Guntakal

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Guntakal | type = city | latd = 15.17 | longd = 77.38
locator_position = right | state_name = Andhra Pradesh
district = Anantapur
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 432
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 117,403| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
–unlocode =
website =
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Guntakal is a town in Anantapur district in the western part of the state of Andhra Pradesh and 50 km away from Bellary of Karnataka, India. It has a population of 117,403 (2001 census). In the year 1963, experts have identified Guntakal station, the hub of Meter Gauge / Broad Gauge movements in several directions, as a natural and ideal location for the Guntakal Railway Division of South Central Railway. Now Guntakal has become entirely BG with the gauge conversion of the Guntakal – Kallur section. It also houses a railway diesel shed and is one of the most profitable divisions in Indian Railways.

Geography

Guntakal is located at coord|15.17|N|77.38|E|. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/2/Guntakal.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Guntakal] ] It has an average elevation of 432 metres (1417 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, [GR|India] Guntakal had a population of 117,403. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Guntakal has an average literacy rate of 65%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 74%, and female literacy is 55%. In Guntakal, 11% of the population is under six years of age.

Places of interest

[http://www.kasapuram.com Lord Anjaneya Swamy Temple] (referred to as 'Nettikanti' Anjaneya Swami Temple) is located very near to Guntakal Town (about 4km away from Railway Station, at a place called as [http://www.kasapuram.com Kasapuram] ). People from remote areas of Andhra Pradesh and South India come for Darshan. The temple is maintained by the Endowments Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh. Not only as a railway station, it also has a relic of the Jain religion. At a distance of 6 km from Guntakal, Konakondla has Jambudweepachakra, known to be sculpted by Jain priests. In Guntakal, there is a tomb of a great Sufi saint named Mastan Vali, for which many people irrespective of their religion come there and take blessings from one of the greatest saints. The church was built in 1880, named as St. Ann, renovated in the year 2002, and renamed as Our Lady of Health. This architectural masterpiece is a must visit. Every year a grand birthday celebration of Mother Mary is being conducted from 29th August to September 8th, which draws many devotees of all religions and from other states.

Sri Venkateswara Temple: Established in the year 2002. This temple construction is similar to the Tirumala temple. This temple is situated in Rajendra Nagar, 3 km from the Guntakal station. A lovely dhyan mandir constructed below ground level attracts many devotees during Bhajan and prayer session.

Transportation

Guntakal is one of the important junctions from where trains to most of the places in India are available.

It has five major lines branching out to Howrah, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore & Vasco da Gama (Goa).

Some of the important long distance trains that pass through Guntakal Junction are :

# New Delhi – Bangalore Karnataka Express .
# Gorakhpur Bangalore Super Fast Express .
# Jaipur – Mysore Super Fast Express.
# Ajmer – Yesvantpur Garib Nawaz Express.
# Howrah – Vascodagama Amaravati Express.
# Ahmedabad – Bangalore Express.
# Bhubaneshwar – Bangalore Prasanti Express.
# Mumbai – Chennai Express.
# Mumbai – Chennai Mail.
# Dadar – Chennai Express.
# Mumbai – Kanyakumari Jayanti Janata Express.
# Mumbai – Tirupati – Nagercoil Express.
# Rajkot – Coimbatore Express.
# Secunderabad – Yesvantpur Garib Rath Express.
# Nanded / Hubli – Bangalore Hampi Express.
# Hyderabad / Kolhapur – Tirupati – Rayalaseema / Haripriya Express.
# Yesvantpur – Kacheguda Express.
# Mumbai – Thiruvanantapuram Weekly Express.
# Vijayawada – Hubli Amaravati Express.
# Bagalkot – Yesvantpur Basava Express.
# Lokmanya Tilak Terminus – Madurai Express.
# Lokmanya Tilak Terminus – Coimbatore Koramangala Express.

Buses form another mode of transportation to rural and other areas where there are no railway lines.

Autos are commonly used for general purposes in the town.

References

* [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/2/Guntakal.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Guntakal]