Datasets:

Onkarn

/

Onkar

like 0

LOC Chawlhna Hotel, LOC Aizawl, LOC Zarkawt, LOC Tourist Lodge, LOC Ritz Hotel, LOC Hotel Ahimsa, LOC Hotel Regency, LOC Hotel Sangchia, LOC Dawrpui, LOC Chaltlang, LOC Mizoram, LOC Riakmaw Inn, LOC Hotel Floria, LOC Hotel Grand, LOC Canteen Kual

The economy of Aizawl is basically sustained by government services as it is capital of Mizoram. The major banks are also located within Aizawl. A 3-star category hotel, Hotel Regency, has recently been inaugurated at Zarkawt, a central location within the city. It provides a much-needed hospitality service for tourists and business visitors to Aizawl. There are several other hotels apart from Hotel Regency. Those include - Hotel Sangchia located in Zarkawt, Hotel Grand located in Zarkawt, Hotel Floria located in Dawrpui, Ritz Hotel located in Canteen Kual, Tourist Lodge located in Chaltlang, Chawlhna Hotel located in Zarkawt, Riakmaw Inn located in Zarkawt, Hotel Ahimsa located in Zarkawt, and other numerous affordable hotels.

Aizawl Economy

LOC Delhi, LOC Champhai, LOC Kolasib, ORG IndiGo, ORG Go First, LOC Lengpui Airport, ORG Air India, PER Pawan Hans, LOC Hnahthial, LOC Ngopa, LOC Khawzawl, LOC Agartala, LOC Kolkata, LOC Saiha, LOC Aizawl, LOC Guwahati, LOC Chawngte, LOC Shillong, LOC Imphal, LOC Lunglei, LOC Lawngtlai, LOC Serchhip

Aizawl is connected by air transport through Lengpui Airport which it is situated near Aizawl. The airport provides connectivity to Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, Agartala, Shillong and Imphal, operated by Air India, Go First and IndiGo. A helicopter service by Pawan Hans was started in 2012 and connects the city with Lunglei, Lawngtlai, Saiha, Chawngte, Serchhip, Champhai, Kolasib, Khawzawl, Ngopa and Hnahthial.

Aizawl Air

LOC Aizawl, LOC Zemabawk, LOC Bairabi, LOC Sairang, LOC Mizoram, LOC Bairabi Sairang Railway, LOC Kulikawn

Mizoram is connected by railroad up to Bairabi, there are plans to connect Bairabi with Sairang with broad gauge railway track, near Aizawl. The government has also started a broad gauge Bairabi Sairang Railway connection for better connectivity in the state. There is also the plan for 5 km long Aizawl Monorail running between Zemabawk to Kulikawn.

Aizawl Rail

LOC National, LOC Aizawl, LOC Imphal, LOC Silchar, LOC Agartala

Aizawl is connected by road with Silchar through National Highway 540, with Agartala through National Highway 40 and with Imphal through National Highway 150. The yellow-and-white taxis are widely available; Maruti cars are most widely used. Privately owned blue-and-white mini buses are on regular service as city buses.. For local conveyance 2 wheeler taxi are also available.

Aizawl Road

LOC Aizawl, ORG FM Zoawi, ORG All India Radio

Newspaper: The major media in Aizawl in Mizo and English Language are: Radio: All India Radio also has a studio that host programmes at scheduled hours. FM Zoawi is a popular radio station in Aizawl.

Aizawl Media

ORG Aizawl, LOC Zembawk, ORG Mount Carmel School, ORG St. Paul ' s Higher Secondary School, ORG Synod, ORG Baptist Church of Mizoram, ORG St. Mary ' s School, ORG Mary Mount School, ORG Presbyterian Church of India, ORG St. Lawrence School, ORG Kendriya Vidyalaya, ORG Home Missions School, ORG Oikos Higher Secondary School, PER Helen Lowry, ORG Seventh - day Adventists, ORG Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan

There are both state and private schools. Parochial schools are run by the Baptist Church of Mizoram, the Presbyterian Church of India (Synod), several Roman Catholic (St. Paul's Higher Secondary School, Mary Mount School, St. Lawrence School, St. Mary's School) religious orders and the Seventh-day Adventists (Helen Lowry). Kendriya Vidyalaya, Aizawl, is another school run by the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, the school situated close to Zembawk. Other schools include Home Missions School, Mount Carmel School, Oikos Higher Secondary School.

Aizawl Education

ORG Tech, ORG Pachhunga University College, LOC Durtlang, ORG Indian Institute of Mass Communication, ORG Government Aizawl North College, ORG ICFAI University, ORG Aizawl College, LOC Chanmari, ORG Hrangbana College, ORG Aizawl West College, ORG National Institute of Technology Mizoram, ORG Zoram Medical College, ORG Mizoram University, ORG B, LOC Mizoram, LOC Aizawl, LOC Falkawn, ORG J. Thankima College, ORG Mizoram Law College, LOC Aizawl City

Pachhunga University College was among the earliest colleges founded in 1958. Aizawl College, the second oldest college in Aizawl City was established in the year 1975. Hrangbana College was established in 1980, located in Chanmari, Aizawl, it has 57 teaching staffs with 22 non-teaching staffs and more than 2,000 students in commerce and arts departments. Mizoram University established in 2001 provides affiliation to all the colleges in Mizoram. Mizoram University also provides post-graduate education as well as B.Tech education and other departments. ICFAI University, Mizoram located in Durtlang, Aizawl West College, Government Aizawl North College, J. Thankima College also provides undergraduate courses. Mizoram Law College provides education to people who seek profession in Law. Indian Institute of Mass Communication and National Institute of Technology Mizoram has already started operations. Zoram Medical College is inaugurated on 7 August 2018 in Falkawn.

Aizawl Tertiary

LOC Hawla Indoor Stadium, LOC Mualpui, LOC Aizawl, LOC India, LOC Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Mualpui, LOC Lammual, LOC Mizoram

Football is the most popular sport in Mizoram with a number of footballers playing in national leagues in different parts of India. Some of the more important playing facilities in Aizawl are: Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Mualpui, with a seating capacity of 20,000, is currently being constructed at Mualpui, Aizawl. Hawla Indoor Stadium is the largest indoor stadium with basketball, badminton and boxing facilities. Lammual stadium is a single tier stadium. The stadium under construction will have a seating capacity of about 5,000 spectators.Aizawl hosted the third edition of Xchange North East Youth NGO summit from October 3 to 5, 2018.

Aizawl Sports

LOC Ajayameru, LOC Rajasthan, ORG Government of India, LOC Ajmer, LOC Invincible Hills, LOC Aravalli Mountains, PER Ajayaraja II, PER Chahamana, LOC Ajmer District, PER Ajayaraja I

Ajmer pronounced [ədʒmeːr] (listen) is one of the major and oldest cities in the Indian state of Rajasthan and the centre of the eponymous Ajmer District. It is located at the centre of Rajasthan. It is also known as heart of Rajasthan. The city was established as "Ajayameru" (translated as "Invincible Hills") by a Chahamana ruler, either Ajayaraja I or Ajayaraja II, and served as their capital until the 12th century CE.Ajmer is surrounded by the Aravalli Mountains. Ajmer has been a municipality since 1869. Ajmer has been selected as one of the heritage cities for the HRIDAY and Smart City Mission schemes of the Government of India.

Ajmer Introduction

PER Dasharatha Sharma, LOC Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra, PER Akbar, PER Ajayameru, PER Dara Shikoh, PER R. B. Singh, LOC Ajmer, LOC Pattavali, LOC Ana Sagar, PER Moinuddin Chishti, LOC Mughal Empire, LOC Ajayameru, PER Singh, PER Ajayadeva, LOC Dhara, PER Vigraharaja IV, LOC Shakambhari, PER Jahanara Begum, LOC Prabandha - Kosha, LOC Taragarh, LOC Chahamana, PER Ajaydeva, PER Ajayaraja II, LOC Ajmer Subah, PER Shah Jahan, PER Ajayaraja I

Ajmer was originally known as Ajayameru. The city was founded by an 11th-century Chahamana king Ajaydeva. Historian Dasharatha Sharma notes that the earliest mention of the city's name occurs in Palha's Pattavali, which was copied in 1113 CE (1170 VS) at Dhara. This suggests that Ajmer was founded sometime before 1113 CE. A prashasti (eulogistic inscription), issued by Vigraharaja IV and found at Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra (Sanskrit college), states Ajayadeva (that is Ajayaraja II) moved his residence to Ajmer.A later text Prabandha-Kosha states that it was the 8th-century king Ajayaraja I who commissioned the Ajayameru fort, which later came to be known as the Taragarh fort of Ajmer. According to historian R. B. Singh, this claim appears to be true, as inscriptions dated to the 8th century CE have been found at Ajmer. Singh theorizes that Ajayaraja II later expanded the town area, constructed palaces, and moved the Chahamana capital from Shakambhari to Ajmer.In 1193, Ajmer was annexed by the Ghurids and later was returned to Rajput rulers under condition of tribute.In 1556, Ajmer came under the Mughal Empire after being conquered by Mughal Emperor Akbar. It was made the capital of the eponymous Ajmer Subah. The city enjoyed special favour under the Mughals, who made frequent pilgrimages to the city to visit the dargah of Moinuddin Chishti. The city was also used as a military base for campaigns against Rajput rulers, and on a number of occasions became the site of celebration when a campaign bore success. Mughal Emperors and their nobles made generous donations to the city, and endowed it with constructions such as Akbar's palace and pavilions along the Ana Sagar. Their most prominent building activities were in the dargah and its vicinity. Jahanara Begum and Dara Shikoh, children of Shah Jahan, were both born in the city in 1614 and 1615 respectively.Mughal patronage of the city had waned by the beginning of the 18th century. In 1771, the Scindias conquered the city, and in 1818, the British gained authority over the city. A municipality was established at Ajmer in 1866. Colonial-era Ajmer served as the headquarters of the Ajmer-Merwara Province and possessed a Central jail, a large General Hospital, and two smaller hospitals according to Gazetteer, 1908. It was the headquarters of a native regiment and of a Railway Volunteer corps. From the 1900s, the United Free Church of Scotland, the church of England, the Roman Catholics, and the American Episcopal Methodists have mission establishments here. At that time there were twelve printing presses in the city, from which eight weekly newspapers were published.At the time of India's independence in 1947, Ajmer continued as a separate state with its own legislature until its merger with erstwhile Rajputana province then called Rajasthan. The Legislature of Ajmer State was housed in the building which now houses T. T. College. It had 30 MLAs, and Haribhau Upadhyay was the first chief minister of the erstwhile state, with Bhagirath Chaudhary as the first Vidhan Sabha speaker. In 1956, after acceptance of the proposal by Fazil Ali, Ajmer was merged into Rajasthan to form Ajmer District with the addition of Kishangarh sub-division of Jaipur district.url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_History_of_Rajasthan/tosMAQAAMAAJ |page=1166}}</ref> Colonial-era Ajmer served as the headquarters of the Ajmer-Merwara Province and possessed a Central jail, a large General Hospital, and two smaller hospitals according to Gazetteer, 1908. It was the headquarters of a native regiment and of a Railway Volunteer corps. From the 1900s, the United Free Church of Scotland, the church of England, the Roman Catholics, and the American Episcopal Methodists have mission establishments here. At that time there were twelve printing presses in the city, from which eight weekly newspapers were published.

Ajmer History

PER Zaverchand Meghani

A Gujarati historic Novel named Gujaratno Jay written by Zaverchand Meghani, based on various Jain Prabandhas, describes the city as sapādalakṣaṇa (સપાદલક્ષણ).

Ajmer Other Names

LOC Nagapathar Range, LOC Aravali Mountain, LOC India, LOC Ajmer, LOC Aravali Mountains, LOC Taragarh Hill, LOC Thar Desert

Ajmer is in the northwest of India and is surrounded by the Aravali Mountains. It is situated on the lower slopes of the Taragarh Hill of that range. To the northwest is the Nagapathar Range of the Aravali Mountain Ranges which protects it from desertification from the Thar Desert.

Ajmer Geography

LOC Ajmer

Ajmer has a hot, semi-arid climate with over 55 centimetres (22 inches) of rain every year, but most of the rain occurs in the monsoon months, between June and September. Temperatures remain relatively high throughout the year, with the summer months of April to early July having an average daily temperature of about 30 °C (86 °F). During the monsoon there is frequent heavy rain and thunderstorms, but flooding is not a common occurrence. The winter months of November to February are mild and temperate with average temperatures ranging from 15–18 °C (59–64 °F) with little or no humidity. There are, however, occasional cold weather fronts that cause temperatures to fall to near freezing levels.

Ajmer Climate

LOC Indore, LOC Delhi, ORG SpiceJet, LOC Mumbai, ORG Star Air, LOC Ajmer, ORG AAI, LOC Hyderabad, LOC Surat, LOC Jaipur International Airport, ORG Airport Authority of India, LOC Rajasthan, PER Vasundhara Raje, LOC Ajmer Airport, PER Manmohan Singh, LOC India, LOC Kishangarh Airport, PER Jayant Sinha, LOC Ahmedabad, ORG Civil Aviation

The Kishangarh Airport is the nearest airport. It is 25 km from Ajmer city. The Ajmer Airport ground breaking ceremony was done by then Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh in 2012. The airport was finally completed and inaugurated by then Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha and Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on 11 October 2017. The Airport is operational since then and regular flights to/from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Indore and Surat are currently available. The airport is now amongst main and busy airports of Rajasthan. Currently SpiceJet and Star Air operate from Ajmer Airport on daily basis. Kishangarh Airport, Ajmer is being managed and operated by Airport Authority of India (AAI). The Jaipur International Airport which is 135 km from Ajmer is the nearest International Airport.

Ajmer Air

LOC Ajmer Junction

The Ajmer Junction is the main railway station situated in the city. and was built during colonial times.

