1.
Geographic coordinate system
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A geographic coordinate system is a coordinate system used in geography that enables every location on Earth to be specified by a set of numbers, letters or symbols. The coordinates are chosen such that one of the numbers represents a vertical position. A common choice of coordinates is latitude, longitude and elevation, to specify a location on a two-dimensional map requires a map projection. The invention of a coordinate system is generally credited to Eratosthenes of Cyrene. Ptolemy credited him with the adoption of longitude and latitude. Ptolemys 2nd-century Geography used the prime meridian but measured latitude from the equator instead. Mathematical cartography resumed in Europe following Maximus Planudes recovery of Ptolemys text a little before 1300, in 1884, the United States hosted the International Meridian Conference, attended by representatives from twenty-five nations. Twenty-two of them agreed to adopt the longitude of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, the Dominican Republic voted against the motion, while France and Brazil abstained. France adopted Greenwich Mean Time in place of local determinations by the Paris Observatory in 1911, the latitude of a point on Earths surface is the angle between the equatorial plane and the straight line that passes through that point and through the center of the Earth. Lines joining points of the same latitude trace circles on the surface of Earth called parallels, as they are parallel to the equator, the north pole is 90° N, the south pole is 90° S. The 0° parallel of latitude is designated the equator, the plane of all geographic coordinate systems. The equator divides the globe into Northern and Southern Hemispheres, the longitude of a point on Earths surface is the angle east or west of a reference meridian to another meridian that passes through that point. All meridians are halves of great ellipses, which converge at the north and south poles, the prime meridian determines the proper Eastern and Western Hemispheres, although maps often divide these hemispheres further west in order to keep the Old World on a single side. The antipodal meridian of Greenwich is both 180°W and 180°E, the combination of these two components specifies the position of any location on the surface of Earth, without consideration of altitude or depth. The grid formed by lines of latitude and longitude is known as a graticule, the origin/zero point of this system is located in the Gulf of Guinea about 625 km south of Tema, Ghana. To completely specify a location of a feature on, in, or above Earth. Earth is not a sphere, but a shape approximating a biaxial ellipsoid. It is nearly spherical, but has an equatorial bulge making the radius at the equator about 0. 3% larger than the radius measured through the poles, the shorter axis approximately coincides with the axis of rotation
2.
India
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India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and it is bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the southwest, and the Bay of Bengal on the southeast. It shares land borders with Pakistan to the west, China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the northeast, in the Indian Ocean, India is in the vicinity of Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Indias Andaman and Nicobar Islands share a border with Thailand. The Indian subcontinent was home to the urban Indus Valley Civilisation of the 3rd millennium BCE, in the following millennium, the oldest scriptures associated with Hinduism began to be composed. Social stratification, based on caste, emerged in the first millennium BCE, early political consolidations took place under the Maurya and Gupta empires, the later peninsular Middle Kingdoms influenced cultures as far as southeast Asia. In the medieval era, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Islam arrived, much of the north fell to the Delhi sultanate, the south was united under the Vijayanagara Empire. The economy expanded in the 17th century in the Mughal empire, in the mid-18th century, the subcontinent came under British East India Company rule, and in the mid-19th under British crown rule. A nationalist movement emerged in the late 19th century, which later, under Mahatma Gandhi, was noted for nonviolent resistance, in 2015, the Indian economy was the worlds seventh largest by nominal GDP and third largest by purchasing power parity. Following market-based economic reforms in 1991, India became one of the major economies and is considered a newly industrialised country. However, it continues to face the challenges of poverty, corruption, malnutrition, a nuclear weapons state and regional power, it has the third largest standing army in the world and ranks sixth in military expenditure among nations. India is a constitutional republic governed under a parliamentary system. It is a pluralistic, multilingual and multi-ethnic society and is home to a diversity of wildlife in a variety of protected habitats. The name India is derived from Indus, which originates from the Old Persian word Hindu, the latter term stems from the Sanskrit word Sindhu, which was the historical local appellation for the Indus River. The ancient Greeks referred to the Indians as Indoi, which translates as The people of the Indus, the geographical term Bharat, which is recognised by the Constitution of India as an official name for the country, is used by many Indian languages in its variations. Scholars believe it to be named after the Vedic tribe of Bharatas in the second millennium B. C. E and it is also traditionally associated with the rule of the legendary emperor Bharata. Gaṇarājya is the Sanskrit/Hindi term for republic dating back to the ancient times, hindustan is a Persian name for India dating back to the 3rd century B. C. E. It was introduced into India by the Mughals and widely used since then and its meaning varied, referring to a region that encompassed northern India and Pakistan or India in its entirety
3.
States and union territories of India
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India is a federal union comprising twenty-nine states and seven union territories. The states and union territories are further subdivided into districts and further into smaller administrative divisions, the Constitution of India distributes the sovereign executive and legislative powers exercisable with respect to the territory of any State between the Union and that State. The Indian subcontinent has been ruled by different ethnic groups throughout its history. Between 1947 and 1950, the territories of the states were politically integrated into the Indian Union. The new Constitution of India, which came into force on 26 January 1950, the new republic was also declared to be a Union of States. The nine Part A states were Assam, Bihar, Bombay, Madhya Pradesh, Madras, Orissa, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. The eight Part B states were former princely states or groups of states, governed by a rajpramukh, who was usually the ruler of a constituent state. The rajpramukh was appointed by the President of India, the Part B states were Hyderabad, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Bharat, Mysore, Patiala and East Punjab States Union, Rajasthan, Saurashtra, and Travancore-Cochin. The ten Part C states included both the former chief commissioners provinces and some states, and each was governed by a chief commissioner appointed by the President of India. The Part C states were Ajmer, Bhopal, Bilaspur, Coorg, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Cutch, Manipur, Tripura, the only Part D state was the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which were administered by a lieutenant governor appointed by the central government. The Union Territory of Puducherry was created in 1954 comprising the previous French enclaves of Pondichéry, Karaikal, Yanam, Andhra State was created on 1 October 1953 from the Telugu-speaking northern districts of Madras State. The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 reorganised the states based on linguistic lines resulting in the creation of the new states, as a result of this act, Madras State retained its name with Kanyakumari district added to from Travancore-Cochin. Andhra Pradesh was created with the merger of Andhra State with the Telugu-speaking districts of Hyderabad State in 1956, kerala was created with the merger of Malabar district and the Kasaragod taluk of South Canara districts of Madras State with Travancore-Cochin. The Laccadive Islands which were divided between South Canara and Malabar districts of Madras State were united and organised into the territory of Lakshadweep. Bombay State was enlarged by the addition of Saurashtra State and Kutch State, Rajasthan and Punjab gained territories from Ajmer and Patiala and East Punjab States Union respectively and certain territories of Bihar was transferred to West Bengal. Bombay State was split into the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra on 1 May 1960 by the Bombay Reorganisation Act. Nagaland was formed on 1 December 1963, the Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966 resulted in the creation of Haryana on 1 November and the transfer of the northern districts of Punjab to Himachal Pradesh. The act also designated Chandigarh as a territory and the shared capital of Punjab
4.
Karnataka
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Karnataka is a state in south western region of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, originally known as the State of Mysore, it was renamed Karnataka in 1973. The capital and largest city is Bangalore, the state covers an area of 191,976 square kilometres, or 5.83 percent of the total geographical area of India. It is the seventh largest Indian state by area, with 61,130,704 inhabitants at the 2011 census, Karnataka is the eighth largest state by population, comprising 30 districts. Kannada, one of the languages of India, is the most widely spoken. Most of these rivers flow out of Karnataka eastward into the Bay of Bengal, though several etymologies have been suggested for the name Karnataka, the generally accepted one is that Karnataka is derived from the Kannada words karu and nādu, meaning elevated land. Karu nadu may also be read as karu, meaning black, the British used the word Carnatic, sometimes Karnatak, to describe both sides of peninsular India, south of the Krishna. With an antiquity that dates to the paleolithic, Karnataka has been home to some of the most powerful empires of ancient, the philosophers and musical bards patronised by these empires launched socio-religious and literary movements which have endured to the present day. Karnataka has contributed significantly to both forms of Indian classical music, the Carnatic and Hindustani traditions, Karnatakas pre-history goes back to a paleolithic hand-axe culture evidenced by discoveries of, among other things, hand axes and cleavers in the region. Evidence of neolithic and megalithic cultures have also found in the state. Gold discovered in Harappa was found to be imported from mines in Karnataka, prior to the third century BCE, most of Karnataka formed part of the Nanda Empire before coming under the Mauryan empire of Emperor Ashoka. Four centuries of Satavahana rule followed, allowing them to large areas of Karnataka. The decline of Satavahana power led to the rise of the earliest native kingdoms, the Kadambas, the Kadamba Dynasty, founded by Mayurasharma, had its capital at Banavasi, the Western Ganga Dynasty was formed with Talakad as its capital. These were also the first kingdoms to use Kannada in administration, as evidenced by the Halmidi inscription, the Western Chalukyas patronised a unique style of architecture and Kannada literature which became a precursor to the Hoysala art of 12th century. Parts of modern-day Southern Karnataka were occupied by the Chola Empire at the turn of 11th century, the Cholas and the Hoysalas fought over the region in the early 12th century before it eventually came under Hoysala rule. At the turn of the first millennium, the Hoysalas gained power in the region, literature flourished during this time, which led to the emergence of distinctive Kannada literary metres, and the construction of temples and sculptures adhering to the Vesara style of architecture. The expansion of the Hoysala Empire brought minor parts of modern Andhra Pradesh, in the early 14th century, Harihara and Bukka Raya established the Vijayanagara empire with its capital, Hosapattana, on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in the modern Bellary district. The empire rose as a bulwark against Muslim advances into South India, in 1565, Karnataka and the rest of South India experienced a major geopolitical shift when the Vijayanagara empire fell to a confederation of Islamic sultanates in the Battle of Talikota
5.
