Bhimavaram is a city mandal under Bhimavaram urban agglomeration in the West Godavari District in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Bhimavaram is also called the "Second Bardoli of India".[1] Mahatma Gandhi coined the name when he visited the town during the freedom movement in India. It is one of the Pancharama Kshetras (Somaramam) in AP state, as it has Someswara Swami temple. It is the aqua capital of the coastal area. Bhimavaram city is a shopping hub in the district for products like jewelry, cloth, seafood, electronics.
According to 2011 statistics, it comes under Bhimavaram Metropolitan comprising Bhimavaram town, Rayalam and Chinamiram villages.[2]
Bhimavaram has many nicknames, being called by Mahatma Gandhi as the "second Bardoli" when he visited the city during the freedom movement in India, the second Mumbai for its economic strength, and the Las Vegas of India due to gambling being popular, especially gambling on cricket, cock-fighting during the festive season of Sankranthi.[3]
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History
Along with much of present-day coastal Andhra Pradesh, Bhimavaram was controlled by the Chola Empire. Under Kulothunga Chola I, Bhimavaram was ruled by his sons who served as viceroys. Various stone inscriptions have been found in the city dating from his reign (c. 1096 C.E.).[4]
Historical places
Bhimavaram is famous for the Gunupudi Someswara (Somarama) temple, which is one of the holy Pancharamas. Built during the 3rd century A.D., the Shiva lingam change its color according to the lunar month (Black at the time of amavasya, White at the time Pournami). Annapurna mata temple is present in the second floor.
Demographics
According to 2011 census, the Bhimavaram metropolitan area has a population of 147,056.,[2] while the city itself has a population of 142,280 with 32,685 households.[5] 70,066 are male and 72,214 are female. Average literacy rate of Bhimavaram city is 83.41 percent of which male and female literacy was 86.87 and 80.07 percent.[6]
Governance
The Bhimavaram Municipality was established in the year 1948.[7] There were many changes after that. One of them is re-division of wards into 39 wards by GO (Government Order) issued by Andhra Pradhesh government.[8]
Few major changes from 1948 onwards:[9][10]
Bhimavaram is an assembly constituency in Andhra Pradesh. There were 194488[11] registered voters in the Bhimavaram constituency in the 2009 elections. The Bhimavaram legislative assembly constituency has been the centre of politics in the West Godavari District since its formation in 1952.[11]
Economy
The Bhimavaram city is located in the middle of the Godavari Delta region and Agro based economy. It is one of the important trade center of Paddy in Andhra Pradesh. The Agro base industries like food processing, Prawn Culture, Rice Mills etc., are the main industries. The city serves as distribution center as well as commercial center, to its hinterland. The city becomes the regional center for higher education and specialized health services.[4]
There are 6 Shopping Malls in the Bhimavaram city.
Reproduced from Wikipedia
