Ananthapuramu District - 2 | APPSC State Specific Preparation Course - APPSC (Andhra Pradesh) PDF Download

Tourist Places

Gooty Fort

History

• Gooty Fort, originally known as Gowthampuri, has a rich history dating back to the 7th century.
• Early inscriptions on the fort's walls refer to it as Gadha, meaning Fort, and Bukkaraya as the King of Forts.

Architecture

• The fort is constructed using granite rocks with domes made of fine stone, mortar, and lime for durability.
• It consists of 15 small forts with distinct gateways, connected by an outer wall with bastions.
• Notable features include a gymnasium, a barrack, and Morari Rao's seat, a pavilion on the cliff's edge.
• The architecture reflects a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles, with various temples and a Dargah within the fort.

Significance

• Gooty Fort is one of the oldest hill forts in Andhra Pradesh, showcasing intricate Hindu-Islamic architectural elements.
• The presence of temples like Lakshmi Narasimha, Nageswara Swami, Hanuman, Jyothimma, and Ramaswamy adds to its cultural importance.
• Ruined structures on the upper levels offer glimpses into the fort's historical legacy.

Culture & Heritage

Nimmalakunta Leather Puppetary Craft

• Nimmalakunta, a secluded village in Dharmavaram Mandal, is renowned for its Leather Puppetry Craft, an ancient folk art form in Andhra Pradesh.
• The village boasts numerous talented puppetry artists who have demonstrated exceptional skill in this traditional craft.
• This art form is known as Tholu Bommalata, representing the rich cultural heritage of the region.
• Significant emphasis is placed on depicting Indian epics such as Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavatha through the creation of models and puppets.

Handicraft

Dharmavaram - Home of Handloom Weaving

• Dharmavaram is a city located in the Anantapur district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
• It serves as both the mandal and divisional headquarters of Dharmavaram.
• The city is renowned for its handloom silk sarees, cotton, silk weaving industries, and leather puppets.
• It is often referred to as the "Silk City of Andhra Pradesh" due to its prominence in silk production.
• Dharmavaram is a significant hub for the production of pure silk sarees.
• The town's economy heavily relies on the weaving industry, with farmers facing water scarcity issues.

Nimmalakunta Leather Puppetry Craft

• Nimmalakunta, a remote village in Dharmavaram Mandal, is renowned for its ancient leather puppetry craft.
• This art form, known as Tholu Bommalata, is a traditional cultural art in the region.
• Artists from this village have excelled in the intricate craft of leather puppetry, focusing on Indian epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavatha.
• The village places great importance on the preparation of models and puppets for their performances.