Eluru

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Eluru () is a city and a municipal corporation in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is the headquarters of West Godavari district and has a population of 5,15,343 approximately. Eluru is situated on the national highway NH 5 connecting Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam and about east of state capital, Hyderabad. Eluru was earlier called Helapuri and has a rich cultural and political history. It was believed to have been the capital of Vishnukundinas at one time. Kolleru Lake a big fresh water lake is found near Eluru.

It is known for its well established educational institutes like Sir C.R.Reddy College. It is the hub for the paddy, tobacco, coconut exports to all other parts of the state. It is well known for the carpets and incense sticks (Agarbatti in Telugu) exports to all over the country.

Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?lci=org.wikipedia.en&q=16.7,81.1(Eluru)&ie=UTF8&ll=16.7,81.1&spn=0.298588,0.55687&z=11

History

Helapuri (Eluru) was part of the Buddhist kingdom of Vengi. The Eastern Chalakyas ruled coastal Andhra from 700 to 1200, with Vengi,near the village of Pedavegi, as their capital. Historical evidence can be found at the villages of Pedavegi and Guntupalli (Jilakarragudem).

Eluru then became a part of the Kalinga Empire until 1471. Later it fell into the hands of the Gajapathis.In 1515 Srikrishnadevaraya captured it. After the fall of the Vijayanagara Kingdom, it was...
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