Overview
Annamayya district is one of the districts of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It was carved out as part of a major reorganisation of districts in the state that came into effect on 4 April 2022, when the number of districts in Andhra Pradesh was increased from 13 to 26. The district is named after the 15th-century Telugu saint-composer Tallapaka Annamacharya, popularly known as Annamayya, who is associated with devotional compositions on Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| Region | Rayalaseema |
| Headquarters | Rayachoti |
| Formed | 4 April 2022 |
| Carved from | Parts of the former Kadapa, Chittoor and Anantapur districts |
| Named after | Tallapaka Annamacharya (Annamayya) |
Background
The Government of Andhra Pradesh undertook a reorganisation of the state's administrative geography with the stated aim of bringing administration closer to citizens by aligning districts more closely with parliamentary constituencies. As part of this process, several new districts were created in the Rayalaseema region, including Annamayya district, which was constituted from mandals previously belonging to the undivided Kadapa and Chittoor districts.
Geography
Annamayya district lies in the southern part of Andhra Pradesh, within the Rayalaseema region. It is bordered by other Rayalaseema districts including the present-day YSR district (Kadapa), Tirupati district, Chittoor district and Sri Sathya Sai district, and lies in proximity to the Eastern Ghats. The terrain is largely semi-arid, with rocky hill ranges and seasonal rivers characteristic of the Rayalaseema plateau.
Administration
The district headquarters is located at Rayachoti. Like other districts in Andhra Pradesh, it is administered by a District Collector and Magistrate, supported by a Superintendent of Police and other line department officers. Administratively, the district is divided into revenue divisions and mandals, with prominent towns including Rayachoti, Madanapalle, Rajampet and Pileru.
Economy and society
The district's economy is predominantly agrarian, with crops typical of Rayalaseema such as groundnut, paddy, pulses, and horticultural produce including mango and tomato. Madanapalle and surrounding areas are known for one of the largest tomato markets in South India. Sericulture and dairying also contribute to rural livelihoods. Telugu is the principal language spoken in the district.
Culture and notable places
The district has strong cultural associations with the Tallapaka tradition. Tallapaka, the birthplace of Annamacharya, lies within the district and is a place of pilgrimage. Other notable sites include the Siddhavatam fort area and several temples linked to the Vaishnavite tradition. The town of Madanapalle is historically associated with philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti, who was born there in 1895, and with the Besant Theosophical College.
Transport
The district is served by national and state highways connecting it to Kadapa, Tirupati, Bengaluru and Chennai. Rajampet and Razampeta are important railway nodes on the South Central Railway's Chennai–Mumbai trunk route, while Madanapalle Road station provides rail access in the western part of the district.
Related topics
- Districts of Andhra Pradesh
- Rayalaseema
- Annamacharya
- YSR district
- Tirupati district
- Madanapalle
- Rayachoti
References
- Government of Andhra Pradesh