Overview
Tirupati district is a district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It was formed on 4 April 2022 as part of a wider reorganisation of districts in the state, when the existing thirteen districts were restructured into twenty-six. The district takes its name from its headquarters, the temple city of Tirupati, which is one of the most prominent Hindu pilgrimage centres in India.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| Region | Rayalaseema |
| Headquarters | Tirupati |
| Formed | 4 April 2022 |
| Carved from | Chittoor, Nellore and Kadapa districts |
| Language | Telugu |
Background and formation
The Government of Andhra Pradesh announced the creation of new districts in early 2022, with the stated aim of bringing administration closer to the people by aligning districts more closely with parliamentary constituencies. Tirupati district was constituted by combining areas drawn principally from the former Chittoor district, along with portions of the erstwhile Nellore (SPSR Nellore) and Kadapa (YSR) districts. The reorganisation took effect on 4 April 2022, the Telugu New Year day of Ugadi.
Geography
The district lies in the south-eastern part of Andhra Pradesh, with a coastline along the Bay of Bengal in its eastern parts. It includes the Eastern Ghats range in the form of the Seshachalam and Tirumala hills, which are part of a UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserve. The Swarnamukhi river flows through the district. The terrain ranges from the hills around Tirumala to coastal plains near Srikalahasti and Sullurpeta.
Administration
The district is administered by a Collector and District Magistrate. For revenue administration, it is divided into revenue divisions and mandals, with Tirupati serving as the headquarters. The Tirupati Urban Development Authority oversees planned development around the temple town.
Economy
Tirupati district's economy is closely linked with religious tourism centred on the Sri Venkateswara temple at Tirumala, managed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). The Sriharikota island, which hosts the Satish Dhawan Space Centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), lies within the district and is the principal launch site for India's space programme. Industrial clusters around Sri City, a multi-product special economic zone near Tada, contribute manufacturing investment from Indian and international firms. Agriculture, horticulture and fisheries are also significant.
Notable places
- Tirumala – hill shrine of Sri Venkateswara Swamy.
- Tirupati – temple city and district headquarters, home to Sri Venkateswara University.
- Srikalahasti – Shaivite pilgrimage centre known for the Srikalahasteeswara temple and kalamkari art.
- Sriharikota – ISRO's spaceport on the Bay of Bengal.
- Sri City – integrated business city near Tada.
- Pulicat Lake – brackish water lagoon shared with Tamil Nadu, with a bird sanctuary.
Transport
Tirupati is served by the Tirupati railway station on the South Central Railway and by Tirupati International Airport at Renigunta. National Highway 716 and connections to NH 16 link the district with Chennai, Bengaluru and other parts of Andhra Pradesh.
Education and institutions
The district hosts several major institutions, including Sri Venkateswara University, the Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati, the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing (IIITDM) Kurnool's affiliated facilities, and the Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS).
Related topics
- Tirupati
- Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
- Sriharikota
- Satish Dhawan Space Centre
- Sri City
- Srikalahasti
- Chittoor district
- Districts of Andhra Pradesh
- Rayalaseema
References
- Government of Andhra Pradesh, notification on reorganisation of districts, 2022.
- Wikidata entity Q110714853.