Srikakulam

Andra Pradesh > Srikakulam

Srikakulam is a town, municipality and headquarters of Srikakulam district in the north-eastern Andhra Pradesh, India. Srikakulam District is the extreme Northeastern District of Andhra Pradesh situated within the geographic co-ordinates of 18°-20° and 19°-10° of Northern latitude and 83°-50° and 84°-50° of Eastern longitude. The District is skirted to a distance by Kandivalasagedda, Vamsadhara and Bahuda at certain stretches of their courses white a line of heights of the great Eastern Ghats run from North East. Vizianagaram District flanks in the south and west while Orissa bounds it on the north and Bay of Bengal on the East .The total area of the District is 5837 Sq. Kms. It has a population of 2537593 persons according to the 2001 census. The District had undergone major territorial changes on account of the formation of new District with head quarters at Vizianagaram which involved transfer of Salur, Bobbili, Parvathipuram and Cheepurupalli Taluks to the new District. Important Rivers: Nagavali, Vamsadhara, , Mahendratanaya, Champavathi, Bahuda and Kumbikotagedda The rivers have origin in the Eatsren Ghats of Orissa state and joins Bay Of Bengal within the seacoast of Srikakulam district. The District has a seacoast of 193 Kms.

History of Srikulam

Chicacole, was the former name for the city of Srikakulam that was applied by British colonial rulers. It is said that the word Chicacole came from two Persian words - Chica and Khol. Chica means "a small cloth bag which can be closed by pulling athread around its neck" and Khol means 'open'. Under the Muslim rule, this place was used as a toll gate where traders were demanded by the staff in Persian "Chika Khol", which means 'open the bag and pay toll'. Unaware that the meaning of these Persian words were a demand to pay toll, people used to call the place as "chicacole". Which in later periods became Srikakulam. We can say that this is a kind of reverse transliteration. During Muslim rule, Srikakulam was called as Gulshanabad (Garden city). Srikakulam was headquarter of fauzdars (local governors) under Muslim rule. The popular one of those fauzdars was Sher Mohammad Khan (Sher Khan). He was titled as Sher-e-Gulshanabad (Lion of Gulshanabad). Village Sher Mohammed Puram in Etcherla mandal in Srikakulam district was built by Sher Mohammed Khan and tank named Sher Khan Cheruvu was also built by him. Ruined tombs of Muslim kings are still seen in Srikakulam. Srikakulam is situated in north of Andhra Pradesh. Modern Srikakulam district was formed on August 15, 1950. Srikakulam, the northernmost district in the Andhra Pradesh, was a part of Vishakapatnam District until it was bifurcated in 1950. Srikakulam town, the headquarters of the district, is located on the both sides banks of the River Nagavali. Towards the west is Bay of Bengal and towards the South East is Vijayanagaram district and towards north is state of Orissa.

Handloom weaving is the chief cottage industry here. Srikakulam is also famous for its high quality muslin. The most important places of interest in the town include a mosque known as Jumma Masjid, built by Sher Muhammad Khan, and the temple of Kotisvaraswami. In the olden days; Chedidianasti kings, Satavahana kings and Golkonda nawabs ruled some part of this district.

Climate And Rainfall of Srikulam

Throughout the year, the climate is characterised by humidity. The South-West-monsoon which follows the summer season lasts upto to September. Northeast monsoon starts from 1st October to the end of November. The period from December to mid February enjoys generally a fine weather. The annual rainfall is 937.6 mm during the year 2004-2005 against normal rainfall is 1162 mm.

Places of Interest in Srikulam

• Srikakulam
• Arasavilli
• Srikurmam
• Salihundam
• Srimukhalingam
• Calingapatnam
• Kaviti
• Baruva
• Telineelapuram
• Mandasa
• Rajam
• Ponduru
• Sangam
• Danthapuri