Machilipatnam ( ) is a city
and a special grade municipality in the
district, Andhra Pradesh, India.
The town has existed since the 3rd
century BCE (Satavahana
according to Ptolemy
, it was known as
Maisolos. The Periplus of
the Erythraean Sea
calls it Masalia in the 1st century CE. The
port is located on the southeastern, or Coromandel Coast
, of India. Situated in the mouth
of the River Krishna on the Bay of Bengal, the Masula port saw flourishing sea trade.
It was a
17th century port for French, British and Dutch trade, when
it was known as Masulipatam.
The port has a medium-size fishing harbour which can accommodate
350 fishing vessels and an active carpet-weaving industry. The
other products from the town include rice
oilseeds and scientific instruments. This town is a railway
terminus and an important
is vulnerable to storm surges caused by
the frequent cyclones in the Bay of Bengal. The 2004 Tsunami affected many fishing villages around
The Government and NGOs
are involved in rebuilding and reconstructing devastated
Machilipatnam was a flourishing seaport on the east coast during
the time of the Satavahanas
. It was
mentioned in the Periplus that a great quantity of muslins
are made in Masalia. Finest muslins were
exported from Masulipatam to Egypt, Rome, Athens and Arabia. The
town retained its importance throughout the history and was the
major port of Golkonda
kingdom. In the 17th
century CE, the port was a centre of French, British and Dutch
is one of the earliest known British settlements
in the Indian subcontinent and the British East India Company's
first trading post on the Coromandel
An agency was established there in 1611 CE.
During the Carnatic Wars
, the British
were temporarily expelled from the town, which was held by the
French for some years. In 1759, the town and fort were captured by
Colonel Forde, an achievement followed by the acquisition of the
. In 1864 a great
storm-wave swept over the entire town and is said to have destroyed
30,000 lives. A monument was erected by the then District
collector of Masulipatam, Mr Thornhill, almost 3 km away
from the inundated town in Robertson Square (nowadays familiar as
The port is only a roadstead, where vessels anchor 5 m. out.
line from Vijayawada on the Southern Mahratta railway was opened in
The port of Machilipatnam today is in need of
modernization. It has not seen any ships in the last decade. In its
heyday, the port used to handle exports of items weighing more than
2.7 lakh tonnes and imports of 37,000 tonnes. It used to export
Iron Ore to Japan. In January 2006, the Government of Andhra Pradesh revealed plans to revive the Machilipatnam port at
a cost of Rs.
1200 crores. It has allocated 6000 acres
) of land for the project.
Dawn at Manginipudi Beach
Machilipatnam is located at on the southeast coast of India and in
the east corner of Andhra Pradesh. The city has an average
elevation of 14 meters
Machilipatnam gets annual rainfall due to the southwest monsoon
. The climate is
tropical in nature with hot summers and moderate winters. The
hottest months are between April and June. The average normal
rainfall in the district is 102 cm.
Machilipatnam is frequently hit by cyclones originating in the Bay of Bengal.
On 8 December 2004, a high capacity S-Band
Doppler radar meant for cyclone warning was installed, commissioned
and made operational at the city. It was purchased from a German
manufacturer, Gematronik. The Andhra Pradesh coast between Ongole
and Machilipatnam is vulnerable to high surges of the sea due to
. The Andhra Cyclone of 14-20 November,
1977 crossed the coast near Nizampatnam and took approximately 10,000 lives.
storm approached the coast, gale winds reaching 200 km/h
lashed Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, East Godavari and West
A storm surge, 5 meters high, inundated Krishna
and the coast south of
With the installation of the radar, the state will be better
equipped to track down cyclones by the onset of monsoon, according
to an official from the State Met Office talking to the The Hindu
newspaper. This facility will monitor
960 km long coastline of the state. The radar's information is
posted real-time on the Indian Meteorological
website. Similar radars were installed in other
coastal cities forming an S-Band Cyclone Detection Radar
Politics and administration
administrative purposes, Machilipatnam falls into the Bandar
revenue division of the Krishna District.
It is a special grade municipality with 36
and 28 villages
. The city area covers an area of 28
kilometres (10 miles). Machilipatnam is an assembly constituency in
Andhra Pradesh. It is governed by the Collector and the District Magistrate of the Krishna
Machilipatnam has many small scale industries. Fashion gold
(also called rolled gold or gold
covering) ornaments are made in the town. Yasasri gold, National
gold, Uma gold, Hema Sri Gold Covering Works, Raja gold, Fancy
gold, Ravi Teja gold, Mohan gold,Laxmana
, Ravi Gold, Fancy Gold and USHA GOLD are among the leading
manufacturers of fashion gold in Machilipatnam. Agriculture
is the most important occupation,
being the main food crop produced.