Uttara Kannada
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Uttara Kannada is a district in the Indian state of Karnataka. The city of Karwar is the headquarters of the district. Sirsi, Dandeli and Bhatkal are the major developing towns of the district. Uttara Kannada was the home of the Kadamba kingdom from the 350 to 525, after the subjugation of the Kadambas by the Chalukyas, the district came under successive rule of empires like Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagar empire. Famous Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta is said to have stayed for a time in the district under the protection of Nawayath Sultan Jamal Al-Din at Hunnur and this place is presently known as Hosapattana and is located in the town of Honnavar. Ruins of an old mosque and its minaret can still be seen in the village, the district came under the rule of Maratha Empire in the 1750s and later part of Mysore Kingdom, who ceded it to the British at the conclusion of the Fourth Mysore War in 1799. It was initilally part of Kanara district in Madras Presidency, the district was divided to North and South Kanara districts in 1859. The British finally transferred Uttara Kannada district to Bombay Presidency in 1862, after Indias independence in 1947, Bombay Presidency was reconstituted as Bombay State. In 1956 the southern portion of Bombay State was added to Mysore State, Uttara Kannada was an ancient site of sea trade visited by the Arabs, Dutch, Portuguese, French and later the British. Ibn Battuta passed through this route during one or more of his journeys, the renowned Bengali poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, who visited Uttara Kannada in 1882, dedicated an entire chapter of his memoirs to this town. The 22-year-old Rabindranath Tagore stayed with his brother, Satyendranath Tagore, there is a substantial amount of Chardo families in this area as they had migrated due to the persecution of the Portuguese in Goa. Cintacora, also known as Chitrakul and Sindpur, was known to the Portuguese as an old port. PCr7 is from karwar. When Sadashivgad was built in area, the village also came to be known by that name. Pir fort, named for the Dargah of Shahkaramuddin, was captured, the creek at the mouth of the Kali River was a trading center which came into greater prominence after Sadashivgad was built and the Portuguese realised the advantages of its sheltered harbor. In 1638 a rival English trading body, the Courteen Association and it was a trade port frequented by traders from Arabia and Africa. Baitkhol port was famous for its natural harbour, the name Baithkhol is Arabic term, Bait-e-kol, meaning bay of safety. Muslin was the chief commodity purchased but Uttara Kannada was also a source for pepper, cardamom, cassia, situated on Indias west coast,50 miles south-east of Goa, Uttara Kannada was noted for its safe harbour. In 1649 the Courteen Association united with the British East India Company, in the Treaty of Mangalore signed in 1784, between Tipu Sultan and the East India Company, one finds reference to Uttara Kannada and Sadashivgad written as Karwar and Sadasewgude respectively
6.
Kannada
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The language has roughly 40 million native speakers who are called Kannadigas, and a total of 50.8 million speakers according to a 2001 census. It is one of the languages of India and the official. The Kannada language is written using the Kannada script, which evolved from the 5th-century Kadamba script, Kannada is attested epigraphically for about one and a half millennia, and literary Old Kannada flourished in the 6th-century Ganga dynasty and during the 9th-century Rashtrakuta Dynasty. Kannada has a literary history of over a thousand years. Based on the recommendations of the Committee of Linguistic Experts, appointed by the ministry of culture, in July 2011, a centre for the study of classical Kannada was established as part of the Central Institute of Indian Languages at Mysore to facilitate research related to the language. Kannada is a Southern Dravidian language, and according to Dravidian scholar Sanford B, steever, its history can be conventionally divided into three periods, Old Kannada from 450–1200 CE, Middle Kannada from 1200–1700, and Modern Kannada from 1700 to the present. Kannada is influenced to an extent by Sanskrit. Influences of other such as Prakrit and Pali can also be found in the Kannada language. Literary Prakrit seems to have prevailed in Karnataka since ancient times, the vernacular Prakrit-speaking people may have come into contact with Kannada speakers, thus influencing their language, even before Kannada was used for administrative or liturgical purposes. Kannada phonetics, morphology, vocabulary, grammar and syntax show significant influence from these languages, some examples of naturalised words of Prakrit origin in Kannada are, baṇṇa derived from vaṇṇa, hunnime from puṇṇivā. Examples of naturalized Sanskrit words in Kannada are, varṇa, arasu from rajan, paurṇimā, Kannada has numerous borrowed words such as dina, kopa, surya, mukha, nimiṣa and anna. Pre-old Kannada was the language of Banavasi in the early Common Era, the Ashoka rock edict found at Brahmagiri has been suggested to contain words in identifiable Kannada. According to Jain tradition, Brahmi, the daughter of Rishabhadeva, the first Tirthankara of Jainism, invented 18 alphabets, including Kannada, which points to the antiquity of the language. Supporting this tradition, an inscription of about the 9th century CE, containing specimens of different alphabets and it has been claimed that the Greek dramatists of the 5th–4th century BCE were familiar with the Kannada country and language. This would show a far more intimate contact of the Greeks with Kannada culture than with Indian culture elsewhere, the palm manuscripts contained texts written not only in Greek, Latin and Hebrew, but also in Sanskrit and Kannada. In the 150 CE Prakrit book Gaathaa Saptashati, written by Haala Raja, Kannada words like tIr, tuppa, on the Pallava Prakrit inscription of 250 CE of Hire Hadagalis Shivaskandavarman, the Kannada word kOTe transforms into koTTa. In the 350 CE Chandravalli Prakrit inscription, words of Kannada origin like punaaTa, in one more Prakrit inscription of 250 CE found in Malavalli, Kannada towns like vEgooraM, kundamuchchaMDi find a reference. Pliny the Elder was a naval and army commander in the early Roman Empire and he writes about pirates between Muziris and Nitrias
7.
Postal Index Number
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A Postal Index Number or PIN or Pincode is a code in the post office numbering or post code system used by India Post, the Indian postal administration. The code is six digits long, the PIN Code system was introduced on 15 August 1972 by Shriram Bhikaji Velankar, an additional secretary in the Union Ministry of Communications. The system was introduced to simplify the manual sorting and delivery of mail by eliminating confusion over incorrect addresses, similar place names, there are nine PIN zones in India, including eight regional zones and one functional zone. The first digit of the PIN code indicates the region, the second digit indicates the sub-region, and the third digit indicates the sorting district within the region. The final three digits are assigned to individual post offices, a state may have one or more sorting districts depending on the volumes of mail handled. The fourth digit represents the route on which a Delivery office is located in the sorting district and this is 0 for offices in the core area of the sorting district. The last two represent the delivery office within the sorting district starting from 01 which would be the GPO or HO. The numbering of the office is done chronologically with higher numbers assigned to newer delivery offices. If the volume of mails handled at an office is too large, a new delivery office is created. Thus two delivery offices situated next to each other only have the first four digits in common. Each PIN code is mapped to exactly one delivery post office which receives all the mail to be delivered to one or more lower offices within its jurisdiction, all of which share the same code. The delivery office can either be a General Post Office, a Head Office or Sub Office which are located in urban areas. The post from the office is sorted and routed to other delivery offices for a different PIN or to one of the relevant sub offices or branch offices for the same PIN. Branch offices are located in areas and have limited postal services
8.
South India
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The region occupies 19. 31% of Indias land area. Covering the southern part of the peninsular Deccan Plateau, South India is bounded by the Bay of Bengal in the east, the Arabian Sea in the west, and the Indian Ocean in the south. The geography of the region is diverse, with two ranges, the Western and Eastern Ghats, bordering the plateau heartland. The Godavari River, Krishna River, Kaveri, Tungabhadra and Vaigai rivers are important non-perennial sources of water, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Coimbatore and Kochi are the largest urban areas. Majority of the people in South India speak one of the four major Dravidian languages, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam. During its history, a number of kingdoms ruled over parts of South India whose invasions across southern and southeastern Asia impacted the history. Major dynasties that were established in South India include the Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas, Pallavas, Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, european countries entered India through Kerala and the region was colonised by Britain and other nations. HDI in the states is high and the economy has undergone growth at a faster rate than most northern states. Literacy rates in the states are higher than the national average with approximately 80% of the population capable of reading and writing. The fertility rate in South India is 1.9, the lowest of all regions in India, South India also known as Peninsular India has been known by several other names. Carnatic derived from Karnād or Karunād meaning high country has also associated with South India. Carbon dating on ash mounds associated with Neolithic cultures in South India date back to 8000 BCE, artefacts such as ground stone axes, and minor copper objects have been found in the region. Towards the beginning of 1000 BCE, iron technology spread through the region, however, the region was in the middle of a trade route that extended from Muziris to Arikamedu linking the Mediterranean and East Asia. Trade with Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Syrians, Jews, the region was part of the ancient Silk Road connecting the Asian continent in the East and the West. C. to 14th century A. D. The Vijayanagara Empire, founded in 14th century A. D. was the last Indian dynasty that ruled over the region. The Europeans arrived in the 15th century and by the middle of the 18th century, the French, the British Empire took control of the region from the British East India Company in 1857. During the British colonial rule, the region was divided into the Madras Presidency, Hyderabad state, Mysore, Travancore, Kochi, Vizianagaram and a number of other minor princely states. After the independence of India in 1947, the region was organised into four states, Madras State, Mysore State, Hyderabad State and Travancore-Cochin
9.
