Ganivada

Overview

Ganivada is an old village, with a high literacy rate; this village has produced about 25 school teachers, a few physicians, engineers, professors, M.B.A.s, M.Com.s, B.Sc.s and so on. In similar villages which were usually inhabited by farmers, this level of education was conspicuous by its absence. Notably, at a time when there was very poor literacy, this village produced a diploma civil engineer, late Sri Gedela Ramunaidu and also an MBBS physician, Dr.B.C.Suryanarayana(expired), a noted, philanthropic doctor who is yet fondly remembered in this and surrounding villages. These two individuals who received professional education became examples for rural youths who would usually drop out from primary schools but saw that education was an important way to achieve success in life. Sri Chokkakula Krishnam Naidu was the Sarpanch of this villages for several terms; he died on 12-12-09.

Who are born in this village have built Rama Kovela ( a prayer home for the Hindu god, Ram) at the center of the village, Ram Bazana, a form of prayer-singing specific to Telugu culture, is conducted regularly in this temple.

Now, a church also has come up in this village, signifying the changing spiritual ways of the village community. Christianity is now embraced by all communities.

This village is known well in the neighboring districts particularly because one Padmashali family dispenses an Ayurvedic preparation for treating acute anaemia (Pandu Rogam)(Telugu: పాండు రోగం ).

Velamas are a dominant community in this village followed by Padmashalis. The village was built about 150 years ago and the first inhabitants are Gedelas, Pasalas and Meesalas. The once-major crop - peanuts- is replaced by mango groves. Rice is grown mostly for subsistence.This village is now connected to Vizag-Araku road by a black-top road from Malliveedu to Ravipalli Gate passing through Ganivada and Nidighattu. Rain and ground water are the only source of water.

Mango production

Many mango commission agents make a living on these orchards. Traders from Kolkatta and Delhi visit this village much earlier than the blossom season and sign up contracts with the local agents for supply of the mango produce. Kantakapalli, Alamanda and Kottavalasa Railway Stations are the main railway stations from where mangoes are dispatched.

Demographics

Its Population Composition is as follows:

Temples and festivals

The villagers of Ganivada and their relatives meet at Paidithallamma Gudi (Temple) on the evening of Kanuma, usually 15 January of every year. This event is called 'Paidithallamma Theertham'. The villagers worship (with sacrifice of roosters, bananas,turmetic paste and vermillion powder) the Goddess Paidithalli whose temple is located on the dry area of a Pond called 'Peda Cheruvu'. Sweets and knickknacks are sold in this event. The local vendors eagerly wait for this day. Importantly, cock fights are arranged with small stakes. Usually, the primary interest is to get some chicken for the dinner. People of Gedelavani Palem and Kompali also come to this event to meet people and exchange greetings.

'Paidithallamma Panduga', which is a celebration to worship the Goddess Paidithallamma, is a major festival organized by the villagers once every two years. The village spends a lot of money on this festival. Sometimes it is skipped when the crops fail. On 1st, 2nd and 3 March 2010, this village celebrated Tholellu, Anupu and Dummula Panduga of Paidithallamma Panduga.

Goddess Paidithallamma's Festival for 2012 was held from 12-3-2012 to 14-3-2012.