(BEL), a unit of the Union Defence Ministry, of the
Government of India
, operates a
manufacturing unit in Machilipatnam. BEL is involved in design,
development and manufacture of state-of-the art electronic
equipment that are used by the Indian Defence Services
As of 2001 India census
, Machilipatnam had a
population of 183,370.Present population(2009) increased to
250,043. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%.
Machilipatnam has an average literacy rate of 69%, higher than the
national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 73%, and female
literacy is 65%. In Machilipatnam, 10% of the population is under 6
years of age.
People in Machilipatnam practice Hinduism
. Hindus and Christians speak
Telugu and the Muslims tend to speak Urdu. Women of all cultures
and faiths typically wear the traditional Indian dress, the
- sometimes Shalwar Qamis
It used to be that a movie was designated a hit or flop based on
the first show at Machilipatnam. There are many theatres in the
The city is well-known for sweet dishes called Bandar
and " Bandar Halwa "
The literary organisation "Saahithee Mitrulu" was established in
Machilipatnam in 1981. It has conducted literary and cultural
programmes since then without pause, functioning chiefly to bring
out the creative skills of youth and new writers; it has published
at least 66 books of literature and treating of language and
culture. In 1999, the organization conducted the "Sathaavadhaanam"
of Rallabandi Kavitha Prasad, created a history.
, a popular Indian Classical Dance
originated at Kuchipudi
kilometres from Machilipatnam. The dance form is in practice in
Arts and crafts
Kalamkari fabrics of Machilipatnam and
Kalahasti, with their intricate designs, are used in clothing
and wall hangings.
Kalamkari refers to dye-painted cloths
and the technique used to create them. Their name derives from
, for a pen-like tool used to draw outlines on the
cloth, and kari
(work). Fabrics are outlined with a
cotton-tipped bamboo stick and dyed in vegetable or mineral
colours. The process involves washing, rinsing, soaking and
bleaching muslin, and applying mordants
dyes using natural substances like indigo for blue, madder
for red, mango bark and dried myrobalan
fruit for yellow, palm sugar and rusted
iron for black. The dyeing process is very elaborate and can take
several days to complete. While some pieces are hand-drawn, large
canvas and sheets are block-printed. The work done in
Machilipatnam, often using block printing in conjunction with hand
painting, features decorative floral and vegetable designs that
appealed to local kingdoms and to export trade. This culminated in
European demand for Machilipatnam chintz
which derives its name from the Hindi word chint
Beach near Machilipatnam
Machilipatnam is a city with a rich history of foreign conquests,
business and trade. The relics of Bandar Kota (Machilipatnam Fort)
can be visited. The old light house is still standing.
Sai maharaj devalayam at district court centre Machilipatnam is the
main attraction of the town. It has the biggest statue of sri
saibaba of shirdi.Dattashram
pilgrimage site on the coast. Dattashram has an ancient Shiva
temple and a recently built Datta
temple. Manginapudi is popularly known as "Datta
Rameswaram" due to the consecration of 12 wells for bathing
(recalling those at Rameswaram). Panduranga Swamy
city, is a famous piligrimage site. It is a temple of Lord Vishnu
, said to be similar to the temple at
. Sivaganga Temple is a
historical temple maintained by Challapalli
jameendars rather than the
Government. It is one of the oldest temples in the area. Located on
the Avanigadda road, it attracts tourists and devotees all through
the year. On Shivaratri
celebrations are carried out by the temple trustees. Anjaneya Swami
Temple, in Paraspet, was built by Samarth
, the guru of Chatrapathi Sivaji
Ghantasala, 21 km from Machilipatnam, has the remains of
an old Buddhist stupa. Agastheeswara Temple
, 36 km from
Machilipatnam, is a temple of Lord Shiva and piligrimage site. At
this temple Lord Shiva is called by the name Ekaratri
Mallikarjunaswamy. An annual festival is celebrated here and the
deities are taken out in procession. At Gudivada, North west of Machilipatnam, visitors are
attracted by the old ruins of the stupas.
Further up the
coast of Machilipatnam there are five temples dedicated to Lord
Shiva. These ancient temples are located at
Amravati, Samalkot, Bhimavaram, Draksharama and
Chebrolu. Prasanna Anjaneya Swamy
temple located at Godugupet has a history of over hundred
The beaches in Machilipatnam are long, broad, pristine, with pale
blonde sands. Manginapudi Beach
beach side fishing hamlet 11 km from Machilipatnam, is well
known for its scenic beauty and also as a historic port city.