Shiva
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Shiva is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme God within Shaivism, one of the three most influential denominations in contemporary Hinduism, Shiva is the transformer within the Trimurti, the Hindu trinity that includes Brahma and Vishnu. In Shaivism tradition, Shiva is the Supreme being who creates, protects, in the goddess tradition of Hinduism called Shaktism, the goddess is described as supreme, yet Shiva is revered along with Vishnu and Brahma. A goddess is stated to be the energy and creative power of each and he is one of the five equivalent deities in Panchayatana puja of the Smarta tradition of Hinduism. At the highest level, Shiva is regarded as formless, limitless, transcendent and unchanging absolute Brahman, Shiva has many benevolent and fearsome depictions. In benevolent aspects, he is depicted as an omniscient Yogi who lives a life on Mount Kailash as well as a householder with wife Parvati. In his fierce aspects, he is depicted slaying demons. Shiva is also known as Adiyogi Shiva, regarded as the god of yoga, meditation. Shiva is usually worshipped in the form of Lingam. Shiva is a deity, revered widely by Hindus, in India, Nepal. The Sanskrit word Śiva means, states Monier Williams, auspicious, propitious, gracious, benign, kind, benevolent, the roots of Śiva in folk etymology is śī which means in whom all things lie, pervasiveness and va which means embodiment of grace. The word Shiva is used as an adjective in the Rig Veda, as an epithet for several Rigvedic deities, the term Shiva also connotes liberation, final emancipation and the auspicious one, this adjective sense of usage is addressed to many deities in Vedic layers of literature. The term evolved from the Vedic Rudra-Shiva to the noun Shiva in the Epics, Sharma presents another etymology with the Sanskrit root śarv-, which means to injure or to kill, interprets the name to connote one who can kill the forces of darkness. The Sanskrit word śaiva means relating to the god Shiva, and it is used as an adjective to characterize certain beliefs and practices, such as Shaivism. Some authors associate the name with the Tamil word śivappu meaning red, noting that Shiva is linked to the Sun, the Vishnu sahasranama interprets Shiva to have multiple meanings, The Pure One, and the One who is not affected by three Guṇas of Prakṛti. Shiva is known by names such Viswanathan, Mahadeva, Mahesha, Maheshvara, Shankara, Shambhu, Rudra, Hara, Trilochana, Devendra, Neelakanta, Subhankara, Trilokinatha. The highest reverence for Shiva in Shaivism is reflected in his epithets Mahādeva, Maheśvara, Sahasranama are medieval Indian texts that list a thousand names derived from aspects and epithets of a deity. There are at least eight different versions of the Shiva Sahasranama, the version appearing in Book 13 of the Mahabharata provides one such list
10.
Shaivism
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Shaivism is one of the major traditions within Hinduism that reveres Shiva as the Supreme Being or its metaphysical concept of Brahman. The followers of Shaivism are called Shaivas or Saivas, like much of Hinduism, the Shaiva have many sub-traditions, ranging from devotional dualistic theism such as Shaiva Siddhanta to yoga-oriented monistic non-theism such as Kashmiri Shaivism. It considers both the Vedas and the Agama texts as important sources of theology, Shaivism has ancient roots, traceable in the Vedic literature of 2nd millennium BCE, but this is in the form of the Vedic deity Rudra. In the early centuries of the era is the first clear evidence of Pāśupata Shaivism. Both devotional and monistic Shaivism became popular in the 1st millennium CE and it arrived in Southeast Asia shortly thereafter, leading to thousands of Shaiva temples on the islands of Indonesia as well as Cambodia and Vietnam, co-evolving with Buddhism in these regions. In the contemporary era, Shaivism is one of the aspects of Hinduism. Shaivism theology ranges from Shiva being the creator, preserver, destroyer to being the same as the Atman within oneself and it is closely related to Shaktism, and some Shaiva worship in Shiva and Shakti temples. It is the Hindu tradition that most accepts ascetic life and emphasizes yoga, Shaivism is one of the largest traditions within Hinduism. Shiva literally means kind, friendly, gracious, or auspicious, as a proper name, it means The Auspicious One. The word Shiva is used as an adjective in the Rig Veda, as an epithet for several Rigvedic deities, the term Shiva also connotes liberation, final emancipation and the auspicious one, this adjective sense of usage is addressed to many deities in Vedic layers of literature. The term evolved from the Vedic Rudra-Shiva to the noun Shiva in the Epics, the Sanskrit word śaiva or Shaiva means relating to the god Shiva, while the related beliefs, practices, history, literature and sub-traditions constitute Shaivism. The reverence for Shiva is one of the traditions, found widely across India, Sri Lanka. While Shiva is revered broadly, Hinduism itself is a complex religion, Shaivism is a major tradition within Hinduism, with a theology that is predominantly related to the Hindu god Shiva. Shaivism has many different sub-traditions with regional variations and differences in philosophy, Shaivism has a vast literature with different philosophical schools, ranging from nondualism, dualism, and mixed schools. The origins of Shaivism are unclear and a matter of debate among scholars, some trace the origins to the Indus Valley civilization, which reached its peak around 2500–2000 BCE. Archeological discoveries show seals that suggest a deity that appears like Shiva. Of these is the Pashupati seal, which scholars interpreted as someone seated in a meditating yoga pose surrounded by animals. This Pashupati seal has been interpreted by scholars as a prototype of Shiva
11.
Hinduism
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Hinduism is a religion, or a way of life, found most notably in India and Nepal. Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, and some practitioners and scholars refer to it as Sanātana Dharma, scholars regard Hinduism as a fusion or synthesis of various Indian cultures and traditions, with diverse roots and no founder. This Hindu synthesis started to develop between 500 BCE and 300 CE following the Vedic period, although Hinduism contains a broad range of philosophies, it is linked by shared concepts, recognisable rituals, cosmology, shared textual resources, and pilgrimage to sacred sites. Hindu texts are classified into Shruti and Smriti and these texts discuss theology, philosophy, mythology, Vedic yajna, Yoga, agamic rituals, and temple building, among other topics. Major scriptures include the Vedas and Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, prominent themes in Hindu beliefs include the four Puruṣārthas, the proper goals or aims of human life, namely Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, karma, samsara, and the various Yogas. Hindu practices include such as puja and recitations, meditation, family-oriented rites of passage, annual festivals. Some Hindus leave their world and material possessions, then engage in lifelong Sannyasa to achieve Moksha. Hinduism prescribes the eternal duties, such as honesty, refraining from injuring living beings, patience, forbearance, self-restraint, Hinduism is the worlds third largest religion, with over one billion followers or 15% of the global population, known as Hindus. The majority of Hindus reside in India, Nepal, Mauritius, the Caribbean, the word Hindu is derived from the Indo-Aryan/Sanskrit word Sindhu, the Indo-Aryan name for the Indus River in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent. The term Hindu in these ancient records is a geographical term, the Arabic term al-Hind referred to the people who live across the River Indus. This Arabic term was taken from the pre-Islamic Persian term Hindū. By the 13th century, Hindustan emerged as an alternative name of India. It was only towards the end of the 18th century that European merchants and colonists began to refer to the followers of Indian religions collectively as Hindus. The term Hinduism, then spelled Hindooism, was introduced into the English language in the 18th-century to denote the religious, philosophical, because of the wide range of traditions and ideas covered by the term Hinduism, arriving at a comprehensive definition is difficult. The religion defies our desire to define and categorize it, Hinduism has been variously defined as a religion, a religious tradition, a set of religious beliefs, and a way of life. From a Western lexical standpoint, Hinduism like other faiths is appropriately referred to as a religion, in India the term dharma is preferred, which is broader than the western term religion. Hindu traditionalists prefer to call it Sanatana Dharma, the study of India and its cultures and religions, and the definition of Hinduism, has been shaped by the interests of colonialism and by Western notions of religion. Since the 1990s, those influences and its outcomes have been the topic of debate among scholars of Hinduism, Hinduism as it is commonly known can be subdivided into a number of major currents
12.
