Chittoor District Brief History

Formation of the District :

Chittoor District was constituted on 1st April, 1911 with the admixture of the
Culture and Traditions of three borders states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu and Karnataka. It
then comprised the Taluks of Chittoor, Palamaner and Chandragiri transferred from Old North
Arcot District of Tamilnadu, Madanapalle and Voyalpadu Taluks of Kadapa District and Ex‐
Zamindari areas of Punganur, Srikalahasthi, Puttur and Old Karvetinagar estate. Later, Kangundi
Taluk of North Arcot District excluding 22 villages was transferred to Palamaner Taluk on 1st
December, 1928. This taluk also gained eight villages which were the enclaves of Mysore
(Karnataka) State under the Provinces and States (Absorption of enclaves) Order, 1950. The
next major change in the jurisdiction of the district took place on 1st April, 1960 as a result of
Pataskar Award consequent on the re‐organisation of the state on linguistic basis, a major
portion of Tiruthani Taluk was transferred to Chengalpattu district of Tamilnadu. Instead one
Taluk known as Sathyavedu comprising 76 villages of Tiruvallur Taluk, 72 villages of Ponneri
Taluk both of Chengalpattu District of Tamilnadu and 17 villages of Puttur Taluk, 19 villages of
Tiruttani Taluk were added to Chittoor District. Also from the same date, the Sub‐Taluks of
Kuppam and Bangarupalem were constituted transferring 220 villages from Palamaner Taluk
and Three villages from Krishnagiri Taluk of Salem District of Tamilnadu to form Kuppam Sub‐
Taluk and 145 villages from Chittoor Taluk to form Bangarupalem Sub‐Taluk. Subsequently,
Kuppam and Bangarupalem were made full fledged taluks. The taluks of the district were re‐
organised into 66 Revenue Mandals in 1985. Again the District re‐organised with 31 Mandals
and 4 Revenue Divisions on 4th April, 2022.

Topography and Boundaries :

The district derives its name from Chittoor, its headquarters town. It is located
between the Northern Latitudes of 120‐44’‐42" and 130‐39’‐21" and between the Eastern
Longitudes 780‐2’‐2" and 790‐41’52". It is bounded on the east by Tirupati District of Andhra
Pradesh and Tamilnadu State, on the west by Annamayya District and Karnataka State, on the
North by Annamayya and Tirupati Districts of Andhra Pradesh and on the south by Tamilnadu
State. It is with an area of 6859 Square Kilometers which accounts for 4.21 percent of the total
area of the state. The general elevation of the mountainous part of the district is 2500 feet
above sea level. The Chennai & Bangalore cities are located in 150 Kms. and 165 Kms.
respectively to Chittoor Town. The District has good business and marketing for Mango, Tomato
and Other Products.

Boundaries of the District:

The district is bounded by the following places and features on all the four sides.
East : Tirupati District & Tamilnadu State
West : Annamayya District and Karnataka State
North : Annamayya and Tirupati Districts
South : Tamilnadu State

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Natural Divisions :
Geographically, the district can be divided into four natural divisions with
divisional head quarters at Chittoor, Nagari, Palamaner and Kuppam and 31 mandal parishads
also existing in the District. A total of 697 Gram Panchayats are in position comprising all
notified & non‐notified Panchayats. There is 1 (one) Municipal Corporation at Chittoor and 4
(four) Municipalities at Nagari, Puttur, Palamaner & Kuppam. They are the plains on the east
and mountainous plateau on the west. The plains on the east comprises the mandals of
Karvetinagar, Vedurukuppam, S.R.Puram, Palasamudram, Nagari, Nindra, Vijayapuram. The
mountainous plateau on the west comprises the mandals of Rompicherla, Pulicherla, Sodum,
Somala, Palamaner, Gangavaram, Peddapanjani, Punganur, Chowdepalle, Baireddipalle,
Kuppam, Gudupalle, V.Kota, Santhipuram, Ramakupam, Chittoor, G.D.Nellore, Puthalapattu,
Penumur, Gudipala, Yadamari, Thavanampalle and Irala mandals stand almost as dividing line
between the four natural divisions of the district. Nagari hills are located in the Eastern parts of
district.
Climate :

The Climate of the district is dry. The upland mandals

are comparatively cooler than the eastern mandals
except Chittoor where the climate is moderate.