Ajmer Rail

PER Akbar, ORG Nizam, PER Padma Purāņa, LOC Taragarh Hill, PER Ganj Shahldan, LOC Pushkar Lake, LOC Nur - chashma, PER William Bentinck, LOC Ajmer, LOC Lord Brahma Temple, LOC Hyderabad, PER Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, LOC Brahma Temple, PER Saiyid Husain, LOC Akbari Mosque, PER Brahmā, LOC Rajasthan, PER Ajaypal Chauhan, LOC Nasirabad, LOC Pushkar, LOC India, LOC Taragarh hill, PER Maldeo Rathor, LOC Ajmer Sharif Dargah, LOC Taragarh, LOC Taragarh Fort, PER Chauhan, PER Shah Jahan, LOC Agra

Pushkar: Located few kilometres from Ajmer, is an important tourist and pilgrimage destination and a satellite town of Ajmer city. It is famous for Pushkar Lake and the 14th century Brahma Temple at Pushkar, dedicated to Brahmā, according to the Padma Purāņa, Pushkar is important pilgrimage site for Lord Brahmā. Around the world, Lord Brahma Temple is only situated at Pushkar Lake, Rajasthan, India. Taragarh Fort: It is reputed to be the oldest hill fort in India. It stands, with precipitous surroundings, at a height of 2,855 ft. above sea-level, and between 1,300 and 1,400 ft. above the valley at its base; and it is partially enclosed by a wall some 20 feet thick and as many high, built of huge blocks of stone, cut and squared and are about two miles (3 km) in circumference. This hill fort guarding Ajmer, was the seat of the Chauhan rulers. It was built by King Ajaypal Chauhan on the summit of Taragarh Hill and overlooks Ajmer. The battlements run along the top of the hill. When it fell to the British Raj, the fort was dismantled on the orders of Lord William Bentinck in 1832 and was converted into a sanatorium for the British troops stationed at the garrison town of Nasirabad. Within it stands the shrine of a Muhammadan saint, Saiyid Husain, known as the Ganj Shahldan.In the older city, lying in the valley beneath the Taragarh hill and now abandoned, the Nur-chashma, a garden-house used by the Mughals, still remains, as also a water-lift commenced by Maldeo Rathor, to raise water to the Taragarh citadel. Ajmer Sharif Dargah: It is a shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti which is situated at the foot of the Taragarh hill, and consists of several white marble buildings arranged around two courtyards, including a massive gate donated by the Nizam of Hyderabad, and the Akbari Mosque, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and containing the domed tomb of the saint. Akbar and his queen used to come here by foot every year on pilgrimage from Agra in observance of a vow when he prayed for a son. The large pillars called "Kose ('Mile') Minars" (Kos Minar), erected at intervals of about two miles (3 km) along the entire way between Agra and Ajmer mark the places where the royal pilgrims halted every day, they are also seen today, one such is near private bus station in Ajmer City. About 125,000 pilgrims visit the site every day. The Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is celebrated every year on the 6th and 7th of Rajab. Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra: Literally meaning "shed of two-and-a-half days", it is an ASI protected monument near Ajmer Sharif Dargah and a converted mosque built after the partial destruction of earlier Hindu and Jain temples there on orders of Muhammad Ghori after he defeated Prithviraj Chauhan at the second battle of Tarain. Mayo College: The college was founded in 1875 at the suggestion of Lord Mayo as a college where the sons of chiefs and nobles might receive an education to fit them for their high positions and important duties. It was known as "Indian Eton", as a number of Indian princes studied in this college. The main building, in white marble, is a classic example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. In front of the college is memorial marble statue of Lord Mayo. The boarding-houses are arranged in the form of a horseshoe, with the college in the centre of the base. Some of the Native States built boarding-houses, while the Government of India presented the college park, comprising 167 acres and formerly the site of the old Residency, and erected the main building, the residences of the principal and vice-principal, and the Ajmer boarding- house. It provided the salaries of the English staff. The foundation-stone of the college was laid in 1878, and the building was opened by the Marquis of Dufferin in 1885. John Lockwood Kipling, father of Nobel Laureate, Rudyard Kipling, had been principal of Mayo College. Soni Ji Ki Nasiyaan: It is architecturally rich Jain temple built in the late nineteenth century whose main chamber Swarna Nagari "City of Gold", has prominent depiction of Ayodhya made from 1000 kg of gold. Akbari Fort & Museum: The city's museum was once the residence of Prince Salīm, the son of the Emperor Akbar, and presently houses a collection of Mughal and Rajput armour and sculpture. This is a magnificent example of Mughal architecture, construction of which was commissioned by Akbar in 1570. This is where Salim, as the Emperor Jahangir, read out the firman permitting the British East India Company to trade with India. It is a massive square building, with lofty octagonal bastions at each corner. It was the headquarters of the administration in their time and in that of the Marathas. It was here that the emperors appeared in state, and that, as recorded by Sir Thomas Roe, criminals were publicly executed. The interior was used as a magazine during the British occupation until 1857; and the central building, used as a tahsil office. With the fort, the outer city walls, of the same period, are connected. These surround the city and are pierced by the Delhi, Madar, Usri, Agra, and Tirpolia gates. Nareli Jain Temple: is a Jain temple complex of fourteen temples recently built. It is known for its architecture and intricate stone carvings which gives it both a traditional and contemporary look. Ana Sagar Lake: This is an historic man-made lake built by Maharaja Anaji (1135–1150 CE). By the lake is the Daulat Bagh, a garden laid out by Emperor Jahangir. Emperor Shah Jahan later added five pavilions, known as the Baradari, between the garden and the lake embankment of the Ana Sagar supports the beautiful marble pavilions erected as pleasure-houses by Shah Jahan. The embankment, moreover, contains the - site of the former hammam (bath-room). Three of the five pavilions were at one time formed into residences for British officials, while the embankment was covered with office buildings and enclosed by gardens. The houses and enclosures were finally removed in 1900–1902, when the two south pavilions were re-erected, the marble parapet completed, and the embankment restored, as far as practicable, to its early condition.The Baradari has since been closed for the public because of increased crowd and pollution caused by people.A new garden called Subhash Udhyan has been opened in the recent years in place of Baradari. Lake Foy Sagar: It is a picturesque artificial lake that was created as a famine relief project in 1892 some 3 miles to the west of the city. It offers excellent views of Aravali mountains range as well migrating birds. The city used to derive its water-supply from it during colonial times. The water was conveyed into the city and suburbs through pipes which were laid underground. The capacity of the lake is 150,000,000 cubic feet. Prithviraj Smark: Prithviraj Smark is dedicated to Prithviraj Chauhan. It is located on the way to Taragarh Fort. This place has a life-size statue of King Prithviraj Chauhan mounted on a horse. Tomb of Khwaja Husain Ajmeri: Khwaja Husain Ajmeri also known as Shaikh Husain Ajmeri, he was a Grandson of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty of Ajmer from the line of Khwaja Fakhruddin's son Khwaja Husamuddin Jigar Sokhta, he was SajjadaNasheen and Mutwalli of Ajmer Dargah before and during the time of Emperor Akbar and Emperor Jahangir, his tomb is situated near the Sola Khamba (Tomb of Khwaja Alauddin another grandson of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty of Ajmer), Behind Shahjahani Mosque Dargar Sharif Ajmer, he died sometime between the year 1619 and 1620. his tomb was built in the year 1637–38. Manibandh : Also known as Chamunda Mata Mandir is one among the 108 Shakti Pitha at Gayatri hills near Pushkar, 11 km from Ajmer. It takes 14 minutes to travel from Pushkar Lake to Chamunda Mata Mandir (about 5–6 km)

Ajmer Tourism

ORG Mayo College, ORG CBSE

The city has many schools and colleges. Among them, Mayo College is a prominent college. The regional office of CBSE is located here.

Ajmer Education

LOC Ajmer

According to the 2011 census, Ajmer had a population of 542,321 in the city, 551,101 including its suburbs.The female to male ratio in the city was 947/1,000. The literacy rate in the city was 86.52%, male literacy being 92.08% and female literacy being 80.69%.Ajmer's population growth in the decade was 18.48%; this compares to a growth figure of 20.93% in the previous decade.

Ajmer Demographics

LOC Ashok Nagar Ajmer, LOC Rajasthan, LOC Ajmer, LOC Srinagar, LOC Ajaysar Village

Ajaysar Village, Rajasthan, located in Srinagar block of Ajmer district Ashok Nagar Ajmer (1989), colony

Ajmer Villages

PER Dasharatha Sharma, PER R. B. Singh, ORG Millat Book Centre, ORG Motilal Banarsidass, PER W. D. Begg, LOC Delhi, LOC Chāhamānas, PER Har Bilas Sarda, PER Hazrat Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti, PER S. Chand, PER N. Kishore

Dasharatha Sharma (1959). Early Chauhān Dynasties. S. Chand / Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 9780842606189. Har Bilas Sarda (1911). "Adhai-Din-ka-Jhonpra" (PDF). Ajmer: Historical and Descriptive. Scottish Mission. R. B. Singh (1964). History of the Chāhamānas. N. Kishore. OCLC 11038728. W.D. Begg: The Holy Biography of Hazrat Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti (Millat Book Centre, Delhi, 1999). Ajmer The Imperial Gazetteer of India, 1909, v. 5, p. 137-146.

Ajmer Bibliography

LOC Venetian Capital, LOC South, LOC Alappuzha, LOC Travancore, PER George Curzon, ORG Coir Board, LOC North, LOC Cochin, LOC Alleppey, ORG Central Government, LOC Kollam, ORG Central Coir Research Institute, LOC Laccadive Sea, LOC Kerala, LOC Kumarakom, LOC Kalavoor, LOC India, LOC Kochi, ORG Centre for Science and Environment, LOC Punnamada Lake, LOC Diwan, LOC Punnapra, ORG Coir Industry, LOC Thiruvananthapuram

Alappuzha or Alleppey (Malayalam: [ɐːlɐpːuɻɐ] (listen)) is the administrative headquarters of Alappuzha district in state of Kerala, India. The Backwaters of Alappuzha are one of the most popular tourist attractions in India which attracts millions of domestic and international tourists.Alleppey is a city and a municipality in Kerala with an urban population of 174,164 and ranks third among the districts in literacy rate in the state. In 2016, the Centre for Science and Environment rated Alappuzha as the cleanest town in India. Alappuzha is considered to be the oldest planned city in this region and the lighthouse built on the coast of the city is the first of its kind along the Laccadive Sea coast.The city is 55 km from Kochi and 155 km north of Thiruvananthapuram. A town with canals, backwaters, beaches, and lagoons, Alappuzha was described by George Curzon, Viceroy of India at the start of the 20th century, as the "Venice of the East." Hence, it is known as the "Venetian Capital" of Kerala. It is an important tourist destination in India. It connects Kumarakom and Cochin to the North and Kollam to the South. It is also the access point for the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race, held on the Punnamada Lake, near Alappuzha, on the second Saturday of August every year. This is amongst the most popular and competitive boat races in India.Alappuzha was home to the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising against the Separate American Model independent Travancore proposal and also the revolt against the Feudal raj. Over 200 Communist party members were killed by the army of the Diwan at Punnapra. Coir is the most important commodity manufactured in Alappuzha. The Coir Board was established by the Central Government under the provisions of the Coir Industry Act, 1955. A Central Coir Research Institute is located at Kalavoor.

Alappuzha Introduction

LOC Kozhencherry, LOC Kanayannur, LOC Pathanamthitta, LOC Karunagappally, LOC Alappuzha, LOC Changanassery, LOC Karthikappally, LOC Kunnathur, LOC Chengannur, LOC Thiruvalla, LOC Ernakulam, LOC Ambalappuzha, LOC Kollam, LOC Laccadive Sea, LOC Cherthala, LOC Mavelikkara, LOC Kochi, LOC Vaikom, LOC Kuttanad, LOC Kottayam

Carved out of the erstwhile Kottayam and Kollam districts, Alappuzha district was formed on 17 August 1957 and consisted initially of seven taluks, namely Cherthala, Ambalappuzha, Kuttanad, Chengannur, Karthikappally and Mavelikkara.The name Ᾱlappuzha is a toponym. ‘Ᾱlayam’ means ‘home’ and ‘puzha’ means ‘watercourse’ or ‘river’. The name refers to the network of waterways and backwaters in Alappuzha and its surrounding areas. The district is bounded on the north by Kochi and Kanayannur taluks of Ernakulam district, on the east by Vaikom, Kottayam and Changanassery taluks of Kottayam district and Thiruvalla and Kozhencherry taluks of Pathanamthitta district, on the South by Kunnathur and Karunagappally taluks of Kollam district and on the west by Laccadive Sea.The present Alappuzha district comprises six taluks, namely Cherthala, Ambalappuzha, Kuttanad, Karthikappally, Chengannur and Mavelikkara. The area of the district is 1,414 km2 (546 sq mi). Its headquarters is located at Alappuzha.

Alappuzha Etymology

LOC Maliankara, PER Ayyappa, LOC Chera, LOC Kodungallur, LOC Kayamkulam, PER Mahishi Demon, LOC Alappuzha, PER St Thomas, LOC Chengannur, LOC Kokkamangalam, LOC Calicut, PER Jesus Christ, LOC St Andrew, LOC South India, PER Ascharya Choodamani, PER Unnuneeli Sandesam, LOC Muziris Port, PER P. Unni Krishnan, LOC Karappuram, LOC Alappuzha District, LOC Kerala, PER Lord Ayyappan, LOC Kalari, LOC Mukkal vattam, LOC Purakkad, PER Sakthibhadran, LOC Cheerappanchira, LOC Cranganore, LOC Muhamma, LOC Kuttanad, PER Lord Ayyappa

Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala, with its paddy fields, small streams and canals with lush green coconut palms, was well known even from the early periods of the Sangam age.Literary works such as Unnuneeli Sandesam give some insight into the ancient period of this district. Archaeological antiquities, such as the stone inscriptions, historical monuments found in the temples, churches, and rock-cut caves, also emphasise the historic importance of Alappuzha District. Christianity had a foothold in this district, even from the 1st century AD. The church located at Kokkamangalam was one of the seven churches founded by St Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. It is generally believed that he landed at Maliankara in Muziris Port, presently known as Cranganore or Kodungallur, in 52 AD and preached Christianity in South India. The district flourished in religion and culture under the second Chera Empire, during 9th to 12th centuries AD. The literary work, `Ascharya Choodamani`, a Sanskrit drama written by Sakthibhadran, a scholar of Chengannur, enables us to know many pertinent facts. Further, the temple on Lord Ayyappan, in Mukkal vattam near Muhamma in Alappuzha District, is called Cheerappanchira, for the Kalari from which Lord Ayyappa learnt his martial arts. A recent album by P. Unni Krishnan on Lord Ayyappa, titled 'Sabarimalai Va Charanam Solli Va', has songs illustrating the history of this temple and Lord Ayyappa's stay here before he went to conquer the Mahishi Demon.Since landing in Calicut in 1498, the Portuguese started playing an influential role in Alappuzha. They began by spreading Catholicism and converting already existing Christians into Catholics. St Andrew's Basilica was built during this period.In the 17th century, as the Portuguese power declined, the Dutch gained a predominant position in the principalities of this district. They built many factories and warehouses for storing pepper and ginger, relying on several treaties signed between the Dutch and the Rajas of Purakkad, Kayamkulam and Karappuram. In course of time they also delved into the political and cultural affairs of the district. At that time Maharaja Marthanda Varma (1706–1758), who was the 'Maker of modern Travancore', intervened in the political affairs of those princedoms. Travancore Dewan Ramayyan Dalawa (d. 1756) resided in Mavelikkara where he had a palace built by Marthanda Varma. After the death of his wife, Ramayyan consorted with a Nair lady from Mavelikkara of the Edassery family (PGN Unnithan, a member of this family, later became the last Dewan of Travancore in 1947). After his death Ramayyan's descendants left Travancore to settle in Pudukkottai in Tamil Nadu. His Nair consort was given gifts and presents and special allowances from the Travancore government in recognition of his services to the state while his own descendants were bestowed with the honorific title of Dalawa. In the 19th century the district saw progress in many spheres. One of the five subordinate courts opened in the state in connection with the reorganization of the judicial system by Colonel George Monro was located at Mavelikkara. The first post office and first telegraph office in the former Travancore state were established in this district. The first manufacturing factory for the coir mats was established in 1859. In 1894 the city Improvement Committee was set up. The district played a role in the freedom struggle of the country. The struggles of Punnapra and Vayalar in 1946 arrayed the people against Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer, who was Dewan of Travancore. This led to Ramaswami Iyer's exit from the political scene of Travancore. A popular Ministry was formed in Travancore on 24 March 1948 after India's independence. Travancore and Cochin states were integrated on 1 July 1949. This arrangement continued until the formation of Kerala State on 1 November 1956, under the States Reorganisation Act 1956. The district came into existence as a separate administrative unit on 1 August 1957.

