Yanam: Difference between revisions

Yanam
Nickname:  French Yanam
Country	India
Union Territory	Pondicherry
District	Yanam
Language	Telugu, French and Tamil
Population  (2001)
• Total	32,362
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)

Yanam or Yanaon is a district of the Union territory of Pondicherry and a town in that district. Yanam has some 300 years of history and is well known as French Yanam even now although it was transferred to India in 1954. It forms a 30 km² enclave in the district of East Godavari in Andhra Pradesh. It has a population of 32,000, most of whom speak Telugu and, to a very small extent, Tamil.

Latitude: 16°42' N - 16°46' N; Longitude: 82°11' E - 82°19' E.
The district lies in the delta of Godavari River, the town is situated where the river meets its tributary Koringa River (Coringa River), 9 kilometres from the Bay of Bengal in the Coromandel coast.

It is occupied by alluvium consisting of sand clay and gravel. Ground water occurs both water table and confined conditions in the granular beds in the alluvial deposits. It is development by means of shallow filter point well within a depth of nine metres. The soil is grayish black and is essentially clayey in composition. A few thin layers of sandy clay or sand, not exceeding 0.3 metre in thickness are intercalated with the clayed soil. The river sands on the bank of Gauthami Godavari consists predominantly of quartz, felspar and muscovite mica. A few grains of monazite are also found in the black streaks. There are no minerals of economic value in the region.

Yanam received irrigation water through Bank Canal which starts form Dowleswaram Head Works ( Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage on the River Godavari down stream Rajahmundry). This canal runs towards east upto Pillanka, a small village near Yanam. From popularly known as French Channel built by an agreement entered in 1949 between the then French Government and the Government of India. This canal serves the irrigation as well as drinking water needs of the areas west of Coringa River.

After merger, steps were taken to provide irrigation facilities for about 560 Hectares. of dry land in the eastern side of Coringa River by providing a new irrigation canal called Adivipolam Channel from the tail end of Tallarevu south canal and at the starting point of Neelapalli channel on the right side. The work was taken for execution by the Andhra Pradesh Pubic Works Department as a deposit work in 1964 and was completed and commissioned in June, 1966. The water from this channel is used for drinking purpose also, as in the case of French Channel.

In the hot season humidity rates vary between 68% and 80%. But generally, It experiences a climate which is characterized by high humidity over 70 per cent in the mornings Andover 60 per cent in the evenings throughout the year, an oppressive summer season and a good rainfall. It enjoys the benefit of both the Southwest and Northeast Monsoons. During a year on an average, the normal rainfall is 1226 mm.

The sky is generally heavily clouded to overcast during the southwest monsoon months. There is moderate cloudiness in the post monsoon months. During the rest of the year, the sky will clear or lightly clouded.

Temperatures in Yanam range from 27 °C to 45 °C in summer and 17 °C to 28 °C in winter. From February, temperature start rising rapidly till May which is the hottest month with the mean maximum around 37 °C and mean minimum around 28 °C. Humidity being high, the heat is very trying. The maximum temperature on some days in May or early June before the onset of the south-west monsoon may even touch 47 °C. The sea breeze, however afford some relief in afternoons.

Similarly pre-monsoon thunder-showers may also bring welcome relief on some days. With the onset of the monsoon in June the temperature falls rapidly and remains almost steady till September. In this season mean maximum temperature is around 32 °C and night temperature fall rapidly till December or January when day temperature is around 27 °C and the night temperature around 19 °C. Some times the minimum temperature may reach as low as about 14 °C. December and January are the coolest months.

As of 2001 India censusTemplate:GR, Yanam had a population of 31,362. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49 %. In Yanam, 14 % of the population is under 6 years of age. In 1885, Yanam population was 4,266 and in 1936, it was just 5,220.

Apart from the town of Yanam itself, the following villages fall under the district's jurisdiction: Agraharam, Darialatippa, Farampeta, Guerempeta, Jambavanpeta, Kanakalapeta, Kurasampeta and Mettakur.

Yanam has an average literacy rate of 64 %, higher than the national average of 59.5 % with male literacy at 68%, and female literacy at 60 %.

