Tagarapuvalasa: Ancient Commercial Center on NH5

Tagarapuvalasa is a Historical commercial Junction near the city of Vizag along the NH5 in Bhimili mandal of Visakha district.It is located at a distance of 28KM north to the city of Visakhapatnam on the NH5 towards Kolkata.

This town of tagarapuvalasa is a part of the Triplet Towns of

Sanghivalasa

Chittivalasa

Tagarapuvalasa

History:

Some evidences of history about this town are as follows:

It bears an important historic prominence from the Buddhist time nearly 2000 years ago, due to the spotted Buddhist ruins (Brick structure ruins of Stupa's and others) on the riverside hillocks north of the town Tagarapuvalasa. Hamlet of Gudivada (Dubasi). This Buddhist site lies undocumented till date.

 The Rock-cut steps towards the river on the hillock at Gudivada near Chittivalasa.

The below snap is of the possible Buddhist mound on the hillock.

 

Excavations are yet to be done at this possible remnant Buddhist sites of Tagarapuvalasa by the state archaeology people. This town would have been an important trade centre during the BC times through the river Gosthani and seaways at Bhimili.

There are some stone inscriptions on a hillock in the center of the town (locally known as Satyanarayana gutta). There is an old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva on the hill. there are two small hillocks other than this one in tagarapuvalasa, this town is situated on the banks of river Gosthani.

Two temples may be dated back to some 100 years or 150 years from now are located on these hillocks (near sanghivalasa and tagarapuvalasa), this town must have flourished in the reign of Vizianagaram Kingdom, which is 18km from here.

writings on steps to the hillock temple of satyanarayana swamy at tagarapuvalasa

A View of River Gosthani at Tagarapuvalasa

The famous Padmanabham temple is near to this town. World famous Tourist Spot Bhimili is the counterpart Municipal town of Tagarapuvalasa.

There is a post Office in Chittivalasa. Postal code is 531162.

Agriculture Fields near to tagarapuvalasa

Hilltop Lord Shiva Temple at Tagarapuvalasa

This town consits of a Jute mill by name "Chittivalsa Jute mill", The Jutemill is under Lockout presently. Tagarapuvalasa is emerging out as a commercial town in Visakha district.

Young Explorers Mr. Pranav & Mr. Naveen during the Buddhist site exploration at Gudivada Dibba near Tagarapuvalasa

City buses (Metro & Ordinary) run from

Vizag RTC Complex to Tagarapuvalasa (Route no: 222) is a heavy rush route in Vizag sub-urbs

Panchadharla and Dhanadibbalu

1. Panchadharla Kshetram at Dharapalem

Sri Uma Dharmalingeswara Swamy, Dharapalem

Rambilli Taluk, Visakha District Andhra Pradesh

This village ( Dharapalem) is situated at a distance of about 10 kms. North East of Yelamanchili and 24 kms. From Anakapalli & 30 Kms from Vizag Steel Plant(via Atchutapuram). It is located on the Atchutapurm-Yelamanchili Road. We need to get down at Dharapalem village and walk towards the hill to reach the temple.

This place derived its name from the five Jets of water coming out of five fountains which receive their supplies from a natural perennial spring. Near by there is lingam on which are carved other lingams in 12 rows of 85 each and which is consequently known as the Kotilingam or Crore of lingams. Many people take a holy dip in the koneru of the panchadarla and worship Dharmalingeswara swamy.

The temple has a history of nearly 600 years, the stone carved mandapas on the 3 sides of the temple would remind us of architecture of kakatiya dynasty. The stone used for the construction of the temple may be from the beside hills along the Eastern ghats. The pillars on the temple are carved with beautiful images of Hindu Gods.

The main temple of Sri Dharmalingeswara Swamy at Panchadharla

The entrance of main temple

There are several inscriptions on the pillars of the Mandapam in the temple and two of them dated in AD 1407 and 1428 contain a genealogy of chiefs who claimed Eastern Chalukya ancestry and bore the Eastern Chalukya titles of Sarvalokasraya and Vishnu Vardana.

This temple is presently maintained under the endowments Department of Andhra Pradesh Government.

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2. Dhana Dibbalu & Pandavula Guha, Kotturu

(Buddhist Remains site)

Rambilli taluk, Visakha District of Andhra Pradesh

This is an ancient Buddhist remain site with a Maha Stupa and Remains of Vihara's along with a small portion of rock cut cave used by Buddhist monks.(1ST century BC to 2ND century AD) on the hill entrance to the Gokivadu forest area. It lies along the Left banks of river Sarada.

This place is locally known as "Dhanadibbalu"

Still excavations are to be done by the archeology department at this site to excavate the viharas and minor edicts. Small rock cisterns are present very near to the Maha stupa, which is at the entrance of the hillock and at a further distance one can see the ruined mounds of Vihara with scaterred bricks. From there we can reach the rock-cut caves with small (nearly 5) portions (locally known as pandavula guha, due to the resemblance with the number of accommodation in the cave)

Many of the bricks of the stupa and vihara are presently used by the locals(ignorant about the importance of this heritage site and lack of Vigilance).

