Bheemunipatnam


Bheemunipatnam, is a suburb in the city of Visakhapatnam, India. The town was named after Bhima a character in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Bheemunipatnam municipality. It is under the administration of Visakhapatnam revenue division and the headquarters is located at Bheemunipatnam.

Geography

Bheemunipatnam is located about 40 km from Visakhapatnam Airport, about 31 km from Visakhapatnam railway station and 29 km from Visakhapatnam city central bus station. It lies to the north of Visakhapatnam City and is loosely bordered by Rushikonda to the south and Bay of Bengal to the east, Madhurawada to the west, Bhogapuram to the north.

History

Buddhism

Historical evidences of Buddhist Culture have been noticed at Bheemunipatnam dating back to 3rd century BCE on the hillock Pavurallakonda in the town. Buddhist remains were found during the excavations here along with Relic caskets. Both the schools of Buddhism Hinayana and Mahayana were propagated in this land and also to the far east lands from the port of River Gosthani. See pavurallakonda page for more details.

Narasimha temple

There is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha on the eastern side of Pavurallakonda facing the sea. As per the historical evidences the temple is constructed around 14th century by Mindi Kings. There are two more temples in the town of Bhimili, which date back to the times of Chola's as Bheemeswaralayam and Choleswaralayam.

Dutch settlements

Known to the Dutch as Bimilipatnam, Bheemunipatnam was one among the major Dutch settlements of the Dutch Coromandel coast in the 17th century. There are remnants of the Dutch East India Company trading post when the town was a port. The town contains one of the oldest Christian cemeteries on the coast. Bhimili also had a currency mint during the times of Dutch. Portuguese also visited bhimili in the same time as the dutch. St.Peter's church is a historical monument which signifies the ancient architecture.

East India Company

The British East India Company made Bheemunipatnam their main trading base of the east coast. The Bhimili port used to operate passenger vessels to Madras and Calcutta during the British Raj. The big clock tower in the town was built by the British.

Demographics

According to Imperial Gazetteer of India, It was entirely Zamindari land belonging to the Vizianagram estate. India census, it had a population of 44,156. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Bheemunipatnam has an average literacy rate of 60%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 67% and female literacy of 54%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Landmarks

The lighthouse dated to 1868 was built during Dutch settlement on the shores of Bheemili Beach. Some of the Buddhist sites are Bojjannakonda, Bavikonda, Lingalakonda, Pavurallakonda, Salihundam and Thotlakonda.

Politics

YearCandidateParty
1951Kaligotla Suryanarayana
1955Gottumukkala Jagannadha Raju
1972Raja Sagi Soma Sundara Suryanarayana RajuINC
1978Datla Jagannadha RajuINC
1983Pusapati Ananda Gajapati RajuTDP
1985Raja Sagi Devi Prasanna Appala Narasimha RajuTDP
1989Raja Sagi Devi Prasanna Appala Narasimha RajuTDP
1994Raja Sagi Devi Prasanna Appala Narasimha RajuTDP
1999Raja Sagi Devi Prasanna Appala Narasimha RajuTDP
2004Karri SeetharamuINC
2009Muttamsetti Srinivasa RaoPRP
2014Ganta Srinivasa RaoTDP
2019Muttamsetti Srinivasa RaoYSRCP

Notable people

Transport

Bheemili is well connected by road. NH16 or AH45 passes through the Mandal. It also has major District roads and State Highways connecting it to nearby Mandals and Visakhapatnam. APSRTC runs bus services from Visakhapatnam bus station to Bheemili.
;APSRTC
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