Quick Facts

Quick Facts

General Overview

• Name: Nellore (officially called Nelluru)
• State: Andhra Pradesh, India
• District: Nellore District (officially named Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore District)
• Coordinates: 14.4426° N, 79.9865° E
• Elevation: ~18 meters (59 feet) above sea level

Historical Significance

• Nellore has a history that dates back to the Mauryan Empire (around 3rd century BCE).
• It was ruled by several major dynasties:
  • Mauryas
  • Satavahanas
  • Pallavas
  • Cholas
  • Kakatiyas
  • Vijayanagara Empire
• Under the Chola dynasty, it became an important agricultural and trade center.
• Origin of the name: "Nellore" is believed to come from the Tamil word "Nel" meaning paddy, indicating the area's historical association with rice cultivation.

Geography

• Location: Lies along the Pennai (Penneru) River.
• Proximity: About 175 km north of Chennai and 450 km south of Vijayawada.
• It is located near the Bay of Bengal, with a coastal stretch of approximately 160 km.

Demographics

• Population:
  • City proper: About 600,000 (according to 2011 Census, higher today).
  • Urban agglomeration: Over 750,000.
• Languages:
  • Official: Telugu
  • Tamil is also understood, especially due to proximity to Tamil Nadu.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 83%.
• Religions: Majority Hindu, followed by Muslims and Christians.

Culture

• Traditional Arts:
  • Kuchipudi dance and classical music are popular.
  • Folk arts like Burra Katha and Harikatha thrive.
• Food: Famous for spicy Andhra cuisine, particularly seafood (fish curry, prawns).
• Festivals:
  • Ugadi, Sankranti, Deepavali are celebrated widely.
  • Venkatagiri Raja Ratha Yatra (chariot festival) is famous in nearby areas.
  • Krishna Janmashtami celebrations are elaborate.

Economy

• Agriculture:
  • Known as the "Rice Bowl of Andhra Pradesh."
  • Main crops: Paddy, sugarcane, lemon, and vegetables.
• Aquaculture:
  • Major center for prawn farming and shrimp exports.
  • Contribution to India’s seafood exports is significant.
• Other Industries:
  • Mica mining.
  • Handloom weaving, especially Venkatagiri sarees (from nearby Venkatagiri town).
  • Thermal power generation and emerging IT services.

Transportation

• Road:
  • Well-connected by National Highway 16 (part of the Golden Quadrilateral).
• Rail:
  • Nellore Railway Station is on the Chennai–Howrah main line.
• Air:
  • Nellore Airport (nearby at Dagadarthi) is under development.
  • Nearest operational airport: Tirupati Airport (~130 km) or Chennai International Airport (~170 km).
• Ports:
  • Krishnapatnam Port (about 20 km from Nellore): One of India's largest and fastest-growing ports.

Important Landmarks

• Ranganatha Swamy Temple:
  • A major Vaishnavite temple on the banks of the Pennar river.
• Mypadu Beach:
  • A serene beach about 25 km from Nellore city.
• Krishnapatnam Port:
  • Major deep-water port boosting regional economy.
• Pulicat Lake:
  • India's second-largest brackish water lagoon, shared with Tamil Nadu.
  • Bird sanctuary famous for flamingos and other migratory birds.
• Sriharikota (ISRO Launch Center):
  • Technically outside Nellore city, but Satish Dhawan Space Centre is very close (~100 km).
• Penchalakona Temple:
  • Located in the nearby hill forests; dedicated to Lord Narasimha.

Education

• Nellore is a prominent educational hub with:
  • Narayana Group (originated here).
  • Sri Chaitanya Institutions (widespread presence).
  • Vikrama Simhapuri University.
  • Many medical, engineering, and pharmacy colleges.
• It is known for coaching centers for competitive exams, especially medical and engineering entrance tests.

Climate

• Type: Tropical wet and dry climate (Köppen classification Aw)
• Summer: Very hot and humid (temperatures can reach 42°C).
• Monsoon: July to October (moderate to heavy rainfall; influenced by both southwest and northeast monsoons).
• Winter: Mild and pleasant (20–30°C).

Modern Developments

• Smart City:
  • Nellore is selected under India’s Smart Cities Mission for urban development and modernization.
• Industrial Growth:
  • Focus on port-based industries, thermal plants (like at Krishnapatnam), logistics hubs.
• Tourism promotion:
  • Beaches, religious tourism, and bird sanctuary-based eco-tourism initiatives are being developed.

Trivia

• Literary Importance:
  • Nellore has produced many famous Telugu writers and poets.
  • Important center during the Telugu Renaissance in the 19th century.
• Film Industry Connection:
  • Several famous Telugu film actors and directors hail from Nellore district.
• Historical Figure:
  • Named after Sri Potti Sriramulu, the freedom fighter who fasted unto death for the formation of Andhra state.