Kadamba dynasty
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Kadamba was an ancient royal brahmin dynasty of Karnataka, India that ruled northern Karnataka and the Konkan from Banavasi in present-day Uttara Kannada district. At the peak of their power under King Kakushtavarma, the Kadambas of Banavasi ruled large parts of modern Karnataka state, King Mayurasharma defeated the armies of Pallavas of Kanchi possibly with help of some native tribes. The Kadamba fame reached its peak during the rule of Kakusthavarma, tiring of the endless battles and bloodshed, one of the later descendants, King Shivakoti adopted Jainism. The Kadambas were contemporaries of the Western Ganga Dynasty and together formed the earliest native kingdoms to rule the land with absolute autonomy. The Kadambas were the first indigenous dynasty to use Kannada, the language of the soil and their legacy was so impressive that even the Vijayanagar rulers who fought Deccan Sultanates hired descendants of the Kadambas to manage their Goa military naval fleet. There is no shortage of myths about the origin of the Kadambas, according to one account the dynasty was founded by one Trilochana Kadamba also known from the Halsi and Degamve records as Jayanta who had three eyes and four arms. He was born out of the sweat of Shiva, which had fallen under a Kadamba tree, according to another myth, Mayurasharma himself was born to Lord Shiva and mother earth and had three eyes. An inscription of the Nagarakhanda Kadambas, a later descendent dynasty, gives a legendary account, there are two theories to the origin of the Kadamba dynasty, a native Kannadiga origin and the other a north Indian origin. Mention of the north Indian origin of the Kadambas are only found in their records of their offshoot descendent dynasty and is considered legendary. But this theory has not found popularity as there is no indication of this account in any of their early records, on the contrary, the family derives its name from the Kadamba tree that is common only to the South India region. A claim has made that the Kadambas were none other than a tribe called the Kadambu. The Kadambus find mention in the Tamil Sangam literature as totemic worshippers of the Kadambu tree, being native Kannadigas, the Kadambas promptly gave administrative and political importance to their language, Kannada, after coming to power. It is thus claimed that the family of the Kadambas were undoubtedly of Kanarese descent, the Naga descent of the Kadambas has been stated in early inscriptions of King Krishna Varma I too, which confirms the family was from present day Karnataka. Inscriptions in Sanskrit and Kannada are the sources of the Kadamba history. The Talagunda, Gundanur, Chandravalli, Halasi and Halmidi inscription are some of the important inscriptions that throw light on this ancient ruling family of Karnataka. They belonged to the Manavya Gotra and were Haritiputras, which connects them to the native Chutus of Banavasi, inscriptions of the Kadambas in Kannada and Sanskrit ascribed to the main dynasty and branch kingdoms have been published by historians. The Kadambas minted coins with Nagari, Kannada and Grantha legends which provide additional evidence of their history. Kadambas were the first rulers to use Kannada as an official administrative language
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Kannada alphabet
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Several minor languages, such as Tulu, Konkani, Kodava, Sanketi and Beary, also use alphabets based on the Kannada script. The Kannada and Telugu scripts share high mutual intellegibility with each other, other scripts similar to Kannada script are Sinhala script, and Old Peguan script. The Kannada script is an abugida of forty-nine letters, and is written from left to right. The character set is almost identical to that of other Brahmic scripts, consonantal letters imply an inherent vowel. Letters representing consonants are combined to form digraphs when there is no intervening vowel, otherwise, each letter corresponds to a syllable. The letters are classified into three categories, ಸ್ವರ svara, ವ್ಯಂಜನ vyan̄jana, and ಯೋಗವಾಹಕ yōgavāhaka, the Kannada words for a letter of the script are ಅಕ್ಷರ akshara, ಅಕ್ಕರ akkara, and ವರ್ಣ varṇa. Each letter has its own form and sound, providing the visible and audible representations, Kannada is written from left to right. The Kannada script derives from the Old Kannada script, which evolved around 10th century as the continuation of the Kadamba alphabet of the fourth century and this evolved from the ancient Brahmi script of the third century BCE. Over the centuries some changes have made to the Kannada script. These changes consist of, Modification of existing glyphs, In the early Kannada script, however, distinct signs were employed to denote the special consonants viz. the trill ಱ the retroflex lateral ಳ and the retroflex rhotic ೞ found only in South Indian languages, by 5th century. Introduction of new characters, Kannada script includes characters like ಶ, ಷ, ೠ, ఌ, ౡ, ಐ, ಔ, ಅಂ, ಅಃ, the introduction was done so that Sanskrit could be written using the Kannada script. These changes have facilitated the use of the Kannada script for writing many of the literary Indic languages, when a vowel follows a consonant, it is written with a diacritic rather than as a separate letter. The structured consonants are classified according to where the tongue touches the palate of the mouth and are classified accordingly into five structured groups and these consonants are shown here with their IAST transcriptions. See place of articulation for more information on tongue positions, the unstructured consonants are consonants that do not fall into any of the above structures, ಯ, ರ, ಱ, ಲ, ವ, ಶ, ಷ, ಸ, ಹ, ಳ, ೞ. The Kannada script is rich in conjunct consonant clusters, with most consonants having a standard subjoined form, a table of consonant conjuncts follows, although the forms of individual conjuncts may differ according to font. The decimal numerals in the script are, Written Kannada is composed of akshara or kagunita, the letters for consonants combine with diacitics for vowels. The consonant letter without any diacritic, such as ಕ ka, has the inherent vowel a ಅ, a consonant without a vowel is marked with a killer stroke, as ಕ್ k. This is known as hrasva ಹ್ರಸ್ವ, * This diacritic has the form ಿ when combined with other consonant letters
14.
Bangalore
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Bangalore /bæŋɡəˈlɔːr/, officially known as Bengaluru, is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. It has a population of about 8.42 million and a population of about 8.52 million, making it the third most populous city. It is located in southern India on the Deccan Plateau and its elevation is over 900 m above sea level, the highest of Indias major cities. In 1638, the Marāthās conquered and ruled Bangalore for almost 50 years, after which the Mughals captured and it was captured by the British after victory in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, who returned administrative control of the city to the Maharaja of Mysore. The old city developed in the dominions of the Maharaja of Mysore and was capital of the Princely State of Mysore. In 1809, the British shifted their cantonment to Bangalore, outside the old city, and a grew up around it. Following Indias independence in 1947, Bangalore became the capital of Mysore State, the two urban settlements of Bangalore – city and cantonment – which had developed as independent entities merged into a single urban centre in 1949. The existing Kannada name, Bengalūru, was declared the name of the city in 2006. Bangalore is sometimes referred to as the Silicon Valley of India because of its role as the leading information technology exporter. Indian technological organisations ISRO, Infosys, Wipro and HAL are headquartered in the city, a demographically diverse city, Bangalore is the second fastest-growing major metropolis in India. Numerous state-owned aerospace and defence organisations, such as Bharat Electronics, Hindustan Aeronautics, the city also houses the Kannada film industry. The name Bangalore represents a version of the Kannada language name. It is the name of a village near kodegehalli and was copied by Kempegowda to the city of Bangalore, Bangalore was built on a venue earlier called as Shivanasamudram in the 16th century. The earliest reference to the name Bengalūru was found in a ninth-century Western Ganga Dynasty stone inscription on a vīra gallu, in this inscription found in Begur, Bengalūrū is referred to as a place in which a battle was fought in 890 CE. It states that the place was part of the Ganga Kingdom until 1004 and was known as Bengaval-uru, an apocryphal story recounts that the 12th century Hoysala king Veera Ballala II, while on a hunting expedition, lost his way in the forest. Tired and hungry, he came across an old woman who served him boiled beans. The grateful king named the place benda-kaal-uru, which evolved into Bengalūru. On 11 December 2005, the Government of Karnataka announced that it had accepted a proposal by Jnanpith Award winner U. R. Ananthamurthy to rename Bangalore to Bengalūru, on 27 September 2006, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike passed a resolution to implement the proposed name change
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Haveri
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For the village in Azerbaijan, see Hovari. Haveri is a town in Karnataka, India, It is the headquarters of Haveri District. The name Haveri is derived from the Kannada words havu and keri, Haveri is famous for its cardamom garlands. It is said that Haveri had around 1000 maths in ancient days, one of the famous maths is Hukkeri Math. Haveri is also famous for marketing Byadagi red chillies, which are known all over India. Around 25 km away, there is a place called Bada which is the birthplace of the poet Kanakadasa, Haveri is 7 hours away from Bangalore by train. It is the way stop between Hubli and Davanagere. It is the stop 72 km before Hubli and 72 km after Davanagere, by road, it is about 340 km from Bangalore on NH-4 towards Mumbai. It was possible because Soapstone is found in abundance in these areas, Haveri also comes under Core area of Western Chalukya architectural activity. V. K. Gokak and many more. The freedom fighters Mailara Mahadevappa and Gudleppa Hallikere, history of Haveri district dates to pre-historic period. About 1300 stone writings of different rulers like Chalukyas, Rastrakutas are found in the district, Bankapura Challaketaru, Guttavula Guttaru, Kadambas of Hangal and Nurumbad are some of the well known Samanta Rulers. Devendramunigalu the teacher of Kannada Adikavi Pampa and Ajitasenacharya the teacher of Ranna Chavundaraya lived in Bankapura and this was also the second capital of Hoysala Vishnuvardhana. Shasanas found in Chaudayyadanapura, a village near Guttal, reveal that Mallideva was Mandalika of 6th Vikramaditya of Chalukyas, jatacholina, under the leadership of Mallideva built the Mukteshwar temple at Chaudayyadanapura. Kadambas of Nurumbad during the period of Kalyani Chalukyas ruled about 100 villages with Rattihalli as their capital, miniature decorative dravida and nagara style towers at Siddhesvara Temple in Haveri Basavanna Temple Utsav Rock Garden is situated at Gotgodi on NH-4 Shiggaon Taluk. It is blended with modern and art where more than 1000 real life size sculptures are present. It has got 8 world records and it is a unique garden in the whole world. The Mini Vidhana Soudha hosts major government offices, the main office among these is the District Commissioners office. Haveri is located at 14. 8°N75. 4°E /14.8,75.4 and it has an average elevation of 572 metres
