Tenali

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Tenali is a city in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is a municipality and the administrative center of Tenali mandal and the Tenali revenue division. The city is famous for art, culture and drama, which has earned it the nickname “Andhra Paris.”

Geography and climate
Tenali lies in the Krishna River delta and is fed by three canals that flow through the city. It has a tropical wet and dry climate. Summers can be hot, with May the warmest month, and winters are cooler. The area gets about 1,017 mm of rainfall each year, mostly during the monsoon from June to October.

History and culture
The region has ancient roots and was home to craftspeople and poets. Tenali Rama, a famous jester and one of the eight poets in the court of the Vijayanagara king Krishnadevaraya, came from Tenali. The city has a rich tradition of drama and literature and hosts cultural events and festivals. A memorial at Ranarang Chowk honors seven martyrs of the Quit India Movement.

Government and administration
Tenali is governed by a special grade municipality established in 1909. The municipal area covers several wards, and the council is headed by a Municipal Commissioner. The city is part of the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region and falls under the Tenali Assembly constituency and the Guntur Lok Sabha constituency.

Population and society
As of the 2011 census, Tenali had about 164,937 people living in around 43,500 households. Telugu is the main language, with smaller numbers of Urdu, Hindi and other language speakers. The population includes a mix of Hindus, Muslims and Christians.

Economy and everyday life
Tenali sits in a fertile agricultural belt, with paddy fields as a major crop. The city has an agricultural market yard for trading farm products. It is connected by road and rail and is growing as a regional hub within the capital region. The municipality runs programs on water supply, waste management and sanitation to improve urban life.

Transport
Tenali has a key railway station, Tenali Junction, which is an important junction on major rail routes. APSRTC buses connect Tenali to nearby towns and cities. While no major national or state highway passes directly through the city, several district roads link Tenali with Guntur, Mangalagiri, Narakodur and other towns.

Education and notable people
The city has many government, aided and private schools, plus junior and degree colleges, including autonomous colleges under Acharya Nagarjuna University. Tenali is also known for its contributions to Telugu cinema and literature. Notable people from Tenali include historical writers, actors and artists who have helped shape Telugu culture.

Landmarks and community
The Satyanarayana UDA Lake Park, also known as Chinaravuru Park, is a popular local park. The city also hosts theaters and cultural venues that celebrate Tenali’s literary and dramatic traditions. Jalebi, made with jaggery, is a famous sweet enjoyed by residents and visitors.