Venkatagiri is a town, formed into 3rd grade Municipality vide G.O.M.s.No. 13 dt: 06-01-2005, by merging Six (6) grampanchayats viz., Venkatagiri, Chevireddipalle, Periyavaram, Bangarupet, Ammavaripet and Manulalapet Panchayats. Venkatagiri’s old name is “KaliMili”. It is famous for its Handloom Cotton Sarees. Venkatagiri is a place for history and handlooms. It was part of a small kingdom that was integrated into the Indian Republic. Venkatagiri Municipality is 4th largest ULB in the Nellore District of Andhra Pradesh it is spread over and area of 23.50 Sq.Km with a population of 51498 (2011 census).
History:
Venkatagiri was a small village near Kalivelamma temple with the name Kali Mili during Vijayanagar times which was ruled by Gobburu polygars. They were defeated by Venkatadri naidu, brother’s son of Raja who was ruling territories around Madurantakam in 16th Century. He renamed Kalimili with Vaishanava name “Venkatagiri”. These Recherla rulers shifted their capital from Velugodu to Venkatagiri during the reign of Pedda Yachama Naidu. He also had ruled his southern territories with Madurantakam as second capital which was granted by Venkatapathi Raya-II of Aravidu dynasty of Vijanagar who ruled from Chandragiri. Later Venkatagiri Rajas abandoned Madhurantakam and ruled their southern territories with North Mallur in Chittor district as their capital. Raja Bangaru Yacham Naidu Bahadur was treacherously murdered when he was unarmed in 1963 AD on the day of Maharnavami by Zulf-e-quar Khan, Nawab of Vellore during reign of Aurangazeb. Later on 14 taluks were granted to Sarwagna Yachedra, son of assassinated King by Khan with the approval of Emperor in order to prevent heirs of the Rajah from complaining to emperor about the murder.
After this, the Administration of the kingdom has been transferred completely from north Mallur to Venkatagiri. Raja’s Recherla clan was initiated in Nalgonda District in Amanagallu village by Chevireddy around 1198 AD-1208 AD with the sacrifice of life by Rechadu, servant of chevireddy. The “Gotram” of Venkatagiri Rajas are celebrating Jaara of Poleramma who is the chief deity of Rechadu’s community. The celebration of Jatara in Venakatagiri traced to this tradition. Chevireddy also named as Pillalamarri Bethala Naidu was a close associate of Kakatiya King Ganapathi Deva. Rajas of Venkatagiri, Pitauram, Jetprole and Bobbili are his descendents. Thus Chevireddy was the origin person of Venkatagiri Velugoti dynasty of Padma Nayaka Velama Tribe. As per the permanent settlement made with Britishers an “ Isthimiraj” dated 24 August 1802 was issued to Rajah fixing an annual Periskash of Rs. 4,44,232. Thus estate became part of British India. Venkatagiri Samsthanam when it was a part erstwhile Madras Presidency consisted of 736 Villages in addition to that it consisted 617 majara villages.
“ Poleramma Jatara” is celebrated with grandeur. Poleramma is the village goddess and this festival is conducted in her honour.
Venkatagiri Durgam, a rock fort about 8 miles west of Venkatagiri Town was a defensive arrangement made by Rajah of Venaktagiri. The Venkatagiri Durgam trail is still untouched other than the locals and a few adventure groups, not yet a regular destination for the trekkers. The trekking path is covered with small to medium sized pebbles, and one has to pass through thick thorny bushes, beautiful & steep rocky mountains and water falls.
Venkatagiri Fort built in 1775 Ad attracts visitors from all over the district. Front portion of the fort namely “ Indra Mahal” was built in 1883 AD.
Venkatagiri is surrounded by a dense forest extending to the Tirupati Hills.
This forest houses many sensual places of natural beauty loke “ Kona Malleshwara Kona”. Here one can see water falls falling from 80 ft. height and also 300 years old “ Shiva Lingam”
Kasi Viswanadha temple was built by Bangaru Yachama Naidu in 1760 AD on the banks of Kaivalya River. The street in which the temple located derived the name Kasipet because of this reason.
9th Battalion of Andhra Pradesh Special Police is also located in Vallivedu Village just 8 Km away from Venkatagiri Town.
There is temple of Sri Gowrabathini Rudra Murthy Swamy belonging to 1676 AD in Manulalapet. He is the follower of Verahusenayya (Sisya of Veerabramhendra Swamy). Every year his birthday named “Rudrayya Orutu” is being celebrated in the village.
There is a cricket stadium at Venkatagiri known as “ Tarakarama Krida Pranganam ” built by Sri Razja Ram Prasad Yachendra which hosts Zonal Matches in the state. Venkatagiri hosted ranji match in 1960.
As the most of the nearby the town is a dry land and people from surrounding villages come to Venkatagiri daily for education, shopping, medical purposes. A big Electrical & Electronic Appliances Manufacturing Unit is being set up by “BHEL Mannavaram” village which is at a distance of 10 KM from Venkatagiri town. It is expected that more than 10,000 people get employment directly and 50,000 people get employment indirectly. All these people have to depend upon Venkatagiri town for residential, Shopping, Educational & Medical purpose and therefore there is ample scope for the development of Venkatagiri Town. Mainly expansion of the town is on Southern and Northern parts of the town. As, old town in being fully built up and congested, development is taking place on extended areas. The people from rural areas are migrating to the town from the nearby villages due to availability of civic facilities
Location:
Venkatagiri is located at 13.96∘ N and 79.58∘ E. It is located at a distance of 92 Km from Nellore, 170 Km from Chennai, 120 Km from Kadapa and 50 Km from Tirupati. It has an average elevation of 60 meters. It is located 364.00 Kms from Capital city and 85 Kms from district Headquarters. There are IV zones and 25 election wards in this Municipality. Its pin code is 524132. Total area of Municipality is 23.50 Sq.Kms.
Climate and Rain fall:
Venkatagiri Town, in general, has a tropical climate, winters last from November to February, while summers last from March to June. The annual rainfall is 1287.00 mm, most of it received during the months of July to September.
Venkatagiri is located 13.96∘ N and 79.58∘ E. Since it is close to the equator, summers are hot and winters are pleasant. Since it is 70 Km away from Bay of Bengal coast and 20 Km from Eastern ghats, the humidity is low and the weather is a dry weather
Demography:
The Population of the Municipality is 51498 in 2011 censes. The Male is Population:
25920 and Female Population: 25578, and the Present population was 54300 (Approximately ).
Environmental issues:
It is hot summer , Summer highest day temperature is in between 34 C to 43C. Average temperature of January is 24C , February is 26C, March is 30 C, April is 32C, May is 34C, June is 35c, July is 38c.
Urban Poor:
The State Government had initiared many social security scheme for the benefit of Urban Poor. The success of DWCRA self help groups is emulated in the urban area also by forming DWCUA self common building services help groups and the Government is facilitating various credit plant through SLBC / DLBC to these urban self help groups for various income generating activities. This program is done under Inidra Kranthi Padham. The Population in slums are 32160.