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

History

• Origin of Name: Krishna District is named after the sacred river Krishna, the third largest river in India. It starts near Mahabaleswar, Maharashtra, and meets the Bay of Bengal near Hamsaladevi Village.
• Cultural Significance: Krishna District is recognized as the heart of Telugu Culture and is renowned as the birthplace of the classical Indian dance form, Kuchipudi. The Telugu dialect spoken here is widely accepted as the standard form of Telugu.
• Historical Background: The history of Krishna District traces back to the 2nd century BC. It was under the rule of various dynasties such as the Satavahanas (230 BC - 227 AD), Pallavas (340 AD - 500 AD), Chalukyas (615 AD - 1070 AD), Cholas, Kakatiyas, Reddy dynasty, Vijayanagara Empire, Qutub Shahis, and Nizams.
  • Reddy Kingdom: The ruins of the fort at Kondapalli belong to the Reddy Kingdom era.
  • Vijayanagara Empire: The temple in Srikakulam Village was constructed during the Vijayanagara Kings' reign.
  • European Traders: Golconda rulers were the first to engage with European traders who established themselves in Masulipatnam (now Machilipatnam), including the Portuguese, Dutch, and English.
  • Ministers Madanna and Akkana: During the Qutub Shahi rule, the esteemed ministers Madanna and Akkana had their office in Vijayawada due to their devotion to Goddess Kanaka Durga.

Main Points About Krishna District

• The English established their first settlement in Masulipatnam in 1611, later moving to Madras in 1641.
• In 1761, the English obtained their initial division at Masulipatnam by supporting Nizam Ali Khan in his reign over Golconda.
• Originally, Masulipatnam was governed by a Chief and a Council, transitioning to direct administration by Collectors in 1794.
• Krishna district's administrative headquarters is in Machilipatnam, with Vijayawada serving as a significant city and commercial hub.
• The population of Krishna District is 45.17 lakhs (2011 Census), ranking 34th in India and 4th in Andhra Pradesh.
• Gender ratio in the district is 997 women for 1000 males, with a literacy rate of 74.37 percent.
• Agriculture stands as the primary occupation of the people in Krishna district.
• The district spans 8,727 Sq.kms, divided into upland and delta regions and comprising 50 Mandals in four Revenue Divisions.
• Tanks serve as the primary irrigation source for upland areas, supplemented by water from Nagarjuna Sagar, while delta lands are irrigated by Krishna River canals.

Krishna District Overview

• Kolleru Lake is a significant wetland in India that is partially located in the district. 
• The district hosts various industries including the Vijayawada Thermal Power Station, KCP Sugar Factory, and Bharat Electrical Limited. 
• Additionally, Krishna district is renowned for being the birthplace of numerous notable individuals across different fields.

Notable Personalities

• Siddhendra Yogi: Architect of Kuchipudi
• Mahakavi Kshetrayya: Renowned Telugu poet
• Pingali Venkayya: Designer of the Indian National Flag
• Dr. Bhogaraju Pattabhi Sitaramayya: Founder of Andhra Bank
• Gudipati Venkatachalam: Prominent Telugu writer
• Viswanadha Satyanarayana: Notable Telugu writer
• Kanuri Lakshmana Rao: Esteemed Indian engineer and Padma Bhushan recipient
• Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao: Renowned Telugu playback singer
• NT Rama Rao: Founder of the Telugu Desam Party
• Akkineni Nageswara Rao: Celebrated Telugu film artist
• Vempati China Satyam: Promoter of Kuchipudi Dance
• Chetan Anand: National Badminton Champion
• Koneru Humpy: Ranked as the World Number 2 in Women's Chess

Notable Personalities and Landmarks in Krishna

• Viswanadha Satyanarayana: Telugu writer
• Kanuri Lakshmana Rao: Indian engineer and recipient of the Padma Bhushan award
• Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao: Renowned Telugu playback singer
• NT Rama Rao: Founder of the Telugu Desam Party
• Akkineni Nageswara Rao: Celebrated Telugu cine artist
• Vempati China Satyam: Promoter of Kuchipudi Dance
• Chetan Anand: National Badminton Champion
• Koneru Humpy: Ranked as World Number 2 in Women's Chess

Specialties of Krishna

• In Krishna, you can find a rich variety of local specialties that include Bandar Laddu, Bandar Halwa, Chilakalapudi Bangaram (Imitation Jewellery), Kondapalli Toys, Nuzvid mangoes, and Pedana Kalamkari (Block-printed Cotton textiles).

