Bhimavaram Knowledge Guide
History
Along with much of present-day coastal Andhra Pradesh, Bhimavaram was controlled by the Chola dynasty. Under Kulothunga Chola I, Bhimavaram was ruled by his sons who served as viceroys. Stone inscriptions have been found in the town dating from his reign (c. 1096 C.E.).
Culture
Bhimavaram is famous for the Gunupudi Someswara (Somarama) temple, which is one of the five holy Pancharamas and the temple of the local deity Mavullamma. The Someswara temple was built during the 3rd century A.D., the Shiva lingam is known for changing its color according to the lunar month: black during amavasya and white during pournami. The local deity Mavullamma is believed to have manifested here in the year 1200 AD with the temple being built around 1880 AD. According to local folklore the goddess manifested between a mango farm earning her the name Mamillamma(arising from mangoes) which was later adapted to Mavullamma. There are many notable people from the cinema industry such as, Trivikram Srinivas, Sivaji Raja, Penmatsa Subbaraju, Sunil, Prabhas and Raja Ravindra. Other notable personalities include Krishnam Raju Gadiraju, K. V. K. Raju, Yellapragada Subbarao in science, mystic Swami Jnanananda, Industrialists B. V. Raju, Byrraju Ramalinga Raju and freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju.