Srikakulam
General Information
Other Name: Chicacole, District: Srikakulam, State: Andhra Pradesh, India
Area: 5837 Sq. Km.
Languages Spoken: Telgu
Long Distance Code: +91-8942
Importance:
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Description
Srikakulam was formerly known as Chicacole. Handloom weaving is the chief cottage industry here. Srikakulam is also famous for its muslin, the quality of which is superb. The most important places of interest in the town include a mosque known as Jumma Masjid, built by Sher Muhammad Khan, and the temple of Kotisvaraswami. In the olden days; Chedidianasti kings, Satavahana kings and Golkonda novabs ruled some part of this district.Location
Srikakulam is situated in north of AP. Srikakulam district was formed on August 15th, 1950. Srikakulam, the northernmost district in the Andhra Pradesh, was a part of Vishakapatnam District till it was bifurcated in 1950. Srikakulam town, the headquarters of the district, is located on the east bank of the River Nagavali. Towards the west is Bay of Bengal and towards the South East is Vijayanagaram district and towards north is state of Orissa. Srikakulam was formerly known as Chicacole.
It is 109Km from Srikakulam. Baruva, a fishing and coastal port, is set amidst lush coconut groves and paddy fields. The famous temples are of Sri Kotilingeswara Swamy and Janardanaswamy.It is 13kms from Ichapuram and Sompet. The coastal belt around Kaviti has extensive plantations of coconut, cashew and jack. The area is delightfully scenic. Here are the deities of Chintamani Ammavaru and Sri Sita Rama Swamy.\r\nThis district area is about 5837 km and having population 23,21,000. There is ONE Parliament Constituency and 12 assembly constituencies namely, Palakonda, Vunukuru, Patapatnam, Etcherla, Kothuru, Ichapuram, Sompeta, Tekkali, Harischandrapuram, Narasannapeta, Amudalavalasa, Srikakulam. There are three revenue divisions in Srikakualm, namely 'Srikakulam, Tekkali and Palakonda'\r\n
It is 26 km from Sompet and at foot points of Mahendragiri. Mahendra giri is the highest mountain range in South India. Mahasivaratri is celebrated with fanfare here. Here is the temple of Varaha Swamy.
It is 21 km from Srikakulam. It is famous for fine Khadi. With eye extracting designs they are women on hand spun spindles.It is 40kms away from Srikakulam. The king of Bobbili Tandrapapa Rayudu at one time stage here. This place is linked with name of the valiant.
Located towards the north of the district - close to Orissa. In the entire sub-continent, Palasa is famous for Cashew Nuts.
Srikurmam is a famous temple situated at a distance of about twelve miles to the southeast of Srikakulam town. The village Srikurmam derives its name from the temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the Avathara of Srikurmam viz., the Avathara of a tortoise, and hence the deity is called 'Srikurmanatha. The temple is of very great sanctity, being the only important temple to Lord Vishnu in the Kurmavathara in the whole of India.\r\nThe popular legend is that the Lord is said to have first appeared here to bless king Swetamahipathi. It is said that the bones of the deceased if thrown into the Swetapushkarani tank get converted into tortoises or Kurmas, and hence unclean persons are forbidden to touch the water from the tank.\r\nThe Shrine is noted for its architectural beauty and it contains many inscriptions ranging from the 11th century AD to the 19th century AD There is one important inscription in Srikurmam, which has led to a controversy over the authenticity or the authorship of the Telugu Bharata, which is attributed to the great Telugu poet Nannaya, the court poet of the great Eastern Chalukyan king Rajarajanarendra.\r\nThe temple has beautiful pillared Mandapas and some of the pieces of sculpture done in granite are masterpieces of workmanship. The Vimana of the temple is built in the characteristic Chola type of architecture, though the outer gates beyond the prakara are much later. There are several sacred Teerthas within the temple.\r\n
The famous Srimukhalingeswara Temple is believed that have been built in the 9th century. The temple has some remarkably beautiful sculptures in the Indo - Aryan style.
The famous Sun God Temple situated in Arasavalli Village, which is at a distance of about 1 K.M. east of Srikakulam Town in Andhra Pradesh head quarters of the coastal district in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the ancient and all among two sun God temples in our Country. According to Padmapuranam, Sage Kasyapa installed the Idol of Surya at Arasavalli for the Welfare of mankind. Therefore, the Surya is of Kasyapasa Gotra. He is also termed as planetary King. The ' Sthalapuranam ' of the temple narrates that lord Devendra had founded this temple and installed the existing idol of the sun God commonly known as Lord suryanarayana Swamy Varu under the following circumstances.\r\nOnce Lord Devendra, Ignoring the words of Dwarapalaka Nandi, attempted to force his entry for Darshan of Sri Rudrakoteswara Swamy varu at an untimely hour when Lord Siva was along with his consort. The Dwarapalaka Nandi in the discharge of his duties kicked the intruder. Thus kicked and injured by the Devine attendant Indra fell down senseless. And in his unconscious state Indra dreamt that he would be relieved of his pain of injury in his chest caused by Nandi if he built a temple and installed an Idol of the Sun God. After regaining his consciousness, he remembered what he dreamt.\r\nFollowing his dream he picked up handfuls of earth three times at a place where he lay, and there he found this beautiful idol of sun God with his three consorts Usha, Chaya and Padmini. At the base of the idols are the figures of Mathara and Pingala the Dwarapalakas and high up are the two divine saints, sanaka and sanadana holding 'Chatrams' (An Umbrella). The Sun God is depicted as riding over a chariot drawn by Anura, the Radhasaradhy. All these figures are exquisitely carved out of a single black finely polished grenite stone.\r\n
On the right bank of the river Vamsadhara, about 16 km from Srikakulam town, there are a number of Buddhist stupas and a huge monastic complex on a hillock amidst scenic surroundings. You can see a mahastupa, votive stupas, platforms and viharas. There's distinct evidence of the presence of the Vajrayana cult. The statues of Tara and Marichi were discovered at this site. From here, Buddhism spread to Sumatra and other Far-eastern countries. Salipataka and Salipetaka appear to be the early forms of the name of modern Salihundam.
It is 25kms from Srikakulam. A old light house is standing here. At present weather research center, Cyclone warning center are working here. The confluence of Vamsadhara is an attractive site.
It is about 5km from Tekkali. Sri Endala Mallikarjuna Swamy is the deity. On Maha Sivaratri and Kartika Mondays large gathering devotees worship this deity.
It is in Tekkali division, 65kms distance of Srikakulam. There is a bird sanctuary here. Winter migration birds from Russia, Sibarian cranes, block here. They build nest on the tamarind trees here and migrate to Russia in summer.
It is 56 km from Srikakulam. Nagavali, Swarnam Mukhi and Vegavati confluence takes place here. So it is called Sangam. One of the five lingas Sangameswara is here. On Maha Sivaratri thousands of devotees through here.
