Greater Rayalaseema

The Greater Rayalaseema () sub-region consists of Six Southern districts of the Andhra Pradesh state in India. Some Sections of Political leaders from Rayalaseema created a new term called Greater Rayalaseema.They demanding to include Prakasam and Nellore districts of Coastal Andhra to merge with Rayalaseema to form Greater Rayalaseema.
Geography
The Greater rayalaseema region comprises:
* Anantapur district
* Chittoor district
* Kurnool district
* Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district
* YSR district
* Prakasam district
Nellore is a coastal district was part of Andhra before and after independence.
Prakasham is a New district carved out of three taluks of Guntur District, i.e. Addanki, Chirala and Ongole, four taluks of Nellore district, i.e. Kandukur, Kanigiri, Podili and Darsi and three taluks of Kurnool district i.e. Markapur, Cumbum and Giddaluru. As per 6-point formula and Presidential order(page 21), Districts of Chittoor, Cuddapah, Anantapur and Kurnool are in zone IV. Other than this there is no mention of Rayalaseema in official documents. Its generally assumed that only these 4 districts are part of Rayalaseema. But rarely we hear from Rayalaseema leaders that Nellore district also part of Rayalaseema. But never heard it from any of the Nellore leaders.
Tamil Nadu State flanks in the south and Karnataka state in west while Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh and Mahbubnagar district of Telangana bounds it on the north and Bay of Bengal on the East. Nellore is the biggest city of Greater Rayalaseema and Tirupati the largest pilgrimage centre of world is located in this region in Chittoor district
Major cities and towns in the region
* Tirupati, Kurnool, Kadapa, Anantapur, Chittoor, Nellore, Ongole
* Other major towns in the region are Adoni, Nandyala, Hindupur, Dharmavaram, Guntakal, Tadipatri, Proddatur, Madanapalli, Sricity, Srikalahasti, Markapur, Chirala, Gudur, Kavali
Education
JNTU is the top university in Rayalaseema region, some of the best engineering colleges in Greater Rayalseema include SVNE located 15 km away from Tirupati, RGMCET located at Nandyal, G Pulla reddy located at Kurnool, NBKR and Narayana College of Engg located in Nellore district. SV University is located in Tirupati which is considered to be a hub for education in Greater Rayalaseema.
Greater Rayalaseema universities including
*Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati
*Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam, Tirupati
*Sri Venkateswara Vedic University, Tirupati
*Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, Tirupati
*Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati
*IIT Tirupati
*IISER Tirupati
*Sri Sathya Sai University, Puttaparthi
*Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur
*JNTU Anantapur
*JNTU Pulivendula
*Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa
*Rayalaseema University, Kurnool
*Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kurnool
*Dravidian University, Kuppam
*Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, Srisailam
*Vikrama Simhapuri University, Nellore
Sources of Economy
Greater Rayalaseema is rich in minerals - Asbestos, Barytes, China clay, Calcite, Dolomite, Diamonds, Green Quartz, Iron ore, Lime stone and Silica sand. It also has rich forest wealth like the rare Red sandalwood which is highly economical, and main revenue source for the state, and other forest sources include non timber resources, medicinal plants etc. The region has the TTD board, the richest religious board in the country. Gudur in Nellore district is largest Mica producer in India.
Tourism
Tirumala being one of the largest pilgrimage centre in World attracts lakhs of pilgrimis every year. Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple is a landmark vaishnavite temple across India.
Mallikarjuna swamy templ, Srisailam This temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples dedicated to Lord Siva. Earlier, it was called Srigiriis, the templ is on the flat top of Nallamala Hills. Also there are many pilgrim sites across Greater rayalaseema.
Apart from these there are beautiful Beaches on coast of Bay of Bengal in Nellore and Prakasham Dists
Transport
Air
At present there are two commercial airports in Greater rayalaseema at Kadapa and Tirupati. New airports are being planned at Kurnool and Nellore. Puttaparti airport is of Private use
Road
There is good road connectivity in this region. NH 5, NH 7, Golden Quadrilateral passes through this regionrecentra Central Ministry announced Guntur-Kurnool national highway which is a boon to backward areas of Prakasham and Kurnool districts
Rail
The railway lines in this region comes under Guntakal railway division and Vijayawada railway division of south Central railway.
 
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