Significance of Vijayawada

• Vijayawada, meaning "place of victory", holds great historical and mythological importance. Legend has it that Arjuna performed intense penance on the hills of Vijayawada to please Lord Shiva, who granted him the powerful weapon 'Pasupathasthra'. 
• Additionally, it is believed that Goddess Durga rested in this region after defeating the demon Mahishasura in a fierce battle. The Kanaka Durga shrine, situated atop the hills and overlooking the river Krishna, attracts numerous devotees daily.

Prakasam Barrage at Vijayawada

• Construction of the Prakasam Barrage at Vijayawada across the Krishna River took place in 1957, involving an expenditure of Rs. 3.57 crores.
• The primary function of the barrage is to fulfill the agricultural requirements of the Krishna, Guntur, and West Godavari districts.
• The barrage plays a crucial role in regulating water flow, aiding irrigation, and supporting agricultural activities in the region.
• It serves as a vital water management infrastructure, ensuring the efficient distribution of water resources among the surrounding areas.

Tourism in Krishna District

Cultural Tourism

• The Masula Beach Festival, organized by Andhra Pradesh tourism in collaboration with the Krishna district Administration, took place at Machilipatnam (Manginapudi Beach). Machilipatnam was splendidly adorned to greet visitors from all over the state. 
• The festival featured a range of activities including beach volleyball, helicopter rides, a vibrant display of flowers and mangoes, a musical concert, cultural performances, and the remarkable feat of cooking a 100-feet long Dosa. 
• For a fee of Rs 2,500, visitors could enjoy a helicopter ride, while expert chefs prepared a 100-feet long Dosa to set a new Guinness World Record. 
• The three-day extravaganza also featured horse and camel rides, a food park, joy rides, archery, paintball, sand art, and parasailing. The Machilipatnam beach festival was named Masula, reflecting the town's ancient port heritage.

Kuchipudi

• Kuchipudi is a renowned Indian classical dance form and is one of the ten prominent classical dance styles in India.
• Originating from a village in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, India, Kuchipudi is a captivating dance-drama performance art.
• Similar to other Indian classical dance forms, Kuchipudi has deep religious roots, tracing back to the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text 'Natya Shastra'.
• This traditional dance form is closely linked with temples, spiritual beliefs, and wandering minstrels.
• Evidence of Kuchipudi can be found in 10th-century copper inscriptions and 15th-century texts like 'Machupalli Kaifat'.
• In the 17th century, the sanyassin of the Advaita Vedanta sect, Tirtha Narayana Yati, along with his disciple Siddhendra Yogi, structured and organized the present-day version of Kuchipudi.

Performance Repertoire of Kuchipudi

• Invocation: The performance typically begins with an invocation, setting the auspicious tone for the dance.
• Dharavu (Short Dance): This segment involves brief dance sequences that showcase the dancer's skill and agility.
• Nritta (Pure Dance): Nritta focuses on rhythmic movements and footwork, emphasizing the dancer's technical prowess.
• Nritya (Expressive Dance): Nritya delves into the expressive aspect of the dance, where emotions and storytelling are conveyed through gestures and facial expressions.

Eco-Tourism

Manginapudi Beach

• The Manginapudi Beach is situated around 11 kilometers away from Machilipatnam in Krishna District.
• This beach holds significant historical importance and is renowned for its connections with the Dutch era.
• Manginapudi Beach acts as a key hub for commercial activities in India and functions as a natural harbor.
• The surroundings of this beach are exceptionally distinctive, providing visitors with a unique and exclusive view.
• It serves as a tranquil haven for those seeking solace from the daily hustle and bustle of life.

