CUDDAPAH

Cuddapah is situated in the south-central part of the Andhra Pradesh State. Located 8-km south of the Penner River, the city is surrounded on three sides by the Nallamalai and Palkonda hills. The name Cuddapah is derived from the Telugu word 'Kadapa' ("gate"). The city is so named because it is the gateway from the north to the sacred hill-'Pagoda' of Shri Venkateshvara (also spelt as Venkateswara) of Tirupati .

It lies sprawling along the "Bugga" or "Ralla Vanka" in a hollow bordered on the south by the main Palkondas and on the east by a strip of the same hills projecting north towards the Lankamalas on the other side of the Penneru. The portion of the hollow occupied by the town is only about 400ft to 450ft above the sea level, while some of the nearer points of the hills rise even to 1,000ft.

An Ancient Town
Cuddapah city was a part of the Chola empire from 11th -15th century. Muslims conquered it in 1565, and then the British took control of it in the 1800. Although the town is an ancient one, it was probably extended by Neknam Khan, the famous Qutub Shahi commander, who called the extension "Neknamabad". It is not probable that Nekanamabad was the name given to the whole town.

In any case it fell into disuse and the records of the 18th century refer to the Mayana rulers not as Nawabs of Nekanamabad but the Nawabs of Cuddapah. Except for some years in the beginning, Cuddapah was the seat of the Mayana Nawabs in the 18th century. With the British occupation of the tract in A.D 1800, it became the headquarters of one of the four Subordinate Collectors under Principal Collector, Major Munro.

In Cuddapah, are the relics of the rule of the Cuddapah Nawabs. Most prominent among these are two towers and the dargahs. It also has got three churches and numerous temples.

PRIME ATTRACTIONS

Gandikota Or The Gorge Fort
Gandikota or 'The Gorge Fort' is situated about 6 miles to the west of Jammalamadugu in Cuddapah district. The width within the fort is at its broadest, about five and a half furlongs from west to east and almost a mile from northwest to southeast.

Masjid-e-Azam
This beautiful mosque is located near the George fort and was built in 1691 AD during the reign of Aurangzeb.

Chand Phira Gumbadh
Chand Phira Gumbadh is the mausoleum of Syed Shah Mohammed Hussian. It is located in a square building with large dome in the centre, surrounded by tall walls, in the heart of the city.

EXCURSIONS

Pushpagiri
A place very close to Cuddapah, where there are few temples that attract tourists the largest and the best known of them is the Chennakesava Temple, which has a lofty gopuram, sculptures depicting scenes from the epics, floral motifs and elaborately engraved pillars.

Jyothi
The sculptured mandapam with 32 pillars, the inner chamber and the sanctum make it a most impressive temple.

FAIRS

Gangamma Jatra, an annual Jatra of the Shrine of Gangamma is an important event in Anantapuram, Cuddapah district.

HOW TO GET THERE

Air:
The nearest airport is at Renigunta and Chennai .

Rail:
Cuddapah has a railway station on the Chennai-Guntakal line. Tourist will find no difficulty in moving around this place.

Road:
Cuddapah being the headquarters of the district, is well connected with all the places within the state and other parts of the country also. The state transport corporation and private operators run buses to all the important tourist places in the town.

WHERE TO STAY

Accommodation is avaiable in the various hotels of Cuddapah district and the choice vary from luxury hotels to budget hotels.

Hospital:
Amar Hospitals Ltd,
Proddatur Road,
Vinayaka Nagar
Cuddapah

GENERAL INFORMATION

Climate: Tropical
Temperature Range:
Summer: 30°C. - 44°C. (81.56F - 119.6F Approx.)
Winter: 21°C. - 30°C. (57F - 81.56F Approx.)
Rainfall: 695 mm (Seasonal)
Clothing: Light Cottons
STD Code: 08562

NEARBY CITIES

Pushpagiri: 16-km
Renigunta: 131-km
Tirupati : 132-km

CLICK HERE FOR MAP OF CUDDAPAH
CLICK HERE FOR ROAD MAP OF CUDDAPAH
CLICK HERE FOR RAILWAY NETWORK MAP OF CUDDAPAH