During its heyday this port served as a gateway to India. The beach
has a natural bay with shallow waters.
National highway NH-9 from Pune via Hyderabad and Vijayawada is being extended to Bandar Fort through
A coastal National highway NH-214A from
Narsapur to Ongole via Machiipatnam has been sanctioned 4 years
Machilipatnam is well connected to important cities of India.
Nearest city is Vijayawada, south central railway's important
railway station and junction. There are eleven passenger trains to
Vijayawada, one fast passenger to Visakhapatnam and two express trains to Secunderabad and Tirupathi.
weekly thrice expresses to Bangalore and Mumbai.
As of 2008 there is no transport by the sea. However, Machilipatnam
Deep Water Seaport is under development by Vajra Seaports Pvt. Ltd,
a consortium led by Maytas Infra
The nearest airport is Gannavaram
near Vijayawada, about 70 km away.
receives television and radio transmissions from Hyderabad and the rest of country.
All major print
media are in circulation. The major Telugu
dailies include the Eenadu
, Andhra Jyoti
. The major English dailies are The Deccan Chronicle
, Business Standard
, The Hindu
, The Times
, The Indian Express
and The Economic Times
Machilipatnam is an educational center, offering all the academic
courses except Medicine. It has public (state-run) and private-run
schools. The local Hindu college and allied institutions offer KG
to PG level of education. There are several Telugu language
and English language
schools. Daita Madhusudhana Sastry, the former secretary and
correspondent of the Hindu college and allied institutions was
instrumental in the establishment and expansion of most of the
educational institutions in Machilipatnam.
- S.N.H.A Primary School,established in 1972 is located at
Chinnavullingipalem,Founder Nalluri Moses Mohan ( First National
Award winner for Best Teacher in Andhra Pradesh)
- Vemuri Ramjee Government High School, started on 4
December,1918 for Harijans, with free hostel facility.
- Saint Francis High School, Paraspet, is both Telugu &
English Medium School both State Syllabus and ICSE Syllabus
- SDA Mission High School, Edepalli, founded by Esther Rani
Saggurthi, offers education from kindergarten to 12th
- HYNY High School and Elementary School are aided schools run by
missionaries from Finland. Miss A.E. Hyny founded the school.
- Sri Venkateswara
Public School, affiliated with the Hindu College,
Machilipatnam, was the only Central Board of Secondary
Education following school in the city before the Kendriya
Vidyalaya was instituted. The school follows the NCERT (central)
- Sharon High School provides education from kindergarten to the
higher secondary level, Mrs Indira Deenabandu founded the
- Nirmala High School, a Christian missionary run school
provides education from kindergarten to the higher secondary
- Jaihind Hind High school, founded in 1947 is situated near
Inugudurupet with two campuses.
- JaiHind Montessori English Medium School, Is run by JaiHind
- St. Mary's Adi Andhra Madana Mohana High school (also known as
Ratna High School) is one of the oldest schools. It is located in
the Machavaram area.
- Gandhi Vidyalaya school is situated in Balaramunipet and is a
government aided public school.
- Noble high School. it is one of the oldest schools here and is
located between Noble College and Government hospital.
- Sharkey girls high School. It is one of the oldest schools here
and is located in Sharkey copound adjacent to Noble college.
- Viswabharati vidyalaya is the oldest Telugu school, established
- Anniebesant Sisu Vidya Mandiram is a Telugu language school
situated at Edepally.
English medium schools
- Sharon High School is a reputed institute in Machilipatnam
established by Indira Dheenabandu in the year 1984. Sharon High
School located at Noble colony provides education from Kinder
garden to higher seconday level.
- Amaleswari Vidya Niketan (English medium)is one of the reputed
school situated in Rustumbad and is one of the oldest schools in
- St. Francis English Medium High School is a Christian
missionary run school providing education from kindergarten to the
higher secondary level. It is affiliated to the Indian Certificate of
- Nirmala High school(English medium) is a Christian missionary
school provides education from kintergarten to the higher secondary
level in state syllabus.
- Rustumbada Municipal High School
- Kendriya Vidyalaya is also in Machilipatnam. It is near Bypass
road. it concentrates not only on Academic developmaent but also on
- Sri Balaji Vidyalayam is an English medium school located near
REVATHI talkies is also an pretty OLD schhol with new facilities,
sports and cultural activities.
- Dakshinamurthy Vidyalayam is a upcoming institution in
Machilipatnam with all the good facilities.
- Gandhi Vidyalaya established in 1975 is located at
Balaramunipet opposite to pump house gate.
