Vizianagaram (Telugu: విజయనగరo), sometimes spelt as Vijaya-nagaram is the main city of the Vizianagaram District of North Eastern Andhra Pradesh in Southern India. Vizianagaram district was formed on 1 June 1979, with some parts carved from the neighbouring districts of Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam. It is at present, the largest Municipality of Andhra Pradesh in terms of Population. It is located about 18 km inland from the Bay of Bengal, and 40 km northwest of Visakha-patnam. While the literal meaning of Vizianagaram is the City of Victory, it is also sometimes referred to as the city of education in these parts as there are many colleges and schools here. It is an important business and educational center for north coastal Andhra and the adjoining state of Orissa.
Vizianagaram Fort
| Vizianagaram | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| District(s) | Vizianagaram |
| Population • Density | 195,801 (2001[update]) • {{convert/numdisp/fracExpression error: Unexpected < operatorExpression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ","Expression error: Unexpected < operatorExpression error: Unexpected < operatorExpression error: Unrecognised punctuation character ","}} /km2 ({{rnd/bExpression error: Unexpected < operatorExpression error: Unexpected < operator00}} /sq mi) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area • Elevation | 6,000 acrs km² (Expression error: Unrecognised word "acrs" sq mi) • 74 (+ m.s.l) m (Expression error: Unexpected ( operator ft) |
Coordinates: 
18°07′N 83°25′E / 18.12°N 83.42°E / 18.12; 83.42
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[edit] History
This area was ruled by different Hindu Emperors of Kalinga (Ancient Orissa) up to the mediaeval period. After the fall of centralised Gajapati empire of Orissa this region was governed by the Golkonda rulers. The ancestors of Maharaja's of Vizianagaram belongs to Udaipur (Mewar) in Rajasthan.
Rulers of this princely state belong to the Pusapati family. The village Pooshpadu in Nandigama Taluq was built by Amala Raju. The village later came to be known as Pusapadu. Therefore, the Kshatriyas living there came to be known as Pusapati.
The Pusapati's are the descendents of Pericchedi's, the ancient ruling clan of Andhra Pradesh. Paricchedis were staunch patrons of Hindu Dharma in contrast to the Chalukyas, who initially were patrons of Jainism.[2] The family name was changed to Pusapati after moving to the coastal region. The name is derived from the Sanskrit Pushavat (Pushan), meaning of the sun, to highlight their Suryavanshi lineage. They founded the city of Vizianagaram, named after Vijay Rama Raju, spelled with a Z to differentiate it from the Vijayanagar Dynasty in Hampi. They obtained the title of Gajapathi, after the battle of Nandapur, in the Northern Circars in the 16th century.
In 1754, Pusapati Vijaya Rama Gajapathi Raju, of the ruling family of Vizianagaram, made an alliance with the French, but a few years later the territory was ceded to the British. It remained under their control until independence in 1947.
Vizianagaram Fort was constructed in the year 1712-1714 A.D. Traditionally five Vijayas or signs of victory were present at the inception of this fortress. It was named Vizia-nagaram (place of victory) after its founder Vijaya Rama Raju and the foundations were laid on Tuesday (Jayavaram in Telugu), the tenth day (Vijayadasami) of the Dasara Festival in the year Vijaya of the Hindu calendar. In 1827 Maharajah Vijay Rama Gajapati Raju III[6] had several honors conferred on him by the British Government. Lord Northbrook obtained for him the title of His Highness, and had his name enrolled among those of chiefs entitled to return visits from the Viceroy with a 13 gun salute.
[edit] Geography
Vizianagaram is located at 18°07′N 83°25′E / 18.12°N 83.42°E / 18.12; 83.42.[1] It has an average elevation of 74 metres (242 feet).
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001[update] India census,[2]
| Vizianagaram mandal had a population of 242,348 in 2001.
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Viziangaram city had an estimated population of more than 500,000 in 2009. It is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Andhra Pradesh. Its close proximity to Vizag city (about 40 km) has caused a large influx of the working class in recent years.
