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
Coordinates: 16.543°N 81.523°ECoordinates: 16.543°N 81.523°E
CountryIndia
StateAndhra Pradesh
RegionCoastal Andhra
DistrictWest Godavari district
MandalBhimavaram mandal
Founded byChalukya Bhima I
Government
 • BodyMunicipality
Area[1]
 • City25.64 km2 (9.90 sq mi)
Area rank20 (Andhra Pradesh)
Elevation7 m (23 ft)
Population (2011)[2]
 • City142,184
 • Density5,500/km2 (14,000/sq mi)
 • Metro[3]146,961
Languages
 • OfficialTelugu
Time zoneIST (UTC+5:30)
PIN534 20x
Area code(s)08816
Vehicle registrationAP 37
WebsiteBhimavaram Municipality
Bhimavaram is a city in West Godavari district of the Indian state Andhra Pradesh. It is the administrative headquarters ofBhimavaram 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 greatPancharama Kshetras.[6]

History[edit]

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[edit]

The name Bhimavaram literally means "the gift of Bhima". According to a legend, in around 890–918 AD, an Eastern Chalukyaking 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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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, partlyout 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[edit]

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 sectionconnects it with Visakhapatnam–Vijayawada section of Howrah-Chennai main line.

Culture[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Jump up to:a b "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. ^ Jump up to:a b "Andhra Pradesh (India): Districts, Cities, Towns and Outgrowth Wards - Population Statistics in Maps and Charts". citypopulation.de.
  3. Jump up^ "Andhra Pradesh (India): State, Major Agglomerations & Cities - Population Statistics in Maps and Charts". citypopulation.de.
  4. Jump up^ "West Godavari District Mandals" (PDF). Census of India. p. 457. Retrieved 19 January2015.
  5. ^ Jump up to:a b c "District Census Handbook - West Godavari" (PDF). Census of India. p. 22,23–54. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  6. Jump up^ "Toursim". Bhimavaram Municipality. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  7. ^ Jump up to:a b "About Bhimavaram Municipality.". Bhimavaram Municipality. 2011. Retrieved23 August 2013.
  8. Jump up^ "Welcome to Bhimavaram Info". bhimavaraminfo.com.
  9. Jump up^ "Literacy of AP (Census 2011)" (PDF). AP govt. portal. p. 43. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  10. Jump up^ "Administration". Bhimavaram Municipality. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  11. Jump up^ "Bus Stations in Districts". Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  12. Jump up^ "Vijayawada Division – a profile" (PDF). Indian Railways. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
  13. Jump up^ "BVRM/Bhimavaram Junction Railway Station". India Rail Info. Retrieved 23 August2013.
  14. Jump up^ ":: Sri Sri Sri Mavullamma Ammavari Swarna Vastranidi Sekarana Sangam ::".bhimavarammavullamma.org.
  15. Jump up^ "Bhimavaram Info - The People of Bhimavaram". bhimavaraminfo.com.
  16. Jump up^ "Bhimavaram Schools, Colleges, Engineering Colleges, Degree Colleges List - BhimavaramTV.com". bhimavaramtv.com.
  17. Jump up^ "SRKR Engineering College". srkrec.ac.in.
  18. Jump up^ "(Autonomous) Affiliated to Andhra University, Reaccredited at the "A" Level by NAAC". DNR College. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  19. Jump up^ "Kgrl College". Kgrlcollege.net. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  20. Jump up^ "Sri Vishnu Educational Society". srivishnu.edu.in.
  21. Jump up^ "Home". bietbvrm.ac.in.
  22. Jump up^ "Welcome to GVIT". www.gvit.ac.in.

External links[edit]

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