Kamal Guha at 01:49, 28 January 2024

2024-01-28T01:49:51Z

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Bheemunipatnam
| other_name = Bheemili
| nickname =
| settlement_type =
| image_skyline = A View of Bheemunipatnam Hilltop Visakhapatnam.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Hill-top view of Bheemunipatnam town
| pushpin_map = India Andhra Pradesh
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Andhra Pradesh, India
| coordinates = {{coord|17.886385|N|83.447109|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[India]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Andhra Pradesh]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Visakhapatnam district|Visakhapatnam]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for = [[Bhima]]
| government_type = [[Municipal corporation]]
| governing_body = [[Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation]]
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 18.88
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total = 52110
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes = <ref name="stats">{{cite web |title=Statistical Abstract of Andhra Pradesh, 2015 |url=https://desap.cgg.gov.in/jsp/website/gallery/Statistical%20Abstract%202015.pdf |website=Directorate of Economics & Statistics |publisher=Government of Andhra Pradesh |access-date=27 April 2019 |pages=40 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714020914/https://desap.cgg.gov.in/jsp/website/gallery/Statistical%20Abstract%202015.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| demographics_type1 = [[Language]]
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Telugu language|Telugu]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 531163/62
| registration_plate_type = [[Vehicle registration plates of India|Vehicle Registration]]
| registration_plate = [[List of RTO districts in India|AP31 (Former)]]<br /> AP39 (from 30 January 2019)<ref>{{cite news |title=New ‘AP 39’ code to register vehicles in Andhra Pradesh launched |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/vijayawada/2019/jan/31/new-ap-39-code-to-register-vehicles-in-state-launched-1932417.html |access-date=9 June 2019 |work=The New Indian Express |date=31 January 2019 |location=Vijayawada}}</ref>
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[Vidhan Sabha]]
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Bheemili (Assembly constituency)|Bheemili]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank2_info_sec1 = [[Visakhapatnam (Lok Sabha constituency)|Visakhapatnam]]
| footnotes =
| official_name =
}}
'''Bheemunipatnam''' (also known as '''Bheemili'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2019/may/30/103-objections-received-against-ward-delimitation-1983515.html|title=103 objections received against ward delimitation|website=The New Indian Express|location=Visakhapatnam|publication-date=30 May 2019|access-date=2019-06-10}}</ref>), is a suburb in the city of [[Visakhapatnam]], India. The suburb was named after [[Bhima]] a character in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. It used to be administered under Bheemunipatnam municipality but in 2017 it was merged into [[GVMC]]. It is under the administration of [[Visakhapatnam revenue division]] and the headquarters is located at Bheemunipatnam.

== History ==
=== Buddhism ===
[[File:Buddha Statue at Bheemili beach Road.jpg|thumbnail|left|Buddha Statue at Bheemunipatnam Beach Road|alt=]]

Historical evidences of [[Buddhist]] Culture have been noticed at Bheemunipatnam dating back to 3rd century [[BCE]] on the hillock [[Pavurallakonda]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://museums.ap.nic.in/b-sites.htm |title=Dept. of Archaeology & Museums |publisher=Museums.ap.nic.in |access-date=2012-10-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209160246/http://museums.ap.nic.in/b-sites.htm |archive-date=9 February 2012 }}</ref> (also known as Narsimhaswami Konda locally) in the town. Buddhist remains were found during the excavations here along with Relic caskets. Both the schools of Buddhism [[Hinayana]] and [[Mahayana]] were propagated in this land and also to the far east lands from the port of [[River Gosthani]]. See [[pavurallakonda]] page for more details.

