Srikakulam
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Srikakulam is a city and the headquarters of Srikakulam district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.<ref name="census2">Template:Cite web</ref> Template:As of census, it has a population of 165,735. There are many other places of Buddhist Tourism such as Salihundam, Kalinga Patnam, Dabbaka Vaani Peta, Nagari Peta, Jagati Metta, Singupuram etc. in Srikakulam District. The Buddhist heritage site of Salihundam has some unique features. It has a beautiful star atop a stupa, rock cut massive stupas inside chaitya grihas, brick stupas with wheel pattern plan, votive stupas, inscriptions on the steps leading to the stupas and museum housing over two dozen sculpted statue and figurines of Buddha, Jain Teerthankars and other deities.<ref>Salihundam Buddhist heritage site, museum need attention, Times of India, Sulogna Mehta, Oct 17, 2016</ref>
Etymology
The city was known as Chicacole before Indian Independence.<ref name="intro">Template:Cite web</ref>
History
Template:Unreferenced section Srikakulam or Chicacole is of great historical significance in the medieval and later history of Kalinga. The earliest history of Srikakulam dates back to the ages of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. It falls under the direct rule of the Suryavanshis of Nandapur until its annexation by the Golconda Qutb Shahis. Under the Sultans of Golconda, Srikakulam became the headquarters of the North Andhra region and one officer called 'Fouzdar' was appointed to look after the administration. The rule of Golconda in the region ended in 1673 with a battle between the king of Jeypore, Viswambhar Dev-I and the Nawab of Chicacole.
Due to the weakening state of Golconda, the fouzdar of Chicacole adopted the title of Nawab and endeavored to establish an independent regime. However, he was defeated by Viswambhar Dev-I, who re-established the rule of Jeypore in the North Andhra regions.
Demographics
Template:As of Census of India, the city had a population of 146,988. The total population constitute, 73,077 males and 73,911 females —a sex ratio of 1011 females per 1000 males. 11,607 children are in the age group of 1–6 years. The average literacy rate stands at 84.62%, with male literacy at 90.76% and female literacy at 78.61%, and a total of 96,744 literates, significantly higher than the national average of 73.00%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Urban agglomeration had a population of 147,015, of which males constitute 73,077, females constitute 73,911 —a sex ratio of 931 females per 1000 males and 12,741 children are in the age group of 0–6 years. There are a total of 115,061 literates with an average literacy rate of 85.71%.<ref name=UA />
Climate
Srikakulam has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw). Template:Weather boxSrikakulam has been ranked 22nd best “National Clean Air City” under (Category 3 population under 3 lakhs cities) in India.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Governance
Civic administration
Srikakulam Municipal Corporation is the civic body of the city, constituted as a municipality in the year 1856.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It was upgraded to corporation on 9 December 2015.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="civicbody" /> The jurisdictional area of the corporation is spread over Template:Convert with 36 election wards.<ref name="civicbody" />
The Srikakulam urban agglomeration constituents of the city include, Srikakulam municipality, census town of Balaga, fully out growths of Arasavalli, partly outgrowths of Kusulapuram, Thotapalem, Patrunivalasa and Patha Srikakulam (rural). While, Ponugutivalasa of Santhakavati mandal is now a part of Rajam Nagar Panchayat.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Politics
Srikakulam is a part of Srikakulam (Assembly constituency) for Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. Gondu Sankar is the present MLA of the constituency from Telugu Desham Party.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is also a part of Srikakulam (Lok Sabha constituency) which was won by Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu of Telugu Desam Party.<ref name=mla>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Culture and tourism
The Arasavalli Sun temple is the abode of Sun god, the idol of the temple was installed by sage Kasyapa's and is one of the two sun temples in the country.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Education
The primary and secondary school education is imparted by government, aided and private schools of the School Education Department of the state.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The medium of instruction followed by different schools are English and Telugu.
Transport
The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation operates bus services from Srikakulam bus station.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> National Highway 16 (India), a part of Golden Quadrilateral highway network, bypasses the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Srikakulam Road railway station(station code:CHE)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> is an Indian railway station in Amudalavalasa near to Srikakulam town of Andhra Pradesh. It lies on the Khurda Road-Visakhapatnam section of Howrah-Chennai main line and is administered under Waltair railway division of East Coast Railway zone.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Sports
International athletes like Karnam Malleswari (weightlifting) and Korada Mrudula (running, 400 m) are from Srikakulam. Kodi Ram Murthy Stadium near Govt. Degree College is a multi-purpose sporting facility in the town. In 1991, an unofficial cricket match was played between Sunil Gavaskar XI and Kapil Dev XI with both the legends being a part of the game as well. The only swimming pool (maintained by SAAP) is located in Santhinagar.