Rayalaseema is a unique part on the Telugu region, its geography and history painted the region uniquely.
Rayalaseema is located on Deccan Plateau, so the food habits of the people on this region is similar to other Deccan regions such as Telangana (Telangana is like Millet as well as Rice producer) and Karnataka.
The region initially was called “Ceded districts” as they were initially under Nizam’s Dominion, but later were ceded to British India.
Then later they changed the region’s name to “Rayalaseema”, it was named after the Vijayanagara Kings. (Vijayanagara Kings use the suffix Raya)
Rayalaseema was one of the important region in the Vijayanagara Kingdom, in this region Temple building activity reached its peaks under Vijayanagaras.
Coming to the Rayalaseema region.
Millets are the staple diet, as the region is semi-arid region:
Ragi Sangati is the signature dish of Rayalaseema and South Karnataka:
Jonna Rotte is the staple food of Deccan India:
An item made with Puffed rice “Uggani” is Rayalaseema’s one of the most delicious dish, this is also made in some parts of Telangana:
Kadapa Kaaram Dosa, very yummy, this Kaaram Dosa is eaten with authentic Deccan dish known as “SanagaPindi Kura” or popularly Bombay chutney:
Alasanda Vadalu:
This one is also famous in Telangana region alongside Rayalaseema region, it is called Alasanda Vadalu in Rayalaseema and Bobbari Vadalu in Telangana.
Rayalaseema is famous for its magnificent Temples, Majority Ancient Temples in Rayalaseema exhibit Dravidian architecture.
Tirumala Temple:
One of the richest Temples in the world, the second richest Temple in the World after Kerala’s Padmanabhaswamy’s Temple:
Lord Venkateshwara Swamy is the important deity for Telugus.
Alipiri Gaali Gopuram:
Tirupati Govindarajaswamy Temple:
Tiruchanoor Padmavathidevi Temple:
Kanipaakam:
Shri Vedanarayana Swamy Temple:
Gudimallam:
This is the oldest Temple in Andhra Pradesh, The shiva lingam here dates back to 3rd Century BCE, the Shape of the Shivalingam in this temple resembles the male genital:
Narayanavanam Temple:
The Temple contains one of the oldest Tirugali:
Srisailam, Kurnool:
The Temple is combination of Beautiful Vesara and Dravidian architectures contributed by Kakatiyas and Vijayanagaras.
See the beautiful Kakatiya’s Vesara style in the temple:
Dravidian Additions to the on the Temple’s Vesara Base by Vijayanagaras:
Ahobilam:
Vontimitta Temple:
Gandikota Temple:
Lepakshi Temple:
The hanging Pillar of Lepakshi Temple:
Beautiful ancient paintings on ceiling:
Bugga Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple:
Srikalahasti:
Rayalaseema Cities:
The major Urban area of Rayalaseema region is Tirupati.
Tirupati is the beautiful city surrounded by beautiful Sheshachalam Hills.
Tirupati:
In this city you can experience a Modern city + Tall Hills + Beautiful Temples + Fort at a time.
Experience the beautiful Ghat Road from Tirupati to Tirumala.
Kurnool:
Kurnool was the erstwhile capital city of Andhra State after its split from the Madras State, later after the merging of the Telangana region, Hyderabad city became the capital because Hyderabad was largest and most developed city on the Telugu lands.
Kurnool Konda Reddy Buruju is an important Tollywood movies destination:
Rayalaseema Dialect:
Rayalaseema dialect is one of the dialect and has many similairities with Classical Telugu grammar. Rayalaseema dialect is closer to Telangana dialect.
The Below scene is completely in beautiful Rayalaseema Dialect till 9:00
Pushpa scene in Rayalaseema dialect:
Rayalaseema Festivals:
In this aspect, Rayalaseema shows lots of diversity, each district has a unique large festival like Kurnool considers Dussehra as the biggest festival like Telangana while Chittoor considers Sankranti as the biggest festival like Coastal Andhra, while some other regions consider Ugadi as the biggest festival.
Whatever the festival be, Rayalaseemaites never fail to prepare the authentic Deccan sweet Oligalu. Names for this sweet in different regions:
Oliga — Rayalaseema
Bobbattu — Coastal Andhra
Baksham or Polelu — Telangana
Regional Gods of Rayalaseema:
Seetalamma
This goddess is worshipped in North India and Maharashtra too, In Northern India, she is called Sheetal Devi, she cures diseases and guards villages against various viruses.
Kadapa Seethalamma Yantrapu Raayi:
The corresponding Goddess in the Coastal Andhra region is “Poleramma”, In Telangana, it is “Pochamma”
Maremma:
She is shared by Rayalaseema people and South Karnataka people as Maremma, She is also worshipped in parts of Telangana, and she could be related to Tamil’s Mari Amman, Even Marathi people’s Mari Aai joins the list.
Yellamma:
Yellamma is the Deccan goddess, she is highly revered in Telangana, Rayalaseema, North Karnataka, and Maharashtra regions.
Yellamma Devasthanam, Kadapa
Chandragiri moolasthana Yellamma, Tirupati:
Renuka Yellamma Temple, Ananthapur:
Gangamma:
She is worshipped in most of the Telugu regions.
Chittoor Gangamma Jatara:
Chittoor Gangamma Jatara is very famous and many people visit this Jatara.