Markapur


Markapuram is a town in Prakasam district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a municipality and the headquarters of Markapur mandal in Markapur revenue division. Markapur is known for the Chenna kesava swamy temple built by King Srikrishnadevaraya, one of the oldest temples in the state. A carnival happens every year during Ratha yatra.It is also famous for chennakesavaswamy saptavahana seva on the day of Rathsapthami during which the lord will be taken to procession on a Vendi Ratham, which is attended by thousands of people coming from different parts of the state. It is third-largest town in Prakasam district after Ongole and Chirala. This town formerly was a part of Kurnool district and it was the east gate of Rayalaseema. This town is close to Nallamala hills and currently has a population of nearly 130,000. Markapuram is known for slate manufacturing industries.

Geography

Markapuram is located at at an average elevation of and is surrounded by Nallamala Forest.. Markapur is popular for slate manufacturing. It used to export slate to other countries in the late 1980s. It is one of the revenue divisions in Prakasam district.

Transport

Markapuram is located on the Ananthapur–Amaravathi Express Highway. This is nearer to Kurnool than Ongole around 90 km and also near by Nandyal. It is a part of the Guntur division of South Central Railway division. The railway line from Vijayawada to Guntakal passes through this station. Markapur is near to Srisailam. People visiting Srisailam taking the train route have to get down at Markapur railway station. Donakonda Airport used by British during World War 2 is near to Markapur.

Education

The primary and secondary school education is imparted by government, aided and private schools, under the School Education Department of the state. The medium of instruction followed by different schools are English and Telugu.
Engineering colleges, private agricultural college, B.ed colleges, govt. Degree college, private degree colleges and more intermediate colleges are in Markapur. Dr. Samuel George.Institute of Engineering & Technology is one of the oldest engineering colleges in the district. It also has multi-specialty hospitals, as well as 4 biotech colleges in Markapuram.