Nandyal district

Nandyal district
District of Andhra Pradesh
Clockwise from top-left: Lower temple, Ahobilam, Belum Caves, Yaganti Umamaheshwara Temple, Shivanandishwara Temple in Kadamala Kalva, Srisailam Reservoir
Location of Nandyal district in Andhra Pradesh
Coordinates: 15°30′N78°30′E / 15.5°N 78.5°E / 15.5; 78.5
Country	India
State	Andhra Pradesh
Region	Rayalaseema
Formed	4 April 2022
Founded by	Government of Andhra Pradesh
Headquarters	Nandyal
Administrative Divisions	3 revenue divisions 29 Mandals 449 villages
Government
•  District collector	Dr K.Srinivasulu, Collector and District magistrate
Area [1]
• Total	9,681 km2 (3,738 sq mi)
Population  (2011) [1]
• Total	1,781,777
• Density	180/km2 (480/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+05:30 (IST)
Website	nandyal.ap.gov.in

Nandyal district is a district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh with Nandyal as its administrative headquarters, it was formed on 4 April 2022 to become one of the resultant 26 districts. It is part of the Rayalaseema region. The district consists of Nandyal revenue division and a newly formed Dhone revenue division and Atmakur revenue division from Kurnool district.

Etymology

The district derived its name from its headquarters Nandyal.

History

Belum Caves are geologically and historically important caves in the district. There are indications that Jain and Buddhist monks were occupying these caves centuries ago. Many Buddhists relics were found inside the caves. These relics are now housed in Museum at Anantapur. Archaeological survey of India (ASI) found remnants of vessels and other artifacts of pre-Buddhist era and has dated the remnants of vessels found in the caves to 4500 BC. ^[2] Earlier in the 14th century there was a king named Nandanamaharaju. This place got the name "Nandi Temple" after that king built the Nava Nandula around it. In time, this place got the name "Nandyala".

Geography

This district is bounded on the north by Krishna rivers as well as Mahabubnagar district of Telangana State, on the south by Kadapa district and Anantapur Districts on the west by the Kurnool district and on the east by Prakasam District. ^[1]

Nallamala and Erramala are the two major mountain ranges which run in parallel from north to south of the district running in parallel from north to south. The Erramalas divide the district into two parts.The eastern part of the district lies between Erramalas and Nallamalas. It has mainly black cotton soil. Krishna and Kunderu are the main rivers. Kunderu also known as Kumudvathi originates on the western side of Erramala hills. It flows towards south through Midthur, Gadivemula, Nandyal,Gospadu, Koilakuntla, Dornipadu and Chagalamarri mandals before entering YSR District. ^[1]

Forest of the district covers an area of 3,08,607 hectares. It is about 32% of the district. It is confined to hilly areas of Nallamala and Erramala and part of Velikonda hills. Tamarind and Beedi leaves are forest's minor produce. Tigers and panthers are the main wild animals. Partridges, peacocks, red jungle foul are some of the birds in the forest. Nagarjuna Sagar – Srisailam wildlife Sanctuary with an area of 46.815 hectares is created in the north of Nallamalas to protect wildlife. Project Tiger was started near Srisailam with an area of 3,568 sq.km. As per 2003 census, there were 64 Tigers and 78 Panthers. ^[1]

Rollapadu village of Midthur mandal is famous for the spotting of the great Indian Bustard (Batta Meka) an endangered bird. A bird sanctuary with an area of 1,600 hectares was established to protect this species. ^[1]

Demographics

Religion in Nandyal district based on 2011 Census [3]
Religion			Percent
Hinduism			79.93%
Islam			18.86%
Christianity			0.80%
Other or not stated			0.41%
Distribution of religions

Based on the 2011 census Nandyal district had a population of 1,781,777, of which 385,185 (21.62%) live in urban areas. Nandyal district has a sex ratio of 985 females per 1000 males. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 322,825 (18.12%) and 52,784 (2.96%) of the population respectively. ^{[4] : 77–81}

Languages of Nandyal district based on 2011 Census ^[5]

   Telugu (81.08%)

   Urdu (17.25%)

  Others (1.67%)

Based on the 2011 census, 81.08% of the population spoke Telugu and 17.25% Urdu as their first language. ^[5]

Administrative divisions

Nandyal district revenue divisions

The district has three revenue divisions, namely Atmakur, Nandyal and Dhone, each headed by a sub collector. These revenue divisions are divided into 29 mandals. ^{[6] [7] [8] [9] [10]}

Mandals

There are 10 mandals in Atmakur division, 6 mandals in Dhone division and 14 mandals in Nandyal. 30 mandals under their revenue divisions are listed below:

1. Atmakur revenue division
   1. Atmakur
   2. Bandi Atmakur
   3. Jupadu Bunglow
   4. Kothapalle
   5. Miduthuru
   6. Nandikotkur
   7. Pagidyala
   8. Pamulapadu
   9. Srisailam
   10. Velugodu
2. Dhone revenue division
   1. Banaganapalli
   2. Bethamcherla
   3. Dhone
   4. Koilkuntla
   5. Owk
   6. Peapully
3. Nandyal revenue division
   1. Allagadda
   2. Chagalamarri
   3. Dornipadu
   4. Gadivemula
   5. Gospadu
   6. Kolimigundla
   7. Mahanandi
   8. Nandyal Rural
   9. Nandyal Urban
   10. Panyam
   11. Rudravaram
   12. Sanjamala
   13. Sirivella
   14. Uyyalawada

Cities and towns

The district has of 6 municipalities namely Nandyal, Dhone, Atmakur, Allagadda, Bethamcherla and Nandikotkur. ^[6]

Cities and towns in Nandyal district

City / Town	Civic status of city/town	Revenue Division	2011 Census population
Nandyal	Special Grade Municipality	Nandyal	211,424
Dhone	Grade - 2 Municipality	Dhone	59,272
Nandikotkur	Grade - 2 Municipality	Atmakur	46,593
Atmakur	Grade - 3 Municipality	Atmakur	45,703
Allagadda	Grade - 2 Municipality	Nandyal	42,545
Bethamcherla	Nagar Panchayat	Dhone	38,994

Politics

There are one parliamentary and six assembly constituencies in Nandyal district. The parliamentary constituencies are Nandyal The assembly constituencies are given below. ^[11]

Constituency number	Name	Reserved for (SC/ST/None)	Parliament
134	Allagadda	None	Nandyal
135	Srisailam	None
136	Nandikotkur	SC
139	Nandyal	None
140	Banaganapalle	None
141	Dhone	None
138	Panyam (partially)	None

Tourism

Srisailam

Yaganti Nandi

Srisailam is the abode of Brahmaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy. The deity is in natural stone formation in the shape of lingam. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams in the country. The temple was built in 14th century. Mahanandiswara temple dates back to the 7th century. Nearby pushkarani has crystal clear water. The temple of Navanarasimha (Nine Forms of Lord Narasimha) is in upper Ahobilam. The temple of Prahladavarada is in lower Ahobilam. Yaganti is the home of Uma Maheswara Swamy. There is a huge Nandi statue with size of 15’ X 10’ X 8’. Belum caves discovered in 1982 are the second largest natural caves in India after Meghalaya caves. These caves have 3 well like cavities. These are longer than Borra Caves in Vizag district. These have long passages, spacious chambers and fresh water siphons. Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary is of interest for bird watchers. ^{[12] [13] [14]}

Notable people

Pendekanti Venkatasubbaiah, who served as central minister and governor was born at Sanjamala.Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy, who fought the British for the first time, was born in Nandyal District Uyyalawada village of Allagadda mandal.Shri SPY Reddy who contested as an MP did good to Nandyala.Shri Bhuma Nagireddy garu and Shri Bhuma Shobhanagireddy garu did good to Nandyala and Allagadda.Shri Buggana Rajendranath Reddy garu has done many development works for Bethamcherla mandal of Nandyala district.

References

1. CPO 2022, p. 1.
2. Show Caves of India: Belum Caves
3. "Population by Religion - Andhra Pradesh". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
4. "District Census Hand Book – Kurnool" (PDF). Census of India . Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
5. "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Andhra Pradesh". Census of India . Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
6. CPO 2022, p. XVII.
7. Raghavendra, V. (26 January 2022). "With creation of 13 new districts, AP now has 26 districts". The Hindu . ISSN   0971-751X. Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
8. "AP issues draft gazette notification on 26 districts". Deccan Chronicle . 26 January 2022. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
9. "New districts to come into force on April 4". The Hindu . 30 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
10. "కొత్త జిల్లా తాజా స్వరూపం". Eenadu.net (in Telugu). 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
11. "District-wise Assembly-Constituencies". ceoandhra.nic.in.
12. CPO 2022, p. III-VIII.
13. AP Tourism E-Brochure Nandyal district (PDF). 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
14. "Places of interest - Nandyal district". Nandyal district. Retrieved 18 April 2023.

Books

CPO (2022). District Hand Book of Statistics – 2020, Nandyal district (Compiled as per the new district boundary) (PDF).

External links

• Official website
• Mandals of Nandyal district - an interactive overpass-turbo OSM map