Alappuzha History

PER Raja Kesavadas, LOC Bombay, LOC Travancore, LOC Alappuzha, PER Kesavadas, LOC Calcutta, LOC Surat, PER Dharma Raja Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma, LOC Mumbai, LOC Kutch

Raja Kesavadas, the Dewan of Travancore during the reign of Dharma Raja Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma in 18th century was well known for his planning skills and administrative acumen. He was the master mind in developing the Alappuzha town.He found Alappuzha as an ideal location and constructing a well planned port city in Travancore. Alappuzha was most suitable, because of the geographical and oceanic reasons. He constructed two parallel canals for bringing goods to port from backwaters and offered infrastructural facilities to merchants and traders from Surat, Mumbai and Kutch to start industrial enterprises, trading, and cargo centres. Alappuzha attained progress and became the financial nerve centre of Travancore during his time. The port was opened in 1762, mainly for the export of coir-matting and coir-yarn. Kesavadas built three ships for trade with Calcutta and Bombay, and alleppey afforded a convenient depot for the storage and disposal of goods produce in the east.

Alappuzha Raja Kesavadas and Alappuzha

LOC National Waterway, LOC Chengannur, LOC Vembanad Lake, LOC Laccadive Sea, LOC Bharanikkavu, LOC Chakara, LOC Kerala, LOC Alappuzha, LOC Kuttanad

Alappuzha is located at 9.54°N 76.40°E / 9.54; 76.40. The average elevation is 1 metre (3.3 ft) Alappuzha covers an area of 1,414 square kilometres (546 sq mi) and is flanked by 2,195 square kilometres (847 sq mi) of Vembanad Lake, where six major rivers spread out before joining the 80 km coast line of the district. The city of Alappuzha is crisscrossed by a system of canals, which is a part of the National Waterway 3.The district is a sandy strip of land intercepted by lagoons, rivers and canals. There are no mountains or hills in the district except some scattered hillocks lying between Bharanikkavu and Chengannur blocks in the eastern portion of the district. There are no forest area in this district. Alappuzha is bounded by the Laccadive Sea on its west. The town has a network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers. The richness of the coastal Alappuzha waters is expressed annually in the blooming and consequent deposit of a huge quantity of fishes and prawns on the Alappuzha coast called ‘[Chakara]’. This annual shifting of sandbank appears during the post-monsoon period and contributes to the local economy and is a festive season for the people of Kerala. The annual floods rejuvenate and cleanse the soil and water due to which there is abundance of marine life like prawns, lobsters, fishes, turtles and other flora in the sea. The backwaters and wetlands host thousands of migrant common teal, ducks and cormorants every year who reach here from long distances. A major feature of the area is the region called Kuttanad, the 'granary of Kerala'. Kuttanad is also known as the rice bowl of Kerala and is one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level. The paddy fields lie about 0.6 to 2 m below mean sea level.

Alappuzha Geography

LOC Alappuzha, LOC Southwest, LOC Northeast

Owing to its proximity to the sea, the climate of Alappuzha is humid and hot during the summer, although it remains fairly cool and pleasant during the months of October and November. The average monthly temperature is 27 degree Celsius. The district gets the benefit of two seasonal monsoons, as in other parts of the state. Alappuzha town experiences a long monsoon season with heavy showers as both the Southwest and Northeast monsoon influences the weather of Alappuzha. The South-west monsoon affects the climate in the months from June to September. On the other hand, the North-east monsoon brings rain from October to November. The average rainfall received by the region is 2763 mm.

Alappuzha Climate

LOC Kollam, LOC Cochin, LOC Kodungalloor, LOC Kerala, LOC Alappuzha, LOC Central Travancore, LOC Punnapra, LOC Thuravoor, LOC Cherthala, LOC Travancore, LOC Alappuzha Municipality, LOC Kalarcode, LOC Konkan

According to the 2011 census, Alappuzha Municipality+Outgrowths had a population of 240,991 with 116,439 men and 124,552 women. The City spreads over Alappuzha municipality and the outgrowths of Punnapra and Kalarcode villages with an area of 65.57 km2 (25.32 sq mi) and population density of 3,675 persons per square kilometre. There were 22,361 persons under six years of age. The literacy rate of Alappuzha city stands at 95.81% with 209,201 literates where 101,927 are males (97.3%) and 107,274 are females (94.43%). Alappuzha had a sex ratio of 1070.The population is predominantly Hindus, and there are sizeable numbers of Christians and Muslims. The most widely spoken language is Malayalam, although many people speak Konkani. The standard dialect of Malayalam spoken is Central Travancore dialect. Konkani is a language that is spoken in the Konkan region. During the Portuguese and Dutch invasions of the 16th and 18th centuries, many Konkanis migrated southwards to Thuravoor, Cherthala and Alappuzha in the state of Travancore as well as other places in Kerala like Cochin, Kodungalloor, and Kollam. A majority of these people got settled in Alappuzha.

Alappuzha Demographics

LOC Kayamkulam, LOC Alappuzha, ORG National Coir Training and Designing Centre, ORG Coir Board, LOC Chengannur, LOC Alleppey, LOC Kokkothamangalam, LOC Aroor, ORG Central Government, LOC Mannancherry, LOC Kerala, LOC Cherthala, PER James Durragh, ORG Kerala Tourism, LOC Kalavoor, LOC Arookutty, LOC Mavelikkara, LOC Thanneermukkom, LOC Munnar, LOC Wayanad, LOC Kodamthuruth, LOC Muhamma, ORG Keltron, LOC Varkala, LOC Kuttanad, LOC Komalapuram, LOC Vayalar

The economy of the district is based on agriculture and marine products. The agricultural activities predominantly revolve around the Kuttanad region, the rice bowl of Kerala. Though the district is industrially backward, some traditional industries based on coir and coir products, marine products, handlooms, different types of handicrafts, toddy tapping have been active from the very early times. The district is known as the traditional home of coir industry in Kerala.The availability of raw materials and the existence of backwaters and canals suitable for the getting of green husk and accessibility of transportation are the main factors of the development of this industry. Arabs had carried on trade in coir products from very ancient period. The manufacture of mats and mattings were first introduced in 1859 by James Durragh.The Coir Board was established by the Central Government under the provisions of the Coir Industry Act in 1955. A coir research institute functions at Kalavoor. The National Coir Training and Designing Centre was established at Alappuzha in 1965. Coir is the most important commodity manufactured in Alappuzha, Kayamkulam, Kokkothamangalam, Komalapuram, Mannancherry, Muhamma and Vayalar. Coir products are available in Cherthala and Mannancherry, lime shell in Arookutty and Kodamthuruth, plywood in Chengannur, Keltron controls in Aroor, potassium chloride in Mavelikkara, and coconuts and coconut oil in Thanneermukkom. Other important commodities manufactured in these towns are copra, glass, mats and matches.In recent times, tourism has become a major source of revenue. This is mainly due to the presence of houseboats that provide the tourists with a view of the scenic backwaters of the town. Another reason is the proximity to other tourist spots like Munnar, Varkala, Alappuzha and Wayanad. Furthermore, as per the Tourist Statstics by Kerala Tourism, there is a 74.55% increase in tourists arriving in Alleppey between 2021 and 2020 while the average for the entire state stands at 51.09%.

Alappuzha Economy

PER Pallithanam Luca Matthai, LOC Madras Government, LOC Alappuzha, LOC Kuttanadu, LOC Venadu Lake, LOC Pallithanam Moovayiram, LOC Madathil Lake, LOC Travancore Kingdom, LOC Cherukara, LOC Rama Rajapuram Kayal, LOC Padsekharam, LOC Kayal, LOC Pamba, LOC Cherukali Kayal, LOC Kerala, PER Pallithanam Luca Mathai, LOC Vembanad Lake, ORG Rice Bowl, LOC Mathi Kayal, PER Pallithanathu Mathaichen, LOC Pantharndu Panku Kayal, LOC Chakram, LOC Aarupanku Kayal

The major occupation in Alappuzha is farming. The Rice Bowl of Kerala, Kuttanadu is located in Alappuzha. Large farming areas near Vembanad Lake were reclaimed from the lake. In earlier times, the reclamation was done mainly from the shallow part of the Vembanad Lake or from the periphery of river Pamba. These reclamations constituted small areas of paddy fields called Padsekharam. The bailing out of water from those fields were done manually using water wheels (Chakram). Gradually the manual method used for bailing out of water gave way to steam engines. Three stages can be identified in the reclamation of lands from the Vembanad Lake. In the first stage it was carried out by private entrepreneurs without any financial support from the part of the government. The Pattom Proclamation, made by the Travancore Kingdom in the year 1865, gave a great boost to the reclamation activities between 1865 and 1890. During this period de-watering of the polders were done manually, using waterwheels, restricting large-scale reclamations. Only about 250 hectares of land were reclaimed during this period. Venadu Lake and Madathil Lake that were reclaimed during this period are considered as the first Kayal Nilam (lake-reclaimed land) which were reclaimed from Vembanad Lake. The pioneering reclamation activity of lake-reclamation and cultivation was made by Pallithanam Luca Matthai. The period between 1865 and 1890 is usually considered as the first phase of lake-cultivation. The introduction of kerosene engines for dewatering resulted in the reclamation of wider areas of the lake for cultivation. It made the farmers consider venturing into the deeper parts of the lake. During the period between 1898 and 1903, reclamation activity was led by Pallithanam Luca Mathai (alias Pallithanathu Mathaichen) who reclaimed the Cherukara and Pallithanam Moovayiram kayals. The second phase (1890 to 1903) of reclamation activities came to a halt because of the ban on lake reclamation imposed by the Madras Government in 1903. Cherukali Kayal, Rama Rajapuram Kayal, Aarupanku Kayal, Pantharndu Panku Kayal, and Mathi Kayal were the other major reclamations during this period. In 1912, the Madras Government approved a proposal from the Travencore Government for further reclamations in three stages. Under this reclamation scheme areas were notified for reclamation in blocks each named by an alphabet letter. Out of the total area of 19,500 acres of reclaimed land 12,000 acres were reclaimed between 1913 and 1920. The reclamations between 1914 and 1920 are known as new reclamations, which were carried out in three periods. In the first period Blocks A to G measuring 6300 Acres were reclaimed. C Block, D Block (Attumukham Aarayiram (Attumuttu Kayal), Thekke Aarayiram and Vadakke Aarayiram) and E Block (Erupathinalayiram Kayal) F Block (Judge's Aarayiram Kayal) and G Block (Kochu Kayal) are the major reclamations during this period. During the second period of new reclamation, blocks H to N measuring 3600 acres were reclaimed. During the third period of new reclamation, R Block measuring 1,400 acres were reclaimed. Due to the steep decline in the price of rice during 1920 to 1940, the reclamation activities became sluggish, but they gained momentum again in the early 1940s. During this period, in order to increase the agricultural output, government initiated a Grow More Food campaign and provided incentives to encourage new reclamations. The advent of electric motors made the reclamation easier, cheaper and less risky as compared to the earlier periods. The last tract of the reclamations namely Q, S and T block were made during this period.

Alappuzha Backwater paddy cultivation

LOC Udupi, LOC Kozhikode, LOC Kollam, LOC Panvel, LOC Ernakulam, LOC Alappuzha Bypass, LOC Kommady, LOC Alappuzha, LOC Kalarkode, LOC Mangalore, LOC Kanyakumari, LOC State Highway, LOC Kannur, LOC Trivandrum, LOC Kodaikanal, LOC Mumbai

Nation Highway 66, connecting Panvel to Kanyakumari runs through the Alappuzha city centre. The Alappuzha Bypass was built to route the national highway around city centers between Kommady and Kalarkode. National Highway 66 connects Alappuzha city to other major cities like Mumbai, Udupi, Mangalore, Kannur, Kozhikode, Ernakulam, Kollam and Trivandrum. There is a plan to upgrade State Highway 11 to a national highway in order to help connect Alappuzha to Kodaikanal as part of promoting the coastal-hill tourism project.

Alappuzha National highways

LOC State, LOC Alappuzha, LOC Mangalore, LOC Changanassery, LOC Madurai, ORG SETC, LOC Thiruvalla, ORG TNSTC, LOC Thoppumpady, LOC Kottayam, ORG Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, LOC Trivandrum, LOC Mysore, LOC Kalarcode, LOC AC, LOC Chennai, LOC Perunna, LOC Tamil Nadu, LOC Coimbatore, ORG KSRTC, LOC Stateway High, LOC Vazhicherry, LOC State Highway 11, LOC Kollur, LOC Banglore

There are eight state highways in Alappuzha district, of which three of them originates from Alappuzha town. State Highway 11 starts from Kalarcode and ends at Perunna. This highway is locally known as AC road (Alappuzha-Changanassery road) and it covers a distance of 24.2 km. It is an important road which connects Alappuzha town with Kottayam district. Stateway High 40 is an interstate highway in Alappuzha district which connects Alappuzha town with Madurai in Tamil Nadu. It is the only interstate highway in Alappuzha district. State Highway 66 originates from Alappuzha town and terminates at Thoppumpady.There are two bus terminals are situated in Alappuzha town, one for KSRTC buses (situated near state water transport corporation headquarters, boat jetty road) and the V K soman memorial municipal bus stand for private buses and interstate bound contract carriage buses (situated near Vazhicherry). KSRTC buses connect Alappuzha with, among other places, Banglore, Mysore, Kollur, Mangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Trivandrum, and Thiruvalla. SETC and TNSTC ply many daily services to the city. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation have two daily services originating from Alappuzha.

