Attalur

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Attalur
other_name = అత్తలూరు
type = village
latd = 16.531351 | longd = 80.242767
locator_position = left
state_name = Andhra Pradesh
district = Guntur
taluk_names = Amaravathi
parliament_const = Guntur
assembly_const = Pedakurapadu
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 8
climate = Tropical wet and dry
population_as_of =
population_total =
population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone = 08640
postal_code = 522436
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio = 1.017
literacy = 50.3%
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Attalur ( _te. అత్తలూరు; IPA:æθˈlʋəˠ; IAST: ət̪ʰluːṛ) is a beautiful village situated near Amaravathi in the Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh, India. Which plays prominent role in Pedakurapadu Assembly constituency's political and social issues. This village has one sivaru (adjoining) village namely Nuthalapativari Palem. It has nearly 8000 residents in 900 households with more than 4000 voters, the majority of which are Hindus. Other religious groups are Muslims and Christians. Even with this religious diversity Attaluries very peaceful. It is approximately 15km away from the nearest town which is Amaravathi and approximately 50km away from Guntur.

Attalur has eight unofficial geographic regions, namely
*East Bazar (తూర్పు బజార్); people who live here were converted to Roman Catholicism by British missionaries during British rule in India
* Middle Bazar (నడిమ బజార్)
*West Bazar (పడమటి బజార్); Household had close agnatic relationship with the Ravipadu and Katrapadu villages
*Pedda palle (పెద్ద పల్లె)
*Chinna palle(చిన్న పల్లె)
*Kotta Flats (కొత్త ఫ్లాటులు)
*Vaddera Colony (వడ్డెర కాలని)
*ST colony (ఎరుకల గుడిసెలు)and the following one situated 1km from attalur and is a part of attalur panchayat.
*Nuthalapati Vari Palem (నూతలపాటి వారి పాలెం)

This village is mainly inhabited by kammas. Most of kamma families are employed in farming activities, while some of SC/ST/BC families irrestive of their castes, having their own land for cultivation and work as support workers within the farming. A few people commute to nearby towns and work in other areas - such as construction, tailoring, etc.

Heritage & Culture

The St. Thomas Church was built in the late 1930 era located in the East Bazar, where the faithful would gather for prayers. The church has come a long way since its early days with several extensions and additions to its structure. The church now has three spacious wings, and a residence for the parish priest. The church has two bell towers, which is rung to summon the people for prayer. It has an annual feast that is celebrated with great pomp and splendor.

Attalur is adorned by many temples depicting fine architectural splendours. They are located in the Middle Bazar "Ramula Vari" "Gudi", which is where the annual "Sri Rama Navami" is conducted and "Anjaneyula Swamy Vari" "Gudi" to name a few. Attalur has good facilities. Like Hospital(P.H.C), Grameena Bank, Telephone Sub Exchange(B.S.N.L) and School(St.Thomas High School)... for which Surrounding villages pupils come.

Public celebrations of the Vinayaka Chavithi festival are popular, with local political communities(Congress & TDP) vying with each other to put up the engraved(sculptured) Ganesh murtis(idols) in colorfully decorated "mantapas". These "mantadas" has been depicted by political themes. This festival is also the time for cultural activities like songs and orchestra.

Attalur has a rich culture and has traditions going back ages, most of which are still being followed today. Attalur is well known for its Natural and Scenic beauty. the beautiful lush green paddy fields are just some if its attractions. The residents of Attalur are very environmentally conscious and make huge efforts to keep the village clean.

The 30th International Kalachakra festival was held at near by village Amaravathi in the first week of January 2006.

ocial Life

The village has been transformed to a small town since last two decades and the new generation of village has hardly staying in this village. Most of them have gone for higher studies, working as Scientic Officers in unfolded Indian R&D centers (Advanced Materials and Pharma) to serve the nation and some of them are working as IT jobs. Most of the farmers has been migrating to bigger towns/cities for better prospects.

Even after this, the general education level among the villagers is still very low with most people educated up to primary level, with a few to middle school level and no efforts have been made on the part of villagers or the administration to change this. However, this appears to be changing over the past 10 years for families with enough resources. Some families have started sending their children to cities, near and far, for higher education.

Also, evenings in the village are exciting with people returning from farm lands and after completing supper, will start discussions on various topics ranging from international issues to local politics. It is quite amazing how knowledgeable they are, though present in a village atmosphere. A good percentage of young men work in cities of India and Middle East. The money sent back home by these emigrants brings prosperity to the village. Some of the problems the village face are poverty, lack of industrial work, and alcoholism among men.The people mostly speak Telugu. The common traditional clothing for women is a Saree and Pancha(Dhovathi) or a Lungi for men.

Agriculture

Majority of the populace here is agriculture for their livelihood and rice was the main crop. But in the years 2002 and 2003, this area faced serious drought. Due to this now a days we find people harvesting mainly Cotton(ప్రత్తి) and Chilis(మిరప). The climate is temperate and the land is fertile. People also get themselves involved in farming Buffalo for buffalo milk.The primary source of irrigation is canal water (Nagarjuna sagar right bank and Lift irrigation scheme in krishna river). Some farmers have dug up deep wells and harvest groundwater for irrigation to supplement canal water.

Communication & Transport

Most of the villagers own a telephone connection and are connected to the rest of the world through television. There are more than 80 television channels, both local and foreign made available to the viewers of the locality by a cable operator.

Attalur is connected by road from Guntur via Amaravathi and via Pedakurapadu. There are frequent APSRTC buses from Guntur and Sattenapalle to Attalur. Apart from this, many Autos and jeeps are plying on Attalur-Amaravathi road to facilitate the commuting public. The nearest railway station is Sattenapalle and the nearest airport is Hyderabad [5-6 hour drive] .