Guntur Intro

Guntur city is in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. All the tobacco processing and exporting industries are based in and around Guntur. Guntur being on the national highway, has direct access to major ports Chennai and Vizag. Most of the tobacco exports are made through Chennai port which is 400 km away from Guntur city by road. Guntur is situated at coordinates 16° 18′ 2.88″ N, 80° 26′ 34.08″ E in coastal andhra. It's distances from major cities are Hyderabda 295 km, Chennai 400 km, Delhi 1800 km, Mumbai 1000 km and from my home it is about 1690 km.

Telugu is the main language of communication in the city. One of the earliest/purest forms of Telugu language can be noticed in this region. Other languages such as English and Hindi are used in the city to a minor extent. The culture is vibrant with many festivals (that have been celebrated over thousands of years). Those festivals observed in Guntur with great pomp and splendour are: Deepavali, Krishna-Ashtami, Rama Navami, Sankranti, Sivaratri, Ugadi, Vijaya Dasami, Vinayaka-Chaviti. Also, noticeable are festivals introduced before a few centuries, including Christmas, Eid ul-Fitr,, Muharram, Ramadan. The 30th International Kalachakra festival was held at Amaravati near Guntur. Many Bhajans are held through the year.

Guntur City and its region is a major commercial centre in India. Cotton, tobacco and chilli are some of the major commodities that are exported from here to different parts of the world. The city hosts the largest Asian market for red chillies. The Tobacco Board, India, a part of the Government of India, is headquartered in Guntur. The chillies that are grown in this region are some of the hottest in the world, and are in constant competition with chillies from Mexico for first place. One of the first of its kind, a global 'Spice Park' is currently being setup in the area. The cotton that grows in the region is used in making some of the finest sarees in India.

The climate in Guntur City is very tropical in nature, but there are dry spells especially during the winter season. The average temperature is warm to hot throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from approximately 16C to 48C (60F to 118F).The summer season (especially during May/June) has the highest temperatures, but these are usually followed by monsoon rains in that season. The winter season (from October to February) is the most enjoyable with a pleasant climate. Summer clothing suffices throughout the year.


Tourism & places of interest


Painted Storks, Spot-billed Pelicans and other birds migrate from various countries such as Siberia, Australia and use the sanctuary। The water tanks in the village are unique as they provide refuge to many species birds including endangered Spot-Billed Pelicans and Painted Storks. (Pictures of Birds at Uppalapadu) The bird population in these tanks used to be around 12,000 previously, however lately only about 7000 birds roost in this dwindling habitat through the year. But some initiatives have taken place such as adding artificial trees, local awareness, proper water supply to the ponds etc. The artificial tress are added in the pond on which the birds can perch in addition to the natural trees. During the visit to the sanctuary on 16 February, 2008, the author could found only about 1500 spotted bill grey pelican(pelecanus philippensis) and a slightly less number of Painted Stork(mycteria leucocephala). Besides this 6 pintail ducks a few cormorant 5 red crested pochard(rhodonesa rufina), common coot, common teal, black-headed ibises, 2 stilts were also sighted.





गुंटूर आस- पास

Tirupathi (तिरुपति)
तिरुपति शहर भारत के सबसे प्राचीन और दर्शनीय तीर्थ स्थलों में से एक है । यह आंध्र प्रदेश के दक्षिण प्रांत, चित्तूर जिले में है । शहर के पास, तिरुमाला पहाडी पर भगवान श्री वेंकटेश्वर के पवित्र मंदिर स्थित है । इतिहास के अनुसार कहीं बारह सौ वर्ष पहले से यह मंदिर दक्षिण भारत के प्राचीन पूजा स्थलों में से मुकुट के गहना जैसे है । तिरुमाला पहाड़ी समुद्र स्तर से 3200 फुट ऊपर है, और 10.33 वर्ग मील क्षेत्र में फैली हुई है । यहाँ की सात चोटियों, आदिशेष के सात डाकू का प्रतिनिधित्व करते हैं, जिस लिये यह शेषाचलम् के नाम में जाने जाते हैं । सात चोटियों को शेषाद्री,नीलाद्री,गरूडाद्री,अंजनान्द्री,वृषभाद्री,नारायणाद्री एवं वेंकटाद्री कहते हैं । श्री वेंकटेश्वर के पवित्र मंदिर सातवीं चोटी, वेंकटाद्री (वेंकटगीरि) पर विराजित है और यह स्थान श्री स्वामी पुष्करिणी के दक्षिणी तट पर है । भगवान तिरुमाला के यहाँ प्रकट होने के साथ कई किंवदंतियाँ जुडी है ।
तिरुपति, जिसका अर्थ है 'लक्ष्मी के पति' , यह नाम प्रभु के निवास वेंकट पहाड़ी पर स्थित गांवों के लिए यथार्थ रूप से लागू होना चाहिए, परंतु यह नाम पहाडी के पैर में स्थित म्यूनिसपाल् शहर को ही सौंपा गया है, जबकि पहाडी के उपर स्वयं प्रभु के मंदिर के आसपास के गांवों को तिरुमाला (पवित्र पहाडी) कहा जाता है ।

