Ponnur (Telugu: పొన్నూరు)

 Ponnur (Telugu: పొన్నూరు) is a rural town and a municipality located 31 k.m. south of Guntur City in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, India.

As of 2001[update] India census[1], Ponnur had a population of 56,504. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Ponnur has an average literacy rate of 68%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 73%, and female literacy is 64%. In Ponnur, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
[edit] Temples

This historic town is famous for two temples, Sri Sakshi Bhavanarayana Swamy Temple and Sri Sahasralingeswara Swamy Temple. Sakshi Bhavanarayanaswamy Temple has a story relating that Lord Vishnu has come from Kasi to this place to prove that one of his devotees is innocent.Hence, Ponnur is also called 'Chinna Kasi'. The annual festival to this temple occurs in the month of May, which is celebrated as "Tirunalla". Thousands of people from different places attend this festival.

Sahasralingeswara Swamy Temple derives its name from the 1000 Siva lingas that are consecrated here. Also, there are two huge statues of Lord Hanuman and Garutmanta each carved out of single stone.


[edit] Famous People

The famous agricultural activist and politician Acharya N.G.Ranga was born in this town. The agricultural university of Andhra Pradesh is named after him. A few other politicians from this town are Dhullipalla Veerayya Chowdary and Pragada Kotayya, both of whom worked as cabinet ministers in Andhra Pradesh Government. The town is a strong hold of Telugu Desam Party, with the MLA from past 13 years belonging to TDP. Dhulipalla Narendra Kumar, is the present MLA from Ponnur.
[edit] Etymology

The word Ponnur derives from combination of two Tamil words Pon+Ur which means Vilage of gold.
[edit] Places of Entertainment

An Rail overbridge connecting twin towns Nidubrolu and Ponnur is one of the best places to spend the evenings. The town's drinking water is supplied by one of the canals of Krishna River. The town has a 100 acre reservoir to store and purify the water. The nearest beach is at Suryalanka, Bapatla which is around around 22km from Ponnur.
[edit] Transport

Ponnur is on the highway of Guntur-Chirala. Ponnur is the only road way junction for Chirala , Guntur , Tenali and Repalle. From Guntur ordinary buses are available 5 minutes round the clock.

Nearest railway station is in Nidubrolu, the twin town of Ponnur (2km from the centre of the town). Nidubrolu is on Chennai-Vijayawada railway line. Several express trains stop here.