Tel: చీరాల cīrāla
‘Garment Town’ [Kshirapuri] City, Andhra Pradesh
The original name, Kshirapuri, means ‘City of Milk’ [from Skt: kṣīra, ‘milk’; and puri, ‘fort’, ‘city’].
Given the region’s traditional association with handloom weaving and textiles it is suggested that the name changed to Chirala, ‘Garment Town’ [from Tel: chīra, ‘ garment’, ‘woman’s garment (petticoat, skirt or gown)’], although it is also possible that this was a corruption of the original name.
Unofficially, Chirala is called ‘Mini Mumbai’ for its role as a textile centre and market.
[Article: 5 Best Places to Visit in Chirala: Striking Hues by the Beach]
For related place names see Indian Place names and Andhra Pradesh place names.
