Tenali, Municipal town in Guntur district, India
Tenali is a town in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, located south of the Krishna delta at about 15 meters elevation. The town spreads over nearly 30 square kilometers and includes residential neighborhoods, street markets, and temple complexes along the canals.
Archaeologists found a Buddha statue from the 2nd century near the Sivalayam temple, indicating early Buddhist settlement. Over the centuries the region shifted between different dynasties and grew into an agricultural hub in the delta.
Three canals of the Krishna flow through the town and supply the surrounding fields, so many residents work in agriculture and sell their goods at the local markets. The nickname Andhra Paris likely came from the wide avenues and the arrangement of the waterways, which resemble European city layouts.
Tenali Junction railway station and the national highways NH65 and NH544D connect the town to larger places in Andhra Pradesh, so arriving by bus or train is convenient. Most points of interest lie within walking distance of the center, and you can get around easily on foot or by auto-rickshaw.
The name Tenali likely comes from Teravali, which refers to the white bark of the Indian elm tree that once grew widely in the area. Some of these old trees still stand in the older neighborhoods and along the canals.
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