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Sirsi, Karnataka
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Sirsi is a city in the Uttara Kannada district in the Indian state of Karnataka. Sirsi was also known as Kalyanapattana during the Sonda Dynasty and it is a tourist destination with a population of 95,574. It is the largest city and main centre and business hub in Uttara Kannada district. The city is surrounded by forest and the region is popular for a number of waterfalls. Hubli and Shimoga are the nearest large cities, the main businesses around the city are mostly subsistence and agriculture based. Adike or is the crop grown in the villages that surround the city. The nuts grown there are transported all over India, and also exported abroad, the region is also popular for many other spices like cardamom, pepper, betel leaves and vanilla. The major food crop is paddy and rice is the food of the people. Sirsi is located at 14. 62°N74. 85°E /14.62,74.85 and it has an average elevation of 590 metres, and is situated in the heart of the Western Ghats. Sirsi is about 425 km from Bangalore, the nearest airport is located in Hubli, about 102 km from Sirsi. River Aghanashini begins at a place near Sirsi called Donihalla and flows towards the Arabian Sea in the West, the river also creates many waterfalls along its path. Yana is a located in forests of the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India. It is located in the Sahyadri mountain range of the Western Ghats, about 60 kilometres from Karwar port,40 kilometres from Sirsi, and 31 kilometres from Kumta. The two unique rock outcrops near the village are a tourist attraction and easily approachable by a trek through 0.5 kilometres of thick forests from the nearest road head. The climate in Sirsi is strongly influenced by the monsoons, during the monsoons, the region receives one of the heaviest rainfall in the world. As a result, the region also has a variety of wildlife. The vegetation in the region is mainly moist deciduous, and valuable timber wood is found in the forests of the region. Owing to the flora and fauna, deforestation and poaching have been causes for concern in recent years
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Yakshagana
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Yakshagana ಯಕ್ಷಗಾನ is a traditional theatre form that combines dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up, and stage techniques with a unique style and form. This theatre style is found in Tulunadu and the Malenadu region of Karnataka. Yakshagana is traditionally presented from dusk to dawn, Yakshagana literally means the song of the yaksha. Yakshagana is the name for art forms formerly known as kēḷike, āṭa, bayalāṭa. It is believed to have evolved from music and theater during the period of the Bhakti movement. It is sometimes called the play in both Kannada and Tulu. Yakshagana is a genre of music, independent of Karnataka Sangeetha. It is believed to have survived as an indigenous phenomenon only in Karnataka, a typical Yakshagana performance consists of background music played by a group of musicians, and a dance and dialog group, who together enact poetic epics on stage. The himmela is made up of a lead singer —who also directs the production—and is referred to as the first actor, additional himmela members are players of traditional musical instruments, such as the maddale, the pungi, the harmonium, and the chande. The music is based on ragas, which are characterized by rhythmic patterns called mattu, Yakshagana talas are believed to be based on patterns which later evolved into the Carnatic talas. A Yakshagana performance typically begins in the hours, with an initial beating of the drums of several fixed compositions. This may last for up to an hour before the actors finally arrive on the stage, the actors wear resplendent costumes, head-dresses, and face paints. A performance usually depicts a story from the Kavya and the Puranas and it consists of a story teller who narrates the story by singing as the actors dance to the music, portraying elements of the story as it is being narrated. All components of Yakshagana—including the music, the dance, and the dialog—are improvised, depending on the ability and scholarship of the actors, there will be variations in dances as well as the amount of dialog. It is not uncommon for actors to get into philosophical debates or arguments without falling out of character, the acting in Yakshagana can be best categorized as method acting. The performances have drawn comparison to the Western tradition of opera, traditionally, Yakshagana will run all night. Yakshagana is popular in the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Kasaragod, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Yakshagana has become popular in Bangalore in recent years, particularly in the rainy season, when there are few other forms of entertainment possible in the coastal districts. Yakshagana can refer to a style of writing, as well as the material itself
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Artisan
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Artisans practice a craft and may through experience and aptitude reach the expressive levels of an artist. The adjective artisanal is sometimes used in describing hand-processing in what is viewed as an industrial process. Thus, artisanal is sometimes used in marketing and advertising as a word to describe or imply some relation with the crafting of handmade food products, such as bread. Many of these have traditionally been handmade, rural or pastoral goods but are now commonly made on a larger scale with automated mechanization in factories. Artisans were the dominant producers of products prior to the Industrial Revolution. In ancient Greece, artisans were drawn to agoras and often built workshops nearby, during the Middle Ages, the term artisan was applied to those who made things or provided services. It did not apply to unskilled manual labourers, Artisans were divided into two distinct groups, those who operated their own businesses and those who did not. Those who owned their businesses were called masters, while the latter were the journeymen, one misunderstanding many people have about this social group is that they picture them as workers in the modern sense, employed by someone. The most influential group among the artisans were the masters, the business owners, the owners enjoyed a higher social status in their communities. Shokunin is a Japanese word for artisan or craftsman, which implies a pride in ones own work. In the words of shokunin Tashio Odate, Shokunin means not only having technical skill, a social obligation to work his best for the general welfare of the people, obligation both material and spiritual. Applied art Artist Arts and Crafts movement Caste — Tarkhan Guild Handicraft The dictionary definition of artisan at Wiktionary History of Artisans
19.
Aihole
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Aihoḷe is a village having a historic temple complex in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India and located 510 km from Bangalore. It is known for Chalukyan architecture, with about 125 stone temples dating from 5th century CE and it lies to the east of Pattadakal, along the Malaprabha River, while Badami is to the west of both. With its collection of structures, Aihoḷe temple complex is on the pending list of UNESCO World heritage sites. Aihoḷe was earlier known as Ayyavoḷe and Aryapura in its inscriptions and it was established in 450 CE as first capital of Chalukya kings and has about 125 stone temples, some which were constructed as experimental structures by artisans of Chalukyan period. A place known by as Morera Angadigalu near the Meguti hillocks has a number of cysts of pre-historic period. Aihoḷe has been described as a cradle of temple architecture, some brick structures of pre-Chalukyan times have also been excavated in this village. Aihole has historical significance and is called the cradle of Hindu rock architecture, Pulakeshin I, one of the greatest rulers of this dynasty, moved the capital to Badami nearby. Badami was then known as Vatapi and it is from these temples that the Chalukyas gained their experience and went on to build the great temples of Pattadakal. The first phase of building in Aihole dates back to the fifth–sixth century. The inscription of Ravikirti, his court poet, is a eulogy of the Pulakeshin II and is at the Meguti temple and it is dated 634 CE and is written in Sanskrit language and old Kannada script. The Aihole inscription describes the achievements of Pulakeshin II and his victory against King Harshavardhana, inscription which prepared by Pulakeshin II found in the Jain Temple at Aihole, that all the scholars have relied on this inscription related to Mahabharata War and Kaliyuga. In the Aihole inscription referred that Mangaleshas victory over the Kalachuris, in inscription of Amoghavarsha I found at Aihole, mentioned about his new administration. Aihole was the cradle of ancient Hindu temple architecture and it has more than 70 temples. Experimentation with styles was undertaken by the artisans, the artisans worked on the rocks to create the earliest rock-cut shrines. The artisans graduated to the full-fledged Chalukya style of architecture, the early Chalukyas inherited architectural styles largely from their neighbors to the north and south of their kingdom. Usage of curved towers decorated with blind arches came from northern India, plastered walls with panel inserts are a southern Indian style. The usage of Deccan style is in their seating, angled eaves and sloping roofs. In short, they brought together the prevailing styles in their neighbourhood to create the Chalukya style
20.
Amrutesvara Temple, Amruthapura
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The Amruteshvara temple also spelt Amrutesvara or Amruteshwara, is located in the village of Amruthapura,67 km north of Chikmagalur town in the Chikkamagaluru district of the Karnataka state, India. Located 110 km from Hassan and 35 km from Shimoga on NH206, the temple was built in 1196 C. E. by Amrutheshwara Dandanayaka under Hoysala King Veera Ballala II. The temple is a built according to Hoysala architecture with an open mantapa. The temple has an outer wall with enique equally spaced circular carvings. The temple has one vimana and therefore is a ekakuta design and it is medium-sized Hoysala temple with certain vastu features similar to the Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi in mantapa structure and size. The open mantapa has twenty nine bays, and the mantapa has nine bays with a side porch that leads to a separate shrine on the south side. The shrine is square in shape has the original superstructure which is adorned with sculptures of Kirtimukhas, below the superstructure, the usually seen panel of Hindu deities is absent. The base of the wall has five mouldings which according to art critic Foekema is an older Hoysala style, the Sukanasi, the tower on top of the vestibule that connects the sanctum to the closed mantapa, has the original Hoysala emblem of Sala fighting the lion. The rows of shining lathe turned pillars that support the ceiling of the mantapa is a Hoysala-Chalukya decorative idiom, the mantapa has many deeply domed inner ceiling structures adorned with floral designs. The outer parapet wall of the mantapa has a total of hundred. Unlike many Hoysala temples where the panels are small and carvings in miniature, the Ramayana is sculpted on the south side wall on seventy panels, with the story proceeding quite unusually, in anti-clockwise direction. On the north wall, all depictions are clockwise, a norm in Hoysala architectural articulation. Twenty five panels depict the life of the Hindu god Krishna, ruvari Mallitamma, the well known sculptor and architect is known to have started his career here working on the domed ceilings in the main mantapa. The large stone inscription near the porch contains poems composed by medieval Kannada poet Janna who had the hororific Kavichakravarti, Hoysala architecture Chikkamagaluru District Gerard Foekema, A Complete Guide to Hoysala Temples, Abhinav,1996 ISBN 978-81-7017-345-8 Suryanath U. Kamath, A Concise history of Karnataka from pre-historic times to the present, Jupiter books,2001, MCC, Bangalore LCCN,80905179, OCLC,7796041
