In this article, we provide comprehensive information about the geography, history, population, and top tourist destinations of Kadapa.Kadapa District (officially renamed as YSR District) is located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and natural resources, Kadapa is an important region in South India. Here’s an overview of Kadapa District:
| About: | Kadapa district is one of the twenty six districts in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. In the 2022 reorganisation of Andhra Pradesh districts, the district boundary was largely restricted to the Kadapa parliamentary constituency area. It is one of the eight districts in the Rayalaseema region. Kadapa is the administrative headquarters for this district. Barytes, limestone, asbestos and uranium are major mineral resources of the district. The district is home to many religious and historic places of interest. Kodandarama Temple at Vontimetta, Chennakesava temple of Pushpagiri, Siddavatam Fort and Gandikota gorge are some of the famous places. |
| History: | The earliest inscriptional evidence reveals that Kadapa or more precisely ‘Kadapa’ towards the close of tenth Century A.D. was the principal belief that ‘Kadapa’ meaning in Telugu “Threshold” was a convenient camping place for the pilgrims visiting the Lord Venkateswara Temple at Tirupati. It was therefore regarded as “threshold” to it “on the ancient highway”. On 19th August, 2005 nomenclature of “Cuddapah” has been changed as “Kadapa” by the Government of A.P. It was renamed as Y.S.R. District during the year 2010. The Y.S.R. District was first formed in early 19th century during the British rule. The District is also considered to be one of the District endowed with rich History, Minerals Flora & Fauna. Sri Krishna Devaraya of Vijayanagara Empire, Pratap Rudra of Kakatiya dynastry, Sivaji of Maharashtra Emperor, Tipu Sultan and Haider Ali are some of the names associated with the history of this tract. The holy names of the rivers that cut across the District give the land a sanctity of their own. The District is made up a series of beautiful valleys through which flowsPapagni (the destroyer of sin), Chitravathi(a Hindu Goddesses), Mandavya (a Rishi), Pennar (Pinakini), Penneru (Penna)is the most important river flowing through the District has a legend which is incorporated in a Sasanam (insription) at Gandikota. The Seshachalam range of hills that pass through the district and crowned ultimately with the holy shrine of Tirumala in Chittoor district is named after the Serpant God who served as the bed to Lord Vishnu. Thus, Kadapa tract associated with such holy rivers and hills should, at one time, has been considered as a truly holy land. This tract has also been identified as the great forest of Dandaka through which the King Sri Rama(One of the Dasavataras of Lord Vishnu) and his consort Sitapassed in their 14 years of exile of Aranyavasa in Ramayanam. In the year A.D.1714, Abdul Nabi Khan was the first Governor of the District and in the year 1740 the Marathas invaded and defeated the Nawab of Kurnool and Kadapa. Hyder Ali obtained the possession of Gurramkonda and Kadapa from the hands of Marathas and appointed his brother-in-law Mir Saheb in Kadapa District. Hence Mir Saheb and his son Kamaluddin were the first rulers of the District. The District later fell into the Nizam by the treaties of Mysore and Srirangapatnam. |
| Economy: | For the year 2013-14, the Gross District Domestic Product (GDDP) of the district stands at ₹26,342 crore (US$3.2 billion), contributing 5% to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). Per capita income in current prices is at ₹70,821 (US$850) for 2013-14. The contribution of the primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors to the district is ₹6,204 crore (US$740 million), ₹6,935 crore (US$830 million), and ₹13,203 crore (US$1.6 billion) respectively. The black cotton soil occupies 24% of the land, black soil 19%, sandy soil 4%, and red soil occupies 25%. First-class land is fertile, and soils with a sandy texture are somewhat infertile. Crops focused on agriculture include Korra, orange, lime, and betel leaf. These are specially cultivated for river-bank lands. The K.C. Canal originates at Sunkesula Dam on the Tungabhadra river and irrigates 40 km² of cultivable lands in the Kurnool and Kadapa districts. The Principal source of drinking water in this district is the Galeru Nagari Sujala Sravanthi Project Canal. |
| Geography: | Kadapa district occupies an area of 11,228 square kilometres (4,335 sq mi). It is located at a distance of 377.5 Km from the Capital Amaravathi and is 8 kilometres (5.0mi) south of thePenna River. The city is surrounded on three sides by the Nallamala and Palakonda hills. The city is nicknamed Gadapa (which means ‘Threshold’) because it is the gateway from the west to the sacred hills of Tirumala, which is known for its connections toVenkateswara Swamy. The climate here is tropical. In winter, there is much less rainfall in Kadapa than in summer. In Kadapa, the average annual temperature is 29.2 °C. |
| Country : | India |
| State: | Andhra Pradesh |
| District: | YSR District |
| Language: | Telugu, Urdu |
| Population: | As of 2011 census, Kadapa district has a population of 2,884,524 |
| Literacy rate: | 67.88% |
| Major Attractions to Visit: | 1. Gandikota 2. Belum Caves 3. Ameen Peer Dargah (Pedda Dargah) 4. Vontimitta Kodandarama Temple 5. Pushpagiri Temples 6. Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary 7. Devuni Kadapa Temple 8. Ontimitta 9. Tallapaka 10. Brahmamgari Matam 11. Siddavatam Fort 12. Bhagavan Mahavir Government Museum |