Peda Kallepalli

• Peda Kallepalli is situated on the banks of the sacred river Krishna and is commonly referred to as the Southern Banaras. 
• It hosts a significant festival during Shivarathri, similar to the celebrations in Banaras.

Religious Tourism

Panduranga Swamy Temple, Machilipatnam

• The Panduranga Swamy Temple in Machilipatnam is dedicated to Lord Panduranga Vithal.
• The idol of the deity stands at approximately 3 feet tall and resembles the youthful form of Lord Krishna.
• The idol is adorned with jewelry and a crown embedded with diamonds.
• In front of the idol, there is a statue of Sri Abhayanjaney Swami.
• The temple complex covers an extensive area of six acres.
• A towering entrance marks the main gateway of the temple.
• Surrounding the Panduranga Swamy Temple are passages on three sides, displaying the images of Sri Panduranga Vithal's followers.
• The temple warmly welcomes devotees from diverse castes and communities.
• Adjacent to the main temple entrance, another shrine hosts depictions of Rukmini, Radha, and Satyabhama.
• During Karthika Pournima, pilgrims flock to the temple for a sacred bath in the sea, known as Samudra Snanalu.
• Significant tourist influx occurs at the site during Ashadha Shudda Ekadashi.

Venugopala Swamy Temple, Movva

• Sri Movva Venugopala Swamy Temple is where Kshetrayya is believed to have created his renowned songs.
• The Kshetrayya Kala Samithi in Movva currently imparts music and dance education to students.

Sri Subrahmanyeswara Swamivari Devasthanam, Mopidevi

• Sri Subrahmanyeswara Swamy Vari Devasthanam, also known as Mopidevi Temple, is situated in Mopidevi village, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh.
• The temple is approximately 80km from Vijayawada and 30km from Machilipatnam.
• At the temple, Sri Subrahmanya Swamy is worshipped in the form of a lingam (Shiva Lingam).
• Mopidevi Temple is renowned for services like aiding childless couples in childbirth, performing Sarpa Dosha Nivarana Pooja, Rahu Ketu Dosha Pooja, and Anapathya dosha puja.
• Devotees strongly believe that spending a night at Mopidevi Temple can bless childless couples with offspring.

Andhra Mahavishnu in Srikakulam

• Srikakulam served as the capital of the Andhra Empire, with Andhra King Goutamiputra Satakarni reigning from AD 102-123.
• The empire encompassed regions irrigated by the Krishna and Godavari rivers.
• Andhra Mahavishnu, a revered royal sage, is honored in a temple in Srikakulam.
• Legend has it that Sri Krishna Deva Raya, the emperor, visited the temple in 1509.
• During his visit, the deity at the temple requested the emperor to compose a poem about himself.
• Responding to this divine request, Sri Krishna Deva Raya wrote the renowned literary classic called "Amukta Malyada."
• This book is considered a masterpiece in literature and is a significant contribution to the literary world.

Tourist Places

Tourist Places in Andhra Pradesh

• Sri Movva Venugopala Swamy Temple: Sri Movva Venugopala Swamy Temple is recognized as the location where Kshetrayya, a prominent poet, is believed to have composed his renowned lyrics. This temple holds historical significance in the cultural context of Andhra Pradesh. Example: The temple's architecture reflects traditional South Indian style, characterized by intricate carvings and vibrant colors, attracting tourists and devotees alike.
• Panduranga Swamy Temple: The Panduranga Swamy Temple, located in Chilakalapudi, Machilipatnam, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, stands as a well-known religious site in the region. Example: This temple hosts annual festivals that draw pilgrims from across the state, fostering a sense of community and spiritual devotion among visitors.

Exploration of Tourist Sites

• Historical Significance: These temples not only serve as places of worship but also as cultural landmarks that preserve the rich heritage and traditions of Andhra Pradesh. Example: The ancient rituals and architectural marvels of these sites offer visitors a glimpse into the region's historical and artistic legacy.
• Local Impact: The presence of these temples influences the local economy, as tourism generates revenue and supports businesses in the surrounding areas. Example: The influx of tourists during festive seasons boosts the livelihoods of vendors selling religious artifacts, souvenirs, and local delicacies near the temples.