Thathaiah Kalva

Thataiah Kalva is a major village in Chittoor district, India. It has a population of over 400. Some of the surrounding villages are K.L.M. Hospital, Jeevagram, Neelisani Peta, IDA Gajulamandyam Attur, Allikesam, Boduthum, Thandlam, Tukivakam, Nallapalem, and Kallur.

Government

Thataiah Kalva is a major village in the Elemandyam gram panchayat in Chittoor district, together with Pillaplem, Kotha Palem, Kura Kalva, Elemandyam, and Marri Gunta. It is part of the Tirupathi constituency of Andhra Pradesh state legislature and the Parliament of India in Indian politics.

Economy

The village mainly depends on agriculture. The main crops are rice, sugar cane and ground nuts. There are also more than 50 industries around the village, covering manufacturing, food and beverage production, fuel, and other fields.

Culture

The people of Thataiah Kalva speak mostly Telugu though Tamil, English are understood. Most of the citizens are literate. The residents and migrated people from various states can be seen in both traditional attire like Dhoti, Lungi and Saree and modern attire.

Thathaiah Kalva is known as the place where the sage Mandavya did his Thapasu. Practices of Tonsure and using Tilak are commonly seen. Songs and prayers of Lord Venkateswara like Annamacharya kirtanas, Lord Sri Rama, Lord Shiva, Lord Subramanyeswara Swami, Saibaba bajan kirtanas can be heard all over the Village.

Temples and festivals

This village is known for its temples, including Shivalayam (constructed by Chola Rajas along with Kalahasti, Gudimallam, Mukkoti, Jogula Mallaram temples), Janardhana Swamy Temple, Sri Ramaalayam, Ganesh Temple, Gurrappa Swamy Temple, and Seethalamma Temple. Festivals celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, Krishnastami, Deepavali, Sankranti, Sri Ramanavami, Ugadi, Kruthika, Guru Purnima, Shiva Rathri, Yellamma Jatara, and Ganaga Jatara, including grand processions.

Climate

In summer temperatures may rise to 36 to 45 degrees Celsius, and in winter the minimum temperatures will be between 18 and 28 degrees Celsius. Usually summer lasts from March to October. The rainy season begins in November, followed by winter which lasts till the end of February.

Transport

Thataiah Kalva is well connected with all major nearby towns: Tirupati (13 km), Puttur (18 km), Kalahasti (35 km), Tiruchanur (Alamelu Manga puram) (6 km), Renigunta Airport (3 km), and Renigunta (3 km) in Chittoor district. The distance to Tirumala is about 37 km. The frequency of buses to Tirupati is every 5–10 minutes throughout the day. The bus journey to Tirumala takes about one hour.

Schools

• P.M. high school: established by Britishers in 1883. Alumni include Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (President and Vice President of India from 1896 to 1900), Anantha Sayanam Iyengar (former Speaker of Indian Parliament), Nedurumalli Janardhana Reddy (former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh), A. EswarReddy (former Speaker of Legislative Assembly A.P) and Ranganath (film actor, South India).
• M.P.P.U.P School: in 2004 this school split into ZP Highschool & Elementary School in the same premises.

Media

The main Telugu news papers like Sakshi, Eenadu, and Andhra Jyothi are major sources of daily news. Popular TV Channels are Sakshi TV, ETV, Maa TV Gemini TV and Teja TV and local city cable.

Sports

Cricket is the most watched and played sport. Tennis, volleyball and badminton are also played in schools and uncultivated fields.