Yanam is a town located in Yanam district, state of Puducherry, India, which forms a 30 km² enclave in the district of EastGodavari in AndhraPradesh which is 870 Kms away from it. The population speak Telugu. mostly. Gaining independence in 1954, this seaside town is a quaint mix of Telugu and French influences. Entire region, consisting of Yanam town and six villages namely Kanakalapeta, Jambavanpeta, Agraharam, Mettakur, Kursampeta, farampeta Darialtippa and Guerempeta. is treated as municipality. The region is bounded on the east and south by river Gauthami Godavari river which discharges itself into Bayofbengal after flowing almost 14 Kms towards east from Yanam.
A Dutch Colony prior to French takeover, Yanam became a French colony in 1720s and is still known as French Yanam among a large number of people. Yanam remained under French control till 13 June 1954, when it joined the Republic of India by Indian military action and became part off Pondicherry and other settlements of Karikal, Mahé as a Union Territory from 7 January 1963. Sivalayam, Grand Mosque, Catholic Church are very important tourist places in Yanam. Yanam is also famous for its celebrations and various festivities like Rathotsavam, Catholic Festival, Fête de Pondichéry, Brahmotsavam etc.
By road, Yanam is connected with to the major nearby towns by rail and road. A port from commerce, Yanam was a center for the manufacture of salt and this salt constituted the major part of the quantity imported by the French. It was also an important centre of cotton goods and supplied a large part of the return cargo of the french ships visiting India. Yanam is famous or its festivals most important being Yanam Śrī Rājarājeśwara Kalyāṇōtsavam, an annual festival at Sivalayam celebrated for twenty days in the month of Māgha also called Yanam Venkanna Babu Kalyāṇōtsavam Festival is celebrated in the month of February/March every year. Yanam Ratham started in 1950..
Every year in March, a Catholic Festival is celebrated. Devotees come and honor and pray to Mother Mary. Devotees are not only Christians but also Muslims, Hindus and from other religions. Fête de Pondichéry is a three-day annual cultural festival conducted by the Department of Art and Culture of the government of Puducherry. Brahmotsavam a 10-day festival that resembles the Tirupati Brahmotsavam.and attracts millions of people is conducted for Lord Venkanna Babu in Yanam during the months of September/October..Other places of worship include Sivalayam of Lord Śrī Rājarājeśwara Temple at Yanam on the bank of Atreya Godavari, Venkanna Babu Temple is a Vishnu Temple in Vishnalayam street also called Alivelu Manga Sametha Shri Venkateswara Alayam.
Grand Mosque where every year, Ramzan, Bakrid and Milad un Nabi functions are celebrated. Also worth visiting is Sri Someswara Janardana Swamy Temple.. Catholic church built in 1846. Is famous for Statue of Jesus built in remembrance of the Catholic French rulers is linked with the church named St. Ann’s Catholic Church. All these festivals attract thousands of devotees there are a few industries that provide employment to people in the area. There nothing much to see in terms of tourism here except the beach where one can see several gold plated statues, though as pilgrimage town there are several hotels, restaurants and lodges.that are reasonable n the pocket.
