History

SALIENT FEATURES OF NANDYAL DISTRICT

LOCATION AND COMPOSITION:

The name Nandyal is from the word “Nandi Alayam”. This place is approximately center point of nine Nandi temples, and it has been as important pilgrimage site since the days of the Vijayanagar Kingdom owing to its nine Nandi temples. Nandyal District lies between the northern latitudes of 150 27’’ 49’’ and eastern longitudes of 780 28’’ 43’’.The altitude of the district varies from 100 ft above the mean sea level. This district is bounded on the north by Krishna rivers as well as Mahabubnagar district of Telengana State, on the south by Kadapa and Anantapur Districts on the west by the Kurnool district and on the east by Prakasam District. The district population with 1687541 as per 2011 Population Census, while in area with 9154 Sq. Kms.,The Nandyal District comprises 3 Revenue Divisions, 27 Revenue Mandals 26 Mandal Parishads, 5 Municipalities, 1 Nagara Panchyats 454 Gram Panchayats, 417 Revenue Villages.

PHYSIOGRAPHY:
Nallamalas and Erramalas are the two important mountain ranges in the district running in parallel from North to South. The Erramalas divide the district into two well defined tracts from East to West. Between Erramalas and Nallamalas lies the Eastern part of the district comprises Nandikotkur, Pagidyala, Kothapalli, Pamulapadu, Atmakur,Velgodu, J.Bunglow, Midthur, BandiAtmakur, Nandyal, Mahanandi,Banaganapalli, Owk,Koilakuntla, Rudravaram and Chagalamarri Mandals. This tract is crossed by the crest of Krishna and Pennar, watershed at the North part of thePagidyala mandal at about 1000 above the sea level. From this height the ground slopes to the South along the river Kundu till it traverses into Pennar valley. Major part of its tract is predominantly black cotton soils.

CLIMATE :
The Climate of the district is normally good and healthy. January, February and March months are usually pleasant with moderate winds from South-East. April and May are hottest months of the year, during these months the wind shifts to Southwest with increased force and brings welcome showers by the end of May. During the succeeding four months the wind blows from Western side in Major parts of the district and brings fair quantum of rainfall. By the end of September the wind is light and pleasant forecasting the on set of Northeast monsoon. In November and December the weather is fine, Rainfall is rare and wind is light with occurrence of heavy dew. District normal rainfall of the year is 724.9 mm. During 2019-20 the rainfall received is 784.1 mm.

RIVERS :
The principal rivers flowing in the district are the Krishna and the Kunderu.The Kunderu also called Kumudvathi rises on the western side of Erramalas winds its way into Kunderu valley and flows in a Southern direction collecting drainage all along its course from either side. It flows through, Midthur, Gadivemula, Nandyal,Gospadu, Koilakuntla, Dornipadu and Chagalamarri mandals and there enters Kadapa District.

FLORA FOREST AND FAUNA FOREST:
The forestic composition of the district stands in direct relation to that climate and edaphic conditions and the biotic influence in various locations. The total area under forests is 301678 Hec. accounting for about 32 percent of a total geographical area of the district. The major parts of the forest area is confined mainly to the Nallamalas including its extensions, the Erramalas and a part of the Velikondas. The forests covering the Erramalas and Velikondas are of interior type Bamboo with timber species occurs fairly over extensive areas in the district. Tamarind and Beedi leaves are the important minor forest produce of the District. Wild animals are found in plenty in Nallamalas and Erramalas hills which afford an ideal abide for wild life tiger, panthers, bears, jackals,hyaenas wild bears, foxes, spotted dears, sambrs, black bucks, nelgais, wild sheep etc., are found in these forests. In order to preserve the wild animals, forest of the northern part of Nallamalas covering an area of about 46.815 hectares has been brought under the Nagarjuna Sagar – Srisailamwild life Sanctuary.
Partridges, peacocks, red jungle foul, green pigeon, quails are the chief game birds found in the forests. The great Indian Bustard (Batta Meka) an endangered bird species is found near Rollapadu village of Midthur mandal and an area of about 1,600 hectares around Rollapadu village has been declared as protected area for propagation of this
species.In the year 1983 Tiger project has been started near Srisailam covering 3,568 Sq.Km. of Nallamalas forest with 64 Tigers and 78 Panthers population as per 2003 Census.

LAND AND LAND USE :
The total Geographical area of the district is 9.154 lakh Hect. During the year 2019-20 the area covered by forest is 3.017 lakh Hects. which forms 32.95% to the total geographical area. The net area sown is 3.37 lakh Hects, forming 36.87% to the total geographical area. The total cropped area in the district 38.23 lakhs Hects. The area sown more than once during the year is 0.45 lakh Hects.

IRRIGATION :3
The gross cropped area of the district is 1.88 lakh Hects., are irrigated through canals, tanks, wells and other sources during 2019-20.

