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.

====================================================

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.