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Chennakeshava Temple, Aralaguppe
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The Chennakeshava temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, is located in Aralaguppe, a small town in the Tumkur district, Karnataka state, India. Aralaguppe is located 60 km from the city of Hassan, the temple was built around 1250 during the rule of the Hoysala Empire King Vira Someshwara. The temple is a monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India. Though the temple is simple and elegant, it is a highly articulate example of Hoysala architecture, architecturally, the plan is 16-star pointed with a well design shikhara over the vimana. The kalasa on top is missing though, the tower starts with a topping roof which is also 16-star pointed and is followed by four tiers of square roofs, some of which still have their decorative kalasa. This is a plan with the temple raised on a platform called jagati. The decorative plan of the walls of the shrine and the mantapa is of the new kind, the first heavy eave runs below the superstructure and all around the temple with a projection of about half a meter. The second eave runs around the temple about a meter below the first, in between the two eaves are the well chiseled miniature decorative towers on pilasters. Below the second eaves are the wall panel of images of Hindu deities, below this, at the base, are the six equal-width rectangular moldings. The cella contains an image of Keshava raised on a large pedestal, gerard Foekema, A Complete Guide to Hoysala Temples, Abhinav,1996 ISBN 81-7017-345-0 Kamath, Suryanath U. A concise history of Karnataka, from pre-historic times to the present
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Avani, Kolar
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Avani is a small village in Mulbagal taluk, Kolar district in Karnataka, India, about ten miles from Kolar Gold Fields. The village is located at 32 km from Kolar, the centre and 32 km 13 km from Mulbagal. It is a location for rock climbing. Avani is known for the Sita temple situated on a hill and this temple is one of the few temples dedicated to Sitadevi in India. There is a belief that the sage Valmiki, the author of the epic Ramayana, was residing here during the period of Ramayana, Sitadevi lived here in his ashram while in exile. Sitadevi gave birth to her twin children Lava-Kusha here, even today the room where Sita gave birth to her children exists. The war between Sri Rama and his sons Lava and Kusha happened in this village and this hill also has the temple of Hari Shresta Adi Jambava, who gave Shyamanthak jewel to Lord Krishna. On the Same Occasion Lord Krishna Marries Jambavati the daughter of Adi Jambav, jambavan has also been located to Jamthun village in Ratlam tahsil of Madhya Pradesh and Jambuvan Cave of Ranavav Taluk of Porbandar, Gujarat state. When Sri Narasimha Bharati IV of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham was on his sancharas, during his stay here, in Avani, he found an idol of Goddess Sharada, in standing posture flanked by Srimajjagadguru Shankaracharya and the Sri Chakra. He consecrated this idol here and established a new Matha and installed one of his shisyas as the head of the new Matha and this matha is now known as Avani Sringeri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sharada Peetham. There is a branch of this matha in Basaweshwaranagar in Bangalore, the name Avani is of Dravidian origin, and means earth. Hindu goddess Sita was also called Avanisuta meaning Daughter of Earth, the legend goes that she was found while ploughing the earth. Mahashivaratri festival is celebrated very grandly, ramalingeshwara Rathostava is also very famous
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Badami
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Badami, formerly known as Vatapi, is a town and headquarters of a taluk by the same name, in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. It was the capital of the Badami Chalukyas from 540 to 757 AD. It is famous for its rock cut structural temples and it is located in a ravine at the foot of a rugged, red sandstone outcrop that surrounds Agastya lake. Badami has been selected as one of the cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development. Mythology The Puranic story says the wicked asura Vatapi was killed by sage Agastya, at Aihole there was a merchant guild known as Ayyavole Ainuravaru lived in the area have reformed. As per scholar Dr. D. P. Dikshit, the first Chalukya king was Jayasimha and his grandson Pulakeshin I built a fort at Vatapi. Badami Chalukyas It was founded in 540 AD by Pulakeshin I, an inscription record of this king engraved on a boulder in Badami records the fortification of the hill above Vatapi in 544. Pulakeshins choice of location for his capital was no doubt dedicated by strategic considerations since Badami is protected on three sides by rugged sandstone cliffs. The greatest among them was Pulakeshin II who defeated many kings including the Pallavas of Kanchipuram, the rock-cut Badami Cave Temples were sculpted mostly between the 6th and 8th centuries. The four cave temples represent the nature of the rulers then, with tolerance. Cave 1 is devoted to Shiva, and Caves 2 and 3 are dedicated to Vishnu, deep caverns with carved images of the various incarnations of Hindu gods are strewn across the area, under boulders and in the red sandstone. From an architectural and archaeological perspective, they provide evidence of the early styles and stages of the southern Indian architecture. The Pallavas under the king Narasimhavarman I seized it in 642 AD & destroyed the vatapi, Pulakeshin IIs son Vikramaditya I of Chalukyas drove back Pallavas in 654 AD and led a successful attack on Kanchipuram, the capital of Pallavas. Then Rashtrakutas came to power in Karnataka including Badami around 757 AD, later it was ruled by the Hoysalas. Then it passed on to Vijayanagara empire, The Adil Shahis, Mughal Empire, The Savanur Nawabs, The Maratha, the Britishers made it part of the Bombay Presidency. Badami has eighteen inscriptions, among them some inscriptions are important, one inscription near the Bhuthanatha temple also has inscriptions dating back to the 12th century in Jain rock-cut temple dedicated to the Tirtankara Adinatha. In the Carnatic music and Hamsadhwani raga the Vatapi Ganapatim Bhaje by the composer Muthuswami Dikshitar, the idol of Vatapi Ganapati brought from Badami by Pallavas, is now in the Uthrapathiswaraswamy Temple, near Thanjavur of Tamil Nadu. In 7th century, Vatapi Ganapati idol was brought from Badami by Pallava who defeated Chalukyas, landmarks in Badami include cave temples, gateways, forts, inscriptions and sculptures
24.
Balligavi
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Balligavi a town in Shikaripura taluk Shivamogga district of Karnataka state, India, is today known as Belagami or Balagame. Its ancient names are Dakshina Kedara, Valliggame and Valligrame, Dakshina Kedara means Kedarnath of the South. A place of antiquity, it is known for its ancient monuments and it is also famous as the birthplace of the great Virashaiva saint Allama Prabhu and is closely associated with Vachana poet Akka Mahadevi who was born in nearby Udugani. She was a contemporary of Allama Prabhu and Basavanna, the founder of the Virashaiva movement, Balligavi is also the birthplace of Shantala Devi, queen of Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana. Many famous Hoysala sculptors like Dasoja, Malloja, Nadoja, Siddoja hailed from here, today, Balligavi is a quite town much of whose daily routines revolve around agriculture and the famous 11th century Kedaresvara Temple and Tripurantakesvara Temple. Balligavi is located 72 km from Shivamogga city and 21 km from Shikaripura town and 2.3 KM from Shiralakoppa in Shikaripura taluk, legend has it that Balligavi was the capital of an Asura king and hence was called Balipura. The Pandavas came here while on their Vanavasa and installed the Panchalinga, linga is the universal symbol of Shiva. Archaeologically, Balligavi dates from the Satavahana-Kadamba era and the Chaturmukha linga here is in that style, the earliest inscription mentioning the name Balligavi is a 685 CE Badami Chalukya inscription. The golden age of Balligavi was during the rule of the Western Chalukya Empire during the 10th-12th centuries, Balligavi during these times had six mathas, three puras extensions, five vidyapithas places of learning, and seven Brahmapuris. The mathas belonged to Shaivas, Vaishnavas, Jainas and Buddhists, the Kedareshwara matha belonging to the Kalamukha Shaivas and the Kodiya matha was well known and had the patronage of the Hoysala emperors, marking the place as one of religious activity. Records also indicate that an ancient University existed here, the town also had 54 temples and supported 60,000 residents during that time. Earlier to the Chalukyas, the area came under the Banavasi province of the Kadamba Dynasty, important Kadamba inscriptions like the Talagunda inscriptions, near Balligavi have been collected by the Archaeological Survey of India. This is an excellent example of a trikuta triple towers temple in a transitional Western Chalukya-Hoysala architecture and it is the oldest example of such a combinational style in Karnataka according to reports from the Mysore archaeological department. The temple faces east and has an entrance on three sides. The entrance on the sides is a Western Chalukya idiom, the central shrine has a linga made from black marble. The shrine to the south has a linga called Brahma and the shrine to the north has a statue of Janardhana, the temples outside plan is in staggered-square style with many projections and recesses which is a Hoysala design. The outer walls of the mandapa have carvings of women wearing fine jewellery. Two Hoysala emblems were added in 1060 CE by Hoysala Vinayaditya, the superstructure of the vimana are very well decorated with sculptures of Tandaveshwara, Varaha, Uma Narasimha, Bhairava etc. and the sukanasi of all three towers still exist
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Basaralu
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Basaralu town is located in Mandya district, Karnataka, India. It is home to the Mallikarjuna temple, an example of Hoysala architecture. This temple was built in 1234 by Harihara Nayaka, a commander under the Hoysala King Vira Narasimha II, the temple complex comprises two shrines dedicated to the deities Mallikarjuna and Chandikeshwara. The Mallikarjuna shrine houses a Balahari linga and beautiful carving on the ceiling. There is a Bhairava sculpture in the sanctum of Chandikeshwara temple in a corner of the temple complex, there is a twenty feet tall pillar opposite to the temple
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Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi
