Anakapalli is a neighborhood of Visakhapatnam in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Anakapalle municipality was merged in 2012 with Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation.[1] It has the second largest jaggery market of the country.The town was originally under the rule of the Kalinga Empire (ancient Orissa), different dynasties ruled this region i.e. Chedi Kingdom of Kalinga (Orissa), Eastern Ganga dynasty of Orissa, Gajapati Kingdom of Orissa, Kakatiya, and Qutub Shahi empires. Around 1450, Kakarlapudi Appala Raju took over the rule of region under the Nawab of Arcot, with Anakapalle as his fortified headquarters. The saga of Anakapalle starts with a historian named "Tallapragada" place and found that Anakapalle. This was proved from the historical evidences found on Bojjana Konda. Satavahanas, Vishnukundina, Gajapathi's, Vijayanagara Samrats, Golkonda Samanta Rajulu ruled the area. Its alias names are Aniankapalli, Anekaphalle, Vijaypuri, Veniapalii, Kanakapuri, Bellampatnam, and Anakapalli. It is located by the side of a holy Sarada River. During the Independence struggle of India, many prominent leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar visited Anakapalle. It is around 34 km in distance from Visakhapatnam.One of the most significant Buddhist sites in Andhra Pradesh, Sankaram is located some 3.5 km away from Anakapalle and 41 km away from Visakhapatnam on the Sabbavaram by-pass road. The name Sankaram derives from the term Sangharama. Sankaram is famous for the whole lot of votive stupas, rock-cut caves, brick-built structural edifices, early historic pottery and Satavahana coins that date back to the 1st century AD. The main stupa here was initially carved out of rock and then covered with bricks. where you can see a number of images of the Buddha carved on the rock face of the caves. At Lingalametta, there are hundreds of rock cut monolithic stupas in rows, spread all over the hill. Among other Buddhist attractions here are relic casket, three chiatya halls, votive platforms, stupas and Vajrayana sculptures. The Vihara was functional for around a millennium and saw the development of the not only Theravada form of Buddhism but also Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. Later Anakapalle went to estate of Vavilavalasa Inuganty kings and ruled a long time. Anakapalle is located at 17.6913N 83.0039E, on the banks of River Sarada and at an altitude of 29 m (95 ft).[2] It is spread over an area of 23.28 km2 (8.99 sq mi).According to Imperial Gazetteer of India,[5] Anakapalle had an area of 297 square miles (770 km2) containing 143 villages. As of the 2001 Indian census,[6] Anakapalle had a population of 84,523. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Anakapalle has an average literacy rate of 67%, higher than the national average of 59.5%, with 54% of the males and 46% of females literate. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. In spite of the Bojjannakonda and Lingalakonda caves, Buddhist population contributes only 1 of total population as of 2011.The municipal council was established in 1878.
