Markapur

Markapuram is a town in Prakasam district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a municipality and the headquarters of Markapur mandal in Markapur revenue division.[1]:16[4] Markapur is known for the Chenna kesava swamy temple built by King Srikrishnadevaraya, one of the oldest temples in the state. A carnival happens every year during Ratha yatra( Tirunalla in Telugu).It is also famous for chennakesavaswamy saptavahana seva on the day of Rathsapthami during which the lord will be taken to procession on a Vendi Ratham(Silver chariot), which is attended by thousands of people coming from different parts of the state. It is third-largest town in Prakasam district after Ongole and Chirala.

Chennakesava Swamy Temple, Markapur

Markapuram
[Town ]
Markapuram
Location in Andhra Pradesh, India
Coordinates: 15.73°N 79.28°E / 15.73; 79.28
CountryIndia
StateAndhra Pradesh
DistrictPrakasam
Area
 • Total28.77 km2 (11.11 sq mi)
Elevation
145 m (476 ft)
Population
 (2018)[2][3]
 • Total102,000
 • Density3,500/km2 (9,200/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialTelugu
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
telephone code+91–8596
Vehicle registrationAP
WebsiteMarkapuram Municipality

This town formerly was a part of Kurnool district and it was the east gate of Rayalaseema. This town is close to Nallamala hills and currently has a population of nearly 75,000. Markapuram is known for slate manufacturing industries.

History

Markapur-situated about 100 kms east of Kurnool and about 3 miles north-east of the Vijayawada-Guntakal Railway line. This. town derived its name from a milk maid by name Marika who was said to have been graced with a son by Chennakesava swamy. The lady in commemoration of this event constructed a small temple. Soon afterwards a village grew round and about this temple and was known as Marikapuram. By afflux of time this name gradually got converted into Markapur. The temple originally constructed by Marika developed into a big and a famous temple dedicated to Sri Chennakesava swamy.

This town was a part of Kurnool District until 1971. Yerragondapalem, Markapuram, Giddalur talukas, which were in Kurnool district till 1971 was carved out and made new district along with Kanigiri, Podili, Darsi, Kandukur from Nellore District and Ongole and chirala from Guntur district.

Geography

Markapuram is located at 15.73°N 79.28°E / 15.73; 79.28 at an average elevation of 145 metres (476 ft) and is surrounded by Nallamala Forest.[5][6] Markapur is popular for slate manufacturing. It used to export slate to other countries in the late 1980s. It is one of the revenue divisions in Prakasam district.

Transport

Markapuram is located on the Ananthapur–Amaravathi Express Highway which is on going Expressway Project. It is at a distance of 95 kms from Ongole.also near by Nandyal.[7]

It is a part of the Guntur division of South Central Railway division. The railway line from Vijayawada to Guntakal passes through this station. Markapur is near to Srisailam. People visiting Srisailam taking the train route have to get down at Markapur railway station. Donakonda Airport used by British during World War 2 is near to Markapur.

Education

The primary and secondary school education is imparted by government, aided and private schools, under the School Education Department of the state.[8][9] The medium of instruction followed by different schools are English and Telugu.

Engineering colleges, private agricultural college, B.ed colleges, govt. Degree college, private degree colleges and more intermediate colleges are in Markapur. Dr. Samuel George .Institute of Engineering & Technology is one of the oldest engineering colleges in the district. It also has multi-specialty hospitals (e.g. having CT scans), as well as 4 biotech colleges in Markapuram.

Source

Markapuram during 1961

http://lsi.gov.in:8081/jspui/bitstream/123456789/2721/1/21648_1961_KUR.pdf

References
  1. "District Census Handbook – Prakasam" (PDF). Census of India. Directorate of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh. p. 48. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  2. "Population statistics". Census of India. The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  3. "Statistical Abstract of Andhra Pradesh, 2015" (PDF). Directorate of Economics & Statistics. Government of Andhra Pradesh. p. 44. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 July 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  4. "Part III, District and Sub-District (Mandals)" (PDF). Census of India. The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. pp. 133, 174. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  5. "Maps, Weather, and Airports for Markapur, India". www.fallingrain.com. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  6. India, The Hans (21 April 2017). "Wild animals losing lives while searching for water, food". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  7. http://www.roaddistance.in/andhra-pradesh/markapur-road-markapur-to-markapur-railway-station-distance/by-road/
  8. "School Education Department" (PDF). School Education Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 December 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  9. "The Department of School Education – Official AP State Government Portal | AP State Portal". www.ap.gov.in. Archived from the original on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
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