Kadapa or Cuddapah is a city (municipal corporation) in Rayalseema, a region of the south-central part of Andhra Pradesh, India. The city's name originated from the Telugu word "Gadapa " meaning threshold or gate. It was spelled "Cuddapah" but was changed to "Kadapa" on 19 August 2010 to reflect the local pronunciation of the name.
It is located 412 kilometres (256 mi) south of the state capital, Hyderabad and is 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) south of the Penna River. The city is surrounded on three sides by the Nallamala and Palakonda hills. The city is nicknamed "Threshold" because it is the gateway from the west to the sacred hill of Tirumala, which is known for its connections to Venkateswara Swamy.
Kishkindakanda, one of the seven kandas of the Ramayanam, is believed to have happened in Vontimitta, Kadapa District. Vontimitta is 20 kilometres (12 mi) from the city. The Anjaneya Swamy temple in Gandi was also believed to be a part of the Ramayanam. It is believed that the statue of Anjaneya Swamy in Gandi was made by Rama on a hill stone with the tip of his arrow to acknowledge his help in finding Sita