Rainfall :
The district has the benefit of receiving rainfall during both the South‐West and
North‐East Monsoon periods. While the Normal Rainfall of the district for the South‐West
Monsoon period is 458.7 mms. and for the North‐East Monsoon period is 352.3 mms. The
Rainfall received during the Winter Period and Hot Weather Period is negligible, their respective
normals being 7.7 mms. and 96.1 mms. The Annual Normal Rainfall of the district is 914.8 mms.
The Rainfall received from the South‐West Monsoon is more copious compared to the North‐
East Monsoon in the Western Mandals and in the Central Part of the district, where as the
rainfall received from North‐East Monsoon is comparatively copious in the Eastern Mandals of
the District.

Rivers :
The rivers flowing in the district are non‐perennial in
nature in that they dry for a major part of the Year.
Of these rivers, river Ponnai rises in East – while
Chittoor Taluk and flowing towards South, joins the
river Palar in Tamilnadu. Other important rivers of
the district are the Neeva & Kusasthali which flow in
different mandals of the district. Besides, the above
river, there are a number of small hilly streams
flowing in the district.

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Soils :
The major portion of the district is covered by red soils with portions of Alluvial
soil in Chittoor and Bangarupalem erstwhile taluks. According, to an assessment made on the
basis of village records, 57% of the soils of the district are red loamy and 34% red sandy. The
remaining 9% is covered by Black Clay (3%), Black Loamy (2%), Black Sandy (1%) and Red Clay
(3%).

Land Utilisation :
The land utilization pattern in the district is Forest‐1,86,605 Hectares, barren and
un‐cultivable land‐85,375 Hectares, Land put to non‐agricultural use – 71,403 Hectares,
Permanent Pastures and Other Grazing Lands – 10,699 Hectares, Miscellaneous Tree Crops –
11,797 Hectares, Net Area sown – 1,87,133 Hectares, Total Geographical Area – 6,85,898
Hectares, Total Cropped Area – 2,09,983 Hectares.

Irrigation :
There is one medium irrigation project, i.e
Krishnapuram Reservoir Project in the district. The
total registered ayacut under this project is 2,479
Hectares. There are 4,303 minor irrigation tanks with
a total ayacut of 46,902 Hectares. The district
occupies a pride place in the number of irrigation
wells (Ground Water) totaling to 89,148. The
upcoming Major Irrigation Project is Galeru Nagari
Sujala Sravanthi with Project ayacut of 1,03,500
Hectares.

Pre‐History :
The district abounds in several pre‐historic sites. The surface finds discovered
are assigned to special stages in the progress of civilization. The Neolithic tools are unearthed
near Bangarupalem only.

Political History :
The Political History of the district commences with the Mauryas in 4th Century
B.C. The district of Chittoor was not a homogeneous administrative unit upto 1911 A.D. Its
component parts were under the control of various principal dynasties at different periods of
times, namely, the Mauryas, Satavahanas, Pallavas, Chalukyas of Badami, Rashtrakutas, Cholas,
Pandyas, Royal of Vijayanagara, Qutub Shahis, Mughals, Asof Jahis, Marathas, Hyder Ali and Tipu
of Mysore, and the British, besides minor dynasties such as the Renande Cholas, Banas,
Vaidumbas, Nolambas, Western Gangas, Yadavas, Telugu Cholas, Matlis, Uttama Chola Ganga,
Andiyaman, Siyaganga rulers, Nawabs of Kadapa and Arcot. The Zamindars of Karvetinagar,
Punganur and Kangundhi also ruled over this district.

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Important leaders in Freedom Struggle :
Chittoor District figures quite predominantly in the contribution it made to the
liberation from British imperialist rule. Panapakam Anandacharyulu, native of Chittoor attended
the first session of the Indian National Congress held at Bombay in 1885. He presided the
annual session of the Congress held at Nagpur in 1891. The people of the district actively
participated in Swadeshi Campaign, Home Rule Movement, Non Co‐operation Movement,
Khaddar Movement, Salt Satyagraha and Quit India Movement. The most important leaders
who participated in the freedom struggle against the British are Ananda Charyulu, D.Srinivasa
Iyyengar, R.B.Ramakrishna Raju, T.C.Rajan, etc.
Historical Temples / Pilgrimage Centres :
Pre‐historic sites, Megoliths, ancient cities, Forts and Temples placed the
Chittoor Distirct at high place in Indian History. Large number of Temples were constructed in
the district during Pallava, Chola and Vijayanagar Periods. Among these the most important are
1.Sri Varasiddi Vinayakaswamy Temple – Kanipakam, 2.Sri Mogileswara Temple – Mogili, 3.Sri
Anjaneya Temple – Arthagiri, 4.Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy Temple – Vepenjeri, 5.Sri Kasi
Visweshara and Sri Annapurneshwari Temple‐Bugga Agraharam, 6.Sri Venugopala Swamy
Temple – Karvetinagar 7.Sri Kolandeswara Temple‐Kattamanchi, 8.Sri Kodanda Rama and
Eswara Temples – Chittoor, 9.Sri Neelakanteswara Temple – Laddigam, 10.Sri Kalikamba,
Venugopal and Virupaksha Temples – Kangundi Fort etc. The hero stones in the district are
larger in number when compared to other districts in Andhra Pradesh. The important tourist
centres in the district are Kanipakam, Arthagiri, Puligundram, Koundinya and Palamaner is
regarded as “Poor man’s Ooty”.