- Little flower high school established in 1980 is located at
rajpet opposite rajpet post office.
- Gayathree Public school is an very High Professional School
Running by the Engineers "Bye-pass road H.B-colony Machilipatnam
Contact Principal : Mrs.Latha nancharaiah Director : Mr.Nancharaiah
College, founded in 1843, is University Grants
Commission (UGC) approved and offers graduate studies. Right
Reverend G. Dyvasirvadam, the Bishop-in-Krishna Godavari
heads the management of the Noble College.
- Andhra Jaateeya Kalasala, founded in 1910 by local freedom
fighters, is also UGC approved and offers graduate studies.
- The Hindu College
was established in 1928. It is affiliated to Krishna University and offers graduation
studies. It is a UGC approved college.
- Sri Venkateswara Hindu College Of Engineering was established
in 1980. It offers engineering degrees in civil, electrical and
electronics, electronics and communication and mechanical
engineering divisions as well as business studies.
- R.K.Junior College was established in 2009.It is affiliated to
Board of Intermediate, it offers M.P.C, BI.P.C, M.E.C,
C.P.T.(COMMON PROFISSIONAL TEST).
- Sri Varalakshmi Polytechnic is Machilipatnam's only private
polytechnic college, established in 1983. It offers engineering
diplomas.Government polytechnic college started this year.
- Andhra Jateeya Kalasala (National College) is affiliated to
Krishna University. This college was established in 1910 under the
management of Andhra Jatheeya Vidyaa Parishat estasblished by Sri
Kopalle Hanumantha Rao, Sri Pattabhi Sitharamaiah and Sri Mutnuri
Krishna rao.It started Andhra Jatheeya college of education also in
1967 to offer B.Ed.and M.Ed. courses. (ramsri)A.J.K.ITC and one
oriental highschool are also running under this management.
- Rao Bhadhur Thota
Perayya Naidu, founder Director of Andhra Bank and Executive
Engineer, also a founder member of the Andhra Jatheeya Kalaasaala
(National College). Advisor of Andhra Scientific Company (taken
over by BHARAT ELECTRONICS LIMITED). Hails for this port town.
Lived for 99 years.
- Dr Pattabhi
Sitaramayya, 1880-1959, a freedom fighter and historian of the
Indian National Congress and founder of Andhra Bank,Krishna central
Bank and Andhra Insurance Company.
- C. K.
Nayudu, the first Indian cricket
captain hailed from this port town.
- RaoBahadhur KV RAMANAYYA NAIDU garu, was from this Town. He is
a Top notch Advocate, Philanthropist. He served as MLA, Municipal
Chairman, Public prosecutor, Director Krishna Club, Director
AndhraBank, Director Krishna Co-op Bank, Syndicate Member Andhra
University, Syndicate Member Madras Layola College etc.
- Kopalle Hanumantharao, the founder of Andhra Jatheeya
Kalaasaala (National College)
- Mutnuri Krishna Rao - Founder of "Krishna Patrika", a literary
- Adavi Bapi Raju - A renowned writer and painter.
- Ayyagari Ramamoorthy Panthulu - Founder of Andhra Scientific
Company (taken over by BHARAT ELECTRONICS LIMITED).
- Nalluri Moses Mohan - He is First National Award winner in
Andhra Pradesh.(For Best Teacher).
- S.V. Ranga Rao - Famous Telugu Film Actor lived
and worked in Machilipatnam before joining Film Industry
- Sutti Velu - Noted comedian.
- Nirmalamma - Telugu film character artiste,
- Nalluri Sudheer Kumar - Famous Music Director in Telugu T.V
- Mani Sharma - Famous Music Director in Telugu Industry hails
- Achuth famous TV cerial actor and film actor
- ASWIN SIYADRI Editor in telugu industry from
People associated with Machilipatnam
- Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, former president of India, worked
as a lecturer at the Andhra Jateeya Kalasala.
- Viswanadha Satyanarayana, writer of the famous novel "Veyi
Padagalu", lived and worked in Machilipatnam.
- Munimanikyam Narasimha Rao, creator of "Kantham"
character worked as a teacher at Hindu High School for several
- Tirupathi Venkata Kavulu, famous poet duo who did
"Ashtavadhanas", worked at Hindu High School.
- Veeramachaneni Venkata Krishna Rao, Founder Member of Steel
Manufacturing & Trading Companies - Steel Exchnage India
Limited & Vizag Profiles Limited, Visakhapatnam.
- Dr. Nori Datathatreya- Famous oncologist.
- Divi Murali Krishna prasad-chairperson of Divi's pharma
- Srini Rekapalli - Director Of Engineering, Cellarstone