There is a fencing around the remains site presently and a garden is being maintained by the archeology dept. with a sign board.

Rural Andhra Pradesh

These are some of the glimpses of rural areas of Andhra Pradesh

1. The above is a snapshot of a rural mud road near a village of east godavari district in AP.

2. The above is a shot of a field canal at a village near Jonnada village of Vizianagaram Dist.

3. A canal water filled with waterweeds near a village of bhimili mandal in visakha dist.

4. The view of Draksharamam temple in East Godavari Dist.

5. A scenic evening view of a village pond in North Andhra Pradesh

Glimpses of Visakha District - 3

The above map gives the details of the spots or areas where I got the photos captured in Visakha District. Mostly in the north eastern parts of the district and Visakhapatnam city.

1. A view of Madhuravada Dome section of Eastern Ghats (EGMB) from NH5 at Boyapalem village in Visakha dist, Gambeeram gedda reservoir is located in midst of those hills.

2. Mango gardens near Tallavalasa village of Visakha dist on a rainy day, looks like a tropical scrub wet lands.

3. The way to Bhimili beach.

4. A scenic Sunset view from the Lake at Peddipalem on a cloudy evening in Visakha dist, seems to me like a beautiful location.

5. The view of clouds on the Simhachalam hill range from Vizag City.

6. The noon sand dunes on the shore at RK beach of Visakhapatnam.

Glimpses of Visakha District - 2

Some more glimpses of the city Visakhapatnam and its surroundings in the district.

1. The above is a snapshot taken in the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park at Visakhapatnam. It is a pond inside the Zoo park. It seems like an Amazon Tropical water body.

2. In general people view lawsons bay from the top of kailshagiri hill in Vizag, I got a snapshot captured reverse to it, a view of Kailashagiri hill from Lawsons bay point.

3. View of Sunset from the Steps way of Simhahalam hill, I alos captured the dead creeper along the wires side of the steps way.

4. The view is captured from a moving auto at Sontyam village. Nice view of Scattered clouds backdrop.

5. An overview of Visakhapatnam railway station from a footover bridge. The Simhachalam hill range is visible far away in this photo.

Glimpses of Visakha District - 1

The beautiful coastal city Visakhapatnam located in between the eastern ghats, The 2nd largest city of Andhra Pradesh. with an area of 550 km². It is primarily an industrial city, apart from being a port city. It is also home to the Eastern Naval Command. Visakhapatnam has seen rapid development in the past decade. Some of the Glimpses (snapshots by me) from the city and its surrounding areas in the district are posted here in this post. Enjoy :)

1. This is a capture of Vizag-Bhimili (25km) beach road near Rushikonda beach, one of the most beautiful beaches of India. It is a nice trip along the beach road for 30 minutes ride on a bike.

2. The lonely beach at Bhimili on a rainy day, Bhimili is called Bhimunipatnam and is 25 km from Visakhapatnam city, it is a nice tourist spot, the river Gosthani Confluences into Bay of Bengal at Bhimili.

3. A lush green field near a village called Peddipalem in Bhimili mandal of North east Visakha district. This snapshot is taken while my travel to banks of river Gosthani.

4. A view of Eastern Ghats above the fields on the way to Devarapalli town in Visakha District. There is a Drinking water reservoir behind those hills named Raivada reservoir, which serves the water purposes of Visakhapatnam City. I captured this shot from a moving bus.

5. An early morning view of National Highway (NH5) at Vellanki village in Anandapuram mandal of visakha district, the road leads to Kolkata. You can observe an old dead tree in between the dividers of the highway.

6. A scenic view of the pond in Kambalakonda eco tourism park located opposite to Zoo park in Visakhapatnam, a cool point for lovers, but an excellent experience for nature lovers, must visit during winter to summer. Snapshot was taken while boating in the pond.

7. The above picture is taken at Tenneti park (VUDA beach park) in Vizag on a fine winter morning, I rushed from my hotel room early to capture the beautiful Sunrise snaps at the beach. This is one of them.

Bhimili Beach: Unexplored - 2

Bhimili Beach

Bhimunipatnam Taluk, Visakhapatnam Dist.

Andhra Pradesh, INDIA

Bhimili Beach: Unexplored - 1

Bhimili Beach

Bhimunipatnam Taluk, Visakhapatnam Dist.

Andhra Pradesh, INDIA

Bhimili (Bhimunipatnam) is a beach towards north of Vizag about 25km, it is the oldest municipality in India. Recently completed its 150th year.

The Dutch Monuments are famous at this place, they devoleped a sea port at this area, it was ruined later.

River Gosthani confluences into the bay of bengal at this place.

There is an ancient Lord Narasimha Temple on the hillock at this town of Bhimili. The name of this town is known to be derived from the battle of Bhimasena and Hidimbasura during dwapara yuga according to Mahabharata epic.

I Captured some shots of the unexplored parts of Bhimili. Will be updating my blog with those beautiful captures again in 2nd post.