Chirala town

Chirala-Perala, the twin town population of 1,62,725(agglomeration) (2011 census)and surrounded area included with more than 3 lakhs population from villages like Jandrapeta, Vetapalem, Epurupalem, Chinnaganjam, Pandhillapalli, Karamchedu, Vodarevu, Gundaipalem, and Motupalli. It used to be a Taluk of Guntur District, and later became part of then formed Prakasam District. The city is situated at a distance of 85 km south of Vijayawada and the city area developed above 50 km radius towards North Bapatla, south side up to Chinnaganjam, east side completely developed up to bay, and west side developed up to Parchur. The name has been derived from its ancient age name Ksheera Puri ("Here the sea looks as white as milk"). This town is the major hub for textile business in the district of Prakasam. Because of its large textile business it is also called Mini-Bombay or Chinna Bombay. There are some nice beaches and a few resorts with all the world class facilities.

The Indian Air Force has an air-base called Suryalanka near to Bapatla, very near to Chirala and it is a convenient place for start the Airport (domestic and cargo) operations with help of IAF, Bapatla premises. Chirala is the major commercial centre between Vijayawada and Nellore and lies on the main railway line between Chennai and Kolkata. It located on NH-214A Highway connecting to Chennai Highway. Chirala have got one medical college as BAPATLA INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES & RESEARCH CENTER and it is in under construction.

Chirala has three Engineering colleges and three which are located at different locations of the town.

Chirala Engineering college which is the first engineering college allocated to Chirala which runs under G.S.R & T.S.R Educational trust completed 10 years of excellence recently in 2011. This college is located on the shores of Ramapuram beach.
St.Ann's Engineering college though it started as a minority institution in chirala now it has became a premier institute with more than four colleges under its belt, the first college in town to be accredited by NBA. They also completed 10 years of excellence in 2011. This college is very near to Vetapalem.
V.R.S & Y.R.N Engineering College a child college of very famous V.R.S & Y.R.N Degree college. This is located in V.R.S & Y.R.N college campus itself.
Apart from engineering colleges Chirala has degree and junior colleges such as Y.A govt Degree college for women, St.Marks Lutheran Jr.College, Vidya Degree College and P.G studies, Bharati Jr College, Vignana Bharati Jr College apart from V.R.S & Y.R.N Degree college. In 1996 intermediate results a student from Bharathi jr college by name Suram Madhavi topped BIE in the entire state. First of its kind in Chirala's history.

Chirala has 3 municipal high schools:

N.R. & P.M. High School (boys high school), established in 1914
K.G.M. High School (girls high school), a municipal school
A.R.M. High School (Perala High school), located in Perala

history------------>
We need not exaggerate about the importance of Chirala, which played a unique role in the freedom struggle under the leadership of late Andhra Ratna Duggirala Gopala Krishnaiah. About 18,000 people of Chirala, Perala deserted their houses and resided in thatched sheds erected out side Municipal limits for 11 months braving the hottest summer, heavy rain fall and winter. Practically a parallel Government was run by him with papers and leaders wondering whether Chirala was ruled by Lord Willingdon or Gopala Krishnaiah. The echo had been debated in British Parliament. He was the first South Indian to be elected the General Secretary of the all India congress committee.

While Non-Cooperation movement lasted hardly for 4 months at Barodli under the patronage of Gandhiji, the Chirala movement went on for 11 months.

Chirala produced Veteran journalists like Kotamaraju Punnaiah and Kotamaraju Rama Rao. During Salt-Satyagraha, Simon Commission�s visit and Quit India movement, Chirala played a very commendable role. That was the reason the Golden Jubilee of the Quit India Movement was celebrated by the State Government at Chirala during 1992.

There are a number of historical places in and around Chirala. Motupalli, the ancient port functioned during the times of Satavahanas (BC.320) and the idols of Mallikarjuna Swamy and the Kodandarama Swamy were believed to have been installed by Sage Agastya. There are inscriptions of Kakateeyas, Reddy Rajas and Vijayanagara Samrat Krishnadevaraya.

Cherukuru village possesses the rave temple of Trivikrama Swayambhuva. The temple was first renovated by Vishnu Vardhana Maharaja of Chola dynasty. Chirala village (old) is more than 1000 years old. It possesses the rate idols of Chennakesava Swamy, the family deity of Haihayas and the Tridents, Swords etc., used by the warriors of Palnadu during 12th century.

Vetapalem is rich in Cashew Industry in small sector. Saraswatha Niketan, a prominent library is here. This place is the centre for the Handloom cloth. Chirala is the biggest textile market on the East coast and is known as "Little Bombay".