Alappuzha State highways

ORG KSRTC, LOC Kollam, LOC National Waterway, LOC Alappuzha, LOC Kottayam

The presence of a lot of backwaters and canals makes water transport a popular means of transport. National Waterway-3 passes through Alappuzha. There is a SWTD boat jetty in the city that lies opposite to the KSRTC bus stand. It is served by boat services to Kottayam and Kollam cities besides other small towns and jetties. Availing an SWTD boat is a cheaper alternative to houseboats for visiting tourists.

Alappuzha Water

LOC Bokaro, LOC Chandigarh, LOC Alappuzha, LOC Delhi, LOC Mangalore, LOC Mumbai, LOC Bangalore, LOC Kozhikode, LOC Cochin, LOC Hyderabad, LOC Trivandrum, LOC Kollam, LOC Ernakulam – Kayamkulam, LOC Amritsar, LOC Chennai, LOC Coimbatore, LOC Dhanbad, LOC Tatanagar, LOC Kannur

Alappuzha is linked by Ernakulam–Kayamkulam coastal railway line and connects to cities like Trivandrum, Kollam, Cochin, Coimbatore, Chennai, Delhi, Bokaro and Mumbai. The railway station is about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the heart of the city. A total of four trains originate from Alappuzha to cities like Kannur, Chennai, Dhanbad and Tatanagar. There are a lot of local trains running throughout the day, which connect Alappuzha to other towns near by. Since Alappuzha is a prime destination, trains from important cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mangalore, Kozhikode and Amritsar pass through this station.

Alappuzha Rail

LOC North, LOC Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, LOC South, LOC Alappuzha, LOC Calicut, LOC Cochin International Airport, LOC Coimbatore

Cochin International Airport, which is 78 kilometres (48 mi) to the North, is the closest airport. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, 159 kilometres (99 mi) to the South, is the other airport that links the district with other countries. International tourists use these airports to reach Alappuzha. The other nearest airports are Calicut (236 kilometres (147 mi)) and Coimbatore (254 kilometres (158 mi)) airports. A helipad in the town is reserved for government uses.

Alappuzha Air

LOC Arookutty, LOC Ambalappuzha, LOC Karthikapally, LOC Mavelikkara, LOC Chengannur, LOC Vayalar East, ORG Assembly, LOC Kayamkulam, LOC Kodamthuruth, LOC Thaneermukkam Thekku, ORG Development Block, LOC Alappuzha, LOC Cherthala, LOC Kokkothamangalam, LOC Kuttanad, LOC Aroor, LOC Haripad, LOC Thanneermukkom Vadakku

The two administrative systems prevailing in the district are revenue and local self-government. Under the revenue system, the district is divided into two revenue divisions, six taluks and 91 villages. The two revenue divisions are Alappuzha division comprising Cherthala, Ambalappuzha and Kuttanad taluks consisting of 47 villages and Chengannur division comprising Karthikapally, Chengannur and Mavelikkara taluks consisting of 44 villages. For census purposes, Aroor, Arookutty, Kodamthuruth, Thanneermukkom Vadakku, Thaneermukkam Thekku, Vayalar East and Kokkothamangalam village, except the portions included in Cherthala municipality are treated in the 1981 census as census towns based on the threefold criteria adopted for treating a place as census town.Under the local self-government system, the district is divided into five statutory towns and development blocks consisting of 71 panchayats. The jurisdiction of a Development Block includes the areas falling in census towns also.There were nine legislative assembly segments in Alappuzha district for the 2011 Assembly elections. They are Aroor, Cherthala, Alappuzha, Kuttanad, Haripad, Kayamkulam, Mavelikkara and Chengannur.Alappuzha assembly constituency is part of Alappuzha (Lok Sabha constituency). The other Lok Sabha constituency of the district is Mavelikkara.

Alappuzha Administration and politics

ORG CMI Congregation, ORG CSI Christ Church, LOC India, LOC Cochin, PER Thomas Norton, ORG Carmel Polytechnic College, ORG CMS, ORG CMS ) School, LOC Alappuzha, PER John Gomes Pereira, ORG Leo XIIIth Higher Secondary School, ORG Church Missionary Society, PER Gilbert Palaekunnel, LOC Carmel

There are schools, computer institutes and colleges all over the district, with nine training schools, 405 lower primary schools, 105 high schools and 87 higher secondary schools.The first school in Alappuzha, the Church Missionary Society (CMS) School, was established in 1816. The school was established by the Rev. Thomas Norton, the first CMS missionary to India. The school is run by the CSI Christ Church, Alappuzha. The first higher secondary school in Alappuzha was the Leo XIIIth Higher Secondary School, which was opened on 1 June 1889 by Portuguese Bishop John Gomes Pereira of Cochin. The first polytechnic college in Alappuzha was the Carmel Polytechnic College, established by Fr. Gilbert Palaekunnel and it's managed by CMI Congregation. Carmel is the academically top-ranked polytechnic in the state still. Colleges in Alappuzha offer both graduate and postgraduate courses for their students.

Alappuzha Education

ORG Punnapra, ORG Cochin University College of Engineering Kuttanad Sanatana Dharma College, ORG S. D. V. College of Arts and Applied Science Sree Narayana College Cherthala, LOC Kayamkulam, LOC Alappuzha, ORG Christian College, ORG St Joseph ' s College for Women, ORG St. Aloysius College, LOC Chengannur, LOC Edathua, ORG Kanjikkuzhy N. S. S. College, ORG College of Engineering, ORG Mavelikkara Carmel College of Engineering and Technology Alappuzha Government T D Medical College, ORG MSM, ORG College of Engineering and Management, ORG SN, ORG St Michael ' s College, ORG Government College, LOC Ambalappuzha, ORG Bishop Moore College Mavelikkara Milad - E - Sherief Memorial College, LOC Cherthala, ORG Mar Gregorios College Punnapra College of Engineering Chengannur College of Applied Sciences, ORG T. K. Madhava Memorial College

College of Engineering, Cherthala Cochin University College of Engineering Kuttanad Sanatana Dharma College S. D. V. College of Arts and Applied Science Sree Narayana College Cherthala-SN College Kanjikkuzhy N.S.S. College, Cherthala Government College, Ambalappuzha College of Engineering and Management, Punnapra Mar Gregorios College Punnapra College of Engineering Chengannur College of Applied Sciences, Mavelikkara Carmel College of Engineering and Technology Alappuzha Government T D Medical College, Alappuzha St Joseph's College for Women, Alappuzha St Michael's College, Cherthala T. K. Madhava Memorial College St. Aloysius College Edathua Bishop Moore College Mavelikkara Milad-E-Sherief Memorial College, Kayamkulam (MSM) Christian College, Chengannur

Alappuzha Major college institutes

LOC Cherthala Kandiyoor Sree Mahadeva Temple, LOC Alappuzha, LOC Thankey, LOC Our Lady of Assumption Church, LOC Poomkavu, LOC Makidusha Jumah Masjid Alappy Kizhake Masthan Jumah Masjid Padinjaare Jumah Masjid Thekke Jumah Masjid Kadhar Ali Bava Thykaav Dargah Purakkad Mosque Dargah Zilla Court Jumah Makidusha, LOC Paul Forane Church, LOC Basilica, LOC Alleppey, LOC Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple Kanichukulangara Devi Temple Kuttikattu Sree Bhadra Kali Devi Temple Karthyayani Devi Temple, LOC Chambakulam kalloorkadu Basilica, LOC Bhagavathy Temple, LOC Mavelikkara Karayamvattam Hanuman Temple Mannarasala Temple, LOC KarthikappallyMuslim, LOC Karthikappally Vettikodu Sri Nagararaja, LOC St Mary ' s Forane Church, LOC Arthunkal Ss George, LOC Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple Anandeshwaram Mahadeva Temple Chakkulathukavu Temple, LOC Pallipuram, LOC Mount Carmel Cathedral, LOC Chettikulangara Devi Temple Chengannur Mahadeva Temple Cheriyanad Sree Balasubrahmanya Swami Temple Chunakkara Thiruvairoor Mahadevar Temple, LOC Champakulam, LOC St Mary, LOC Maruthorvattom Sri Dhanwanthari Temple, LOC Pulincunno, LOC Cherthala Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple Mavelikara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple Padanilam Parabrahma Temple, LOC St Andrew ' s Basilica, LOC Nooranad Thripuliyoor Mahavishnu Temple Thrikkunnappuzha Sree Dharmasastha Temple Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple Thuravoor Mahakshetram Thiruvizha Mahadeva Temple, LOC Cherthala Valiyakulangara Devi Temple, LOC St Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, LOC Sree Nagaraja Temple, LOC St Thomas Church, LOC Thumpoly

Hindu Temples in Alappuzha (Alleppey) Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple Anandeshwaram Mahadeva Temple Chakkulathukavu Temple (Bhagavathy Temple) Chettikulangara Devi Temple Chengannur Mahadeva Temple Cheriyanad Sree Balasubrahmanya Swami Temple Chunakkara Thiruvairoor Mahadevar Temple Haripad Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple Kanichukulangara Devi Temple Kuttikattu Sree Bhadra Kali Devi Temple Karthyayani Devi Temple, Cherthala Kandiyoor Sree Mahadeva Temple, Mavelikkara Karayamvattam Hanuman Temple Mannarasala Temple (Sree Nagaraja Temple) Maruthorvattom Sri Dhanwanthari Temple, Cherthala Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple Mavelikara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple Padanilam Parabrahma Temple, Nooranad Thripuliyoor Mahavishnu Temple Thrikkunnappuzha Sree Dharmasastha Temple Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple Thuravoor Mahakshetram Thiruvizha Mahadeva Temple, Cherthala Valiyakulangara Devi Temple, Karthikappally Vettikodu Sri Nagararaja TempleChristian churches in Alappuzha (Alleppey) St Andrew's Basilica, Arthunkal Ss George/Paul Forane Church) Basilica of St Mary, Champakulam (Chambakulam kalloorkadu Basilica) St Thomas Church, Thumpoly Our Lady of Assumption Church, Poomkavu St Mary's Forane Church, Pulincunno St Mary's Forane Church, Thankey St Mary's Forane Church, Pallipuram Mount Carmel Cathedral Church, Alappuzha St Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, KarthikappallyMuslim mosques in Alappuzha (Alleppey) Makidusha Jumah Masjid Alappy Kizhake Masthan Jumah Masjid Padinjaare Jumah Masjid Thekke Jumah Masjid Kadhar Ali Bava Thykaav Dargah Purakkad Mosque Dargah Zilla Court Jumah Makidusha

Alappuzha Religious buildings/ shrines

LOC KCA Cricket Stadium Alappuzha, LOC India, LOC Punnamada Lake, PER Nehru, PER Jawaharlal Nehru, LOC Alleppey, LOC EMS Stadium, LOC Kerala, LOC Alappuzha, ORG Kerala Cricket Association

Alappuzha is globally famous for snake boat races, especially the Nehru Trophy Boat Race held in the Punnamada Lake near Alappuzha. In 1952, when Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India, visited Kerala, the people of Alleppey decided to give a special entertainment for their prestigious guest and conducted a snake boat race. Nehru got so excited by this event and he jumped into 'Nadubhagam Chundan' (a snake boat), ignoring the security officials. By this excitement of sailing in a snake boat he donated a rolling trophy to be awarded to the winner of the race. Other than this snake boat race cricket, football, basketball and rowing are among the most popular sports in town. In 2015, the Kerala Cricket Association inaugurated the KCA Cricket Stadium Alappuzha, which is an A-class cricket stadium. Another stadium named as EMS Stadium or municipal stadium is under construction as of 2021.

Alappuzha Sports

PER M. K. Sanu, ORG Dinamani, PER Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, ORG Guru, PER Irayimman Thampi, PER V. P. Sivakumar, PER Vayalar Ramavarma, ORG Aroor, PER Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker, PER Kavalam Narayana Panicker, ORG S. N. Trust, PER Justice C. T. Ravikumar, PER Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma, PER Itty Achudan, PER P. S. Karthikeyan, PER Rajeev Alunkal, LOC Kerala, ORG Santhigiri Ashram, PER Karunakara, ORG International body for Human rights, ORG SNDP Yogam, PER M. G. Sreekumar, ORG Infosys Navajyothi Sree, PER Eleanour Sinclair Rohde, LOC India, PER Joy J. Kaimaparamban, ORG Legislative Assembly, PER S. D. Shibulal, PER Kavalam Sreekumar

Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai - novelist and short story writer, recipient of India's highest literary award, the Jnanpith. Vayalar Ramavarma - Malayalam poet and film lyricist Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker - Social reformer in Kerala M. G. Sreekumar - musician, singer and music director Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma - poet and lyricist M. K. Sanu – writer, critic and social activist, a permanent member of the International body for Human rights Irayimman Thampi - Carnatic musician as well as a music composer from Kerala Kavalam Narayana Panicker - Dramatist,theatre director,poet Rajeev Alunkal - lyricist, poet and orator S. D. Shibulal - chief executive officer and managing director of Infosys Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru - founder of Santhigiri Ashram P. S. Karthikeyan - former Secretary, S. N. Trust, former Director of SNDP Yogam, former Member of the Legislative Assembly (Aroor), Chief Editor of Dinamani daily Joy J. Kaimaparamban - English and Malayalam author Itty Achudan - the major contributor of ethno-medical information for the compilation of Hortus Malabaricus Eleanour Sinclair Rohde - British gardener and writer on horticulture V. P. Sivakumar - short story writer Justice C.T.Ravikumar - Supreme Court Judge. Kavalam Sreekumar - Classical musician,playback singer,composer

Alappuzha Notable people

PER Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, PER Theodore, ORG Carmelites of Mary, ORG Santhigiri Ashramam Palackal, PER Thoma Malpan, PER Karunakara Guru, PER Joseph C. Panjikaran, ORG Medical Sisters of St. Joseph Antony

Karunakara Guru - founder of Santhigiri Ashramam Palackal Thoma Malpan - founder of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate Mgr. Joseph C. Panjikaran - founder of the Medical Sisters of St. Joseph Antony Theodore - Christian educator, poet, social worker Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara - Christian saint