Yanaon was a dutch colony before french overtook it in 1720s. In the west of Yanam, we can still find `Neelikundilu' (Indigo wells). People say that the Dutch constructed a fort here and it is called by locals as 'saali kota'. In this fort, they used to keep their currency, minted in the mint at Neelapalli, a nearby village. People say that this region was presented to the French general the Marquis de Bussy, by Vizianagaram Kingas a token of gratitude for the help rendered by Bussy in the fight against the rulers of Bobbili. Even now we can see a street named after Bussy in Yanam. It is believed that Bussy had stayed in a certain building in this street.

It is mentioned in the book, The botanic garden of Yanam (Le Jardin Botanique de Yanaon) by Médecin-colonel Alfred-Alphonse-Léon Bigot (Colonel A. Bigot), that at first, the French establishment of a warehouse here in 1723 A.D. the La Compagnie des Française Indes Orientales of France established here a trading post of theirs. In 1723, Yanam was the third French colony established in India though it was officially confirmed on 1751. Since the business became slack and commercial operations had not produced the desired results.

Actually it was seized again by Dupleix in 1731. A firman from Haji Hassan Khan, Nawab of Masulipatam authorized the French Representative Fouquet, then chief of the Company at Machilipatnam to set up a loge at Yanam in the year 1731. Nawab Roustoum khan granted a Paravana dated 1735 for French commerce in Yanam.

But it was re-established completely in 1742 during the reign of Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah. After 1742 political motives began to overshadow the desire for commercial gain. Mr. De Choisis administered it. He died here on 27 October 1747. Monsieur Sinfray succeeded him. The annual rent was waived off by a document in 1743 for Yanam. Mir Ahmad Ali Khan, Nawab of Arcot, granted all the rights on the lands situated before the quarters at Yanam in 1747.

In December 1753, a Paravana of Salabat Jang conceded to Bussy the Northern Circars. Salabat Jang, was indebted for his elevation to the throne to the French East India Company which was cinformed by then Mughal emperor also. The agreement made between the French and Salabat Jang in Aurangabad bears the signature of Said Loukshur, Minister of Salabat Jang. Yanam acquired considerable importance during the occupation of the Northern Circars by the French.

Another important event in the history was the war between the French and the English fought at Chandurthi in 1758 in which the French were defeated. Salabat Jang made a treaty with British and gave the Northern Circars under a firman to the English. After 1760 the French lost hold in South India, especially on Northern Circars.

A document dated 15 May, 1765 showed that the villages of Yanam and Kapulapalem (Capouloupalém) with other lands were handed over by Jean white hill and George Dolben, the Englishmen deputed by Mr. Jean Pybus, the head of the English settlement in Masulipatam to Mr. Yoan Yacques Panon, French Commissioner deputed by Jean Law de Lauriston the then Governor General of Pondicherry, for taking them over. This document mentions that France entered into possession of Yanam and its dependent territories with exemption from all export and import duties. Soon after taking possession of this settlement, Mr. Panon obtained a firman for full liberty of trade commerce of the French in Yanam.

Between 1778 and 1783, Pondicherry was under British occupation. Yanam was restored again to the French in 1785. Mr. Mallhendre took possession of it and Mr. Bluter succeeded him. After Bluter, Mr. Pierre Sonnerat (August 18, 1748 – March 31, 1814) became the chief in 1790 in Yanam. He appreciated very much the sonority and the music of the Telugu language. He administered Yanam during the time of the French Revolution.

Once again French lost control over Yanam to the British. During 1793 and 1816 Pondicherry was under British control. So, Yanam fell thrice into the hands of the British. After the Napoleonic wars, by the Treaty of Paris (1814) Yanam along with the factory at Machilipatnam was finally returned to the French on 26 September 1816. From then it was continuously under the control of French till it got independence in 1954.

