Pithapuram or Peetika Puram is a town and a municipality in the East Godavari district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The town also forms a part of the Godavari Urban Development Authority. The temple town is one of fifty-five Sakti Peetikas.
Shripada Shri Vallabha, believed to be an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya by his devotees, lived in Pithapuram. He is considered one of the first complete avatars (incarnations) of the deity Dattatreya in Kali Yuga.
History
Pithapuram was originally called Pishtapura. The earliest extant inscription to mention the city is the 4th-century king Samudragupta's Allahabad Pillar inscription, which states that he defeated the king Mahendra of Pishtapura. The inscriptions of the 4th and 5th century Vasishtha and Mathara dynasties also mention Pishtapura, describing it as a part of Kalinga. In the 7th century, the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II annexed Pishtapura to his kingdom.
The town hosts temple of Puruhitika Devi. It is one of 18 shakti peethas.
Geography
Pithapuram is located at 17.1167°N 82.2667°E. It has an average elevation of 10 meters (33 feet). It is located near several beaches though not one in particular. It is in between 2 major cities; Kakinada and Rajahmundry. Pithapuram is landlocked and most of its economic activity takes place in Kakinada. Pithapuram is also well known for the C.B.M. Christian Medical Centre which was started by missionary doctor Dr. E. Smith.
Demographics
As of 2011 Census of India, the town had a population of 52,360. The total population constitutes 25,891 males, 26,469 females, and 5,116 children, in the age group of 0–6 years. The average literacy rate stands at 75.00% with 35,434 literates, higher than the national average of 73.00%.
Transport
Pithapuram town is situated on NH 216. Pithapuram railway station is located on the Duvvada-Vijayawada section of the Howrah-Chennai mainline. Rajahmundry Airport is located 55km from Pithapuram.
Literature
Kuchimanchi brothers
Devulapalli Krishnasastry
Avantsa somasunder
Masilamani
Mokkapati Narasimha Sastry
Ryali Prasad
Puranam subrahmanya sarma
Umaralisha
Balantrapu Rajanikantharao
Venkata parvateesa kavulu
Venkata Ramakrishna kavulu
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pithapuram