Alappuzha Religion

ORG UDF Ministry, ORG Union Cabinet, PER Suseela Gopalan, LOC Haripad, PER C. K. Chandrappan, ORG Overseas Indian Affairs, PER K. R. Gowri, ORG Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram, PER Vayalar Ravi, PER P. Parameswaran, ORG Kerala LDF, ORG All India Kisan Sabha, PER G. Sudhakaran, LOC Kerala, PER Ramesh Chennithala, ORG Communist Party of India, PER S. Ramachandran Pillai, PER A. K. Antony, ORG PWD, ORG Peasants Union, LOC India, PER V. S. Achuthanandan

A. K. Antony - three times Chief Minister of Kerala in UDF Ministry, former Indian Defence Minister V. S. Achuthanandan - former chief minister of Kerala and one of the most senior communist politicians of India Ramesh Chennithala - former Home Minister and Former Leader of the opposition of Kerala, current legislative assembly member of Haripad constituency. Suseela Gopalan- Former Kerala Industries Minister and Communist Leader K. R. Gowri - Revenue Minister in first Kerala LDF ministry, initiated the land reforms in Kerala, Agriculture minister in Kerala UDF Ministry Vayalar Ravi - former Home minister of Kerala in UDF Ministry, former Union Cabinet Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs C. K. Chandrappan - communist leader and former Member of Parliament S. Ramachandran Pillai - Politburo member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and General Secretary of All India Kisan Sabha (Peasants Union) G. Sudhakaran - member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and former PWD minister of Kerala P. Parameswaran - Director of Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram; philosopher

Alappuzha Politics

PER Navodaya Appachan, PER Riaz M T, PER Jijo Punnoose, PER Ratheesh, PER Rajan P. Dev, ORG Manichitrathazhu, PER Madhu Muttom, PER KPAC Lalitha, PER Ashokan, PER Kunchacko Boban, ORG Kakkothikkavile, PER Samantha Ruth Prabhu, PER S. L. Puram Sadanandan, PER Padmarajan, PER Appooppan Thaadikal, PER Jagannatha Varma, PER Kunchacko, PER Narendra Prasad, PER Radhika, PER Nedumudi Venu, PER Beeyar Prasad, PER Fazil, PER Sreekumaran Thampi, PER Chelangatt Gopalakrishnan, PER Fahadh Faasil, PER Jomon T. John

Sreekumaran Thampi - lyricist, director, producer and screenwriter in Malayalam cinema Jomon T. John - Indian cinematographer Ratheesh - Malayalam film actor Kunchacko - Indian film producer and director Nedumudi Venu - Malayalam film actor. Fazil - Malayalam film director Kunchacko Boban - Malayalam film actor Riaz M T - Malayalam film actor Fahadh Faasil - Malayalam film actor Jagannatha Varma - Kathakali artist, actor in Malayalam film and serial Ashokan - Malayalam film actor Rajan P. Dev – Malayalam film actor and drama/theatre person S. L. Puram Sadanandan - Malayalam playwright and film scriptwriter Chelangatt Gopalakrishnan - writer and film critic Radhika (Malayalam actress) - Malayalam film actress Navodaya Appachan - Malayalam movie producer and businessman Jijo Punnoose - film director Padmarajan - film director Narendra Prasad - film actor, writer and critic KPAC Lalitha - Malayalam film actress Beeyar Prasad - Indian Malayalam lyricist and poet Madhu Muttom - Screenwriter,Screenwriter of Manichitrathazhu, Kakkothikkavile Appooppan Thaadikal Samantha Ruth Prabhu- Actress

Alappuzha Cinema

ORG Royal Challengers Bangalore, PER Saji Thomas, LOC Kerala, PER Thomas J. Fenn, PER Prasanth Parameswaran

Thomas J. Fenn - former Kerala State and International basketball player and referee Prasanth Parameswaran - Kerala first class cricketer (Indian Premier League and Royal Challengers Bangalore player) Saji Thomas - sportsman and Arjuna awardee

Alappuzha Sport

LOC Velagapudi, LOC Krishna, PER Narendra Modi, LOC Uddandarayunipalem, LOC Andhra Pradesh, LOC India, ORG Andhra Pradesh Legislature, LOC Amaravati, LOC Guntur, LOC Dharanikota, LOC Britain, LOC Amaravati Stupa, LOC Hyderabad

Amaravati () is the capital of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located on the banks of the river Krishna in Guntur district. Dharanikota, the ancient city site nearby, was founded more than 2,200 years ago, serving as an ancient capital. The Amaravati Stupa was an important Buddhist site of pilgrimage and holy learning. Under the British Raj, many ancient Buddhist sculptures were taken to other museums in India and Britain. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone at a ceremonial event in Uddandarayunipalem village on 22 October 2015.The office of the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh has operated from Velagapudi since April 2016. The Andhra Pradesh Legislature remained in Hyderabad until March 2017, when it was relocated to newly constructed interim legislative buildings in Velagapudi.

Amaravati Introduction

LOC Vijayawada, LOC Amaravathi, PER Satavahana, LOC Amaravati, LOC Guntur, LOC Dharanikota, LOC Tenali

The name "Amaravati" only dates back to the 18th century; the Amaravathi village, is near Dharanikota, the ancient capital of the Satavahana dynasty. The metropolitan areas of Guntur, Vijayawada and Tenali are the major conurbations of Amaravati. Amaravati translates literally as 'the place for immortals'.

Amaravati Etymology

LOC Cholas, LOC Delhi Sultanate, ORG Nizam, LOC British Museum, LOC Vijayanagara Empire, LOC Mahachaitya, ORG Satavahana Dynasty, LOC Nagarjuna Konda, LOC France, LOC Kakatiyas, LOC Vishnukundina, LOC Hyderabad, LOC Government Museum, LOC Mughal Empire, LOC Pallavas, LOC Bahmani Sultanate, LOC Andhra Pradesh, LOC Guntur, LOC Golconda, LOC Amaravati Stupa, LOC Chennai, ORG East India Company, LOC Dhānyakatakam, PER Gautam, LOC Sultanate, LOC India, LOC Ikshvakus, LOC Amaravati, LOC Dharanikota, LOC Musunuri Nayaks, LOC Nizamate

Dharanikota (Dhānyakatakam) near Amaravati was an important city in the cultural heritage and history of Andhra Pradesh. Its history dates back to 2nd Century BCE when it was the capital of the Satavahana Dynasty of the (Andhras), one of the earliest Indian empires and the ancestral dynasty of Andhra Pradesh. The Satavahanas are prominent in the history of Andhra Pradesh. Their main language was Prakrit written using Brahmi Script, which served as the base for the script of Telugu Language. They issued many coins with this Prakrit language which can be found in many inscriptions in this region today. The practice of Buddhism was predominant during this period and the dynasty was partly responsible for the prevalence of Buddhism in the region. The city was also once a holy site of Mahayana Buddhism. The city used to have a large Buddhist Stupa now known as Amaravati Stupa but then called a Mahachaitya, which was ruined over time. It was also the centre of Buddhist learning and art where many buddhist followers from many South East Asian countries used to visit. It can be seen from the Amaravati Stupa, many Buddhist inscriptions, sculptures and Gautam Buddha Statue in the city. Many other ancient Amaravati sculptures and Buddhist relics from the region were unfortunately destroyed over the time and the largest group was removed to the Government Museum, Chennai and others to the British Museum during British rule, which can be seen there today. The sculptures from Amaravati depict many scenes from Buddhist art, inscriptions and Buddhist stupas. The city along with Nagarjuna Konda is viewed as one of the richest holy sites of Buddhism in the whole of India. The present capital area has its historical significance of having recorded its first-ever legislation 2,200 years ago. The present-day capital region includes the Amaravati village. The area has been ruled by the Mauryas, Satavahanas, Ikshvakus, Vishnukundina, Pallavas, Cholas, Kakatiyas, Delhi Sultanate, Musunuri Nayaks, Bahmani Sultanate, Vijayanagara Empire, Sultanate of Golconda and Mughal Empire successively before the founding of the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1724. It was ceded to France in 1750 but was captured by the East India Company in 1759. Guntur returned to the Nizamate in 1768 but was ceded to Britain again in 1788. It was briefly occupied by Hyder Ali. It was then ruled by Vasireddy Venkatadri Nayudu, who founded the modern Amaravathi village, using building materials from the stupa, which he largely demolished. It was part of the Madras Presidency during the British colonial period. As per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, Hyderabad became the capital of the then newly formed state of Telangana, post bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. However, Hyderabad would remain as the joint capital of both states for a period not exceeding ten years. Hence, Amaravati is being built to serve as the capital of Andhra Pradesh.The foundation for the city was laid at Uddandarayunipalem on 22 October 2015. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi; the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu; the Vice President of India and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu; then Governor E. S. L. Narasimhan; the Japanese minister for economy trade and industry, Yosuke Takagi; and the Singaporean Minister for Trade and Industry, S. Iswaran, laid the foundation for the city.In August 2020, Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed Andhra Pradesh Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Act, 2020. According to its provisions, Visakhapatnam is the executive capital while Amaravati and Kurnool serve as legislative and judicial capitals, respectively. The decision resulted in widespread protests by the farmers of Amaravati. The act has been challenged in Andhra Pradesh High Court, which ordered to maintain status quo until the court completes its hearing. On 22 November 2021, the government, led by Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, have withdrawn the act.

Amaravati History

LOC Vijayawada, LOC Andhra Pradesh, LOC Coromandel Coast, LOC Guntur, LOC Krishna River, LOC Coastal Andhra, LOC Palnadu, LOC Tenali

The city is being built in Guntur district and Palnadu district, on the banks of the Krishna River. The city will be 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) south-west of Vijayawada, 25 kilometres (16 mi) north of Guntur, 45 kilometres (28 mi) south-east of Tenali surrounding the Coromandel Coast of Coastal Andhra region in Andhra Pradesh.

Amaravati Geography

PER N. Chandrababu Naidu, LOC Andhra Pradesh, LOC Krishna River, LOC Singapore, PER Amaravati, LOC Smart

The 13th Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N. Chandrababu Naidu envisioned Amaravati to be the people-centric pioneer Smart City of India, built around sustainability and livability principles, and to be the happiest city in the world. Among the innovative features on the drawing board are navigation canals around the city, and connecting to an island in the Krishna River. The Government has envisaged an investment needed of US$2–4 billion for the development of the city.The city is being designed to have 51% green space and 10% of water bodies, with a plan to house some of the most iconic buildings there. It is being modeled on Singapore, with the master plan being prepared by two Singapore government-appointed consultants. Other international consultants and architects will then be brought in to give the city an international flavor.

Amaravati Vision

LOC Vijayawada, LOC River Krishna, ORG Capital Region Development Authority, ORG CRDA, LOC Capital, LOC Amaravati, LOC Guntur, LOC Prakasam Barrage, ORG Andhra Pradesh State Cabinet, LOC Amaravati Capital City, LOC KC Canal, ORG State Government, LOC Capital City, LOC Mangalagiri, LOC Thullur, LOC Gannavaram, LOC Tadepalli

The Andhra Pradesh State Cabinet meeting passed a resolution of 1 September 2014 to locate the Capital City in a central place of the state, around Vijayawada, and to go for decentralized development of the state with 3 Mega Cities and 14 Smart Cities. The State Government identified the Capital City area between Vijayawada and Guntur cities on the Southern bank of River Krishna upstream of Prakasam Barrage. The Amaravati Capital City has an area of 217.23 km2 and is spread across 25 villages in 3 mandals (Thullur, Mangalagiri and Tadepalli) of Guntur district. The 25 villages in the Capital City area have about 1 lakh population in about 27,000 households. The nearest cities are Vijayawada at a distance of 30 km and Guntur at a distance of 18 km. The nearest railway station is KC Canal railway station near Tadepalli and the nearest airport is Gannavaram which is at a distance of 22 km. The city is planned to spread over 217 km2 area with a total cost of ₹ 553.43 billions to the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) out of which state government contribution is only ₹ 126 billion (equity ₹ 66.29 billion and supporting grant ₹ 59.71 billion) spread over a period of 8 years from April 2018 to March 2026 (₹ 5 billion in 2018–19, ₹ 18 billion per year for later six years and ₹ 13 billion in 2025–26). The contribution from the government is to be repaid by the CRDA after 2037. Ultimately state or union governments are not incurring any expenditure to construct the city but wholly financed by the income accrued from the sale of land for various development schemes (₹ 171.51 billion), loans and the local taxes (₹ 146.41 billion by 2037) to the CRDA. The state and union governments are expected to earn ₹ 120 billion per annum out of which state goods and services tax (State GST) alone is ₹ 60 billion per annum. The entire city construction is planned by self-financing from loans and land selling with the state government's moral support. CRDA is expecting a net surplus income of ₹ 333 billion by 2037 after meeting the total expenditure on the city. Amaravati government complex which is intended to provide world-class facilities needed for the state government and its employees' accommodation is also part of the CRDA project. The bus rapid transit system (BRTS) in Amaravati to connect with the adjacent Vijayawada and Guntur cities by world-class road network is also part of the CRDA project. Both Amaravati government complex and BRTS are planned with an expenditure of ₹ 140 billion.

Amaravati City planning

ORG Government, LOC Andhra Pradesh, LOC Kurnool, ORG YSRCP, LOC Amaravati, LOC Visakhapatnam, PER Naidu

In 2019, the new state government allocated a budget of only ₹500 crore and immediately stopped all running projects in the middle of construction that was started by the previous Naidu government. The Amaravati project has substantially slowed with no deadline in sight.As of 2020, the fate of Amaravati as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh hangs in balance as the incumbent YSRCP Government has proposed to move the Executive and Judicial components of the capital to Visakhapatnam and Kurnool respectively. There has been a continuing backlash from the farmers of the region against this decision of the Government for the past 644 days. The agitators are still awaiting the Chief Minister's appointment for a plausible solution.

Amaravati Status

LOC Velagapudi, ORG APCRDA, LOC Andhra Pradesh Capital Region, LOC Amaravati, LOC M, ORG Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority, LOC Tadepalle, LOC Mangalagiri, ORG Amaravati Development Corporation Limited, LOC Thullur, ORG Andhra Pradesh Secretariat

Amaravati is an Urban Notified Area and its urban development and planning activities are undertaken by the Amaravati Development Corporation Limited and Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA). The Andhra Pradesh Secretariat at Velagapudi is the administrative block for the employees of the state government. The APCRDA has its jurisdiction over the city and is the conurbation covering Andhra Pradesh Capital Region. The capital city is spread over an area of 217.23 km2 (83.87 sq mi), and will comprise villages (including some hamlets) from three mandals viz., Mangalagiri, Thullur and Tadepalle. The seed capital is spread over an area of 16.94 km2 (6.54 sq mi).The table below lists the identified villages and hamlets under their respective mandals, which became a part of the capital city. Notes: M – municipality The names in brackets are the hamlet villages of the respective settlement.