Local administration was started in Yanaon by a royal decree (Ordonnance Royale) dated 23 July 1840 during July Monarchy. According to that decree Yanaon and Mahé were Provided with Chef de service (Service Chief) who resides in his official residence. After the merger, it is being resided by Regional Executive Officer, Yanam.^[1]

According to a decree dated 1 February 1871, one person can be sent as a député to Chambre des députés.^[2]

Another pivotal incident in local administration was decree of 1872. It was dated 13 June 1872 and was issued during Third Republic. According to that decree Conseil locaux (Local councils) were created at each colony. The elected member was called as Conseiller local (Local councillor). Conseil local de Yanaon had a strength of 4 local councillors. The term of office was 6 years with one half of membership renewed every 3 years. ^[3]

According to a decree dated 24 February 1878, one person can be sent as a sénateur to Sénat (French Senate). Senator will be elected by Conseil colonial (Colonial Council) and Conseil local (Local council). First election were held on 26 March 1876.^[4]

By the decree of 1946, French India (Inde française) became Overseas territory (Territoire d'outre-mer) of France. Then an Assemblée Représentative (Representative Assembly) was created for each colony. Yanaon was provided with two assembly representatives (Equivalent to MLA).

Notable assembly representatives from Yanam were Kamichetty Venougopalarao Naidou, Kamichetty Savithiry, Kamichetty Sri Parassourama Varaprassada Rao Naidu and Kanakala Tatayya Naidou.^[5]

Though the French established colonies in India in seventeeth century itself, it was not until during the end of 19th century they started civil administration in French India.

A French Metropolitan Decree, dated 12 March 1880 adopted a six-year term of office for Mayors (Maire), municipal councillors (Conseil Municipaux) and commune panchayats (Communes). Thus French India has seen a French system of municipal administration. In the past, municipal administration was virtually the pivot of the whole administrative machinery in French India. It had several features that could serve as a role model for hassle-free administration.

Then a total of 10 communes were formed in which Yanaon became one commune with a strength of 12 Municipal Councillors (conseiller municipaux). First elections were held on 30 May 1880.

La Mairie (Town Hall) in Yanaon is now called as Municipality Building. It was built in 19th century and is situated next to Court House in the Thiagaraja Street in Yanaon Town. During French colonial rule, Yanam Municipality had 12 Sièges. Then, they were called previously as Sièges instead of wards. Each ward (Siège) is represented by a municipal councilor (Conseiller Municipal). Each commune possesses a Mayor (Maire) and a Municipal council (Conseil Municipal) which manage the commune from the Mairie (Town hall). The life-span of an Municipal council will be 6 six years with one half of the memebership renewed for every 3 years.

Elections held on 24 October 1948 and 18 October 1954 are most crucial in the history of French India. In June 1948 the French and Indian Governments came to an agreement as to how the future of the French Settlements should be determined.

Municipal elections were held in Pondicherry, Karikal and Yanam on 24 October 1948. The two main parties were the French India Socialist Party (Socialists), who favoured the continuance of French rule, and the French India Congress (Congress), who favoured union with India. Socialist Party was headed by Kamichetty Sri Parassourama Varaprassada Rao Naidu and Congress Party was headed by Yerra Jaganatha Rao.^[6]

• Yanam - 12
  • Socialists - 03
  • Independents - 09

Actually, Yanam had an extremely dominant pro-French atmosphere prevailing in its people and its leaders. But in due course of time due to nationalist struggle by some leaders, conditions became intolerable in Yanam after its mayor and other representatives of Yanam adopted the merger resolution. The Mayor Maddimsetti Satyanandam, deputy mayor, and over 200 people took refuge in the adjacent areas of the Indian Union. Then 78 year old Samatam Krouschnaya became Acting Mayor of Yanam. On Sunday 13 June 1954, Indian Police came into action. They along with the pro-merger leaders hired hoodlums from Yanam assaulted refugees on Indian soil. It was then that the refugees marched into Yanam under the leadership of Dadala Raphael Ramanayya and aided by then Maire De Yanaon, Monsieur Madimchetty Satianarayanamourty alias Satia and took over the administration. After hoisting the Indian National Flag, they formed the revolutionary provisional government of Yanam headed by Dadala Raphael Ramanayya and adopted a resolution declaring "Yanaon A Libéré" (Yanam liberated). The coup d’etat of Yanam was announced by All India Radio and Press.

