Palakol

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Palakol | type = city | latd = 16.5333| longd = 81.7333
state_name = Andhra Pradesh
district = West Godavari
leader_title = Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA)
leader_name = Dr. Tsavatapalli Satyanarayana Murthy (Dr. Babji)
altitude = 5
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 57,171| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone = 08814
postal_code = 534260
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Palakol (also called as Palakollu or Palacole or upamanya puram ) is a coastal town in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. It is an important trading town in West Godavari district and is in proximity with other trading towns such as Bhimavaram, Eluru,Tanuku and Narsapur.Palakol's population is about 80,000 and is well recognized for its surrounding fertile lands. Both Telugu and English are spoken here.

Tourist Attractions

Ksheera Rama Lingeshwara Swami Temple (A 15th century temple built for the Hindu God Shiva. It is one of the five Pancharamas).The temple has a unique white shiva lingam and the temple tower is one of the tallest among the temple towers in Andhra Pradesh.This place was earlier called as "Ksheera Puri" based on this temple. Later called as "Pala Kolanu", which all tries to convey the meaning of milk pond. Hearts of people here are as white as pure milk.

The Area subtended by the Shiva temples at Palakol,Draksharamam & Samrlakota was named as "Trilinga Desam"(means "the region bounded by three lingas") which in following centuries of existence became Telugu desam,the language spoken by the people around these locations was named as Telugu,hence it is belived by some historians that the word "Telugu" was born from this region .

Ashtabhuga Lakshmi Narayana Swami Temple which is known for its traditions and festivities like Bhramostavam draw large number of devotees from all over the town. Dhanurmasam is celebrated in the month of December in the remembrance of love of Andaal for Lord Sri Krishna.

Fertile Paddy Farms, Coconut farms, Fisheries and prawn ponds add to the attractions around the town.

Interesting facts

Palakol is a big town and population to be 80,000 and is an important trading centre for surround by rural villages. Palakol is the birth place of Padmasri Allu Ramalingaiah. Other popular Telugu film film celebrities like Dasari Narayana Rao, Kodi Rama Krishna, Addala Chanti, Chalam, Vakada Appa Rao, Relangi Narasimha Rao, Mutcherla Aruna and Nalla Ramamurthy hail from this place. U. Srinivas, a world renowned exponent of Mandolin, was born here. He was the first person to play carnatic music on this German instrument. Gajal maestro 'Gajal Srinivas', Special Advisor to the Minister of Rural Development, Andhra Pradesh Government, Sarath Chandra Medepally works for Deluxe, Hollywood also hails from Palakol.

Buses are run by APSRTC & Private Travellers from Palakol to Hyderabad, Vizag, Vijayawada,Tirupati. Narsapur to Vijayawada rail line passes through Palakol & Two express rails Narsapur to Hyderabad & Narsapur to Tirupati are run through this town. A bridge was built on Vasista Godavari near Chinchinada 7 km away from Palakol connecting East Godavari & West Godavari, which makes it a part of National Highway 214.

The Town is also famous for orange & Pomelo fruit (pumpara panasa kaaya).

Lalita Kalanjali Nataka Academy supported by famous film artist & director Kodi Ramakrishna conducts every year Nataka Potilu, which are famous in the State.