Amaravati Administration

LOC Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple, LOC Amaravati, LOC Amaravati stupa

The residents of Amaravati are mainly Telugu-speaking people along with some Urdu and other minorities. Telugu is the official language of the city. Hindus form a very large majority, but there are also Muslim, Christian, and Buddhist communities. Religious sites include the Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple, and the Amaravati stupa in the Amaravati heritage complex.

Amaravati Language and religion

ORG Reliance Group, LOC Electronics, ORG HCL Technologies, LOC Mangalagiri, ORG Hafeez Contractor, LOC Government, ORG Ascendas - Singbridge and Sembcorp Development, ORG Pi Data Centre, LOC Finance, ORG NRDC, ORG Ascendas - Singbridge, LOC Amravati, LOC Sports, ORG Indian Government, ORG Sembcorp Development, LOC Media, ORG Pi Care Services, LOC Andhra Pradesh, ORG BRS Medicity, ORG HUDCO, ORG World Bank, LOC Justice, LOC India, ORG Housing and Urban Development Corporation, LOC Amaravati, LOC Health, PER Norman Foster, LOC Asia

The state government originally initiated the Singapore-based Ascendas-Singbridge and Sembcorp Development consortium for the city's construction. The city's infrastructure was to be developed in 7–8 years in phases, at an estimated cost of ₹33,000 crore. ₹7,500 crore from the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), $500 million from the World Bank and ₹2,500 crore from the Indian Government, of which ₹1,500 crore has been granted.As of July 2019, the World Bank dropped funding for Amaravati. As of September 2019, the Ascendas-Singbridge and Sembcorp Development consortium have also withdrawn from the project. With only state government allocated budget of ₹500 crore in 2019, the Amravati project has substantially slowed, with no deadline in sight.Nine themed cities consisting of Finance, Justice, Health, Sports, Media, and Electronics; including Government buildings designed by Norman Foster, Hafeez Contractor, Reliance Group, and NRDC-India will be built within the city. Pi Data Centre, the fourth largest of its kind in Asia with an investment of ₹600 crore (US$75 million), and Pi Care Services, a healthcare BPO, were inaugurated at Mangalagiri IT park. HCL Technologies, an IT firm would set up one of its centres in Amaravati.BRS Medicity with an investment of $1.8 billion is to come to Amaravati.Mangalagiri Sarees and Fabrics produced in Mangalagiri mandal, a part of the state capital, were registered as one of the geographical indications from Andhra Pradesh.

Amaravati Economy and infrastructure

ORG Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, ORG Vellore Institute of Technology Siddhartha Medical College Gudlavalleru Engineering College NRI Academy of Medical Sciences, ORG KL University Vignan ' s, ORG Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies, ORG Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, ORG King ' s College London, ORG IUIH, ORG Krishna University, ORG Andhra Loyola College SRM University, LOC Andhra Pradesh, ORG Amrita University, LOC Ainavolu, ORG National Institute of Design, ORG Indo - UK Institute of Health, ORG Amity University, ORG Xavier School of Management, ORG Nuzvid, LOC Amaravati, ORG Acharya Nagarjuna University Guntur Medical College, ORG Foundation for Science, Technology & Research, ORG All India Institute of Medical Sciences, ORG Andhra Christian College Vasireddy Venkatadri Institute of Technology Katuri Medical

Colleges and universities There are public funded universities within the city limits: Acharya Nagarjuna University Guntur Medical College Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University Krishna University Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences National Institute of Design Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies, Nuzvid All India Institute of Medical Sciences, MangalagiriPrivate and autonomous colleges in the city include: KL University Vignan's Foundation for Science, Technology & Research Andhra Loyola College SRM University, Andhra Pradesh Vellore Institute of Technology Siddhartha Medical College Gudlavalleru Engineering College NRI Academy of Medical Sciences Andhra Christian College Vasireddy Venkatadri Institute of Technology Katuri Medical CollegePrivate institutes like Amrita University, Amity University and the Indo-UK Institute of Health (IUIH) in collaboration with the King's College London, are among others to set up campus in Amaravati. In 2018 the city's first management institute, Xavier School of Management, was under construction near Ainavolu.

Amaravati Education

LOC Amaravati Amaralingeswara Temple Undavalli Caves Bhavani Island Kondapalli Fort Kanaka Durga Temple Prakasam Barrage Kondaveedu Fort, LOC Amaravati Stupa Archaeological Museum, PER Dhyana Buddha, LOC Krishna River

Located on the banks of the Krishna River and between natural getaways and places of heritage, the city has several tourist attractions: Dhyana Buddha statue Amaravati Stupa Archaeological Museum, Amaravati Amaralingeswara Temple Undavalli Caves Bhavani Island Kondapalli Fort Kanaka Durga Temple Prakasam Barrage Kondaveedu Fort

Amaravati Tourism

LOC Vijayawada, LOC North, LOC NTR, LOC Guntur, LOC South, ORG Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation, LOC Tenali, LOC Pandit Nehru Bus Station, ORG APSRTC

The buses operated by Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) from Pandit Nehru Bus Station and NTR bus station, Tenali bus station connects the city with Vijayawada and Tenali, Guntur respectively. The government, however, is to explore other means of mass transport like ‘monorail’, Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) and tramways. Two new depots, North and South of the APSRTC are proposed to be constructed. Auto rickshaws also operate for shorter distances in the capital city area.

Amaravati Transport

LOC Region, LOC Vijayawada International Airport, LOC Andhra Pradesh

Vijayawada International Airport serves the whole Andhra Pradesh Capital Region.

Amaravati Air

LOC National Highway 16, LOC Vijayawada, LOC Anantapur, LOC Anantapur Expressway, LOC Kurnool, LOC Prakasam, LOC Amaravati, LOC Kadapa, LOC Guntur, LOC Rajamahendravaram, LOC Kakinada, LOC Visakhapatnam, ORG Feeder Roads

The Amaravati–Anantapur Expressway, supported by Kurnool and Kadapa Feeder Roads is an ongoing greenfield expressway project, which would provide faster road access from the districts of Anantapur, Guntur, Kadapa, Kurnool and Prakasam to Amaravati, Rajamahendravaram, Kakinada, and Visakhapatnam. The Amaravati seed capital road is an arterial road under construction to access the core capital area from National Highway 16. The Vijayawada-Amaravati road connects the city with Vijayawada.

Amaravati Roadways

LOC Vijayawada, LOC Guntur, LOC Tenali

A proposed Amaravati high-speed circular railway line would connect the city with the nearby cities of Vijayawada, Guntur and Tenali, extending up to a length of 105 km (65 mi) with an estimated cost of ₹10,000 crore (US$1.3 billion).And a metro rail project is proposed between the cities of Tenali, Guntur, and Vijayawada of 100 km circular corridor.

Amaravati Railways

LOC Amaravati, LOC Guntur, LOC Andhra Cricket Association International Cricket Stadium, LOC Mangalagiri, LOC ACA International Cricket Stadium, ORG Andhra Cricket Association

ACA International Cricket Stadium (also known as the Andhra Cricket Association International Cricket Stadium) is a stadium under construction at Mangalagiri in Amaravati. It is situated in Guntur district and will be spread over 24 acres. The stadium will be owned by Andhra Cricket Association and has a seating capacity of 40,000.

Amaravati ACA International Cricket Stadium

ORG Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh, LOC Vidyadharapuram, ORG SAAP

The complex has been under construction at Vidyadharapuram on 8.9 acres (3.6 ha) of land. It consists of two swimming pools of 50×20 metres and 20×20 metres, an outdoor synthetic track, a multipurpose indoor hall, and a Ground+2 clubhouse. This complex will be the new headquarters for the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP).

Amaravati Amaravati International Sports Complex

LOC India, LOC Amaravati, ORG Team Amaravati, PER Jonas Andrson, PER Eric Edin, LOC Mumbai

From 16 to 18 November in 2018, Amaravati hosted the second (after Mumbai in 2004) F1H2O World championship Grand Prix ever held in India. The event brought wide media attention especially after one of the teams took the color and the name of the state, making it the first Indian branded team in the history of F1H2O. Team Amaravati led by drivers Jonas Andrson and Eric Edin.

Amaravati F1H2O Grand Prix of India

PER Dalai Lama, LOC Amaravati, LOC Andhra Pradesh

Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama participated in the First National Women's Parliament in Amaravati on 10 February 2017. He said, "Making Amaravati, the capital of new Andhra Pradesh is a welcome move and I wish it develops well on all fronts. This heritage city has undergone a lot of change over the years... The economy would flourish where there is peace".

Amaravati First National Women's Parliament in Amaravati

ORG APCRDA, ORG Government, LOC Andhra Pradesh, LOC Amaravati, PER Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy

The Happy Cities Summit Amaravati 2019 backed by APCRDA aims to build on the success and momentum of the inaugural summit to establish Amaravati at the forefront of the discourse on urban innovation with a focus on citizen happiness. Discussion of the Happy Homes project was underway after Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy was elected Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. The Government of Andhra Pradesh has also successfully hosted the inaugural Happy Cities Summit in Amaravati in April 2018. The summit saw the participation of 1,500+ delegates from 15+ countries, including eminent city leaders and urban experts.

Amaravati Happy Cities Summit

LOC Rāmdāspur, ORG United Nations, PER Harmandir Sahib, LOC Amritsari, LOC Chandigarh, LOC Punjab, LOC India, LOC Amritsar Metropolitan Region, ORG Government of India, LOC Pakistan, LOC Ludhiana, LOC Majha, LOC Golden Temple, LOC Amritsar, LOC New Delhi, LOC Ambarsar, PER Karamjit Singh Rintu, LOC Lahore

Amritsar (Punjabi pronunciation: [əmːˈɾɪtsəɾ] (listen)), historically also known as Rāmdāspur and colloquially as Ambarsar, is the second largest city in the Indian state of Punjab, after Ludhiana. It is a major cultural, transportation and economic centre, located in the Majha region of Punjab. The city is the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar district. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Amritsar is the second-most populous city in Punjab and the most populous metropolitan region in the state with a population of roughly 2 million. Amritsar is the centre of the Amritsar Metropolitan Region. According to the 2011 census, the population of Amritsar was 1,989,961. It is one of the ten Municipal Corporations in the state, and Karamjit Singh Rintu is the current Mayor of the city. The city is situated 217 km (135 mi) north-west of Chandigarh, 455 km (283 miles) north-west of New Delhi, and 47 km (29.2 miles) north-east of Lahore, Pakistan, with the India-Pakistan border only 28 km (17.4 mi) away. Amritsar is the economic capital of Punjab. It is a major tourist centre with nearly a hundred thousand daily visitors. The city has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY scheme of the Government of India. Amritsar is home to Sri Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as "the Golden Temple", one of Sikhism religion's most spiritually significant and most-visited gurudwaras. The city is also known for Amritsari food, its wooden chessboards and chess pieces manufacturing industry.

Amritsar Introduction

PER Maharishi Valmiki, PER Lava, LOC Durgiana Temple, LOC Ramtirath ashram, LOC Lahore, PER Kusha, LOC Ramtirath Temple, LOC Kasur, PER Kush, LOC Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, LOC Amritsar, LOC Ashram, PER Hanuman, PER Rama, PER Sita

The Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal situated at Amritsar is believed to be the Ashram site of Maharishi Valmiki, the writer of Ramayana. As per the Ramayana, Sita gave birth to Lava and Kusha, sons of lord Rama at Ramtirath ashram. Large number of people visit Ramtirath Temple at annual fair. Nearby cities to Amritsar, Lahore and Kasur were believed to be founded by Lava and Kusha, respectively. It is believed that During Ashvamedha Yajna by Lord Rama, Lava and Kush caught the ritual horse and tied Lord Hanuman to a tree near to today's Durgiana Temple.

Amritsar Mythology

PER Ahmad Shah, PER Harmandir Sahib, LOC India, LOC Durrani Empire, PER Guru Arjan Dev ji, PER Guru Ram Das, PER Guru Ram Das Ji, LOC Amritsar, PER Guru Da Chakk, PER Ram Das, PER Mahima Prakash Vartak, ORG Sikh Confederacy, LOC Ramdaspur, PER Guru Amar Das, PER Guru, LOC Tung

Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh guru is credited with founding the holy city of Amritsar in the Sikh tradition. Two versions of stories exist regarding the land where Guru Ram Das Ji settled. In one based on a Gazetteer record, the land was purchased with Sikh donations, for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung.According to the historical Sikh records, the site was chosen by Guru Amar Das and called Guru Da Chakk, after he had asked Ram Das to find land to start a new town with a man-made pool as its central point. After his coronation in 1574, and the hostile opposition he faced from the sons of Guru Amar Das, Guru Ram Das ji founded the town named after him as "Ramdaspur". He started by completing the pool, and building his new official Guru centre and home next to it. He invited merchants and artisans from other parts of India to settle into the new town with him. The town expanded during the time of Guru Arjan Dev ji financed by donations and constructed by voluntary work. The town grew to become the city of Amritsar, and the pool area grew into a temple complex after his son built the gurdwara Harmandir Sahib, and installed the scripture of Sikhism inside the new temple in 1604.The construction activity between 1574 and 1604 is described in Mahima Prakash Vartak, a semi-historical Sikh hagiography text likely composed in 1741, and the earliest known document dealing with the lives of all the ten Gurus. In 1762 and 1766–1767, Ahmad Shah of the Durrani Empire invaded the Sikh Confederacy, besieged Amritsar, massacred the populace and destroyed the city.

Amritsar Founding of Amritsar City

LOC Doburji, LOC Punjab, LOC Dhoor Kot, LOC Gilwali, PER Sher Singh, LOC Hall Gate, LOC Ramgarhia, LOC Amritsar, LOC Rambagh Deori, LOC Lohgarh, LOC Deori Kalan, LOC Ahluwalia, LOC Katra Maha Singh, LOC Shahzada, LOC Hakeema, LOC Khazana, PER Ranjit Singh, LOC Lahori Darwaza, LOC Rangar Nangalia

During Sikh Empire in 1822 Maharaja Ranjit Singh fortified the city starting from a wall at Katra Maha Singh area. Later, Sher Singh continued with the construction of the wall with twelve gates (Lahori Darwaza, Khazana, Hakeema, Rangar Nangalia, Gilwali, Ramgarhia, Doburji, Ahluwalia, Deori Kalan, Rambagh Deori, Shahzada and Lohgarh) in it and a fort named Dhoor Kot that had fortification 25 yards broad and 7 yards high. The circumference of the walled city was around five miles. When in 1849, British annexed Punjab, Amritsar was a walled city and they built a thirteenth gate to it known as Hall Gate.