The Yanam, coup d’etat had enraged the French authorities of pondicherry. Rumours were spread to the effect that the French government were despatching a cruiser to Yanam to capture Merger Leaders and to re-establish their authority. After the Coup, last administrator of Yanam, George Sala was recalled by André Ménard, then Governor General of Pondicherry in June 1954.

Dadala was also appointed as Acting Commisoner for Yanam for 14 Days. Towards the end of June 1954, Sri Kewal singh paid a visit to Yanam and requested Dadala's return to Pondicherry to continue his activities there. On 3 July, on Kewal Singh’s request, Dadala left Yanam, after making all arrangements for its proper administration.

Yanam remained under French control till June 13 1954, when it joined the Republic of India by Indian Military Action. On November 1, 1954, after long years of freedom struggle the four enclaves of Pondicherry, Yanam, Mahe, and Karikal were de facto transferred to the Indian Union.

The Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru had visited Pondicherry on 16 January 1955. Messrs Edouard Goubert, S. Perumal , Dadala and Sri Pakirisamy Pillai presented addresses to Pandit Nehru in a public meeting in the maidan of Gorimedu.

A treaty of cession was signed by the two countries in 28 May 1956. The de jure transfer was delayed until the end of the Algerian War. The treaty was ratified by the French parliament in May 1962. On August 16, 1962 (De Jure Day) India and France exchanged the instruments of ratification under which France ceded to India full sovereignty over the territories it held.

Treaty of cession was signed by the two countries in May 1956 was ratified by the French parliament in May 1962. On August 16 1962 India and France exchanged the instruments of ratification under which France ceded to India full sovereignty over the territories it held.

Puducherry and the other enclaves of Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam came to be administered as the Union Territory of Pondicherry from July 1 1963.

Aftermath the liberation French Government offered citizenship to the people living in colonies of French India, i.e., Pondichéry, Mahé, Karikal and Yanaon. Actually, French law made it easy for thousands of colons, ethnic or national French from former colonies of North and East Africa, India and Indochina to live in mainland France. Nearly 50,000 Tamil people chose French Nationality.

In Yanam, Some 10,000 people chose French Nationality. Among those people, we find especially Kapus and Muslims who utilised it fruitfully. Today nearly 120 to 150 Telugu families live in France. Today still we can find some 60 French nationals who are taking French Pension (In Telugu, Guddi Pinchanu) in yanam.

The Court building is situated in a very ancient white monument building of French architect It is called as Palais de justice (Court House) and located at Thiagaraja Street, Yanam to the next of Municipality building. The building consists of two floors. The ground floor is the court and the first floor is the residential quarters of the Judge. The building was renovated in the year of 1967 and inaugurated by Thiru S.L. Silam, the then Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Pondicherry.

Yanam Judicial Magistrate Court is a very ancient court formed prior to the French domain i.e. before 1725 while Yanam was as a Dutch Colony. The Judicial Magistrate Court was existing then.

Subsequently while this area came under the French on the reorganization of French domain in the year 1725 the same court has been converted as French Court under French Law as a Judicial Court. Both civil and criminal cases tried here.

After Independence, this court was converted as an Indian Court as a Judicial Magistrate Court, Yanam in the year 1956, whereas, the Regional Administrative Officer of Yanam was the Judge of the court having both executive and judicial powers on civil and criminal cases.

After bifurcation of the judiciary, this court came under a separate Judicial Department of Government of Puducherry and under the administration of the Hon’ble High Court, Madras and it was termed as Judicial First Class Magistrate Court cum District Munsif Court. Subsequently under the reform by the Hon’ble High Court, Madras, the Yanam was upgraded to that of Subordinate Judge (Civil Judge-Senior Division)/Assistant Sessions Judge cum Judicial Magistrate of I Class in the year 2000. Now because of this upgradation, all the civil cases upto the pecuniary jurisdiction of Rs.5.00 Lakhs are tirable by this court, in criminal side, this court has got jurisdiction to try all cases upto 307 IPC except cases having death sentence. Further this court is empowered to deal with the motor accident claims, family cases, LAOPs( Land Acquisition of Puducherry) , etc.