The town of Tirupati is one of the most ancient and spectacular places of pilgrimage in India. It is situated in the Chittoor district in southern Andhra Pradesh. The town owes its existence to the sacred temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara situated on the Tirumala Hill adjoining it. With a history that dates back to over twelve centuries, the temple is the jewel in the crown of ancient places of worship in southern India.
The Tirumala Hill is 3200 ft above sea level, and is about 10.33 sq miles in area. It comprises seven peaks, representing the seven hoods of Adisesha, thus earning the name, Seshachalam. The seven peaks are called Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishabhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri.
The sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatadri (Venkata Hill), and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini.
There are several Legends associated with the manifestation of the Lord in Tirumala.
The name Tirupati, meaning the ‘the Lord of Lakshmi’ should have been appropriately applied to the village on the Venkata Hill, the abode of the Lord. However, it has been popularly assigned to the Municipal town at the foot of the Hill, while the village around the Hill near His temple is called Tirumala (the Sacred Hill).

Kanakadurga Temple (कनकदुर्गा मन्दिर)

शक्ति, सम्पत्ति और दया की देवी माँ कनकदुर्गा शहर की मुख्य आराध्य देवी है । यह मन्दिर इन्द्रकिलाद्री पहाडी के उपर स्थित है । कनकदूर्गा मन्दिर की देवी को स्वयंभू अर्थात स्वयं प्रकट मानी जाती है एवं इसलिये वे अत्यन्त शक्तिशाली हैं । कहा जाता है कि आदि शंकर इस स्थान का दौरा किया और यहाँ श्री चक्र स्थापित किया । देवी “चण्डी” का अन्य रूप हैं एवं शांतिप्रिय दक्षिणपथ निवासियों के बीच तबाही मचाने वाली राक्षसी दूर्गामा का बध देवी ने किया था।********************************************************************************

The abode of Kanaka Durga, goddess of power, riches and benevolence, is the presiding deity of the city. The temple is set on the Indrakiladri hill. The deity in the Kanaka Durga temple is regarded as Swayambhu or self-manifested, hence is considered very powerful. It is said that Adi Sankara visited this temple and installed the Sri Chakra here. She takes the aspect of Chandi or destroyer of the demon Durgama who was causing havoc among the peace - loving inhabitants of Dakshinapatha.

अन्य स्थान Other Places

सेंट मैरी चर्च, गुणदला St Mary's Church, Gunadala:
पहाड़ी पर स्थित एक प्रसिद्ध चर्च – हर साल यहाँ एक भव्य मेला का आयोजन होता है ।

Famous church situated on a hillock -venue of a grand fair every year.

भवानी द्वीप Bhavani Island:
विजयवाड़ा शहर के प्रवेश द्वार पर कृष्णा नदी में स्थित है - छुट्टी मनाने के लिये एक सुरम्य स्थान Situated in the river Krishna at the entrance to the Vijayawada city - a picturesque holiday resort.

अमरावती Amaravathi:
गुण्टूर से 35 किलोमीटर दूरी पर कृष्णा नदी के किनारे स्थित अमरावती एक प्राचीन बौद्ध स्थल है । अमरलिंगेश्वर स्वामी मंदिर वहाँ का एक प्रमुख तीर्थ स्थान है । यहाँ का संग्रहालय भी अन्यतम आकर्षण है ।

Located on the banks of river Krishna about 35 kms. from Guntur, Amaravathi is an ancient Buddhist centre. The Amaralingeswara Swamy temple there is a prominent pilgrim centre. The Museum is also one of the attractions.

मंगलगीरि Mangalagiri:
विजयवाड़ा शहर से 12 किलोमीटर दूर एक पहाड़ी पर प्रसिद्ध पानकला स्वामी का मंदिर है और उस शहर के अन्दर लक्ष्मी नरसिंह स्वामी का मंदिर भी है । दोनों मंदिर काफी प्राचीन और पौराणिक महत्व वाले हैं । शहर सूती वस्त्र उद्योग के लिए जाना जाता है ।

Located 12 kms. from Vijayawada, - famous for the Panakala Swamy temple on the hill and Laxmi Narasimha Swamy temple in the town - ancient temples with mythological significance - also known for its cotton textiles.

कोटप्पाकोण्डा Kotappa Konda:
गुंटूर से 63 किलोमीटर दूर स्थित एक पहाड़ी की चोटी पर निर्मित प्राचीन शिव मंदिर के लिए यह स्थान विख्यात है - फरवरी महीने में यहाँ वार्षिक महाशिवरात्री मेला भव्य पैमाने पर मनाया जाता है ।

Located 63 kms. from Guntur, - noted for the ancient Shiva temple on top of a hill - the annual Mahasivarathri Jatara in February celebrated on a lavish scale.

नागार्जुनसागर बाँध Nagarjuna Sagar Dam:
गुंटूर से 150 किमी दूरी पर स्थित, यह दुनिया का सबसे बड़ा चिनाई बांध है । कृष्णा नदी पर बनी, यह दुनिया की सबसे बड़ी मानव निर्मित झील है । इस झील के मध्य में नागार्जुनकोंडा नामक एक द्वीप है जहाँ प्रत्नतत्व संग्रहालय में दूर्लभ अवशेष रखे गये हैं

Located 150 kms. from Guntur. As the largest masonry dam in the world, stretching across the river Krishna, it has created the world's largest man-made lake. Situated in the middle of this lake is an island called Nagarjunakonda with priceless archaelogical relics housed in a museum.