Amritsar Old walled city

LOC Punjab, ORG Rakab Ganj, ORG Home Rule League, ORG Indian National Congress, PER Reginald Edward Harry Dyer, LOC Lucknow, LOC New Delhi, PER Mahatma Gandhi, LOC Gurdwara, PER Annie Besant, LOC South Africa, LOC Amritsar, ORG Theosophical Society of India, PER Saifuddin Kitchlew, PER Gandhi, LOC India, LOC Dharamsetla, LOC Himachal Pradesh, PER Satya Pal, LOC Jallianwala Bagh

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, involving the killings of hundreds of Indian civilians on the orders of British Colonel Reginald Edward Harry Dyer, took place on 13 April 1919 in the heart of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs, on a day sacred to them as the birth anniversary of the Khalsa (Vaisakhi day).In Punjab, during World War I (1914–18), there was considerable unrest particularly among the Sikhs, first on account of the demolition of a boundary wall of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj at New Delhi and later because of the activities and trials of the Ghadarites, almost all of whom were Sikhs. In India as a whole, too, there had been a spurt in political activity mainly owing to the emergence of two leaders: Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) who after a period of struggle against the British in South Africa, had returned to India in January 1915, and Annie Besant (1847–1933), head of the Theosophical Society of India, who on 11 April 1916 established the Home Rule League with autonomy for India as its goal. In December 1916, the Indian National Congress, at its annual session held at Lucknow, passed a resolution asking the king to issue a proclamation announcing that it is the "aim and intention of British policy to confer self-government on India at an early date".On 10 April 1919, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, two popular proponents of the Satyagraha movement led by Gandhi, were called to the deputy commissioner's residence, arrested and sent off by car to Dharamsetla, a hill town, now in Himachal Pradesh. This led to a general strike in Amritsar. Excited groups of citizens soon merged into a crowd of about 50,000 marchings on to protest to the deputy commissioner against the arrest of the two leaders. The crowd, however, was stopped and fired upon near the railway foot-bridge. According to the official version, the number of those killed was 12 and of those wounded between 20 and 30. Evidence before an inquiry of the Indian National Congress put the number of the dead between 20 and 30. Three days later, on 13 April, the traditional festival of Baisakhi, thousands of Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. An hour after the meeting began as scheduled at 16:30, Dyer arrived with a group of sixty-five Gurkha soldiers (from the 9th Gorkha Rifles) and twenty-five Baluchi soldiers (from the 59th Scinde Rifles). Without warning the crowd to disperse, Dyer blocked the main exits and ordered his troops to begin shooting toward the densest sections of the crowd; the firing continued for approximately ten minutes. A British government inquiry into the massacre placed the death toll at 379. The Indian National Congress, on the other hand, estimated that approximately 1,000 people were killed.

Amritsar Jallianwala Bagh massacre

LOC India, ORG India Today, LOC Golden Temple, ORG CBI, PER Indira Gandhi, LOC Amritsar, LOC Sikh Reference Library

Operation Blue Star (1 – 6 June 1984) was an Indian military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India to curb and remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation was carried out by Indian army troops with tanks and armoured vehicles. Militarily successful, the operation aroused immense controversy, and the government's justification for the timing and style of the attack are hotly debated. Operation Blue Star was included in the Top 10 Political Disgraces by India Today magazine.Official reports put the number of deaths among the Indian army at 83, with 493 civilians and Sikh militants killed. While independent estimates place the numbers upwards of 5,000 people, a majority of them pilgrims, including women and children. In addition, the CBI is considered responsible for seizing historical artefacts and manuscripts in the Sikh Reference Library before burning it down. Four months after the operation, on 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in what is viewed as an act of vengeance. Following her assassination, more than 17,000 Sikhs were killed in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Amritsar Operation Blue Star

LOC Budha Theh, LOC Beas, LOC Punjab, LOC Jandiala Guru, LOC Verka Town, LOC Pakistan, LOC Attari, LOC North India, LOC Majha, LOC Chheharta Sahib, LOC Amritsar, LOC Ajnala, LOC Majitha, LOC Rajasansi, LOC Ramdass, LOC Rayya, LOC Baba Bakala

Amritsar is located at 31.63°N 74.87°E / 31.63; 74.87 with an average elevation of 234 metres (768 ft). Amritsar is located in the Majha region of the state of Punjab in North India lies about 15 miles (25 km) east of the border with Pakistan. Administrative towns includes Ajnala, Attari, Beas, Budha Theh, Chheharta Sahib, Jandiala Guru, Majitha, Rajasansi, Ramdass, Rayya, Verka Town and Baba Bakala.

Amritsar Geography

LOC Northwestern India, LOC Rajasansi, LOC Amritsar

Typically for Northwestern India, Amritsar has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen BSh) bordering on a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate (Cwa). Temperatures in Amritsar usually range from 0 to 45 °C (32 to 113 °F). It experiences four primary seasons: winter (December to March), when temperatures can drop to −1 °C (30 °F); summer (April to June), when temperatures can reach 45 °C (113 °F); monsoon (July to September); and post-monsoon (October to November). Annual rainfall is about 726.0 millimetres (28.6 in). The lowest recorded temperature is −3.6 °C (25.5 °F), was recorded on 9 December 1996 and the highest temperature, 48.0 °C (118.4 °F), was recorded on 24 May 2013. The official weather station for the city is the civil aerodrome at Rajasansi. Weather records here date back to 15 November 1947.

Amritsar Climate

LOC Amritsar

As of the 2011 census, Amritsar municipality had a population of 1,132,761 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 1,183,705. The municipality had a sex ratio of 879 females per 1,000 males and 9.7% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 85.27%; male literacy was 88.09% and female literacy was 82.09%. The scheduled caste population is 28.8%

Amritsar Demographics

LOC Amritsar

According to 2011 Census of India, Hinduism is the main religion of the Amritsar city at 49.5% of the population, followed by Sikhism (47.9%), Christianity (1.2%), and Islam (0.5%). Around 0.9% of the population of the city stated 'No Particular Religion' or other religion.Amritsar is the holiest city in Sikhism and about 80 million people visit it each year for pilgrimage.

Amritsar Religion

LOC Amritsar

The city is part of the Amritsar (Lok Sabha constituency).

Amritsar Politics

LOC Punjab, LOC India, ORG Project Virasat, ORG UNESCO, LOC Amritsar

Amritsar is the second-largest city and district of Punjab. It is also one of the fastest-growing cities of Punjab. In the mid-1980s the city was famous for its textile industry. Amritsar’s trade and industry faced a blow during militancy period in 1980s, but there are still many textile mills, knitting units and embroidery factories functional in the city. It is famous for its pashmina shawls, woolen clothes, blankets, etc. Among handicrafts, the craft of the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru in Amritsar district got enlisted on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2014, and the effort to revive this craft under the umbrella of Project Virasat is among India's biggest government-sponsored craft revival programs. Tourism and hospitality have recently become the backbone of local economy due to heavy tourist arrivals. Hundreds of small and some large hotels have sprung up to cater to the increased tourist inflow. Restaurants, taxi operators, local shopkeepers have all benefited from the tourist boom.

Amritsar Economy

LOC Sri Guru Ramdasji International Airport, LOC Amritsar, LOC Punjab, LOC India

Amritsar hosts Sri Guru Ramdasji International Airport. The airport is connected to other parts of India and other countries with direct international flights to cities. The Airport is 12th busiest Airport of India in terms of International Traffic. The Airport serves not only Amritsar, but also many other districts in Punjab and neighbouring states.

Amritsar Air

ORG GMR, LOC Bhagtanwala, LOC Amritsar Central Railway Station, LOC Chheharta, LOC Chheharta Railway Station, LOC Indian State of Punjab, LOC Amritsar, LOC Railway, ORG Northern Railways, ORG Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation, ORG International Airport, ORG Indian Railways

Amritsar Central Railway Station is the main station serving Amritsar. It is the busiest Railway Station in Indian State of Punjab and one of the highest revenue generating station of Northern Railways. Due to high traffic at the Amritsar Central Railway Station, Indian Railways has planned to develop 2 satellite stations-Chheharta and Bhagtanwala, in order to decongest traffic at this station. As many as 6 trains would be shifted to Chheharta Railway Station in the first phase. The Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation has also planned to make the Amritsar Central Railway Station, a world class railway station on lines of International Airport based on PPP Model. The project has received an overwhelming response with bids from 7 private firms, including GMR.

Amritsar Rail

LOC Katra Expressway, LOC National Highway, LOC India, LOC Grand Trunk Road, LOC Jamnagar, LOC NH, LOC G. T Road, LOC Jalandhar, LOC Golden Temple, LOC Delhi, LOC Amritsar, LOC Gujarat, LOC New Delhi, LOC G. T. Road, LOC Amritsar Jamnagar Expressway

Amritsar is located on the historic Grand Trunk Road (G.T Road), also known as NH 1 now renumbered as National Highway 3. An expressway by name of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway at the cost of ₹25,000 crore is approved under Bharatmala scheme which will cut the travel time from Amritsar to New Delhi by road from current 8 hours, to 4 hours. Another expressway, called Amritsar Jamnagar Expressway is under construction which will connect Amritsar to Jamnagar in Gujarat. Additionally, NH 54 (Old NH15), NH 354 and NH 503A connect Amritsar to other parts of state and rest of India. A ring road will also be built surrounding all 4 sides of Amritsar₹ 450,000,000 is being spent to expand the Amritsar-Jalandhar stretch of G.T. Road to four lanes. In 2010, elevated road with four lanes connected to the National highway for better access to the Golden Temple has been started.

Amritsar Road

LOC Golden Temple Jallianwala Bagh, LOC Golden Gate, ORG Guru Nanak Dev University, ORG Tata, LOC India Gate, LOC Amritsar, ORG Durgiana Temple Khalsa College

Amritsar has a bus rapid transit service, the Amritsar Metrobus which was launched on 28 January 2019. 93 fully air-conditioned Tata Marcopolo buses are used for the service connecting places like Golden Temple Jallianwala Bagh Guru Nanak Dev University Golden Gate India Gate, Amritsar Durgiana Temple Khalsa College

Amritsar Amritsar MetroBus

LOC Amritsar

Following cities are Sister Cities of Amritsar:

Amritsar Sister Cities

ORG Spring Dale Senior School, ORG Government Medical College, ORG BBK DAV College for Women, ORG Global Institute, ORG Indian Institute of Management, ORG Shri Ram Ashram Public, ORG St. Francis School, ORG Guru Nanak Dev University Holy Heart Presidency School, ORG Khalsa College, LOC Delhi, LOC Amritsar, LOC Chamiyari, ORG Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, ORG St. Mary ' s Convent school, ORG Khalsa College of Law, ORG D. A. V College D. A. V Public

BBK DAV College for Women, Amritsar D.A.V College D.A.V Public School Delhi Public School, Amritsar Global Institute, Amritsar Government Medical College, Amritsar Guru Nanak Dev University Holy Heart Presidency School, Amritsar Khalsa College, Amritsar Khalsa College of Law Indian Institute of Management, Amritsar Spring Dale Senior School Shri Ram Ashram Public School Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, Amritsar St. Francis School, Amritsar St. Mary's Convent school, Chamiyari, Amritsar

Amritsar Educational institutions

ORG Government Medical College, ORG . Vidyasagar Institute of Mental Health, LOC Sri Amritsar Fortis Hospital, LOC Mall Road, PER Om Parkash, PER Daljit, LOC Amritsar, LOC G. T. Road Medicity, ORG Sri Guru Ram Das University of Health Sciences, LOC Singh, LOC Byepass Amandeep Hospital

Dr. Vidyasagar Institute of Mental Health, a government mental hospital. Government Medical College, Amritsar Sri Guru Ram Das University of Health Sciences, Sri Amritsar Fortis Hospital, Byepass Amandeep Hospital, G. T. Road Medicity, Mall Road Dr. Daljit Singh Eye Hospital Dr. Om Parkash Eye Hospital

Amritsar Medical facilities

PER Dupree, ORG Princeton University Press, PER Louis, LOC Afghanistan

Dupree, Louis (1980). Afghanistan. Princeton University Press.

Amritsar Sources

LOC Anantnag, LOC Jammu, LOC Islamabad, LOC Kashmir, LOC Srinagar

Anantnag (/ə'nʌntna:g/ or /-nɑːg/ listen ), also called Islamabad, is the administrative headquarters of the Anantnag district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located at a distance of 53 kilometres (33 miles) from the union territory's capital Srinagar. It is the third largest city in Jammu and Kashmir after Srinagar and Jammu with an urban agglomerate population of 159,838 and municipal limit population of 109,433.

Anantnag Introduction

PER Marc Aurel Stein, LOC Anantanāga, PER Vishnu, PER Islam Khan, PER Ananta, LOC Anantnag, LOC Islamabad, LOC Kashmir Valley, LOC Anantnag wazarat

The town has been called by both the names Islamabad and Anantnag. The latter is characterised by Marc Aurel Stein as its "Hindu name"."Anantnag" derives from the name of the spring at the southern end of the town, whose sanskrit name Anantanāga was mentioned in the Nilamata Purana and other texts. According to the Gazetteer of Kashmir and Ladak, it is named after Ananta, the great serpent of Vishnu and the emblem of eternity.The name Islamabad is believed to have derived from the name of a Mughal governor Islam Khan who built a garden in the area.Both names are used for the town, Anantnag being preferred by the Hindus and Sikhs while Islamabad is preferred by the Muslims. The locals continue to use the name Islamabad, even though the Indian security forces deployed in the area from 1998 onwards frown on its use.During the Dogra rule, Anantnag/Islamabad was the headquarters of one of Kashmir Valley's three districts, which was referred to as the "Anantnag wazarat".

Anantnag Name

LOC NH 44, LOC Srinagar, LOC Anantnag, LOC NH 1A

Anantnag is located at 33.73°N 75.15°E / 33.73; 75.15, at an elevation of 5,300 feet (1,600 m) above sea level, at a distance of 53 kilometres (33 mi) from Srinagar on NH 44 (former name NH 1A before renumbering of all national highways).

