Vizianagaram

Andra Pradesh > Vizianagaram

Vizianagaram, sometimes spelt as Vijaya-nagaram is the main city of the Vizianagaram District of North Eastern Andhra Pradesh in Southern India. It is one among the north circars in Coastal Andhra with 34 Revenue Mandals, 12 Towns, 1524 Villages and 22,45,103 population. The archeological explorations and excavations conducted at places such as Ramatheertam 12 KMs from Vizianagaram are unique and the representative of all three faiths Jain, Buddhist and Hindu. The three hills of Bodikonda, Gurubhakta Konda and Durga Konda at Ramtheertam contain Jain and Buddhist relics. It was the abode of both Hinayana and Mahayana, Schools of Buddhism. Commemorative types of inscriptions, seals, remains of chayas, stuphas and monastic cells have been discovered at the site. In the modern period Ramatheertam became famous as the abode of Vanavasa Rama.

History of Vizianagaram

The history of Vizianagaram district is connected with hoary past of Kalinga, one of the political divisions of ancient India. Only in modern times, the upper part of Kalinga was gradually merged into Orissa State and the lower part into Andhra Region.

An important event in the history of the district is the war between the Rajas of Vizianagaram and Bobbili, popularly known as Bobbili Yuddham. The war was fought between the Rajah of Vizianagaram aided by the French General Bussy and the Rajah of Bobbili on the 24th of January 1757. The bravery and valour of the soldiers of Bobbili displayed in this war is still remembered by the people of the area.

Another important event in the history of the district is the war between the French and the English fought at Chandurthi in 1758 in which the French were defeated and the Northern Circars were made over to the British under a firmana from the Mughal Emperor, Shah Alam in 1765 which were placed under the then existing Chief and Council at Vizagapatam. In 1794, the Chiefs and Councils were abolished and Vizagapatam was arranged into three divisions each under a Collector. Almost the entire area of the present area of Vizianagaram district fell under the second division.

Places of Interest in Vizianagaram

• Ramatheertam
• Bobbili
• Jami Vruksham
• Punyagiri
• Kumili
• Govindapuram
• Vizianagaram
• Gosthani Sarovar Vihar
• Saripalli