••Brahmanda Purana reveals Andhra’s first capital history
*History takes a piquant turn
*Now Krishna Riverfront villages are AP’s new capital
Patibandla Srinivas
Vijayawada: June 15: The previous government does not know the history of the capitals of Andhra Pradesh. If it knew the history it would have supported Amaravati’s capital location as suitable for present Andhra Pradesh instead of three capitals-based politics. As per the history, Srikakulam of Andhra Pradesh which is also a riverfront village was once not only the capital it was the first capital of Andhra.
The history takes a piquant turn. Now the villages of Krishna Riverfront are being established as a new capital for Andhra Pradesh while ancient Andhra’s capital remains as one of the villages in Krishna district.
Andhra’s first capital Srikakulam of Krishna district remains now as a major panchayat. Significantly the village has great ancient history in the past but only the Andhra Mahavishnu temple has remained as evidence for it. Srikakulam village is 35 kilometers away from Vijayawada city on the side by the flood banks of river Krishna.
According to Brahmanda Purana, Srikakulam village of Krishna district was the capital of the first Andhra Kingdom before the 12th century. Then King Andhra Mahavishnu killed one evil name Nishambudu and established a Kingdom from Mahendra Parvatham to Srisailam. Later, the people started praying to Andhra Mahavishnu as god, and the historical temple is still in the village.
As per the descriptions, Satavahana kings also ruled from the Srikakulam village as the capital after breaking the Mourya regime in the last part of the 3rd century. Later only Sathavahanas shifted their regime from Srikakulam to Dharanikota.
Krishna District Writers Association president and MLA Mandali Budha Prasad, who studied the history, said that Srikakulam was the biggest trade center and capital city in the past. Mainly trade activities were continuing by River only in those days, he added. Now the Srikakulam and temple are confined as a village.
Even though the village has an ancient history it has not been selected for heritage village status by the government or smart village so far from anyone. Now the total population is nearly 7,500 and 2,000 households in the village.
Even with the two banks, two elementary schools and one upper primary school in the village, there was no sufficient bus facility. Earlier it was treated as a remote village but road connectivity has been improved after the Krishna flood bank was developed as a double-lane road six years ago.
N Bapana Raju, the villager of Srikakulam said that the village needs bus services for Machilipatnam, Avanigadda. Now with the lack of bus facility the villagers depend on auto services only.