stands on the north bank of the Champavati, and, being a place of halt between Vizianagram and Sálúr, contains an excellent chattram and (south of the river) an indifferent travellers' bungalow. Before Sálúr grew so prominent, the place was a great mart for hill produce, but its importance has now departed.
Jayati: A small village eight miles north-west of Gajapatinagaram in which there are two odd little deserted shrines, each consisting of a single cell about 12 feet square surmounted by a pyramidal roof running up about 16 feet from the ground. They are built without mortar and contain a number of unusual little sculptures. The villagers say they are Jain shrines, but a description of the carvings in them which has been furnished shows that this is doubtful. Another tradition says that Jains once lived in the village and that they were great astrologers. A Hindu overheard one of them calculating in deeply learned fashion the exact hour and minute at which it would be propitious to sow his corn and slipped out and sowed his own at the moment in question. The field produced a crop of solid golden grain. The local king was so impressed with the miracle that he forbore to take an ounce more than his usual share of the crop, and the lucky husbandman spent some of his windfall in building these two shrines.
Márupilli : Three miles north of Gajapatinagaram; population 1,809. Is widely known for its hook-swinging festival in March, which is conducted by certain Mettu Jangálu, in whose families the privilege is hereditary, in honour of the local Ellamma. The feast is a favourite occasion for the fulfilment of vows and many of the upper castes participate in it.
Régulavalasa : Eleven miles north-north-east of Gajapatinagaram. East of it is a jungle the game in which was preserved by the late Mahárája of Vizianagram. The place is sometimes called Shikárganj in consequence. South of the village are the ruins of the Mahárája's shooting-box.
