Kalyandurg

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Kalyandurgam | type = city | latd = | longd =
state_name = Andhra Pradesh
district = Anantapur
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population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 29,272| population_density =
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Kalyandurgam is a census town located in the Anantapur district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

History

Kalyandurgam was under the rule of Sri Krishnadevaraya and was a part of Vijayanagara Empire. Rayadurg and Kalyandurgam are the two important forts which were ruled by Balija Palegars. The name Kalyandurgam came from Kalyanappa, who was a Poligar in the 16th Century.The Descendents of These poligars Esapathi,Rayadurg palegar,Butna,Kondaraju families still live in fort area.This place is also famous for diamond kimberlites. Kalayndurgam is surrounded by mountains around it which makes this place cool when compared to other places in the district.

Places of interest

ri Subrahmanyeswara Swamy Temple

Sri Subrahmanyeswara Swamy temple is located at the heart of the Town. This temple is built in around 16th century. Every year on the occasion of birth of sri subrahmanyeswara swamy, a festival called "Subrahmanya swamy Shrasti" is celebrated with great devotion and respect. This festival is declared a local holiday. This festival includes Pujas, Car festival and many more Pujas held at the temple premises.

Enumaladoddi

Enumaladoddi is a village located 12 miles south of Kalyandurg and is well situated amidst hills. Enumaladoddi has an ashram dedicated to a saint of the Sri Radhaswamy faith. The 'Teppalamma Banda' (a stone), situated to the south of the ashram is visited by devotees praying for progeny and also for performing tonsure ceremonies.

Another interesting feature of this small town is the existence of a "floating island". It is a small irregular shaped island on earth. Some ten yards across at its widest part, which lies in and nearly fills up, a hollow in the rock of which the hillock consists

Bhyravani Thippa

Bhyravani Thippa is situated 28 miles from Kalyandurg and is named after Bhairava whose temple lies on the hillock nearby. This village became significant because of the Bhairavanitippa Project, which harnesses the waters of 'Hagari' ('Vedavati').

Rayadurgam

'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.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, [GR|India] Kalyandurg had a population of 29,272. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Kalyandurg has an average literacy rate of 61%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 69%, and female literacy is 53%. In Kalyandurg, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

References