Annavaram | |
|---|---|
Village | |
.svg)  Annavaram Location in Andhra Pradesh, India | |
| Coordinates:17°17′00″N82°23′00″E / 17.2833°N 82.3833°E /17.2833; 82.3833 | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| District | Kakinada |
| Area | |
• Total | 324 ha (800 acres) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 6,865 |
| • Density | 2,120/km2 (5,490/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 533406 |
Annavaram is a village in theKakinada district of the Indian state ofAndhra Pradesh, renowned for its religious and cultural significance. The village is best known for theSri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Satyanarayana, an incarnation ofVishnu.[1] Situated on Ratnagiri Hill, the temple, constructed initially in 1891 and rebuilt in 1933–34, is a major pilgrimage site in Andhra Pradesh and is second only to theTirumala Venkateswara Temple in terms of prominence.[2] The temple's unique rituals, especially the collectiveSatyanarayana Vratam, attract thousands of devotees, particularly during theKarthika month.[3]
Annavaram is located approximately 18 km fromTuni, 51 km fromKakinada and 120 km fromVisakhapatnam, with access viaNational Highway 16 and a B-category railway station on theHowrah–Chennai main line.[4] According to the2011 Census, the village has a population of 6,865. The village hosts a range of educational facilities and basic healthcare services, although more comprehensive medical care is available in nearby towns.[5]
The nameAnnavaram is derived from the Telugu wordAnna, meaningfood, symbolizing the village's longstanding reputation as a centre for food distribution. Another explanation suggests the origin fromAnina varam (bestowed boon), referring to the divine blessings said to be granted by the presiding deity of the temple.[2]
Annavaram is located 18 km fromTuni, 51 km fromKakinada, 72 km fromRajahmundry, and 120 km fromVisakhapatnam. The town is accessible viaNational Highway 16 (NH16), which connectsChennai andKolkata.[4]
Annavaram bus station serves the town. Regular bus services operated by theAndhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) connect Annavaram with nearby cities, including buses running every 30 minutes fromTuni,Kakinada andRajahmundry.[6]
TheAnnavaram railway station, situated on theHowrah–Chennai main line, is a B-category station under theVijayawada railway division of theSouth Central Railway zone.[7] Located about 3 km from the temple, it lies on thebroad-gauge railway line betweenVijayawada and Visakhapatnam. Many trains on the Kolkata-Vijayawada route have a scheduled stop at Annavaram.[8]
According to the2011 Census of India, Annavaram spans an area of 324 hectares with a population of 6,865, encompassing 1,835 households. The male population totals 3,458 and the female population is 3,407, resulting in a nearly balanced sex ratio. The village includes 269 individuals from Scheduled Castes and 5 from Scheduled Tribes. The PIN code for Annavaram is 533406.[5]
As per the Census 2011, the literacy rate of Annavaram is 75.1%. The male literacy rate is 81.09% and the female literacy rate is 69.05% in Annavaram village.[5]
Annavaram is widely known for its religious significance, primarily due to theSri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy Temple located atop Ratnagiri Hill. Dedicated to Lord Satyanarayana, an incarnation of the Hindu godVishnu, the temple was initially constructed in 1891 and later reconstructed in stone during 1933–34.[2] The temple features unique iconography and attracts numerous visitors, making it one of the most frequented and wealthiest religious sites in Andhra Pradesh.[9] It is considered the second most important pilgrimage centre in the state after theTirumala Venkateswara Temple.[10]
The temple's location on Ratnagiri Hill provides a scenic view overlooking the Pampa River and the surrounding landscape. Pilgrims can reach the temple via a ghat road or by climbing a series of steps.[2] The temple is particularly known for the collective performance of theSatyanarayana Vratam, a ritual observed by hundreds of devotees at once, which fosters a strong sense of community. The month ofKarthika is notable for drawing large numbers of worshippers who participate in special rituals and celebrations.[2]
A legend associated with the temple recounts the story ofMeru, a great mountain, and his wife Menaka, who were blessed by Vishnu after performing penance. Their sons, Bhadra and Ratnakara, were transformed intoBhadrachalam Hill, dedicated toLord Rama, and Ratnagiri, where Lord Satyanarayana manifested. This legend underlines the temple's significance, with devotees believing in the blessings (anina varam) received from the deity, enhancing Annavaram's religious importance.[2]
Annavaram hosts a range of educational institutions, including one private kindergarten, three government primary schools, two private primary schools, one government upper primary school, one private upper primary school, one government secondary school, and one private secondary school. Higher education is available at one government junior college, one private junior college, and one private arts and science degree college.
The nearest engineering, medical, management, and polytechnic colleges are located in Kakinada. Vocational training centers are accessible inJaggampeta, while specialized schools for differently-abled students are available in Kakinada.
Public healthcare facilities in Annavaram are limited. The village has two sub-centers without doctors but staffed by paramedics. The nearest primary health center is located within a 5–10 km radius. Other healthcare options include veterinary and mobile health services within the same distance. More comprehensive medical facilities, such as community health centers, maternal and child health services, allopathy hospitals, and centers for alternative medicine, are located more than 10 km away.
Annavaram has two private healthcare facilities and three unqualified practitioners providing services. There are ten pharmacies to meet the needs of the local population.
