Rayadurg
Encyclopedia
Rayadurg is a taluk headquarters and municipality
in Anantapur district
in the India
n state
of Andhra Pradesh
.
, Rayadurg had a population of 54,127 with 51% males and 49% females. Rayadurg has an average literacy rate of 56%, lower than the national average of 59.5% with male literacy of 65% and female literacy of 47%. In Rayadurg, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.
'Raidurga' literally means "King's Hill Fortress". The Raidurga Fort played a very significant role in the history of the Vijayanagar Empire. The fort has many inner forts and is inaccessible for enemies to attack. It is built at a height of 2727 ft. from sea level.
Raidurga was originally a stronghold of Balija
palegar who were very turbulent during the Vijayanagar rule. The emperor deputed an officer to drive them out and ruled the place himself and the hill was thus called "Bhupatirayakonda". After the battle of 'Rakshasa Tangadi', the Bedars regained the place, but were again driven out after some time by 'Koneti Nayak'. His son 'Venkatapathi Nayak' who had differences with the 'Palegar' of Chittaldurg greatly strengthened the fortifications. Tipu
captured the fort and made it a part of his Gooty province.
The ruins of the fort can still be seen on the hill at the foot of which the Raidurga town is built. The hill fort is said to have been built by one 'Junga Nayak'. A portion of the fort wall has crumbled. Down below the slope of the hill are four caves with small stone doors with carvings of 'Siddhas'.
The fort area contains most of the temples of the village including those of 'Narashimhaswamy', Hanuman, and 'Elamma', which are frequently visited by devotees. There are other temples including those of 'Prasanna Venkatesvara', 'Venugopala', 'Jambukeswara', 'Veerabhadra', and 'Kanyakaparameswari'.
Another important and a spectacular sight is "Dasabhuja Ganapathi", a statue of Lord Ganesha with ten shoulders. It was carved out from a 4 m high monolithic stone. 'Dasabhuja Ganapathi' statue is witness to the beautiful "Shilpakala" of olden days.
Kalyandurg fort, Akkamma Konda and Kothi Konda(kota konda) are some of the famous tourist destinations.
Weaving silk and cotton saris, Garment industry and farming are the main sources of revenue. Nearly 10,000 people are working in garment units. Rayadurg has one of the biggest garment industry in South India, exporting garments worth Rs.200 crores per annum. Silk sarees for marriages from Rayadurg are also famous.
It is also famous for Garment industry. It is connected through railways to other parts such as Bellary, Chitradurga and Bangalore. The first meter gauge line was laid in 1906 from Bellary (Karnataka) to Rayadurg (Andhra Pradesh). It was converted into broad gauge in 1993. As the railway constructed in 1906, still this city doesn't have more than two trains running a day.
, Bhor
, Broach
, Kakori
, Poona (Pune
), and Sandila
.
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
in Anantapur district
Anantapur district
Anantapur District , ) is one of the 23 districts in Andhra Pradesh, India. The district headquarters is Anantapur City. It is currently a part of the Red Corridor.- Geography :...
in the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
.
Demographics
According to 2001 Indian censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, Rayadurg had a population of 54,127 with 51% males and 49% females. Rayadurg has an average literacy rate of 56%, lower than the national average of 59.5% with male literacy of 65% and female literacy of 47%. In Rayadurg, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.
History
Though ignored by majority of the historians, it definitely left an indelible mark in Indian history by its role during Vijayanagara Empire. A strong fort built during Vijayanagara empire is still a silent witness and testament of the forgotten days. A large number of temples built in and around this town also tell lots of stories.'Raidurga' literally means "King's Hill Fortress". The Raidurga Fort played a very significant role in the history of the Vijayanagar Empire. The fort has many inner forts and is inaccessible for enemies to attack. It is built at a height of 2727 ft. from sea level.
Raidurga was originally a stronghold of Balija
Balija
Balija is a social group spread across the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh , Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala...
palegar who were very turbulent during the Vijayanagar rule. The emperor deputed an officer to drive them out and ruled the place himself and the hill was thus called "Bhupatirayakonda". After the battle of 'Rakshasa Tangadi', the Bedars regained the place, but were again driven out after some time by 'Koneti Nayak'. His son 'Venkatapathi Nayak' who had differences with the 'Palegar' of Chittaldurg greatly strengthened the fortifications. Tipu
Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan , also known as the Tiger of Mysore, was the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore. He was the son of Hyder Ali, at that time an officer in the Mysorean army, and his second wife, Fatima or Fakhr-un-Nissa...
captured the fort and made it a part of his Gooty province.
The ruins of the fort can still be seen on the hill at the foot of which the Raidurga town is built. The hill fort is said to have been built by one 'Junga Nayak'. A portion of the fort wall has crumbled. Down below the slope of the hill are four caves with small stone doors with carvings of 'Siddhas'.
The fort area contains most of the temples of the village including those of 'Narashimhaswamy', Hanuman, and 'Elamma', which are frequently visited by devotees. There are other temples including those of 'Prasanna Venkatesvara', 'Venugopala', 'Jambukeswara', 'Veerabhadra', and 'Kanyakaparameswari'.
Another important and a spectacular sight is "Dasabhuja Ganapathi", a statue of Lord Ganesha with ten shoulders. It was carved out from a 4 m high monolithic stone. 'Dasabhuja Ganapathi' statue is witness to the beautiful "Shilpakala" of olden days.
Kalyandurg fort, Akkamma Konda and Kothi Konda(kota konda) are some of the famous tourist destinations.
Economy
The areas surrounding Rayadurg are famous for high quality Groundnut, Tamarind and Custard Apple (Seethaphal). A special variety of Pomegranate and Brinjal (vankaya) can be seen here throughout the yearWeaving silk and cotton saris, Garment industry and farming are the main sources of revenue. Nearly 10,000 people are working in garment units. Rayadurg has one of the biggest garment industry in South India, exporting garments worth Rs.200 crores per annum. Silk sarees for marriages from Rayadurg are also famous.
It is also famous for Garment industry. It is connected through railways to other parts such as Bellary, Chitradurga and Bangalore. The first meter gauge line was laid in 1906 from Bellary (Karnataka) to Rayadurg (Andhra Pradesh). It was converted into broad gauge in 1993. As the railway constructed in 1906, still this city doesn't have more than two trains running a day.
Martian crater
Rayadurg is one of the Indian cities which has a Martian crater named after it. The other cities/towns are AmetAmet
Amet is a city and a municipality in Rajsamand district in the Indian state of Rajasthan.-History:Old name : AmbapurIts historically famous for various reasons. One of them is Veer Patta the great king of Amet who fought bravely against Muslims with the then Maharana of Mewar Udai singh who...
, Bhor
Bhor
Bhor is a city and a municipal council in Pune district in the state of Maharashtra, India.- Geography :Bhor is located at . It has an average elevation of 588 metres .- Demographics :...
, Broach
Broach
Broach may mean:* to raise a topic/subject for discussion*Broaching , a machining operation that uses a metalworking tool with a series of chisel points mounted on one piece of steel...
, Kakori
Kakori
Kakori is a town and a nagar panchayat in Lucknow district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is situated 14 km north of Lucknow. More widely known for its kebabs, Zardozi work and Dasheri mangoes, Kakori is also the centre of once flourishing Urdu poetry, literature and the Qadiriya...
, Poona (Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
), and Sandila
Sandila
Sandila is a city and a municipal board in Hardoi district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.-History:Nothing much is known about the ancient history of Sandila. According to folk sayings, it was a forested area, believed to be the worship land of legendary sage Shandilya...
.