=== Dutch settlements ===
[[File:C.P. Keller - Plaan van het dorp Bimelepatnam en 'SEComps. loge.jpg|thumb|left|A Dutch map of Bheemunipatnam by Coenraad Pieter Keller with the projected new fort from 1756.]]
Known to the Dutch as Bimilipatnam, Bheemunipatnam was one among the major [[Dutch people|Dutch]] settlements<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baynews.in/vizag-special/it-is-a-ruin-of-colonial-legacy |title=It is a ruin of colonial legacy | BayNews | The New Voice of Vizag |publisher=Baynews.in |date=2010-09-24 |access-date=2012-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229033838/http://www.baynews.in/vizag-special/it-is-a-ruin-of-colonial-legacy |archive-date=29 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> of the [[Dutch Coromandel]] coast in the 17th century. There are remnants of the [[Dutch East India Company]] trading post when the town was a port. The town contains one of the oldest Christian cemeteries on the coast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/12/stories/2007041209870200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220113242/http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/12/stories/2007041209870200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-02-20 |title=Andhra Pradesh / Visakhapatnam News : Bhimili: lost in time and tide |date=2007-04-12 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=2012-10-24}}</ref> Bhimili also had a currency mint<ref>{{cite web|author=Ramani M |url=http://heavydutytravel.blogspot.in/search/label/copper%20coins |title=The History of Vizag: copper coins |publisher=Heavydutytravel.blogspot.in |access-date=2012-10-24}}</ref> during the times of Dutch. Portuguese also visited bhimili in the same time as the dutch. St.Peter's church is a historical monument which signifies the ancient architecture.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ganguly|first=Nivedita|url=https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/travel/the-17th-century-dutch-township-of-bheemunipatnam-is-awash-with-history-but-one-that-is-slowly-vanishing-in-the-face-of-neglect/article25111473.ece|title=Bheemunipatnam: This Dutch township is full of history|date=2018-10-03|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-04-11|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

After Bheemunipatnam was plundered by [[Maratha]] troops in 1754, the local regent permitted the Dutch East India Company to construct a fort in the village, for which military engineer Coenraad Pieter Keller drew up plans. The fort that was constructed subsequently collapsed twice, for which Keller had to defend himself in front of his superiors in Batavia.{{sfn|Bos|2019}}

=== East India Company ===
The British [[East India Company]] made Bheemunipatnam their main trading base of the east coast. The Bhimili port used to operate passenger vessels to Madras and Calcutta during the British Raj. The big clock tower in the town was built by the British.

===District formation===
In 1802, Visakhapatnam was formed when the [[Northern Circars]] were split into five districts. <ref name=’toi’>{{cite web| url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/first-formed-under-the-empire-aps-map-shaped-and-reshaped-over-two-centuries/articleshow/90528597.cms | title= AP new districts: First formed under the empire, Andhra Pradesh’s map shaped and reshaped over two centuries |work = Umamaheswara Rao |publisher= The Times of India, 30 March 2022| access-date = 27 January 2024}}</ref>[[Srikakulam district]] was carved out of Vishakhapatnam district in 1950<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.indiastatdistricts.com/andhrapradesh/srikakulam-district | title= District level information of Srikakulam district (Andhra Pradesh) |publisher= IndiaStatDistricts | access-date = 27 January 2024}}</ref><ref name=’toi’/> [[Vizianagaram district]] was formed in 1979 by transferring some portions of Srikakulam and Viskhapatnam districts. <ref name=’toi’/>

In 2022, as a part of the raising the number of districts in Andhra Pradesh from 13 to 26, Visakhapatnam district was split into three districts – [[Alluri Sitharama Raju district]], [[Anakapalli district]] and [[Visakhapatnam district]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.yovizag.com/visakhapatnam-divided-into-3-new-districts-by-the-ap-state-government/ | title= Visakhapatnam divided into 3 new districts by the AP State Government |publisher= Yo!Vizag| access-date = 27 January 2024}}</ref>

== Geography ==
Bheemunipatnam is located about 40 km from Visakhapatnam Airport, about 31 km from Visakhapatnam railway station and 29 km from Visakhapatnam city central bus station. It lies to the north of [[Visakhapatnam City]] and is loosely bordered by Rushikonda to the south and Bay of Bengal to the east, Madhurawada to the west, Bhogapuram to the north.