1. Kanipakam :

Kanipakam is situated at a distance of 15 Kms. away

from Chittoor. There are three temples in this village.
Of these three, Sri Varasiddi Vinayakaswamy Temple is
attracting the people of different regions. The image of
Asina (sitting) Ganapathi in the Garbhagriha is of peculiar
disposition.

2. Sri Mogileswara Temple :

This temple is popularly known as Dakshina Kailasam

and has sculpture work. The presiding deity in this
temple is of Lord Shiva that was founded by Mogilliappa
and placed under Mogili tree. There will be a famous
festival called Sivarathri which is celebrated in two
weeks this festival comes in between February and
march people comes from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
and Karnataka.

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 3. Arthagiri :
The name Ardhagiri came from an incident related
to Treta Yuga, when Lord Hanuman was trans‐
porting dronagiri Mountain (mountain that consists of
herbs for life), in night time bharat brother of lord
ram thought that some mountain is going to hurt;
immediately he shot an arrow on hanuman. Due to its
effect, half of the mountain fell down at this place and
hence, the name Ardhagiri. In the local language, it
means Half Mountain (Ardhra=half, giri=mountain).
From then, people started worshipping hanuman in the
name of Veera Anjaneya Swamy.
4. Vepenjeri :
Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy Temple Vepanjeri is an
ancient vaishnavite shrine. Here, Goddess Lakshmi
sits on the left thigh and faces towards Lakshmi
Narayana Swamy. Another interesting view, A statue
near temple, which is of 21 feet tall, sculpted in a
single stone depicted with the 10 incarnations of Lord
Maha Vishnu. Interesting part of this temple is, that
Asta Lakshmi Temples were built in a lotus structure,
surrounding Lakshmi Naryana Swamy Temple and
Kubera Lakshmi Temple.
5. Buggaagraharam :
Sri Kasi Visweshara and Annapurneshwari Temple is
located on the banks of Kusasthali river at Bugga
Agraharam of Nagari Mandal, 56 Kms. from Tirupati.
The main deity is Sri Kasi Visweshara Swamy, with
consorts Sri Annapurna & Sri Kamakshi Devi. The
origin of the water in the pit and the water passing
through the channels is not known to anybody even
today. There are small shrined constructed and
dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Lord Kaalabhairava,
Navagrahas and Naaga Kanyas (Sculptured twisted
snakes etc.) also kept in the temple.
6. Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple :
Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple is situated in
Karvetinagar which is 53 km from Chittoor Town and
48 km from Tirupati. The main temple tower is very
tall with beautiful carvings leading to a spacious
temple front yard. There is a step well beside the
temple. The main deity of the temple is Sri Krishna as
Venugopala Swamy with a cow behind and flanked by
his two consorts Rukmini Ammavaru and Sri
Satyabhama Ammavaru attracts the devotees very
much. There is a pot of butter just near Sri Krishna’s
feet. Lord Sri Krishna temple renowned as the Sri Venugopalaswamy Temple and its an ancient
temple. It is the only Krishna temple located in the vicinity of Tirupati, which represents the

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childhood of Lord Krishna. The main deity Statue is carved from one single rock. Sri Venugopala
Swamy Temple was once maintained by the Narayanavanam Rulers but now the temple is
maintained by Tirumala Tirupati Devastanam (TTD).

Thirthas & Waterfalls :

The most attractive water falls in the district are Kaigal, Nagari Water,
Sadasivakona and etc.,
Kaigal Waterfalls :

Kaigal Waterfalls is located 6 Kms. away from

Baireddipalle and 80 Kms. away from Chittoor Town.
Thousands of tourists from Tamilnadu, Karnataka and
Andhra Pradesh visit this place.

Arts & Culture :

The famous art in the district is “Veedhi Natakam”.

