Pithapuram

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Pitapuram
type = city
latd=17.1167 |longd=82.2667
state_name = Andhra Pradesh
district = East Godavari
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altitude = 10
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 50,301
population_density =
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Pita-puram is a city and a municipality in East Godavari district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

Pithapuram railway station is on the Chennai-Howrah Railway line. Pithapuram is famous for its Ancient Hindu temples. Pithapuram was previously known as Puruhoothika puram (పురుహూతికా పురం) and later known as Pithikapuram (పీఠికా పురం). Pithapuram is also known as Dakshina Kasi.

Geography

Pithapuram is located at coord|17.1167|N|82.2667|E|. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/2/Pithapuram.html Falling Rain Genomics.Pithapuram] ] It has an average elevataion of 10 meters (36 feet).

Demographics

As of the 2001 India census [GR|India] , Pitapuram had a population of 50,301. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Pitapuram has an average literacy rate of 61%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 66%, and female literacy is 57%. In Pitapuram, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Background

Pithapuram is home to a dynasty. The Pithapuram Kings ruled the area for long. They established the Pithapuram Raja Government Degree College in Kakinada. These Kings also gave lands to the missionaries for the establishment of a century old humanitarian hospital (Christian Medical Centre).

Missionaries of the Canadian Baptist Mission established their medical enterprise here in the form of the famed hospital Christian Medical Centre. CMC, Pithapuram was known for its quick and healing touch since the eighteenth century.

Writers and poets from Pithapuram

* late Mokkapati Narasimha Sastry
* late Adipudi Somanatha Rao
* late Devulapalli Krishna Sastry
* Dr. Somasunder Avantsa
* Dr. K. Venkata Rao (Dr. Reddy)

Cinemas

* Sri Rama Theater
* Sri Satya Theater ( AC)
* Purna Theater DTS Dolby
* Anna Purna Theater DTS Surround
* Sivadurga Theater
* Sri Venkateswara Theater
* Sougandh Theater

Degree colleges under Andhra University

*Surya Raya Degree College(ragavulu)
*P V Degree College
*C B R Degree College

Intermediate colleges in Pithapuram

*R.R.B.H.R. GOVT. JR. College
*sree hanumantharaya jr.college
*Navachytanya Jr. college
*Priyadarshini Junior College
*Anjana Junior College

Temples

* Kukkuteshwara Swamy temple - The most famous temple at Pithapuram is that of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is known as Kukkuteshwara Swamy here. The consort of Kukkuteshwara Swamy is known as Raja Rajeswari. There is the temple of Puruhutika Devi inside the campus of this temple. It is one of the Asta Dasa Shakti Pithas. Maha Shivaratri, Sarannavarathri and Kaartika Masam are the main festivals celebrated at this temple.
* Sripada Sri Vallabha Samsthanam (dated around 14th century). It is the birth place of Sripada Sri Vallabha, the first incarnation of Dattaatreya swamy, the divine Guru. It is believed that even today he seeks bhiksha in various forms during the noon time at Pithapuram.
* Venu Gopala Swamy temple
* Kunthi Madhava Swami temple - It is the one of the pancha madava skathra
* Sripada Vallabha Anagha Datta Kshethram (Constructed by Sri Ganapathi Sachidananda Ashram)
* Nukalamma Temple (Grama Devatha)
* Kukka Pamu Gudi ( Seethayyagari thota)
* Ramakovela (Mangayamma Rao Peta)
* Venkateswaraswami Temple (near Kukkuteshwara Swamy temple)
* Kothi Gudi (near market)
* Sanyasiralla Gudi (near market)
* Vinayakudi Gudi (near Kota gummam)
* Sai baba Gudi (near Chinna Post Office)
* Gali gangalamma temple (near old bus stand)
* Puruhutika ammavaru (near old bus stand )
* Kota Sattemma Talli Gudi (Seethayyagari thota)
* Sri Viswa Viznana Vidya Adhyatmika Peetham, Near Old Bus Stand

Churches

* Andhra Baptist Church
* Bethesdha Baptist Church
* El-Shaddai Ministries church
* Zion Prayer House
* House of Hope
* Bible Mission church
* Trinity Luthern Church
* Door of Hope Church
* Seventh Day Advantist Church
* And few independent Churches

Cricket grounds

* RRBHR Cricket Ground
* Rajugari Kota
* Dulla Santa

References

See also

* Kakinada

External links

* [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=17120203&x=82254553&z=16&l=0&m=a Pithapuram] map at Wikimapia.
* [http://eastgodavari.nic.in/pithapuram.html Kukkuteshwara Swamy]
* [http://eastgodavari.nic.in/ptpotherTemples.html Other Temples in Pithapuram]