== Demographics ==
According to [[Imperial Gazetteer of India]],<ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V08_244.gif Bimlipatnam tahsil in Imperial Gazetteer of India, Vol. 8; pp: 238.]</ref> It was entirely Zamindari land belonging to the Vizianagram estate. {{As of|2001}} India [[census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> it had a population of 44,156. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Bheemunipatnam has an average literacy rate of 60%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 67% and female literacy of 54%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

==Culture==
=== Narasimha temple ===
There is a Hindu temple dedicated to [[Lord Narasimha]] on the eastern side of [[Pavurallakonda]] facing the sea. As per the historical evidences the temple is constructed around 14th century by Mindi<ref>{{cite web|author=Sudhakar |url=http://vishakapatnamonline.blogspot.in/2008/06/one-of-finest-sea-resorts-in-country.html |title=Incredible India: Bhimili |publisher=Vishakapatnamonline.blogspot.in |date=2008-06-25 |access-date=2012-10-24}}</ref> Kings. There are two more temples in the town of Bhimili, which date back to the times of Chola's as Bheemeswaralayam and Choleswaralayam.

== Transport==
Bheemili is well connected by road. NH16 or AH45 passes through the Mandal. It also has major District roads and State Highways connecting it to nearby Mandals and Visakhapatnam. [[APSRTC]] runs bus services from Visakhapatnam bus station to Bheemili.
;[[Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation|APSRTC]]
Routes:
{| Class="sortable wikitable"
|-
!Route
!Starts
! Ends
!Time
!Via
|-
|999
|Bhimili
|R.T.C Complex
|Every 15 mins
|NTR circle bus stop,Dorathota,
Bhimili x road,Boyapalem,Madhurawada,Yandad,Zoo park,Hanumanthawaka,Venkojipalem,Maddilapalem,Central Bus Station(CBST)
|-
|900k
|Bhimili Beach
|Visakhapatnam Railway Station
|Every 15 mins
| Bml Beach,INS Kalinga,Uppada,Mangamaripeta,Thotlakonda Beach,Ramanaidu Studios,Rushikonda Beach,Geetham University,Sagaranagar Beach,Kailasagiri Roapway,MVP,Waltair,Siripuram,Andhra University,VMRDA CITY CENTRAL PARK,RTC COMPLEX,Allipuram
|-
|900T
|Bhimili
|Tagarapuvalasa
|7.15,8.00,8.45,9.30 and 3.00,3.45,4.30,5.15,6.00
|NTR circle Bus Stop,sun school,ketenpeta,rayapalem,chillapeta,chittivalsa, Andhra Bank tgp
|-
|55k
|Bhimili
|Gajuwaka
|7.00am,7.00pm
|NTR circle bus stop, Tagarapuvalasa,sangivalasa,Anandhapuram,Nillakundilu,Pendurti,vepagunta,NAD, Airport,Old Gajuwaka,New Gajuwaka
|-
|}

== Picture gallery ==
[[File:Panoramic view of Gosthani confluence BayofBengal Bhimili.JPG|thumb|center|800px|Panoramic view of [[River Gosthani]] confluence into [[Bay of Bengal]] at Bhimili]]

The [[lighthouse]] dated to 1868 was built during Dutch settlement on the shores of [[Bheemili Beach]].<ref name="lighthouse">{{cite news|title=Bhimili lighthouse to be demolished|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/bhimili-lighthouse-to-be-demolished/article4368697.ece|access-date=7 June 2016|work=The Hindu|date=1 February 2013|language=en-IN}}</ref> Some of the [[Buddhist]] sites are [[Bojjannakonda]], [[Bavikonda]], Lingalakonda, [[Pavurallakonda]], Salihundam and Thotlakonda.

==See also==
* [[Visakhapatnam district#Administrative divisions|Revenue divisions and mandals in Visakhapatnam district]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

* {{cite book |last=Bos |first=J. |editor-last1=Storms |editor-first1=M. |editor-last2=Cams |editor-first2=M. |editor-last3=Demhardt |editor-first3=I. |editor-last4=Ormeling |editor-first4=F. |title=Mapping Asia: Cartographic Encounters Between East and West. Lecture Notes in Geoinformation and Cartography |publisher=Springer |date=2019 |pages=219–228 |chapter=A Disastrous Project: C. P. Keller and the Fortification (Plans) of Bimilipatnam |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-90406-1_15 }}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Bheemunipatnam}}

{{Visakhapatnam}}
{{Neighbourhoods of Visakhapatnam}}
{{Visakhapatnam district}}

[[Category:Neighbourhoods in Visakhapatnam]]
[[Category:Mandal headquarters in Visakhapatnam district]]

Bheemunipatnam - Revision history

Kamal Guha at 01:49, 28 January 2024