Maldevi River

The Maldevi River runs through the Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh and empties into the Pennar River. The watershed and tributaries of Penner River covers the part of the southern Deccan Plateau. The river flows through Yellayapalem located in the Kodavalur sub-district in the Nellore district. This total population if the village is 8215 with only 2060 households. The river also runs through other villages Basavaipalem, Alurupadu, Damegunta Gandavaram, Bodduvaripalem and Gumdalammapalem. The Vijayanagara Empire built the Anantraj Sagar water storage reservoir with the help of 1.37 km lengthy dam on Maldevi River.

Nellore is the 6th most populous city in Andhra Pradesh and the 89th most populous city in India. Andhra Pradesh, abbreviated as A.P is one of the 28 states in the peninsular subcontinent of India. Geographically, Andhra Pradesh is composed of the eastern half of the Deccan plateau and the plains to the easr of the Eastern Ghats. The state is divided into three regions: northern part of the plateau is Telengana, the southern part is the Rayalaseema region and the third region is known as Coastal Andhra. The former two regions are separated by the River Krishna. Nellore is also a municipal corporation and recently the villages of near Nellore city over 15 panchayats with over 120,000 populations merged into Nellore Municipal Corporation. Nellore is one the developed cities in India and home to many large scale and small scale industries which boosts the district per annum capital. The city also attracts large number of travelers, devotees and tourists from all over who undertake a long journey just to witness the resplendent and splendid monuments and to experience the glorious cultural heritage. The city is well connected to all major cities and states via roadways and railways. Intra-city railway networks have not flourished to that extent yet but roadways provide required transport services to the people. Yellayapalem can be visited by availing rental cars and buses and to go to Maldevi River one has to use local vans and rickshaws. The river provides water for irrigational purpose to the villagers. As agriculture is the predominant occupation, most villagers depend on cultivation of crops for their livelihood and sustenance, fertile farmlands being their asset. The river is not rumored to flood during monsoons and though torrential rains do increase the water level, there is hardly any report available on the loss of property and livelihood it may have caused.

Economy of Nellore is gradually ossifying mainly due to its geographic location and fertile lands. With a cultivable area of 41.3% and agriculture being the predominant occupation, the district also give prime importance to aqua culture. Well known for its production of mica, Nellore has a number of agro based industries like rice bran oil, parboiled rice mills and sugar factories. Some of the prime industries are Mica Mines and thermal power plant. Diary is an upcoming industry in Nellore.  Among the small scale industries that are constantly on a rise and flourishing is the handloom sector and handmade gold jewellery sector. Famous south silks and jewelleries encrusted with precious and semi precious stones have gained worldwide appreciation and popularity.

Nellore is a religious hub and draws devotees and believers from all over. The places in Nellore district like Kandaleru Dam, Somasila Dam, Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary and the Pulicat Lake are a treat for the eyes of a traveler. Some of the other famous tourist destinations are Penchalakona, Erukalala Parameswari, Barashahid Dargha, Rajarajeswari Temple, Avvapa Temple, Golagamundi, kasumur dargha, Ammavari Temple, Ranganayaka Temple, Adavilo Vinayakudu, someswaralayam and mamy more. The Udaygiri fort at a distance of 100 km from the district is symbolic as a historical testimony of the region. 

How to Get There

Nellore is situated about 453 km south east of Hyderabad and about 168 km north of Chennai on the Chennai-Kolkata national highway. Needless to say the district is well ‘equipped’ with all sorts of transportation and means of communication rendered necessary for the convenience of the tourists and local people as well. The Krishnapatnam port is located 20 kilometers from the district and serves as a major centre for economic activity of the district. It is poised to become one of the biggest ports in the world.

Tirupati airport which is 130 km away from the city is the nearest domestic airport but the services are limited to Vijaywada, Hyderabad, Vishakhapatnam, Mumbai and Delhi. The nearest international airport is 189 km away in Meenambakkam, the Chennai International Airport. Plans have been envisaged to build a domestic airport in Nellore. Nellore railway station is connected to most parts of India and is a very important station in the South Central Railway and falls on Vijaywada-Chennai section connecting Tamil Nadu and Kerala to the Eastern, Northeastern and Northern part of India.

There is not much information on intra-railway networks. There might not be local trains available from Nellore to Yellayapalem village. Roadways are equally developed and connect the district to all the major cities and states in India. Within the city all the places can be visited via Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation that plies bus service from all the parts of Andhra Pradesh, Chennai and Bangalore. Buses and rental cars could be availed to visit the village but the travelers have to avail some other means of transport to visit Maldevi River from the village, either via rickshaws or open vans.