Anantnag Geography

LOC Anantnag, ORG Anantnag Municipal Council

There are three definitions of Anantnag: Anantnag Municipal Council: population in 2011: 109,433, area: 15.72 km2 (6.07 sq mi). Anantnag city including outgrowths: population in 2011: 150,592, area: 37.94 km2 (14.65 sq mi). Anantnag Urban Agglomeration: population in 2011: 159,838, area: 40.44 km2 (15.61 sq mi).Including outgrowths, in 2011 the city's population had 77,508 males (52%) and 72,690 females (48%). There were 25,102 (16.7%) age 0-6: 13,528 males (54%) and 11,574 females (46%). The literacy rate for the people over six was 73.8% (males 81.0%, females 66.2%).

Anantnag Demographics

PER Hilal Ahmed Shah, LOC Anantnag, ORG BJP, ORG Municipal Council Anantnag, ORG Municipal Council, ORG Indian National Congress

The local body for Anantnag is called Municipal Council Anantnag. Anantnag has 25 wards. The local body elections in Anantnag took place in 2018 in which the party Indian National Congress won 20 wards and BJP won 3 wards. The President and Vice President are the elected heads of the Municipal Council. The elections are indirect elections. Hilal Ahmed Shah is the President of Municipal Council Anantnag.

Anantnag Government and politics

LOC Anantnag, PER Sikander Buthshikan, LOC Kashmir, LOC Masjid Baba Dawood Khaki, LOC Kehribal, LOC Mattan, LOC Sun Temple, LOC Martand Sun Temple

Masjid Baba Dawood Khaki is among the oldest mosques in the city, being built around 1400 CE.The Martand Sun Temple is one of the important archaeological sites of Kashmir, built around 500 CE. It temple is situated at Kehribal, 9 km east-north-east of Anantnag and south of Mattan. This famous Sun Temple was destroyed by Ruler namely Sikander Buthshikan of Shahmiri Dynasty.

Anantnag Sites

LOC North - South Corridor Road, LOC Kashmir Valley, LOC Anantnag

In 2010 Anantnag was declared as major City of Export excellence with a total GDP of 3.7 billion $. The high GDP of Anantnag is due to the centralised position and presence of high concentration of troops and migrant labours in it. Anantnag has a strategic position lying on the main North-South Corridor Road and with the highest number of tourist destinations it an economic hub of Kashmir Valley. The city suffered heavily during conflict times of the 1990s; many roads, bridges, and government buildings were reduced to ash. But in the 2000s, it made a quick recovery. It has been listed among 100 fastest economically developing cities.

Anantnag Economy

LOC Kokarnag, LOC Achabal, LOC Anantnag, LOC Doru Shahabad, LOC NH 44, LOC NH 1A, LOC Kashmir, LOC Srinagar, LOC Jawahar Tunnel, LOC Pahalgam, LOC National Highway 44

Srinagar is 53 km from Anantnag on NH 44 (former name NH 1A before renumbering of all national highways). The distances of some other towns from Anantnag are: Achabal 10 km, Kokarnag 23 km, Doru Shahabad 20 km and Pahalgam 39 km. The city is served by National Highway 44. The city is gateway to the Kashmir valley as one side of Jawahar Tunnel opens here.

Anantnag Road

LOC BRML, LOC Anantnag, LOC Baramulla, LOC India, LOC Banihal, LOC BAHL, LOC Qazigund, LOC Srinagar, LOC Kashmir Valley, LOC Pir Panjal, LOC ANT

Anantnag (ANT) is a station on the 119 km (74 mi) long Banihal-Baramulla line that started in October 2009 and connects Baramulla (BRML) and Srinagar to Banihal (BAHL), Qazigund. The railway track also connects to Banihal across the Pir Panjal mountains through a newly constructed 11 km long Banihal tunnel, and subsequently to the Indian railway network after a few years. It takes approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds for a train to cross the tunnel. It is the longest rail tunnel in India. This railway system, proposed in 2001, is not expected to connect the Indian railway network until 2017 at the earliest, with a cost overrun of 55 billion INR. The train also runs during heavy snow across the Kashmir Valley.

Anantnag Rail

ORG Anantnag Industrial Training Institute, ORG Anantnag Government Medical College, ORG Anantnag Al Ahad College of Education, ORG Anantnag Government Polytechnic College Anantnag, ORG Anantnag Government Degree College for Boys, ORG University of Kashmir South Campus, ORG Anantnag Jamia College of Education, ORG Anantnag Government Boys Model Higher Secondary School, ORG Brakpora, ORG Anantnag Government College for Women

There are numerous primary, middle secondary and higher secondary schools in the city. Of the higher education, the following establishments are notable: University of Kashmir South Campus, Anantnag Government Medical College, Anantnag Industrial Training Institute, Anantnag Government Degree College for Boys, Anantnag Government College for Women, Anantnag Government Boys Model Higher Secondary School, Brakpora, Anantnag Al Ahad College of Education, Anantnag Jamia College of Education, Anantnag Government Polytechnic College Anantnag

Anantnag Education

LOC Deccan Traps, PER Satavahana, LOC Khaḍkī, LOC Jama Mosque, LOC Himayat Bagh, LOC Delhi Sultanate, LOC Delhi, LOC Maharashtra, LOC Ajanta, LOC Bibi Ka Maqbara, LOC Panchakki, ORG AURIC, PER Babasaheb Ambedkar, PER Alauddin Khalji, LOC Aurangabad Caves, ORG Industrial City, LOC Ahmadnagar Sultanate, LOC City of Gates, LOC Paithan, LOC Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, PER Muhammad bin Tughluq, LOC Aurangabad, LOC Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, LOC Marathwada, LOC Salim Ali Lake, LOC Grishneshwar Temple, LOC Daulatabad, LOC India, LOC Devagiri Fort, ORG Marathwada University, PER Yadava, LOC Ellora, LOC Dēvagirī

Aurangabad (pronunciation officially known as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, also spelt Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, is a city in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the administrative headquarters of Aurangabad district and is the largest city in the Marathwada region. Located on a hilly upland terrain in the Deccan Traps, Aurangabad is the fifth-most populous urban area in Maharashtra with a population of 1,175,116. The city is known as a major production center of cotton textile and artistic silk fabrics. Several prominent educational institutions, including Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, are located in the city. The city is also a popular tourism hub, with tourist destinations like the Ajanta and Ellora caves lying on its outskirts, both of which have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1983. Other tourist attractions include the Aurangabad Caves, Devagiri Fort, Grishneshwar Temple, Jama Mosque, Bibi Ka Maqbara, Himayat Bagh, Panchakki and Salim Ali Lake. Historically, there were 52 Gates in Aurangabad, some of them extant, because of which Aurangabad is nicknamed as the "City of Gates". In 2019, the Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC) became the first greenfield industrial smart city of India under the country's flagship Smart Cities Mission.Paithan, the imperial capital of the Satavahana dynasty (1st century BCE–2nd century CE), as well as Dēvagirī, the capital of the Yadava dynasty (9th century CE–14th century CE), are located within the limits of modern Aurangabad. In 1308, the region was annexed by the Delhi Sultanate during the rule of Sultan Alauddin Khalji. In 1327, the capital of the Delhi Sultanate was shifted from Delhi to Daulatabad (in present-day Aurangabad) during the rule of Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq, who ordered a mass migration of Delhi's population to Daulatabad. However, Muhammad bin Tughluq reversed his decision in 1334 and the capital was shifted back to Delhi. In 1499, Daulatabad became a part of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate. In 1610, a new city named Khaḍkī was established at the location of modern Aurangabad to serve as the capital of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate by the Ethiopian military leader Malik Ambar, who was brought to India as a slave but rose to become a popular Prime Minister of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate. Malik Ambar was succeeded by his son Fateh Khan, who changed the name of the city to Fatehnagar. In 1636, Aurangzeb, who was then the Mughal viceroy of the Deccan region, annexed the city into the Mughal Empire. In 1653, Aurangzeb renamed the city as "Aurangabad" and made it the capital of the Deccan region of the Mughal Empire. In 1724, the Mughal governor of the Deccan, Nizam Asaf Jah I, seceded from the Mughal Empire and founded his own Asaf Jahi dynasty. The dynasty established the State of Hyderabad with their capital initially at Aurangabad, until they transferred their capital to the city of Hyderabad in 1763. Hyderabad State became a princely state during the British Raj, and remained so for 150 years (1798–1948). Until 1956, Aurangabad remained part of Hyderabad State. In 1960, Aurangabad and the larger Marathi-speaking Marathwada region became a part of the state of Maharashtra.

Aurangabad Introduction

PER Muazzam, LOC Mughal Deccan, LOC Khaḍkī, PER Nizam Ali Khan, LOC Delhi, LOC Mughal Aurangabad, PER Malik Ambar, PER Mirza Rajah Jai Singh, PER Murtaza Nizam Shah II, PER Nizam Shahi, LOC Deccan, PER Nizam al - Mulk, PER Fateh Khan, LOC Khujista Bunyad, PER Aurangzeb, LOC Mughal Empire, LOC Aurangabad, LOC Ahmednagar, LOC Devagiri Fort, PER Asaf Jah, LOC Fatehnagar

Khaḍkī was the original name of the village which was made a capital city by Malik Ambar, the Prime Minister of Murtaza Nizam Shah II, Sultan of Ahmednagar. Within a decade, Khaḍkī grew into a populous and imposing city. Malik Ambar died in 1626. He was succeeded by his son Fateh Khan, who changed the name of Khaḍkī to Fatehnagar. With the capture of Devagiri Fort by the imperial troops in 1633, the Nizam Shahi dominions, including Fatehnagar, came under the possession of the Mughals.In 1653, when Mughal prince Aurangzeb was appointed the Viceroy of the Deccan for the second time, he made Fatehnagar his capital and renamed it Aurangabad. Aurangabad is sometimes referred to as Khujista Bunyad by the chroniclers of Aurangzeb's reign.In 1667 Muazzam, son of Aurangzeb became governor of this province. Before him Mirza Rajah Jai Singh was in-charge of this province for some time.In 1681, after Aurangzeb's coronation as emperor, he shifted his court from the capital city of Delhi to Aurangabad in order to conduct his military campaigns in the Deccan. The presence of Mughal elites in the city led to urban development, as numerous public and private buildings were constructed. Though Aurangzeb chose not to reside in the city after 1684, the city retained importance as the primary military outpost of the Mughal Deccan, attracting wealth and turning Aurangabad into a centre of trade; the manufacture of embroidered silks emerged during this period and is still practiced in Aurangabad today. Mughal Aurangabad was also a cultural hub, serving as an important centre of Persian and Urdu literature. During the Mughal era, Aurangabad had an estimated population of 200,000 people, living in 54 suburbs.In 1724, Asaf Jah, a Mughal general and Nizam al-Mulk in the Deccan region, decided to secede from the crumbling Mughal Empire, with the intention of founding his own dynasty in the Deccan. Aurangabad continued to be politically and culturally significant for the next 40 years as capital of Asaf Jah's new dominion, until his son and successor Nizam Ali Khan Asaf Jah II transferred the capital to Hyderabad in 1763. The loss of Aurangabad's privileged position led to a period of economic decline; by the beginning of the 19th century, the city had become notably underpopulated, leading to the crippling of its administration, and its buildings were in decay. However, Aurangabad would continue to be important as the "second city" of the Nizam's dominions for the remainder of the polity's lifetime.In 1816, the British established a cantonment outside Aurangabad (as they did in other parts of the Nizam's dominions), but were discouraged from entering the city proper by the Nizam's officials. As a princely state under British suzerainty, the Nizam's Hyderabad State was quasi-autonomous, meaning that Aurangabad's culture was somewhat free of colonial influence.Aurangabad began to industrialise in the late 19th century, with the city's first cotton mill being opened in 1889. The population of the city was 30,000 in 1881, growing to 36,000 over the next two decades. Aurangabad was particularly affected by Deccan famines in 1899-1900, 1918, and 1920, causing surges in crime.Following Indian independence, Hyderabad State was annexed into the Indian Union in 1948, and consequently Aurangabad became a part of the Indian Union's Hyderabad State. In 1956, it passed into the newly formed bilingual Bombay State, and in 1960 it became a part of Maharashtra state.Bal Thackeray in 1988 proposed the city to be renamed as Sambhajinagar. The local governing body i.e., City Corporation passed a resolution on name change in 1995. On 29 June 2022, the Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra cabinet approved the renaming of Aurangabad to Sambhaji Nagar, after Sambhaji Bhosale, second Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire.

Aurangabad History

LOC Aurangabad

The co-ordinates for Aurangabad are N 19° 53' 47" – E 75° 23' 54". The city is surrounded by hills on all directions.

Aurangabad Geography

LOC Aurangabad, LOC India

Aurangabad features a semiarid climate under the Köppen climate classification. Annual mean temperatures range from 17 to 33 °C, with the most comfortable time to visit in the winter – October to February. The highest maximum temperature ever recorded was 46 °C (114 °F) on 25 May 1905. The lowest recorded temperature was 2 °C (36 °F) on 2 February 1911. In the cold season, the district is sometimes affected by cold waves in association with the eastward passage of western disturbances across north India, when the minimum temperature may drop down to about 2 °C to 4 °C (35.6 °F to 39.2 °F).Most of the rainfall occurs in the monsoon season from June to September. Thunderstorms occur between November to April. Average annual rainfall is 710 mm. The city is often cloudy during the monsoon season and the cloud cover may remain together for days. The daily maximum temperature in the city often drops to around 22 °C due to the cloud cover and heavy rains.

Aurangabad Climate

LOC Deccan Trap, LOC Sukhana, LOC Kham, LOC Deccan, LOC Aurangabad

The entire area is covered by the Deccan Traps lava flows of Upper Cretaceous to Lower Eocene age. The lava flows are overlain by thin alluvial deposits along the Kham and Sukhana river. The basaltic lava flows belonging to the Deccan Trap is the only major geological formation occurring in Aurangabad. The lava flows are horizontal and each flow has two distinct units. The upper layers consist of vesiculara and amygdaloidal zeolitic basalt while the bottom layer consists of massive basalt. The lava flows are individually different in their ability to receive as well as hold water in storage and to transmit it. The difference in the productivity of groundwater in various flows arises as a result of their inherent physical properties such as porosity and permeability. The groundwater occurs under water table conditions and is mainly controlled by the extent of its secondary porosity i.e. thickness of weathered rocks and spacing of joints and fractures. The highly weathered vesicular trap and underlying weathered jointed and fractured massive trap constitutes the main water-yielding zones. The soil is mostly formed from igneous rocks and is black, medium black, shallow and calcareous types having different depths and profiles.

Aurangabad Geology