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The Veera Narayana temple is located in Belavadi, a village in the Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka state, India. The temple was built during the rule of the Hoysala Empire, known to legend as Ekachakranagara, Belavadi is said to be the place mentioned in Mahabharatha where Pandava prince Bheema killed the demon Bakasura and protected the village and its people. Belavadi is 29 km southeast of Chikmagalur town on the Chikmagalur-Javagal highway and it is a short distance from the famous temple towns of Belur and Halebidu, and a visit to this town is a rewarding experience. This ornate trikuta temple was built in 1200 C. E. by Hoysala Empire King Veera Ballala II, each of the three shrines has a complete superstructure and is one of the largest temples built by the Hoysala kings. While the famous temples at Belur and Halebidu are known for their intricate sculptures, the plan of the temple is unique in that two of the shrines face each other and are located on either side of a wide and spacious open mantapa containing thirty seven bays. The temple complex has two closed mantapas, one with thirteen bays and another with nine bays, at the end of which is a central shrine and this third shrine is an older construction and exhibits a standard architectural idiom containing all the basic elements of a Hoysala temple. The inner walls of the shrine are plain, but its roof is well decorated. In all, the complex has fifty nine bays, most of which are lathe-turned and bell shaped. According to Foekema, the wall of the temple is of the old style. Below this are miniature decorative towers on pilasters and this is followed by a second eves. A panel of Hindu deities and their attendants are below this eves followed by a set of five moldings that form the base of the wall, the two newer shrines have different plans. One shrine is square in shape while the other is star shaped, the tower of the shrine has an apex called the kalasha below which are three tiers of decorated miniature roofs. The superstructure over each of three shrines is connected to a low protrusion tower called Sukanasi The Sukanasi consist of two tiers of decorated miniature roofs, in all other aspects the two shrines are identical. All shrines have sculptured decoration on the towers, and the sculptures on the walls are bold and are visible from a distance, however, they are not sharp and impressive from close quarters unlike in other Hoysala temples. The important sculptures with fine finish are that of the Hindu god Krishna dancing on the head of Kalia the serpent, and this is a Vaishnava temple and all three shrines have images of the Hindu god Vishnu, though in different forms. The central shrine has an 8 ft tall image of Narayana with four hands and is considered one of the best examples of Hoysala art and it is well elaborated with ornamentation and stands on a padmasana. The southern shrine has an 8 ft tall image of Venugopala including a garuda pedestal, decorative sculptures such as kirtimukhas are used to make the shrine towers ornate. Gerard Foekema, A Complete Guide to Hoysala Temples, Abhinav,1996 ISBN 81-7017-345-0 Dr. Suryanath U, kamath, A Concise history of Karnataka from pre-historic times to the present, Jupiter books,2001, MCC, Bangalore Belavadi exudes Hoysalas beauty
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Belur (town)
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Belooru (IPA, is a Town Municipal Council and taluka in Hassan district in the state of Karnataka, India. The town is renowned for its Chennakeshava Temple, one of the finest examples of Hoysala workmanship, Belur was the early capital of the Hoysala Empire. With Halebidu which is only 16 km away, this is one of the major tourist destinations in Karnataka, Belur is located in Hassan district. According to inscriptions discovered here, it was referred to as Velapuri. It is said that Shantaladevi herself danced in front of the shrine during its installation. There are two shrines here that are still in use by devotees and there is a Pushkarni or stepped well to the right side of the main entrance. The Dravida style rayagopura at the entrance which was an addition by the Vijayanagar kings. The temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture and it was built by king Vishnuvardhana in commemoration of his victory over the Cholas at Talakad in 1117 CE. Legend has it that it took 103 years to complete and Vishnuvardhanas grandson Veera Ballala II completed the task, the facade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures and friezes with no portion left blank. The intricate workmanship includes elephants, lions, horses, episodes from the Indian mythological epics, inside the temple are a number of ornate pillars. Darpana Sundari carved on walls of Belur Temple is one of major attractions in the complex and this temple along with Hoysaleshwara Temple in Halebidu and the Jaina monuments at Shravanabelagola are being proposed as UNESCO world heritage sites. By road, Regular buses ply from Bengaluru, Chikmagalur, Halebidu, Kadur, Hassan, Hospet, nearest Railway, Chikmagalur, Hassan, Banavara and Arasikere are also near Belur. Nearest Airport, BIAL, Bengaluru about 222 km from Belur, Mangalore International Airport about 130 km. The primary mode of employment in the Belur region is agriculture, crops grown include coffee, rice, finger millet, pepper, cardamom, ginger and sugarcane with paddy being dominant. Belur, Home to the Hoysala temple complex, the Chennakeshava temple here was completed in 1116 by Hoysala Vishnuvardhana. The temple is 37 meters tall and is standing on a platform which has exquisite art work on its outer walls, there are shrines of Kappe Chenniga Andal, Sowmya Nayaki etc. The temple here is an example of Hoysala art. Halebidu, It is 16 km from Belur, was capital of Hoysala and it has one of the finest Hoysala temples said to have been started by Ketamalla, a commander of Vishnuvardhana in 1121
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Bidar
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Bidar is a hill top city in the north-eastern part of Karnataka state in south India. It is the headquarters of the Bidar District which borders Maharashtra and it is a rapidly urbanising city in the wider Bidar Metropolitan area. The city is known for its many sites of architectural, historical. Being located at the farthest of around 700 km from the state capital Bengaluru, however, owing to its rich heritage, the city has a prominent place on the Archaeological Map of India. Picturesquely perched on the Deccan plateau, the Bidar fort is more than 500 years old, explaining its nickname City of Whispering Monuments. The IAF Station Bidar is used for advanced jet training of fighter pilots on BAe Hawk aircraft. Bidar city is known for its Bidri handicraft products, and its rich history, Bidar is also considered one of the holiest place for Sikh pilgrimage. Unlike other places in the region, Bidar is the coldest and wettest place in north Karnataka, for the year 2009-10, Bidar was ranked 22nd among the cleanest cities in India, and 5th cleanest in Karnataka. SH4 passes through Bidar and the city is integrated with 4 lane road. Ancient Karez System in the city have recently discovered. The Karez is a network of aqueducts for water supply. The Bidar Karez, built in the 15th century, is more than 3 km long with 21 air vents, underground canals, built to connect underground water streams, were meant to provide drinking water to civilian settlements and the garrison inside the Bidar fort. This was necessary in a city where the soil was rocky, Bidar is believed to have got its name from Bidri works. Its association can be seen apparently on account of the similarity in names Bidar and this has been mentioned in Firishtas writings. The traditional tales reveal that Vidura lived here, hence the place was earlier called Viduranagara and also as the place where Nala, the recorded History of the city goes back to third century B. C. when it was of the great Mauryan Empire. After the Mauryas, Satavahanas, Kadambas and Chalukyas of Badami, Chalukyas of Kalyana and Kalachuris of Kalyanis also regained the area. For a short period after Kalyani Chalukyas the area of Bidar was under the sevunas of Devgiri, Delhi rulers first headed by Allauddin Khilji and later Muhammed-bin-Tughluq took control of entire Deccan including Bidar. About the middle of the 14th century the Sultans officers stationed in Deccan rebelled, there were frequent warfare between the Bahamnis and Vijaynagar Kingdom
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Bijapur
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For namesakes, see Vijaypur Bijapur officially known as Vijayapura, is the district headquarters of Bijapur District of Karnataka state. It is also the headquarters for Bijapur Taluka, Bijapur city is well known for its historical monuments of architectural importance built during the rule of the Adil Shahi dynasty. Bijapur is located 530 km northwest of the State Capital Bengaluru and about 550 km from Mumbai, Bijapur urban population as per 2011 census is 326,000, perhaps the 9th biggest city in Karnataka. Vijayapura Mahanagara Palike is the newest Municipal Corporation formed under the KMC act along with Shivamogga, the other existing city corporations in Karnataka state in descending order of population are Bengaluru, Hubballi-Dharawada, Mysuru, Kalaburgi, Belagavi, Mangaluru, Davangere and Ballari. Administratively, Bijapur district comes under Belgaum division along with Bagalkote, Belgaum, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Bijapur, the land of five rivers and the domain of different cultures, is an ancient city. The city established in the 10th and 11th centuries by the Chalukyas of Kalyani was known as Vijayapura, the city was established in the 10th-11th centuries by the Kalyani Chalukyas and was known as Vijayapura. The city was passed to Yadavas after Chalukyas demise, the city came under the influence of the Khilji Sultanate in Delhi by the late 13th century. In 1347, the area was conquered by the Bahmani Sultanate of Gulbarga, by this time, the city was being referred as Bijapur. In 1518, the Bahmani Sultanate split into five splinter states known as the Deccan sultanates, one of which was Bijapur, the city of Vijayapura owes much of its greatness to Yusuf Adil Shah, the founder of the independent state of Bijapur. The rule of this dynasty ended in 1686, when Bijapur was conquered during the reign of Mughal badshah Aurangzeb, in 1724 the Nizam of Hyderabad established his independence in the Deccan, and included Bijapur within his dominions. In 1760, the Nizam suffered a defeat by the Marathas, Bijapur district is historically, traditionally and legendarily, one of the richest districts in the state. The evidence found here reveals that it was a place since the Stone Age. Many places of this district have legendary history, the history of this district is divided into four periods, from the Chalukya acquisition of Badami till the Muslim invasion. Early Western Chalukya period lasting from about A. D.535 to about A. D.757. Rastrakuta period from A. D.757 to A. D.973 Kalachuri, Bijapur came under Muslim influence, first under Allaudin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi, towards the end of the 13th century, and then under the Bahamani kings of Bidar in 1347. In 1347, when the Bahamani dynasty was established, it included southern and eastern parts of Bijapur district, the supremacy of the Bahamans may be said to have ceased by 1489. At that time five Shahi Dynasties were born and one of them was Bijapur‟, the Mughal emperor Aurangajeb conquered Bijapur in 1686 and it was under Mughal rule up to 1723. In 1724 the Nizam of Hyderabad established his independence in the Deccan, however, his acquisition on this portion was of brief duration, in 1760 it went into the hands of Marathas
