CUDDAPAH
Location: south central Part of Andhra Pradesh
Name derived From: A Telugu Word Called Kadapa ("Gate")
Nearby Attractions: Puspagiri, Vomtimitta, and Jyothi

Cuddapah is situated in the south-central part of the Andhra Pradesh State. Located 8-km south of the Penner River, the city is surrounded on three sides by the Nallamalai and Palkonda hills. The name Cuddapah is derived from the Telugu word 'Kadapa' ("gate"). The city is so named because it is the gateway from the north to the sacred hill-'Pagoda' of Shri Venkateshvara (also spelt as Venkateswara) of tirupati.
It lies sprawling along the "Bugga" or "Ralla Vanka" in a hollow bordered on the south by the main Palkondas and on the east by a strip of the same hills projecting north towards the Lankamalas on the other side of the Penneru. The portion of the hollow occupied by the town is only about 400ft to 450ft above the sea level, while some of the nearer points of the hills rise even to 1,000ft.

An Ancient Town: Cuddapah city was a part of the Chola Empire from 11th -15th century. Muslims conquered it in 1565, and then the British took control of it in the 1800. Although the town is an ancient one, Neknam Khan, the famous Qutub Shahi commander, who called the extension “Neknamabad”, probably extended it. It is not probable that Nekanamabad was the name given to the whole town.
In any case it fell into disuse and the records of the 18th century refer to the Mayana rulers not as Nawabs of Nekanamabad but the Nawabs of Cuddapah. Except for some years in the beginning, Cuddapah was the seat of the Mayana Nawabs in the 18th century. With the British occupation of the tract in A.D 1800, it became the headquarters of one of the four Subordinate Collectors under Principal Collector, Major Munro.
In Cuddapah, are the relics of the rule of the Cuddapah Nawabs? Most prominent among these are two towers and the dargahs. It also has got three churches and numerous temples.

PRIME ATTRACTIONS

Gandikota or The Gorge Fort: Gandikota or 'The Gorge Fort' is situated about 6 miles to the west of Jammalamadugu in Cuddapah district. The width within the fort is at its broadest, about five and a half furlongs from west to east and almost a mile from northwest to southeast.

Masjid-e-Azam: This beautiful mosque is located near the George fort and was built in 1691 AD during the reign of Aurangzeb.

Chand Phira Gumbadh: Chand Phira Gumbadh is the mausoleum of Syed Shah Mohammed Hussian. It is located in a square building with large dome in the center, surrounded by tall walls, in the heart of the city.
Pushpagiri: A place very close to Cuddapah, where there are few temples that attract tourists the largest and the best known of them is the Chennakesava Temple, which has a lofty gopuram, sculptures depicting scenes from the epics, floral motifs and elaborately engraved pillars.

Jyothi: The sculptured mandapam with 32 pillars, the inner chamber and the sanctum make it a most impressive temple.
FAIRS: Gangamma Jatra, an annual Jatra of the Shrine of Gangamma is an important event in Anantapuram, Cuddapah district.

HOW TO GET THERE

Air: The nearest airport is at Renigunta and Chennai.

Rail: Cuddapah has a railway station on the Chennai-Guntakal line. Tourist will find no difficulty in moving around this place.

Road: Cuddapah being the headquarters of the district is well connected with all the places within the state and other parts of the country also. The state transport corporation and private operators run buses to all the important tourist places in the town.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Climate: Tropical

Temperature Range:

Summer: 30°C. - 44°C. (81.56F - 119.6F Approx.)
Winter:21°C. - 30°C. (57F - 81.56F Approx.)
Rainfall: 695 mm (Seasonal)
Clothing:  Light Cottons

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