Bhimavaram is a city in West Godavari district of the Indian state Andhra Pradesh. It is the administrative headquarters of Bhimavaram mandal in Narasapur revenue division.[4][5] As of 2011 census, it is the second most populous city in the district with a population of 142,184. It one of the major pilgrimage centers in the state, which is home to Somaramam, one of the five great Pancharama Kshetras.Along with much of present-day coastal Andhra Pradesh, Bhimavaram was controlled by the Chola dynasty. Under Kulothunga Chola I, Bhimavaram was ruled by his sons who served as viceroys. Various stone inscriptions have been found in the town dating from his reign (c. 1096 C.E.).
