Dharmavaram, India
Region: Andhra Pradesh
Geographic Coordinates: 14.430000, 77.720000
Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 40.0°C (68°F to 104°F)
Climate: Dry and hot summers, with monsoon season from June to September bringing most of the annual rainfall. Cooler temperatures in winter months.
Population: 121874
Language: Telugu
Dharmavaram is a small town located in the Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and traditional silk sarees, Making it a popular tourist destination. The town is situated on the banks of Penna River and has a population of around 60, 000 people. The history of Dharmavaram dates back to the 16th century when it was ruled by the Vijayanagara Empire. During British rule, It served as an important trade route between Hyderabad and Chennai. In fact, It was one of the first towns in India to have a railway station.
One of the main attractions in Dharmavaram is its famous handwoven silk sarees made using pure mulberry silk. These sarees are known for their intricate designs and vibrant colors which make them unique and highly sought after by women all over India. Apart from its famous sarees, Dharmavaram also has several historical landmarks that are worth visiting such as Sri Lakshmi Chennakesava Swamy Temple which dates back to the 15th century. This temple has beautiful carvings and sculptures that depict scenes from Hindu mythology.
Another popular tourist attraction in Dharmavaram is Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple which attracts thousands of devotees every year who come here to seek blessings from Lord Venkateswara – an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. For nature enthusiasts, There are several parks located near Dharmavaram such as Nallamada Forest Reserve where you can spot wildlife like deer, Peacocks etc., Along with many species of birds. In terms of cuisine, Andhra Pradesh is known for its spicy food and Dharmavaram offers some popular dishes including biryani, Idli, Dosa, Sambar and rasam.
Overall, Dharmavaram offers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of India with its famous silk sarees, Historical landmarks and natural beauty. It is definitely worth a visit for anyone traveling to Andhra Pradesh.
- Sri Anjaneya Swamy Temple
- Sri Lakshmi Chennakesava Swamy Temple
- Panchamukha Anjaneya Swamy Temple
- Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple
- Puttaparthi Sathya Sai Baba Ashram
- Lepakshi Veerabhadra Temple
- Kondapalli Fort
- Horsley Hills
- Talakona Waterfalls
- Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park
- Silk Weaving Industry: Dharmavaram is famous for its silk sarees which are woven using pure mulberry silk.
- Agriculture: The town is surrounded by agricultural fields, with the main crops grown being paddy, sugarcane, cotton, and groundnuts.
- Handloom Industry: Alongside the silk weaving industry, handloom also plays a significant role in Dharmavaram’s economy.
- Retail Business: There are many retail shops in the town that sell textiles, jewelry, electronics, groceries and other household items.
- Education Sector: Several educational institutions including schools and colleges offer education in various disciplines like engineering and medicine.
- Small Scale Industries: Many small scale industries manufacture products like leather goods and furniture which provide employment opportunities to the local population.
- Transportation Services: Good connectivity through roadways and railways makes transportation services an important business here.
- Dharmavaram Silk Sarees: The city is renowned for its silk sarees, which are known as Dharmavaram Silk Sarees. These sarees are famous for their unique designs and intricate weaving.
- Sri Lakshmi Chennakesava Swamy Temple: This temple is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Dharmavaram. It was built during the 16th century and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
- Kondalaraya Fort: The Kondalaraya Fort was built during the 14th century by King Kondalaraya, who ruled over the region at that time.
- Pemmasani Venkata Narasimha Rao: He was a freedom fighter who played a significant role in India’s struggle for independence from British rule.
- Dravidian University: The Dravidian University is located in Dharmavaram and offers courses in various disciplines such as arts, science, and technology.
- Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy: He served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh from 2010 to 2014.
- Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga: He was a political leader who played an important role in Andhra Pradesh politics during the 1970s and early 1980s.
- Sir C.V.Raman: He was a Nobel Prize-winning physicist who made significant contributions to the field of physics, including his discovery of Raman Effect.
- P.V.Narasimha Rao: He served as India’s Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996 and played an instrumental role in liberalizing India’s economy during his tenure.
- Kalpana Chawla : She was an Indian-American astronaut who became the first woman of Indian origin to travel into space when she went on her first space mission aboard Space Shuttle Columbia on January 16, 2003.
- Sri Lakshmi Chennakesava Swamy Temple is a historic temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is renowned for its intricate carvings and architecture.
- Veerabhadra Swamy Temple is a popular pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- The Dharmavaram Fort, built by the Vijayanagara Empire in the 16th century, now lies in ruins but remains an important historical site worth visiting.
- Panchamukha Anjaneya Swamy Temple is a unique temple with five-faced Hanuman statues and believed to be one of the only such temples in India.
- Kondakamarla Ava Durga Bhavani Temple is another popular temple in Dharmavaram known for its beautiful architecture and religious significance.
- The Sri Sathya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram, located just outside of Dharmavaram, serves as a spiritual center founded by the famous Indian guru Sathya Sai Baba.
- Vontimitta Kodandarama Swamy Temple is an ancient temple dating back to the 16th century situated about 25 kilometers from Dharmavaram known for its stunning architecture and intricate carvings.
- Dharmavaram Silk Saree Exhibition and Sale is an annual event that showcases the famous Dharmavaram silk sarees, known for their intricate designs and high-quality silk.
- Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Brahmotsavam is a festival celebrated in honor of the Hindu deity Lord Narasimha, with a grand procession and cultural programs.
- Mahashivaratri is a festival celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva, with devotees fasting and offering prayers throughout the night.
- Ugadi, the Telugu New Year, is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Dharmavaram through traditional rituals and cultural programs.
- Diwali or the festival of lights is celebrated by lighting diyas (oil lamps) and fireworks displays.
- Dussehra commemorates the victory of good over evil through elaborate processions, music performances, dance shows, and food stalls over 10 days.
- Pongal/Sankranti are harvest festivals that are observed by performing traditional rituals such as making rangolis (decorative patterns made from colored powders) and cooking special dishes using freshly harvested crops.
- Christmas/New Year’s Eve celebrations have become increasingly popular among younger generations in urban areas like Dharmavaram who enjoy celebrating Western holidays alongside Indian ones although they are not traditionally observed in India.
- Sri Sai Ram Biryani Centre for Andhra-style biryani.
- Hotel Ravi Teja for spicy chicken fry and mutton curry.
- Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Tiffin Centre for South Indian breakfast dishes like idli, dosa, and vada.
- Nandhi Restaurant for traditional Andhra thali meals.
- Sree Vaishnavi Grand Restaurant for vegetarian dishes like paneer tikka masala and chana masala.
- Annamayya Foods for authentic Telugu-style meals.
- Paradise Biryani Pointe for Hyderabadi biryani and kebabs.
- Punjab Dhaba Restaurant for North Indian cuisine like butter chicken and naan breads.
- Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple: This temple is a popular tourist attraction and also has a park where visitors can relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
- Kothapalli Reservoir: It is a beautiful lake surrounded by hills, offering scenic views and boating facilities.
- Panchamukhi Anjaneya Swamy Temple: This temple has a garden with various plants, trees, and flowers that visitors can explore.
- Children’s Park: A small park with swings, slides, and other play equipment for children to enjoy.
- Yoga Classes: There are several yoga classes available in Dharmavaram for people who want to practice yoga as part of their daily routine or during their visit.
- Sports Facilities: There are various sports facilities available in Dharmavaram such as cricket grounds, football fields, badminton courts etc., where people can engage in recreational activities.
- Shopping Centers: There are many shopping centers in Dharmavaram where visitors can shop for souvenirs or other items they may need during their stay.