From ancient times to till date. Kangundhi of Kuppam
Mandal is famous for “Veedhi Natakas”. The important
arts that are enacted are Kolatam, Chekka Bhajanas,
Pandari Bhajanas, Rambhajana, Gariga Nrutyam, Gobbi
Nrutyam, Jakki Nruthyam, Koyyabommalata, Tholu
Bommalata, Dommarata, Gangireddu Aata, Pagati
Veshalu, Modi, Elugubanti Vesham, Puli Vesham,
Nemalla Aata, Kavadi Nruthyam, Thappita Gatalu, Keelu
Gurralu etc.,

Arts :
The famous art centres in the district are Terrakotas figures‐Palamaner and
Chowdepalle‐Bronze images etc.

Artists :
The important artists in the district are Chittoor Nagaiah, A.M.Raja,
G.Krishnaveni @ Jikki, R.B.Ramakrishna Raja, N.Sreeramulu, A.Hanumantha Rao,
P.Narasimhaiah, Dhikshitu Dasu, A.Krishna Rao, P.Nagesam, Y.V.Reddy, Iruvaram Lokanadham,
P.Gopala Krishna, Pulikanti Krishna Murthy etc.,

Culture :
Different associations in the district worked for the progress of Dance, Music and
Action. R.B. Ramakrishna Raju of Karvetinagar was appointed as first president in 1957 for
“Sangeetha Nataka Academy”.

Music :
In the field of Music, Chittoor Subrahmanyam Pillai, Uppa Dhadiyam
Subrahmanyam, K.Veera Raghavulu, V.Jayaram, Venkataramana, Vijayam, Singarayya,
Sarangapani and Others are famous in the District.

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Education :
Education sector plays an important role for Socio Economic Development of the
society at large. The Government have been investing huge amounts on creating education
infrastructure including recruitment of teachers in all categories. Because of these constructive
measures, the literacy rate has been phenomenally increased to 69.62% a little above the State
literacy at 67.35%. The existing infrastructure viz., Primary, Upper Primary, High Schools besides
others is furnished hereunder comprehensively.

University :

Dravidian University‐Kuppam is located Agaram Village

of Gudupalle Mandal in this District. The first high school
in the district was PCR High School which was started at
Chittoor in 1856.

Medicine :
There are Three Medical Colleges in Chittoor District
under Private Sector
1) PES Medical College, Kuppam is located at Beggipalle
(V) of Gudupalle Mandal.
2) RVS Medical College is located at Muthirevula (V) of
Puthalapattu Mandal and
3) Apollo Institute Of Medical Sciences & Research is
located at Murakambattu (V) of Chittoor Mandal.
The district is also famous for hospitals like Apollo
Hospital at Aragonda (V) and CMC at Cheelapalle (V) in
Gudipala (M).

Commerce :

The District is famous for Mangoes‐Chittoor, Tamarind‐

Punganur, Tomato‐Punganur, Peddapanjani, Jaggery‐
Chittoor.

Industries :
In the field of Dairy, the district stood first in the state. The district is famous
also for Silk, Granite industries.

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Poets & Versatile Personalities :
Poets :
The modern poets of the districts are Kattamanchi Ramalinga Reddy,
B.Munaswamy Naidu, P.Anandacharyulu, K.Jayaram Pillai, K.Shobha, G.N.Reddy, Puthalapattu
Sreeramulu Reddy, R.S.Sudarsanam, Mallela Guruvayya, K.Linganna, Srinivasa Brothers,
P.Krishna Reddy, K.Sadananda etc.,

Versatile Personalities:
Dr.Sarvepalle Radhakrishna :

Sarvepalle was a Philosopher, Poet, Politician and best speaker in English and
Telugu. He worked as Professor at Madras, Mysore, Andhra and Oxford Universities. He served
as Vice‐President from 1949‐52 and as a President from 1962‐67. He was awarded with
Bharatha Rathna.
Kattamanchi Ramalinga Reddy:
He was born at Kattamanchi near Chittoor in 1880. He introduced many reforms
in the field of Education in 1918 as Mysore Govt. Education Officer. He served as Legislator for
Chittoor in 1923 and later as Vice‐Chancellor of Andhra University. He also actively participated
in Freedom Struggle.
B.Munaswamy Naidu :
He worked as Chief Minister of the Composite Madras State and he belongs to
Chittoor District.
A.M. Raja :
Famous Playback Singer of G.Krishnaveni @ Jikki is the wife of A.M.Raja who
belongs to Chittoor District.
Chittoor Nagaiah :
Though born at Repalle in Guntur District, Nagaiah settled at Chittoor and
enacted many plays at Ramavilas Sabha, Chittoor and in cinema field also he is famous and he is
the first person to get Padmasree award in South Indian Cine field.

National Awardees from Chittoor District :

PADMA VIBHUSHAN :

Dr.Pratap C. Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Group of Hospitals in the Year 2010.

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