Pitapuram | |
|---|---|
Town | |
| Pithapuram | |
  Top: Pithapuram Railway Station Bottom: Paddy fields near Pithapuram | |
.svg)  Pitapuram Location in Andhra Pradesh, India | |
| Coordinates:17°07′00″N82°16′00″E / 17.1167°N 82.2667°E /17.1167; 82.2667 | |
| Country | India |
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| District | Kakinada district |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal |
| • Body | Municipality |
| Elevation | 10 m (30 ft) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
• Total | 54,859 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Telugu |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| Vehicle Registration | AP05 (Former) AP39 (from 30 January 2019)[2] |
Pithapuram (also spelled asPitapuram) is a Town andmunicipality in theKakinada district ofAndhra Pradesh, India. With a history spanning over 1,500 years, it is one of the oldest towns in the state. Pitapuram served as the capital for various kingdoms of Andhra, dating back to the 4th century CE, and continues to be an important pilgrimage destination.
The town is renowned for theKukkuteswara Temple complex, which also houses the Puruhutika Devi Temple, one of the eighteenMaha Shakti Pithas, considered among the most significant pilgrimage destinations inShaktism.[4] Pitapuram is also the birthplace ofSripada Sri Vallabha, a prominent 14th-centuryHindu saint.[5] The town holds significant historical and religious significance, being mentioned in ancient texts such as theSkanda Purana andSrinatha'sBheemeswara Puranam (c. 15th century).[6]
Historically, Pitapuram has roots dating back to ancient times as a sovereign .[7] It is referenced inSamudragupta'sPrayaga inscription (c. 350 CE)[8] under the name Pishtapura, during the reign of King Mahendra.[9] In the 7th century CE, it served as the initial capital of theEastern Chalukyas before they moved their capital to Vengi.[10][11] Over time, Pitapuram later became one of the administrative divisions, or Rāṣṭras, of the Eastern Chalukyas.[12] During the late 12th century,Pruthviswara (r. 1186–1207) of theVelanati Chodas ruled from Pitapuram. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the Pitapuram Chalukyas, a collateral branch of the Chalukyas, controlled the surrounding region, includingRajamahendravaram, Pitapuram, andDraksharamam. By the 18th century, Pitapuram became the centre of thePitapuram Estate, which covered an area of 393 square miles (1,020 km2) by 1903.[13]
Pitapuram, originally known as Pishtapura, is first mentioned around 350 CE[8] in thePrayaga Pillar inscription of theGupta emperorSamudragupta, which records his victory over King Mahendra of Pishtapura.[9][7] Inscriptions from the 4th and 5th centuries by theVasishtha andMathara dynasties refer to Pishtapura as part of theKalinga region.[9][14]
In the 7th century,Chalukya kingPulakeshin II annexed Pishtapura into his kingdom.[9] The initially served as the capital of theEastern Chalukyas before they shifted their capital to Vengi.[10][15][11][16] Subsequently, Pitapuram became one of the administrative divisions, or Rastras, under the Chalukyas.[12]
During the late 12th century,Pruthviswara (r. 1186–1207), of theVelanati Chodas ruled from Pitapuram.[17] The Town was later governed by the Pitapuram Chalukyas, acadet branch of the Chalukyas, who controlled the area aroundRajamahendravaram, Pitapuram, andDraksharamam during the 12th and 13th centuries.[18] Inscriptions from 1186 to 1391 CE also highlight its significance under the rule of the Konas and theReddi kings.[7]
The Pitapuram Zamindar family arrived in theGodavari District in 1571 and was granted thejagir ofAnaparthi. They served asSardars ofRajamahendravaram, commanding 4,000 troops, and received the Zamindari sanad in 1749 from Rustum Khan, a general of theNizam of Hyderabad. In 1802, they established a permanent settlement with the British. By 1903, their estate covered 393 square miles (1,020 km2) and generated a revenue of ₹9,14,000, with a peskash of ₹2,44,000.[13]
The Pitapuram Rajas were notable patrons of education and healthcare. They sponsored the classicalTelugu dictionarySri Suryarayandhra Nighantuvu and commissioned the first Telugu typewriter.[19] They founded thePithapur Raja's Government College (PR Government College) in Kakinada and supported the establishment of theChristian Medical Centre (CMC) by theCanadian Baptist Mission, which has been renowned for its medical services since the eighteenth century.[20]
Pitapuram is located at17°07′00″N82°16′00″E / 17.1167°N 82.2667°E /17.1167; 82.2667.[21] It has an average elevation of 10 meters (33 feet). The town is approximately 20 kilometres from the district headquarters,Kakinada, and 75 kilometres fromRajahmundry.[22] In 1957, Pitapuram was designated as a2nd gradeMunicipality and anurban local body (ULB). It is spread over an area of 19.57 square kilometres.[20]
Pitapuram is landlocked but is located near several beaches, although none are within the town itself. Most of its economic activity is centered in Kakinada.[citation needed] Notable neighborhoods in Pitapuram include C.B.M. Christian Medical Centre, Jaggayya Cheruvu, Drivers Colony, Pada Gaya Junction, Agraharam, and Satellite Town.
Pitapuram experiences a tropical climate, with winters extending from November to February and summers from March to June. The town receives an annual rainfall of 178 mm, predominantly during the monsoon season from July to September.[20]
Pitapuram, an important pilgrimage destination, is renowned for its religious significance and historical temples. The town hosts theKukkuteswara Temple complex, which houses several significant shrines, including the Puruhutika Devi Temple—one of the eighteenMaha Shakti Peethas. This temple is venerated inShaktism as a major pilgrimage site, marking it as the 10th Shakti Peetha. The Kukkuteswara Temple, dedicated toLord Siva in the form of a self-originating (Swayambhu)Lingam, and the Puruhutika Devi Temple are central to the town's religious landscape.[22]
Additionally, Pitapuram is known for its other notable temples, such as the Kunthimadhava Swamy Temple and the Sri Pada Vallabha Anagha Datha Kshethram. The town is also famous for the Pada Gaya Sarovar, asacred pond believed to grant salvation to those who bathe in it, and for performing "Pinda Pradanam" (last rites), which is considered as auspicious as performing them inVaranasi. The town is closely associated withSripada Sri Vallabha, an important 14th-centuryHindu saint, believed by his followers to be an incarnation ofDattatreya, further adding to its religious prominence.[5]
As per the2011 Indian Census, the Town had a population of 54,859. The average literacy rate stands at 75.00% with 35,434 literates, higher than the national average of 73.00%.[1][23]
Pithapuram Town is situated onNH 216. Pithapuram railway station is located onDuvvada-Vijayawada section ofHowrah-Chennai main line.Rajahmundry Airport is located 55 km (34 mi) from Pithapuram.[24]
| Year | Candidate | Party |
|---|---|---|
| 2024–Present | Konidela Pawan Kalyan | Janasena Party |
| Anantapur |      | |
|---|---|---|
| Chittoor | ||
| East Godavari |
| |
| Guntur | ||
| Kadapa | ||
| Krishna | ||
| Kurnool | ||
| Nellore |
| |
| Prakasam | ||
| Srikakulam | ||
| Tirupati |
| |
| Visakhapatnam | ||
| Vizianagaram | ||
| West Godavari | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