POWER :
The district receives its power supply from Tungabhadra and Hampi Hydro

Electric Power Stations.
Srisailam Hydro-Electric Power Project is constructed across the river Krishna at a distance of 3 Kms. from famous Srisailam Temple. The total cost of Project wasRs.433 Crores. There are seven Hydro generators of 110 M.W. Capacity each and electricity produced during 2019-20 was 540.21 Million KWH.

MINERAL RESOURCES :
Kurnool District possesses enormous deposits of lime-stone suitable for cement manufacture, apart from this, the important minerals of economic value in the district are barites, yellow shale, white shale, steatite etc.,The annual out turn of the other minerals in the district is 45.53 lakh Tones during 2019-20

PLACE OF TOURIST IMPORTANCE :

Srisailam

It is located at 165 Kms from Nandyal and 264 Kms from Vijayawada with an attitude of over 1500 ft. above the Sea level in the Picturesque natural environment in the Northern most part of the Nallamala hill range. The temple at Srisailam is the ancient and sacred place of South India. The presiding devity of the place is Brahmaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy in natural stone formations in the shape of Lingam and is listed as one of the twelve Jyotirlingams existing in the country. The Temple built in 14th Century and the walls are carved with depictions of elephants hunting scenes and Lord Shiva in different manifestations. Apart from the main temple there are other places like Sikhareswaram, the gates of Heaven, Hatakeswaram and Pala Dhara–Pancha Dara, Sakshi Ganapathi, Sivaji Spurthikendra, Pathala Ganga etc., are well worth for visit.

Mahanandi:

Mahanandi

Mahanandiswara temple in Mahanandi mandal is a reputed pilgrim center and that dates back to the 7th century A.D. It is Located at a distance of 14 Kms from Nandyal district.It is a scenic spot having its location to the east of the Nallamalas hill range in a natural set up of ravishing beauty surrounded by thick forest. The remarkable feature here is the crystal clear water which flows throughout the year from perennial springs. The festival of Mahanandiswara is celebrated during February- March. Pilgrims and Tourists from all parts of India particularly South Indians visit this place throughout the year. Apart from the above there are other places like Pushkarani, a pond with water so clear and pure that even a pin at the bottom can be seen, KodandaRamalayam and Kameswari Devi temple are the visiting places.

Ahobilam:

Ahobilam Temple

It is a great religious center of antiquity and is situated at a distance of 68 Kms from Nandyal, 28 Kms from Allagadda.

At upper Ahobilam worship is offered to Navanarasimha (Nine Forms of Lord Narasimha) where as at lower Ahobilam down the hill the temple of Prahladavarada is located. The Brahmotsavam is celebrated in the month of February – March attracting large number of devotees. Other sites worth seeing are Amruthavalli tavar temple, Sannidhi Pushkarini, Bhashyakara Sannindi.

Yaganti:

Yaganti Temple

Yaganti lies at a distance of 11 Kms from Banganapally and 74 Kms from Nandyal situated admists natural scenery with caves and water falls around. The presiding deity is Uma Maheswara Swamy popularly known as Yaganti Swamy.This deity is in the form of Statue and its tower posses beautiful sculptures. The most striking scenic at this temple is huge Nandi of size of 15’ X 10’ X 8’.Mahasivaratri Festival celebrated here and attracts large gathering of Hindus.

Belum Caves:

Belum caves

Belum Caves are located near Belum village, Kolimigundla mandal in Nandyal district. The Caves lies at a distance of 79 Kms from Nandyal via Banaganapalli. Belum Caves made known in 1982 and which are the second largest natural caves in Indian Sub Continent after Meghalaya Caves. These under ground caves are located on a flat agricultural field, have 3 well like cavities with the central one being the main entrance to the caves.

After a distance of 20 meters at the entrance, the cave is horizontal and has a length of 3229 meters. Longer than Borra Caves in Vizag district, Belum caves have long passages, spacious chambers fresh water galleries and siphons. There are some land marks inside named as “Simhadwaram”, “Kotilingalu”, “Manadapam” and “Pathalaganga”. All this makes Belum Caves a geographical and archeological attraction worldwide.

Bramham Gari Matam-Banaganapalli:

Banaganapalli us 85 kms away from Kurnool. Veera Bramham is well known saint.in this region. He lived in this area written “Kalagnanam” on palm leaves. Garimireddy Achamma has provided shelter to Veera Bramham and became his disciple. He worked as a Gopala in her house. Chintamani Matam and Nelamatam are famous in this town, Banaganapalli is famous for Mango Gardens.

Rolla Padu Sanctuary:

The Rolla Padu Sanctuary is located in Midthur mandal and about a distance of 42 Kms from Nandyal. Apart from a wide variety birds and animals, this sanctuary is renowned as one of the last refuges of the endangered Great Indian Bustraed (Batta Meka Pitta), which is a hevy Ground Bird like a young ostrich or peahen.