Achanta

Achanta
town
Achanta
Location in Andhra Pradesh, India
Achanta
Achanta (India)
Coordinates: 16°35′54″N 81°48′42″E / 16.59836°N 81.81162°E / 16.59836; 81.81162Coordinates: 16°35′54″N 81°48′42″E / 16.59836°N 81.81162°E / 16.59836; 81.81162
Country  India
State Andhra Pradesh
District West Godavari
Talukas Achanta
Population (2011)
 • Total 19,507
Languages
 • Official Telugu
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN 534123
Vehicle registration AP 37

Achanta is a village in West Godavari district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.[1]

Geography

Achanta is a village located in the Godavari river basin.

History

Also known as the Dakshina Kashi, Achanta or previously known as Marthandapuram has a great history.In a Grant inscription found in SrungavarapuKota, dated to 5 A.D, stated that the Grant awardee Mathru Sharma native village is Achanta, reveals village exists at 5 A.D. Several stone inscriptions found on temples in Achanta suggest that it may have served as an important religious center for Eastern Chalukyan Empire (700 AD - 1130A D).

Economy

Achanta consists mostly of agriculturists and small scale traders. Like most villages in Godavari River Delta, farmers manage to cultivate two crops of paddy and one summer crop (usually lintels). Many farm lands are surrounded by Coconut trees and Mango trees. Fridays and Sundays Are market days.

Culture

Achanta is famous for the Rameswara Swamy Temple. ShivaLingam in this temple is Swayam Bhoo Lingam (Self Formed). This is also known as Achannuteswarudu. After Kashi, this is the only other temple where a big lamp (kaparavattu) is lighted during the Karthika month. Devotees come from far to offer cow ghee to the lamp. The lamp keeps burning for the whole of the month. The idols are taken on a boat shire in the temple pond beside the temple.

Sri Achanta RameswaraSwamy

Sivarathri is a major festival held in Achanta. The temple lighting is something to be looked at. A major fair is held for 10 days. The temple choultry feeds all the pilgrims for lunch and dinner for 5 days. Cultural programs like Orchestras, dramas, dance from afternoon to late night. The idols are taken in a procession with a huge following of dancers and musicians all around the village. The God’s chariot is also pulled on one day. Sathakams and old books are available about achanta Rameswara Swamy. Achanta Rameswara Sathakam by meka bappana kavi is one of them.

Sankranthi festival celbrated greatly.Kodi pandalu and pelli kuthuramma thirtham are held during Sankranthi.

Sri RameswaraSwamy Temple

MadanaGopalaSwamy Temple, VenkateswaraSwamy Temple, Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple are the other temples in this village.

Sri MadanaGopalaswamy Temple

Throughout Godawari districts, a good number of idols and relics of Jainsim were spotted. Recently 66" idol of Lord Padmaprabhu Swami in "Ardha Padmasan" mudra was found from near by pond in Achanta. Inscriptions on the statue show that the idol is 2600 years anicent. Jain disciples build a temple and statue was re-installed.

Demographics

As of 2011 Census of India, Achanta had a population of 19,507. The total population constitute, 9,786 males and 9,721 females with a sex ratio of 993 females per 1000 males. 1,812 children are in the age group of 0–6 years, with sex ratio of 987. The average literacy rate stands at 76.59%.[2]


References

  1. ↑ "Mandal wise list of villages in West Godavari district" (PDF). Chief Commissioner of Land Administration. National Informatics Centre. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 February 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  2. ↑ "Achanta Population Census". Retrieved 17 May 2017.
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