The Judge of Yanam Court is the Chairman of the Taluk Legal Services Committee of Yanam. Taluk Legal Services Committee is having its members and a regular duty advocate will be periodically posted for attending the grievances of the litigants. This court consists of a Bar Association having 10 members. Even the records from the year 1900 are available in the record section of this court.

The staff strength of the Yanam court consists of,

• Sarishtadar - 1
• Stenographer - 1
• Senior Clerk - 1
• Junior Clerks - 2
• Copyists/Attendars - 2
• Peons - 3.

First Laurel Poet of Andhra, Chellapilla Venkata Kavi (1870-1950), One of the duo of the famous Tirupati Venkata Kavulu lived here. Many poets such as the late Villa Reddi Naidu, V.Venkataswami Naidu. Some important politicians include Kanakala Tatayya Naidou and Md. Abdul Razzaq.

Monsieur Samatam Krouschnaya (Samatam Krishnayya) lived here in Yanam and wrote many books in Telugu. Monsieur Samatam was a pro-French activist. He was Acting Mayor of Yanaon during merger struggle and he was a person of great and unique qualities. He was killed at the age of 78 by Indian military while Yanam being seized during Coup d'État de Yanaon.

A prominent leader who was instrumental in the merger of Yanam into the Indian Union was Monsieur Dadala Rafael Ramanayya. He was born in Farampeta and grew up from humble origins to become a forefront leader of the liberation of Yanam. He was appointed as Interim Commissioner to look after excise affairs in Yanaon after its independence up to June 29 1963, until before its merger into the Union Territory of Pondicherry on July 1 1963.

Famous politician of Yanam in early 20^th century, Bezawada Bapa Naidou was Mayor of Yanam. He was a humble and powerful politician in his times. Unfortunately, he was murdered in Pondicherry. After his death his faction became weak and even his siblings were also not able to continue in Yanam politics as he did.

One of Bapa Naidou's councillors in the "Conseil Municipal de Yanaon" was Monsieur Diwan Bouloussou Soubramaniam Sastroulou (Former Conseiller Municipal et local de Yanaon). He was very prominent personality and loyal follower of Bapa Naidou. Monsieur Bouloussou had been one of "Les jurys de Yanaon" and even he worked as Diwan for "Manyam Zamindar" before being elected as Councilor. He was one of the very rare genuine and humble politicians of his time. Monsieur Bouloussou died in 1941.

Bezawada Bapa Naidou's bitter opponent The Grand Old Man of Yanam, Kamichetty Venugopala Rao Naidou was also a famous leader and had been active in politics in French Yanaon. After death of Bapa Naidou, he became Mayor of Yanam (Maire de Yanaon) and even his family became very dominant in Yanam politics for at least 50 years thence.

Venugopala Rao Naidou's son Kamichetty Sri Parassourama Varaprassada Rao Naidu (Former MLA and Speaker, Pondicherry) dominated Yanam politics after its independence for almost four decades. He was elected as MLA more than five times and even had been speaker for Pondicherry. He was a very influential figure in Yanam politics until his death.

Following the introduction of the Pondicherry Municipalities Act, 1973, four municipalities came into existence in Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam towns. The entities of Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam communes formed the municipalities of Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. Under the new law, all functions excluding those which were assigned to the Chairman, i.e., those which were hitherto exercised by the Mayor appointed under the municipal decree came to be exercised by the Commissioner. The Mayors were also relieved of their day-to-day administrative responsibilities enabling them to be in greater contact with the public. Commissioners were appointed as the Chief Executive Heads of the Municipalities, in different ranks according to the grade of the municipalities.

At present Yanam Municipality is comprised of 10 municipal wards,

• Mettakur
• Ambedkar Nagar
• Vishnalayam
• Pillaraya
• Giriumpeta
• Farampeta
• Pydikondala
• Pedapudi
• Aghraharam
• Kanakalapeta

As the people aspired for a popular government, the Indian Parliament enacted the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963 that came into force on 1 July 1963, and the pattern of Government prevailing in the rest of the country was introduced in this territory also, but subject to certain limitations. Under Article 239 of the Indian Constitution, the President of India appoints an Administrator with such designation as he may specify to head the administration of the territory.

