Simhapuri (Vikrama Simhapuri),

Once Nellore is called a Vikrama Simhapuri

Now as

Nellore

Name Nellore defined from Rice (nelli in tamil)

Rice from this part is said to be the finest and of Top quality.

Head Quarters is Nellore and its Area 13,076 sq.km, Forest area is only 20% of the total district area.

Boundaries

District is Bounded by Bay of Bengal in the East, Tamilnadu State and Chittoor district in the South, Cuddapah district in the West and Prakasam district in the North directions.

Rivers

Pennar, Kandaleru, Swarnamukhi, Upputeru are the rivers of the district.

Main towns

Nellore, Gudur, Naidupeta, Kavali and Sullurpeta is the main towns.

Sanctuary

Pulicat Sanctuary (Birds Sanctuary with an area more than 500 Sq.km rare birds from different parts of world come here migrate to this place every year.Udhayagiri, Nelapattu Sanctuary, Tigers and Cheetahs Sanctuary near Velugonda are the efforts made by the Government in maintaining the Eco-Systems.

Temples

Narasimha konda, Jonnawada-Kamakshi Temple,Talapagiri Ranganatha Swamy temple, Penchalakona temple, and, Venugopalaswamy Temple, Rajarajeswary Temple, Ayyappa Temple, Sri Raja Rajeswari Temple, Irukulalamma (Irukala Parameshwari) Temples.

Mouques

Main of more than 10 mosques is Bara-Shai-Dargah famous for rottela pandaga situated in dargamitta in the city, Kasumuru Dargha(Kasumuru is situated at a distance of 8 Kms from Venkatachalam Railway station and 24 Kms from Nellore. This village is famous for the Urs of Shaik Mastan vali. number of devotees congregate at the Dargah on the occasion of Urs)Masthan Dargha located at tarunavayi 25km,

A.S.Pet-Anumasamudrampet is famous for its Dargah and Mosque built by Khaja Rahmatulla Saheb. The Urs of Hazarat Khaja Nawab Rasool is celebrated here annually during September and attended by Muslims all over the country.

Large number of devoties irrespective of caste or creed or religion visits all these mosques.

Handicrafts

Venkatagiri Sarees and Leather Toys are the handicrafts of the district.

Milk Dairy

Vijaya Dairy, Dodla Milk Dairy, Tirumala dairy.

Factories

Nippo Battery (Indo-Japanese collaboration), Sugar factory, Balaji steel factory.

Industries

Mica, Stone Polishing and Fisheries. Paddy Business is high in this district.

Projects

There are many Medium scale Irrigation projects built in this district. Somasila project built on the river Pennar in 1875 is the biggest one in the district. Another Project was built on the river Pennar in 1886 at Sangam 20km frm nellore. The Telugu Ganga project Currently under construction will fulfill water needs of this district to some extent. Veligonda project will also supply water to this district. The Galeru- Nagari and Sajala Sravanthi canals are the major sources of drinking water. Thermal Power Project situated at head quarters Nellore caters the power supply to the Mica mines and to domestics. Nellore is well connected by road and rail. The nearest airport is at Tirupati. It is 138 km from Vijayawada.

Forts Of the District

Udayagiri Fort

Located 96 km from Nellore city, this is the site of a mighty fortress built by the Vijayanagar kings in the 14 century. A towering peak reaching a height of 994 m (3,261 ft) can be seen here, which is called Sanjiva Hill because a wide variety of medicinal herbs grow on it. Several ancient Pallava and Chola temples, remarkable for their architececture are worth a visit. The fort is located on the hills of Udayagiri. The hill rises to a height of 3,079 ft (938 m) above the sea level. It consists of eleven fortresses, 8 on the hill and 3 below. It covers an area of about seven miles. The existing fortifications reveal Islamic features. It was the stronghold of the Gajapatis of Orissa till Krishna Deva Raya annexed it.