Summary: Ananthapuramu District

Table of Contents
1. About the District
2. Establishment
3. Geographical Location
4. Geographical Information
5. Eco-Tourism
6. Thimmamamarimanu
7. Veerapuramu
8. Kumbakarna Theme Park
9. Shilparamam
10. Aluru Kona
11. Yadiki Caves
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About the District

• Ananthapuramu name comes from "Anaatasagaram" meaning "Endless Ocean".
• Villages Anaantasagaram and Bukkarayasamudram were founded by Anantaras Chilkkavodeya, minister of Bukka-I (Vijayanagar).
• There are different views on whether the name honors Bukka's queen or Anantarasa Chikkavodeya.

Establishment

• District formed in 1882 after separation from Bellary district.
• Expanded by adding Revenue Mandals from Cuddapah in 1910 and from Bellary in 1956.

Geographical Location

• Located between specified longitudes and latitudes.
• Boundaries: Kurnool District (north), Chittor District (southeast), YSR District (east), Karnataka state (west and southwest).

Geographical Information

• Revenue Divisions: 5 divisions with 63 Revenue Mandals - Anantapur (19), Dharmavaram (8), Penukonda (13), Kalyandurg (11), Kadiri (12).
• Geographical Area: 12,805 sq. km.
• Language: Telugu is predominantly spoken.
• Number of Villages: 1,681.
• Population (as given): 40,83,315 per 2011 census (4.82% of state; decadal growth 12.16%).
• Alternate population figures listed: 52.86 lakhs total; Male: 26,33,304; Female: 26,52,520.

Eco-Tourism

Thimmamamarimanu

• Location: Gootibayulu near Kadiri (24 km).
• Accessibility: Road access from Ananthapuramu (116 km); 235 km from Bengaluru; 211 km from Devanhalli Airport.
• Significance: Famous Banyan tree ("Thimmamma Marrimanu") listed in the Guinness World Records.
• Size & Features: Described as covering 8 acres and 15 cents (also noted as nearly 5 acres) with 5,559 branches.
• History: Believed to have originated in 1434 A.D., linked to Thimmamma and the legend of 'Sati'.

Veerapuramu

• Location & Access: Near Hindupur; well connected by road from Ananthapuramu and Bengaluru.
• Wildlife: Sanctuary for painted storks that migrate to the village annually for breeding.
• Migratory Details: Storks travel roughly 6,000 km from regions like Siberia and Algeria.
• Human-Bird Bond: Villagers care for the birds; male storks forage long distances when local water bodies dry.

Kumbakarna Theme Park

• Location: Near Penukonda; garden covers 5 acres.
• Main Feature: Giant sleeping Kumbhakarna statue - 142 ft long and 32 ft tall; visitors can enter the statue's belly.
• Depiction: Statue shows asuras trying to wake Kumbhakarna from the Ramayana tale.

Shilparamam

• Rural Museum: Mini village with 15 life-sized thatch and clay huts showing tribal and rural life and resident artisans.
• Boating: Lake available for paddle or rowboat rides with guides.
• Recreation: Lawn with terracotta sculptures and ethnic motifs near the entrance.
• Rock Museum: Created by Subroto Bose, featuring rock collections and natural rock formations.

Aluru Kona

• Location: About 5 km from Tadipatri Town.
• Temple: Ranganathaswami temple on a hill, attributed to Yerramraju (1334 A.D.).
• Natural Features: Valley with a small, continually flowing waterfall attracts tourists.
• Festival: Lord Ranganathaswami's Brahmotsavam celebrated on Chaitra Sudha Paurnami Day.

Yadiki Caves

• Location: Midway between Gooty and Tadipatri; caves near Konapulappadu (about 18 km from Yadiki).
• Scenery: Views of hillocks, gorges, springs, paddy fields, lakes, and winding roads.
• Geemanugavi Cave: Extends 5 km; visitors can explore up to 2 km inside; formations resemble chandeliers, bridges, globes, and snakes.
• Uudamanugavi: Cavity with capacity for 100 people; Kona Ramalingeswara temple beside a spring.
• Activities: Trekking and rock climbing available for adventure enthusiasts.