You’ve heard of Pushpa. Now meet the real town behind it, Chittoor!
This is a guest post by Kiran
With lush green surroundings spread across approximately 70 square kilometers, I wish to introduce the city I come from, Chittoor
A multi-linguistic town governed by a municipal corporation, Chittoor has served as the district headquarters since its formation in 1917. It is best recognized as a major town administered by the great Vijayanagara king, Sri Krishnadevaraya I, and is proudly located in what was once called Rayalaseema.
If you’ve watched the blockbuster movie Pushpa, you’ve probably caught a glimpse of this clean and lush town.
But there’s more to it.
Located in the southern part of Andhra Pradesh, along the valley of the Penna River and sharing borders with Tamil Nadu to the west and Karnataka to the northeast, the residents here fluently speak and understand the languages and dialects of all these neighboring regions. With staple crops like groundnuts, sugarcane, mangoes, and especially rice, Chittoor has long been one of the state’s leading agricultural producers, significantly impacting the regional economy.
Flora & Fauna
The town is surrounded by natural habitats that include reserves for Asiatic elephants, panthers, sloth bears, wild boars, and chousingha, along with rare species such as the antis, painted grasshopper, plain tiger butterfly, and common grass yellow butterfly. The Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary enriches this natural abundance, making Chittoor a green and panoramic destination.
With numerous floral attractions, the town also serves as the gateway to the Seshachalam Hills, home to the highly valued Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus), known for its deep red hue and high demand in international markets like China and Japan. Pushpa brought this very treasure into the limelight.
Cultural Heritage of Chittoor
Chittoor is a heritage-rich town that has preserved its temples and cultural significance since the rule of the Pallava, Chola, and Vijayanagara dynasties. One of the most notable temples is the Sri Varasidhi Vinayaka Swamy Temple at Kanipakam, established in the 11th century CE by Chola king Kulothunga Chola I. The idol of Lord Ganesha here is said to grow in size and is revered as the ‘Court of Divine Justice,’ where people resolve disputes by taking oaths
Also nearby is the iconic Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirupati—an unparalleled spiritual destination that draws crores of pilgrims every year, especially those who follow Hindu philosophy and Sanatana Dharma.
Historical Prominence
Since the 4th century BCE, Chittoor has been ruled by the Mauryas, Satavahanas, Kurumbas, Pallavas, Cholas (8th–9th century), Vijayanagara kings (13th century), Mughals (1565), Nawabs of Arcot, and Tipu Sultan (1766). Eventually, the British took over and established the North Arcot District in the 19th century, officially forming the Chittoor district on April 1, 1911.
Influenced by Tamil rulers, the town’s name evolved from Chittra Ooru (meaning “Small Town”) to the officially gazetted name Chittoor. It became part of Andhra Pradesh on November 1, 1956, following state reorganization on linguistic lines.
Hub of Knowledge
Chittoor has birthed numerous renowned personalities who left their mark on the world. These include Dr. Prathap C. Reddy (founder of Apollo Hospitals), Cattamanchi Ramalinga Reddy (essayist and economist), and Jiddu Krishnamurti (philosopher and orator), among many others. The region is also home to a large number of educational institutions, engineering colleges, and universities, continuously producing talented scholars.
Divine Intervention
Ever since the town overcame the grip of famine and drought, locals have honored the goddess Parvati in the form of Gangamma through an annual feast held on the second Tuesday of May. This two-day celebration, known as Gangamma Jathara, attracts devotees from neighboring states. It reflects the region’s rich tapestry of culture, faith, and community spirit. A symbol of strength and protection, this festival holds a sacred place in every local’s heart.
In today’s world lost in the corporate jungles of so-called Silicon Valley culture, chasing paychecks and feeding the ever-hungry machine of Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and so on, it’s always a warm, nostalgic feeling when we step back into our hometown.
“Let our prideful wings spread everywhere, but may our strong roots always remind us of the warmth of a motherly hug.”
