (PDF). Indian Railways. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
  13. ↑ "BVRM/Bhimavaram Junction Railway Station". India Rail Info. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  14. ↑ ":: Sri Sri Sri Mavullamma Ammavari Swarna Vastranidi Sekarana Sangam ::". bhimavarammavullamma.org.
  15. ↑ "Bhimavaram Info - The People of Bhimavaram". bhimavaraminfo.com.
  16. ↑ "Bhimavaram Schools, Colleges, Engineering Colleges, Degree Colleges List - BhimavaramTV.com". bhimavaramtv.com.
  17. ↑ "SRKR Engineering College". srkrec.ac.in.
  18. ↑ "(Autonomous) Affiliated to Andhra University, Reaccredited at the "A" Level by NAAC". DNR College. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  19. ↑ "Kgrl College". Kgrlcollege.net. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  20. ↑ "Sri Vishnu Educational Society". srivishnu.edu.in.
  21. ↑ "Home". bietbvrm.ac.in.
  22. ↑ "Welcome to GVIT". www.gvit.ac.in.

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