Rayalaseema (Telugu: ???????)is a geographic region in the state of Andhra pradesh in India. It includes the districts of Kurnool, Kadapa (formerly known as Cuddapah), Anantapur, Chittoore, parts of Prakasam and Nellore districts. Bellary district of the present day Karnataka was part of Rayalaseema till the states were reorganized. The usage of the word and identification to a geographic area is relatively recent (early 20th century).
History :
Rayalaseema was the original home of Eastern Chalukyas. They gradually extended their sway over Karnata country because of the pressure from Cholas kings. Although Rayalaseema is a small region compared to the rest of Telugu speaking regions, its contribution to Telugu, Urdu, arts, culture and literature is immense.

Culture :

The foremost amongst the Trilingas, Srisailam, is in Rayalaseema. The first settlement of Telugus is said to be in Rayalaseema Region. The oldest written inscription ShilaShaasanam bearing the word Andhra Pathamu has been found in Bellary region (present day Karnataka).

Literature :

Telugu culture reached its zenith during the Vijayanagara rule under Sri Krishnadevaraya. Amongst Ashta Diggajas, Allasani Peddana, Dhoorjati, Nandi Timmana, Maadayyagari Mallana and Ayyalaraju RamaBhadrudu are from this region. Renowned poets like Vemana, Sri Potuluri Virabrahmendra Swami from Anantapur amd Kadapa district played a great role in educating the common people through their literary works. It is also claimed by some experts that Pothana, who penned Andhra Mahabhagavatham, was actually born at Ontimitta village of Kadapa District. Recent notable scholar from the region is Saraswati Putra Puttaparthi Narayanacharyulu. Ghadiyaram Ramakrishna Sharma, a prolific author, historian and social reformer has settled in Alampuram near Kurnool. Sri Ramakrishna Sharma is responsible for restoration of the ancient Jogulamba temple. He is also treated as a bridge between Rayalaseema and Telangana. Kuntimaddi Sesha Sarma from Anathapuram area was a prolific author in Vishisthadwaita related subjects. The great Indian philosopher and spiritual teacher Jiddu krishnamurthy and Sir Cattamanchi Ramalinga Reddy - a renowned essayist, poet and educationist are from this region. Notable Urdu Literary personalities from this region, Qaisi Qamarnagari, Kareem Roomani, Barq Kadapavi, Ahmadnisar Madanapalle, Qamar Ameeni, Abdul Azeem, Saghar Jayyadi, Sathar Faizi, N.M.Jalib Saaqui Kadapa.

Politics :

Rayalaseema is underdeveloped compared to the Coastal Andhra region of the state. The growing movement in Telangana to secede from Andhra Pradesh, as well as southern India's long droughts have caused several movements to coalesce around Rayalaseema's grievances. All of these movements are calling for greater official attention for the region, especially in the form of new water projects to harness the Krishna and Godavari rivers to the aid of the region's beleaguered farmers. people of rayalaseema hope to unite the Rayalaseema movements, advocates the inclusion of Nellore and Prakasam districts of Coastal Andhra and even the Kannada-speaking district of Bellary in Karnataka into a separate Rayalaseema state. Various organizations like Rayalaseema Hakkula Ikya Vedika untiringly promoted by Sri T G Venkatesh are demanding the establishment of second capital in Kurnool. Kurnool is an important city in the Rayalaseema region. It was the Capital of Andhra State from 1 October 1953 to 1 November 1956 and at present is the headquarters of Kurnool District. Rayalaseema was named so in 1928 by Gadicherla Hari Sarvottama Rao, a famous freedom fighter. Before 1928, the area was variously called as Guttha Seema and Ceded Districts.Though the area comprises 4 to 5 districts, several chief ministers came from this region. They include current Chief Minster Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Nara Chandrababu Naidu the ex Chief Minister, Kotla Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy (the former Chief Minister), Damodaram Sanjeevaiah and Neelam Sanjivareddy the former President of India

Factionism :

Rayalaseema, and more so Kurnool and Kadap, are synonymous with the word factionism, meaning a situation where two or more groups of the same party or organization are fighting with each other. The peculiar phenomenon of factionism in Rayalaseema goes back to the times of the Vijayanagara Empire. Village chieftains known as "Poligars"/'Paalegarlu' were crucial for the survival of the kingdom. Vijayanagara rulers depended upon these chieftains for military support in times of crisis and granted a fair degree of autonomy. The British tried to eliminate factionism in the region by hanging a couple of the chieftains publicly, but failed to eradicate it. Land reforms to distribute land and wealth usurped by Palegars have met limited success, which resulted in another violent phenomenon known as Naxalism. Factionism has political patronage and is a flourishing activity today. Factionism has been hindering the progress of Rayalaseema. Many politicians and families are associated with factionism, spending their valuable time to protect themselves from their opponents and planning how to attack or even kill their opponents. For surviving and managing their gangs, they indulge in rowdyism and asking commissions (or percentages) from the government projects. Because of this, some government projects (such as the new broad gauge railway line, irrigation related work etc.) were stopped or postponed. If any government servant does not listen to these factionists, they are threatened. It is on the shoulders of the Great Thirumala shrine and the other great historic holy places in this region to show to the world the real cultural identity of the place.

Pilgrimage :

• Rayalaseema has many important places of pilgrimage for Hindus.


• Tirumala Venkateswara Temple - Abode of Lord Venkateswara.


• Srisailam - Abode of Mallikarjuna (Lord Shiva).


• Ahobilam - Where Narasimha blessed Prahlada.


• Srikalahasti- Temple of Lord Shiva


• Mahanandi- Lord Shiva temple


• Yaganti eswara- Lord Shiva temple


• Mantralayam - One of the most important pilgrim places for Madhva sect of Brahmins.


• Puttaparthi - Abode of Sri Satya Sai Baba.


• Kanipakam - Temple of Lord Ganapathi


• Lepakshi Famous nandi temple in Ananthapuram district


• KonetiRayala Swamy Temple Famous for the temple of Lord Venkateshwara in Keelapatla Village,Chittoor Dt.


• Ontimitta - Famous for the temple of Sri Rama, where on the Sri Ramanavami day, Mutyalatalambralu is accorded to the lord by the state government along with Bhadrachalam.


• Bramhamgari Matam Famous for the temple Sri Pothuluri Veera Bramhendra Swamulavaru.


• Pushpagiri Famous for the temple Sri Chennakesava Swamy beside of Penna River
  Tallapaka birth place of annamayya


• Hemavati: Famous shiva temple built in 12th century by pallava nolamba kings. It is in madakasira taluke of anantapur district.


• Tadipatri Famous for the temple of Lord Sri Rama and shiva


• Narayanavanam Famous for the temple of Lord Venkateswara


• Ardhagiri Famous for the temple of Lord Sri veeranjaneya

For more information of Rayalaseema

View these blogs

http://powerofananthapur.blogspot.com

http://powerofkadapa.blogspot.com

http://powerofkurnool.blogspot.com

http://powerofchittoor.blogspot.com