Yanam was allocated with one seat in Pondicherry Legislative Assembly. From 1964 to 1989, Kamichetty Sri Parassourama Varaprassada Rao Naidu held this constituency as his pocket borough until his death without facing any challenge in winning the seat consecutively in 1964 (INC), 1969 (IND), 1974 (IND), 1977 (JP), 1980 (IND) and in 1985 (INC). Present MLA of Yanam was Thiru. Malladi Krishna Rao.

Yanam has a mixed culture of French and Dravidian. People of Yanam are more polite and respectable. The people of Yanam are very generous and well cultured. Even in France, we can easily distinguish the Yanam telugu people from the other kinds of telugu immigrants because of their historical presence of double cultural influence. Even we enter Yanam, we see Soyez le bien venue displayed (by Govt of Pondicherry) and when leaving Merci Bien.

Yanam has got a very beautiful view. It is covered withful of coconut trees. We can have fresh iodinised air since it is located over the Banks of the Gauthami Godavari River. Humidity is high in this region. This river Gauthami Godavari is one of the main branches of the river Godavari. It enters the Bay of Bengal after crossing around 12 Kms.

Yanam Ferry Road was inaugurated by the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Pondicherry Shri R.V.Janaki Raman on 11.1.2000. Now, there is a proposal for making the Ferry Road very beautiful by putting important person's idols on the footpath of this Road.

The Lord Satyanarayana Swamy's Temple is located in the Annavaram. It is around 80 Kms from Yanam towards East. It is very famous for performing Vrathams especially for newly married couples for getting blessings from the Lord Satyanarayana Swamy. It is the second important Temple in Andhra Pradesh after Tirupati. The prasadam offered to the devotees has a wonderful taste and it is said that it cannot be replicated.

It is one of the Jyothirlingas in India. The Shiva here is called Bheemeswara Swamy. The height of the Linga is around 14 Ft. and it is one of the oldest temples in India. People say that it was constructed by the Devathas. There is one more temple called Manikyamabika Devi Temple in the campus of this Temple. It is one of the Ashtadasa Pithas in India. It is very famous as it has the Sakthi Chakra and the Parvathi Goddess is sitting on this Chakra. It is around 16 Kms from Yanam. There are frequent buses running from Yanam to Draksharamam.

Padagaya Temple is one of the oldest temples in India. It is also called Dakshina Kasi. The Shiva is in the form of Cock shape. We can see the padas of the Gaya Rakshas here. It is very famous temple. The shiva is called "Kukkuteswara Swamy" and the Parvathi is called "Raja Rajeswari". The Nandi infront of the Shiva Linga is vert famous and it has the liveness in it. There is one Durga Temple in the campus of this temple which is also one of the AshtaDasa Pithas of Durga Goddess. The Pitham of the Lord Goddess is lying here and hence the name comes "Puruhuthika Devi" and the town is called as "Pithapuram". There is also one more temple of Shri Dattatreya Swamy in this Temple Campus. It is very famous as the Dattatreya's next incarnation is Shri Pada Vallabha Swamy was born in Pithapuram only. It became very famous and people from all over India especially from West and Notheren side of India used to come Pithapuram to have the Darshanam of these Lords. It is around 50 kms from yanam Region.

The Venkanna Babu Festival will be celebrated in the month of March every year by the people of Yanam in very grand manner. The festival will be continued for one month. Lord Venkateswara Kalyanam is the main day of the festival. Ponnavahanam (Last Vahanam), Ratha yatra (Rathotsavam) and Chakratirtham are the important events of the festival. In these days nearly 1.5 lakhs of devotees will come to Yanam to take the grace of the Lord Venkanna Babu.

The Ratham was built in 1950 by the then Committee under then Assemblée Répresentative, Kanakala Tatayya Naidou. The Ratham weight is around 15 Tonnes. It was partially damaged to the heavy Cyclone in Nov'1996 . It was rennovated in 1998.This Ratham was carried through out entire Yanam Town in earlier days. After the Electrification Works, this route is limited from Chinna Center to the Kotha Bus Stand. It will be carried out by only the devotees with full of slogans, bhajans. The Govt of Pondicherry declares Holiday for on this special event.