[edit] Economy
Vizianagaram is one of the principal towns in North Coastal Andhra, otherwise known as Uttarandhra. There are a number of industries around the city. The country's largest Ferro-manganese plant is situated in Garividi in the outskirts of the city. There are various Jute mills e.g Hooghly Jute Mills etc.
Vizianagaram is the favorite destination, when it comes to Textile wholesale market. It is the preferred destination for marriage related shopping for most people living not only in the district, but also from the neighbouring districts and the Telugus living in Orissa and West Bengal. The Balaji Wholesale Textile Market has over hundred shops offering Saris and other dress marerial in the lowest of costs.
A shopping mall and multiplex is under construction at the Balaji complex site opposite R.T.C complex. The development in the city has really speeded up in recent years thanks to the astronomic growth of Vizag city, which is about 40 km away. There have been a number of layouts planned by VUDA (Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority) on the way to Vizag. The growth of Vizag is indeed having a direct impact on the growth of Vizianagaram and the day is not too far when Vizianagaram will be a part of the Vizag metropolitan area. According to the VUDA master plan, a metropolitan area called Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region (VMR) of over 1700 sq km, consisting of Vizag, Gajuwaka, Bheemunipatnam, Anakapalle and Vizianagaram, will be formed by 2021. A lot of zonal development schemes have been sanctioned which include several plans in Vizianagaram.[3]
[edit] Assembly constituency
List of Members of Legislative Assembly:[4]
[edit] Places of Interest
[edit] Sri Pydithalli Ammavaru TempleThe origin of the Sri Pydithalli Ammavaru temple is associated with the events of the royal family. Local folklore states that the goddess (Grama Devata) of the temple is a sister of the Maharaja of Vizianagaram. Sirimanu Panduga Sirimanu is an important event that happens here in October month. The story starts in 1750 when French leader Bussy was staying with his entire battalion near Hyderabad. In addition to financial problems, many of his soldiers were dying due to some sort of disease (Masuchi). Vijya Rama Raju of Vizianagaram helped him to overcome the financial crisis and rebuild his battalion. In 1756 Bussy visited Rajamundry where Vijaya Rama Raju gave a warm welcome. The Bobbili Maharajas and Vizianagaram Rajas were in constant conflicts regarding control over the region. Using his good relations with the French, Vijaya Rama Raju set out to gain supremacy over the Northern Circars, leading to the Bobbili battle in January 23rd 1757. During the battle the entire Bobbili fort got destroyed and many Bobbili soldiers died in the battle. According to folklore, the wife of Vijaya Rama Raju as well as his sister, Sri Pydimamba unsuccessfully tried to stop the battle when hearing the news. At the time Sri Pydimamba was suffering from Masuchi also. While she was doing a puja, she came to know that Vijaya Rama Raju was in trouble. She wanted to inquire about her brother and tried to convey a message through their soldiers, but every one was in the battle. She was able to find one soldier named Pati-wada Appala Naidu, but by then she got news that Vijaya Rama Raju died in the hands of Tandra Papa Rayudu. She fell unconscious with grief. Patiwada Appla Naidu sprinkled water over her face and when she regained consciousness, she told Appala Naidu that she could not live anymore. She is thought to have become one with the Goddess after she died, as after completion of the Bobbili battle and after Vijaya-dasimi, on the next Tuesday an idol was found in the west side of Pedda Charuvu of Vizianagaram. It is known as "Pyidimamaba", village goddess of Vizianagaram. It is thought that the incident took place in the place in the present day Railway station opposite where the temple is constructed. Her statue will be found on the west side of Pedda Charuvu. [edit] Saraswathi devi temple and Lord Venkateswara templeThese temples are also famous to see and enjoy. In these temples the authorities do all the puja karyakram in time. This is a nice temple located at 100 feet ring road. It is surrounded by a clean and green garden.
[edit] Revenue villages and village panchayatsThere are 23 revenue villages and 22 village panchayats in Vizianagaram Mandal.[5]
[edit] Educational institutions
[edit] Famous people
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