Udayagiri is a Mandal in the Nellore district of the state of Andhra Pradesh in India

History

First known history of the city was from 14th century. It was the capital of local kingdom of Langula Gajapati, chieftain to Gajapatis of Orissa. It came under rule of Krishna Deva Raya of Vijayanagara around 1512. The Udayagiri fort, constructed by Langula Gajapati was inaccessible on most sides. It could be only penetrated only by a jungle track in the east side and a pathway on the west side. The siege by Krishna Deva Raya lasted for 18 months and resulted in defeat for Prataparudra of the Gajapatis.

During the reign of Gajapatis and the Vijayanagara Empire, the fort was extended. The entire city and the surrounding hill of 1000 feet height were encircled with walls. The fort consisted of thirteen buildings, with eight of them on the hill and five below. It also consisted of several beautiful temples and gardens.

After the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire, it was ruled by chieftains of Golconda. The mosque on top of the hill has two Persian inscriptions that credits the construction of the mosque and the planting a nearby garden to Shaik Husain, chieftain to Sultan Abdullah of Golconda. Then it came under the rule of Nawabs of Arcot, who granted the title of Jagir to Mustafa Ali Khan. His descendants controlled it till 1839, until they were deported by Nawabs again to Chengalpet for their treason.

It was formerly a place of immense importance. The walls which once encircled the town have almost entirely disappeared, but much of the fortifications on the neighbouring hill to the west still remains. The fort originally consisted of thirteen separate strongholds, eight on the hill and five below. Inside the walls are the ancient remains of tombs, temples, and palaces. A part of the hill is so precipitous and thus inaccessible, the cliffs being in places nearly 1,000 feet high, and every path up to the fort was commanded by lines of defence forces.

Other structures include Chinna Masjid and Pedda Masjid. A great Sufi saint belonging to the 18th century, Rahamathulla Nayab Rasool, got absorbed in the higher-self here. Every year the Sandal Festival is celebrated on the 26th of the Rabi-Ul-Aval month.Mahaboob subhani sandal s also celebrated every year.^[3]

Tourism

Udayagiri Hills: The Udayagiri Hills is the main tourist attraction here and is mingled with history. The hill is mentioned in the Ramayana, where Hanuman, the monkey god carried the hill to Lanka for a rare herb called as Sanjeevini, which is found on this hill, to cure Lakshman. After serving its purpose, the hill was supposedly thrown by Hanuman from a great height into the same place. The hill landed upside down, and till this day one can find many boulders strewn around the hill. Also it is believed that some trees grow upside down too! The hill has crystal clear water flowing downhill from an unknown source, which till date has not been found. The water from the hill is used for drinking by all the people of Udayagiri. Temples for Udaya Lakshmidevi,Udaya Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devastanam Duragampalli village loddi, Kona, Tapka, Choti Masjid & Badi Masjid are the main places to visit on the hill.

There are efforts to develop infrastructure like roads, electricity etc. to make this as one of the best tourist spot in the State. It can be developed as 'Andhra Ooty', if sufficient funds are allotted by the government.

Gandipalem Dam: A water body which is popular. It is used for the Drinking Water project and Cultivation water for farmers. It may be verified that the name of Langula Gajapati is Gangula Gajapati. This Is One Of the Most Tourism Place In Nellore Dist In Andhrapradesh

Ghatika Siddeswaram Temple: Temple dedicated to lord Shiva. A beautiful and scenic location and UN-interrupted water supply and the source of water is unknown. One of the very ancient temple of the Lord Shiva and Parvathi Devi

Dasarapalli which is located 5 km from Udayagiri which is famous for sweet lemons, In this village most of the peoples main occupation is Business. Watch-able Places on Siddeswaram: 1. Seven natural water sources. 2. Temples of lord Shiva (Siddeswaradu), Istakameswari devi. 3. Kasi Nayana, Ayyappa, Veera Bhoga Vasantaraya temples 4. Agasthya maha muni Thapopetham. 5. Sree Guru Datta, Sree Lalita Devi, Lord Shiva and Vinayaka temples on top of the hill.

Root: Udayagiri to Polamgaripalli.Polamgaripalli to Siddeswaram.(by bus)

Note :Daily food and accommodation provided by Kasi Nayana nirantara anna dhana charitable trust with free of cost to the people who visit the temple .

Mythology references

Sanjeevini (Life medicine) referred in Hindu puranas, is said to be on this mountain. There are sayings that till this day, no one died on this mountain by accident or snake bites or any wild animal attack.the Hindu mythology god veerabhramendra swamy also predicted that sanjeevini is still available on the udayagiri hill which yet is not seen by any one since the ages of ramayana.Sanjeevini has the power to make the dead person to life.and the one with life have no death once the sanjeevini is used.

Forest products

Pure honey, dried fruits like "Sara Pappu" (Buchanania lanzan), wide variety of berries (Berry) and Firewood are the famous products available in the forest. Locals (Durgam Palli villagers) sell these products in Udayagiri town. Red Sandalwood trees and many Ayurvedic plants are also grown on the hills. The famous natural water supply ("Kona water") comes from the hill all the year round. It is believed that this water has good herbal properties as it flows through the roots of forest plants and trees. No one has found where exactly this water supply comes from the hills.

Transportation

It is 96 km from Nellore. The only way to reach the place is by road. Several buses run daily from other nearby major places - Kavali, Nellore, Atmakur, and Ongole. The nearest railway station is located at Kavali, which is 75 km east of Udayagiri. It is approx 150 km from the state capital Amravati. To reach Udayagiri from Hyderabad many buses are there from MGBS(Platform no:63-65), Hyderabad. Also buses are available from Telangana Districts Nizamabad, Karimnagar, and Warangal.

It is 280 km from Chennai, and many buses run from Chennai to reach Udayagiri via Nellore.

Also it is located 380 km From Bangalore, and many buses are there from Bangalore to reach Udayagiri via Kadapadistrict.

Sri Krishnadevaraya (1509 – 1529 A.D.)

King Sri Krishnadevaraya was the greatest emperor South India has produced. When he ascended the throne in 1509, the political condition of the Vijayanagar Empire was very gloomy. The rulers of Orissa were in possession of coastal Andhra up to Nellore. The Sultan of Bijapur wanted to extend the boundaries of his kingdom at the expense of Vijayanagar.

Sri Krishnadevaraya first turned his attention towards the Muslim rulers of the Deccan who combined themselves to wage a jihad against Vijayanagar. Sri Krishnadevaraya inflicted a crushing defeat on the combined Muslim army. Raichur was captured in 1512 A.D. and the Doab region of Krishna-Tungabhadra came under the control of Sri Krishnadevaraya . Gulbarga was also captured. Sri Krishnadevaraya restored the Bahmani kingdom to its legal ruler Muhammad Shah.

Udayagiri ,Nellore dist, andhrapradesh ,india