From then, every year in March, a major festival is being celebrated. Devotees from various neighbouring places used to come here and worship the Lord Mariamma. The very remarkable thing is that the devotees are not only from the Christians but also Muslims, Hindus and other religions.

Fête de Pondichéry is a three-day annual cultural festival conducted by Department of Art and Culture of Govt of Pondicherry. It is celebrated by people of of all walks of life.

It was conducted for Lord Venkanna Babu in Yanam during September/October which resembles Tirupati Brahmotsavam. It is a 10-day festival which attracts millions of crowds from surrounding villages of Yanam.

A famous Vishnu Temple is present in the Vishnalayam street of Yanam named Alivelu Manga Sametha Shri Venkateswara Alayam. The God is well known as "Venkanna Babu", "Chaldikudu Venkanna" and "Meesala Venkanna". The speciality of the Temple is the Swamy Idol is having big mustaches like the Lord Sathyanarayana Swamy of Annavaram.This temple was built by the Chalukya kings of Rajamahendravaram, now called as "Rajahmundry" in 15th Century. Now, We can see the sculptures of those period in this temple.

The Venkanna Babu Temple had been very famous for performing Child Marriages in pre independence tenure. Due to the dedicated efforts by the Social Reformer, Shri Raja Ram Mohun Roy, the "Sarada Act" (prevention of Child Marriages") was implemented by the then British Govt. in India.

As the Yanam Region is under the control of French Rule, the people from the nearby State, used to come this Temple for performing the Child Marriages. Even the People from the Madras, Hyderabad and other long distant places, also came to Yanam for their Child Marriages. Daily, some thousands of Marriages were performed in this temple.Hence, Yanam was also called as "KALYANA PURAM".

The site for the Mosque was donated by the French Government in 1848. At that time a small Mosque was constructed. Then in 1956, the same was remodelled. The same was demolished in 1978 and a new Mosque was constructed.

Now, in 1999-2000 the Mosque was extended as the Grand Mosque. At present around 200 persons can pray in the Mosque. Every Year, Ramzan, Bakrid, Milad un Nabi functions will be clebrated grandly. The Mosque covers the people of nearby villages like Thallarevu, Kolanka, Sunkarapalem which are in the adjacent State Andhra Pradesh.

The monument of the Catholic Church French rulers is the the rememberance of the French Rulers is linked with this church. This church is named as St.Ann's Catholic Church. This church was built under Europian style. The furniture,decoration articles were imported from France. This church was built in the year 1846 by the Franch missionarie.The foundation stone was laid down by Father Michel Lecnam and he was died in the year April 30 1836 without completion of the church work. For his rememberance a culvert was fixed in this church.The church work was completed in the year 1846. There is another special attraction in this church is that a hill temple was built in this premises of the church by the french rulers,and there is another hill temple behind the church which was built by the English engineers.

There was an history behind this Hill was that in the year 1943 a Ship named Villiam B. Augustus, was thrown to a sand island due to heavy cyclone. Though they tried hard to rescue the ship consisting of 1000 tonnes by using all manpower, it was invain. The ship stayed for one year in the same place without an inch of moment. At that time, one engineer by name E.H.Swini was deputed from America for this purpose. He also tried and came to a conclusion that this task would not be possible with manpower. And he worshipped the Lord Mary Maa (Mariayamma in Telugu) and all of sudden the ship moved from the sand island. In tribute of the Lord Mary, the engineer and his wife constructed this church in yanam. This history can also be seen now in the hill temple behind this church.

• Causes for Liberation of French colonies in India
• Municipal Administration in French India
• Pondicherry (Lok Sabha constituency)
• Pondicherry Legislative Assembly
• Pondicherry Municipality
• Yanam Municipality
• French East India Company
• Coup d'État de Yanaon
• French colonial empire
• French India

• District website
• Pravasandhrulu in France: identity and integration by Jonnalagadda Anuradha, France
• Official website of the Government of the Union Territory of Pondicherry
• Indian Ministry for External Affairs - 1956 Treaty of Cession
• THE FRENCH AND PORTUGUESE SETTLEMENTS IN INDIA