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Chaudayyadanapura
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Chaudayyadanapur is a small village in Ranebennur taluk of Haveri District in Karnataka state of India. All facets of Indian civilisation are exemplified in an exquisite Mukteshwara temple, northern Karnataka is one of the richest areas of India in monuments of great artistic value. It was the time of the greatest expansion of the Kalamukha Lakulasaiva movements, shivapur, the old name of Chaudadanapur saint, a 12th-century social reformer Basaveshwar, donated this village to Ambigara Chaudayya. So the name is Chaudayyadanapur or Chaudadanapur, the temple of Mukteshwar at Chaudayyadanapur in Ranebennur Taluk is a beautiful representative of the style and the high culture of that time. The Mukteshwar Temple is a single temple in Jakkanachari style. Similar temples were built under the patronage of Kalachuris of Kalyani or Seuna dynasties and this temple is a jewel of architecture of the 11th–12th centuries. It was built during the heyday of the kingdom ruled by the Kalyani Chalukyas and it is dedicated to an Udbhava Lingam named Mukteshwar. The dome of the temple is hollow and is closed by the slabs of the stupi, shikhara of the Mukteshwara temple is 2.2 m in its axis at the base. The stupi is made of three beautiful lotiform mouldings diminishing in size and a bud with its base. The history of Mukteshwar Temple at Chaudayyadanapur is known through seven inscriptions in medieval Kannada and they provide information on the local rulers, kings of Guttala, on some constructions in the temple complex, on diverse donations to the deity. They provide the details on a prominent religious leaders, the legacy of this age of intense Shaivism is a jewel of architecture and sculpture. There is a need of conservation and testoration for the Narasimha temple Narasapur. North Karnataka Tourism in North Karnataka Ranebennur Haveri Galaganatha Mylara Lingeshwara Temple at Mylara Hangal Bankapur Kaginele
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Chitradurga
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Chitradurga is a city and the headquarters of Chitradurga district which is located on the valley of the Vedavati river in the southern part of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located about 200 km from the state capital Bengaluru, Chitradurga gets its name from Chitrakaldurga, an umbrella-shaped lofty hill found here. Chitradurga was also known by the names Chitradurg, Chitrakaladurga, Chittaldurg, chittaldrug was the official name used during the British rule. Chitradurga features bold rock hills and picturesque valleys, huge towering boulders in numerous shapes and it is known as the stone fortress. According to the epic Mahabharatha, a man-eating Rakshasa named Hidimba, Hidimba was a source of terror to everyone around while Hidimbi was a peace-loving rakshasa. When the Pandavas came with their mother Kunti in the course of their exile, thereafter Bhima married Hidimbi and they had a son named Ghatotkacha who had magical powers. Legend has it the boulders were part of the arsenal used during that duel, in fact, the boulders on which major part of the city rests belong to the oldest rock formation in the country. Timmana Nayaka, a chieftain under the Vijayanagar Empire, rose to the rank of governor of Chitradurga as a reward from the Vijayanagara ruler and this was the beginning of the rule of the Nayakas of Chitradurga. His son Obana Nayaka is known by the name Madakari Nayaka, Madakari Nayakas son Kasturi Rangappa succeeded him and consolidated the kingdom to rule peacefully. As he had no heirs to succeed him, his adopted son, chikkanna Nayaka, the brother of Madakari Nayaka II sat on the throne, and his brother succeeded him with the title Madakari Nayaka III in 1686. The unwillingness of Dalawayis to accept Madakari Nayaka IIIs rule gave an opportunity to one of their distant relatives and he is known as the greatest of the Nayaka rulers. The subjects of Chitradurga did not experience a reign of the successive rulers as they ruled on the throne for very brief periods. The Hiri Madakari Nayaka IV, Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka II, Madakari Nayaka V ruled this area, during the reign of Madakari Nayaka, the town of Chitradurga was besieged by the troops of Hyder Ali. A chance sighting of a woman entering the Chitradurga fort through an opening in the led to a clever plan by Hyder Ali to send his soldiers through the hole. The guard on duty near that hole had gone home for lunch, the wife of that guard, Obavva was passing by the hole to collect water, when she noticed soldiers emerging out of this opening. She was carrying with her an Onake and she killed Hyder Alis soldiers one by one as they attempted to enter the fort through the opening and quietly moved the dead. Over a short period of hundreds of soldiers entered and fell. Obavvas husband, upon his return from his lunch was shocked to see Obavva standing with a blood stained Onake, together both wife and husband beat up most of the soldiers
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Dambal
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Dambala is a village in the gadag district of the state of Karnataka, India. It was an ancient center of Buddhism and remained so as late as the 12th century, Dambal is at an elevation of 590 m. As of 2001 India census, Dambala had a population of 10,095 with 5,166 males and 4,929 females and 1,815 Households, under the rule of the Mauryas and Satavahana, the teachings of Buddha flourished in Karnataka. Buddhist relics are scattered around the town. In a temple of the Buddhist deity Tara in Dambal, there is an inscription dated 1095 AD, a built by 16 merchants for the deity Tara. Although Buddhism was assimilated by the popularity of Hinduism, there was a Buddhist centre in Dambal as late as the 12th century. There are three Hindu temples here, the Doddabasappa Temple is of the Western Chalukya architectural style and has a star-shaped plan for the vimana with so many star points that it almost becomes circular in appearance. Each right angle is divided into four 22.5 degrees angles, then each angle is again divided and covered with intricate carvings. North Karnataka Tourism in North Karnataka Gadag Lakkundi Mahadeva Temple Vesara History of Indian Art Rahman, in Islam, Sirajul, Jamal, Ahmed A. Banglapedia, National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh. Deccan-herald, Dambal Dambal a religious symphony Dusty Dambal
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Dharmasthala
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Dharmasthala is an Indian temple town on the banks of the Nethravathi River in the Belthangadi taluk of the Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka, India. It is also a village, and it is the only village in its gram panchayat. The town is known for its Dharmasthala Temple which houses the shrine of Shiva, Manjunatha, Ammanavaru, Chandranath, the temple is unusual in that it is run by a Jain administration and poojas are conducted by Hindu priests of Madhva order. Lakshadeepa, the festival of lights, is the festival of Dharmasthala in November–December. On an average the flow of pilgrims is about 10,000 people a day, a mechanised kitchen provides free food for all pilgrims and there are guest houses with modern amenities. A Jain Tirthankara is worshipped beside Daivas and Lord Manjunatha, the priests are Vaishnavite Brahmins and the guardian of the temple a Heggade. To those who come here for justice, the Heggade dispenses judgements that are said to represent the will of the deities, local legend says that the Shiva Linga in Dharmasthala was brought to Dharmasthala by a local person with great powers, named Annappa. Legend is that he used to work for the Heggade family, once when the Heggade he was serving wanted to worship Lord Shiva, Annappa had assured him to get one linga and vanished from the sight. Next morning, he had established the linga in Dharmasthala. Later it was known that the Linga was from Kadri near Mangalore, by then, Annappa had vanished and he was never again sighted in the vicinity. Now people in Dharmasthala worship Annappa as Annappa Panjurli, a local god deva,800 Years ago, Dharmasthala was known as Kuduma in Mallarmadi, then a village in Belthangady. Here lived the Jain Chieftain Birmanna Pergade and his wife Ammu Ballathi in a house called Nelliadi Beedu, Pergade, the local chieftains built several shrines and invited Brahmin priests to perform the rituals. These priests requested Pergade to also install a Shivalinga beside the native Daivas, the Daivas then sent their vassal Annappa Swamy to procure the linga of Lord Manjunatheshwara from Kadri, near Mangalore. Subsequently, the Manjunatha temple was built around the linga, around the 16th century, Shri Devaraja Heggade invited Shri Vadiraja Swami of Udupi to visit the place. The swamiji gladly came but refused to accept Bhiksha because the idol of Lord Manjunatha had not been consecrated according to the vedic rites, Shri Heggade then requested the Swamiji to reconsecrate the Shiva Linga himself. Pleased by the observance of the rites and Heggades charity to all. As of 2013, about 10,698 couples have married in mass marriages arranged by Dharmasthala Temple committee, the expenses of the wedding dress, Mangalsutra and wedding feast for a limited number of the couples guests are borne by the Kshetra. The average flow of pilgrims is about 10,000 people every day, every one of the thousands of pilgrims who daily visit shri Kshetra Dharmasthala is an honored guest irrespective of caste, creed, culture or status
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Gadag-Betageri
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Gadag-Betageri is a city municipal council in Gadag district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the headquarters of Gadag District. The original city of Gadag and its sister city Betageri have a city administration. The municipality of Gadag-Betageri has a population of 172,813, kanaginahal of Gadag is the birthplace of the first co-operative society in Asia. Some of the examples are The Trikuteshwara temple at Gadag, Kasivisvesvara temple, Lakkundi, Doddabasappa Temple at Dambal, the Gadag inscription of Vikramaditya VI, records that Taila took the head of Panchala by the terror of the pride of his arm in battle. The inscription reveals that the battle was fought on the bank of the Godavari & ocean river, at the command of Sattiga in 1006 A. D. a Lenka Keta fell fighting at the battle of Unukallu, probably against the Cholas. Printing and hand looms are the main business. Majority of population dependent on agriculture, Trikuteshwara temple complex has triple shrines, once housing Shiva, Brahma and Surya. The Saraswathi temple has the finest shining decorative pillars, and the Saraswathi image, someshwara and Rameshwara temples, built in the Chalukya style, are also present. Veeranarayana temple dates from the Chalukya era, the great Kannada poet Kumara Vyasa composed his famous Mahabharatha in this temple. A 111-foot statue of Basaveshwara at the Bhishma Lake is not the tallest statue in the world, here is the List of statues by height in the World. Gadag also has a mosque dating from the Adilshahi era and a church, Betageri has many artistic hero stones dating from the ninth and tenth centuries. Durga devi tree, divotional tree worshipped by people near to ksrtc depot betageri, the tree called Dandin durga devi. The story told about the tree from british rule, visit nearest famous tourist places like Lakkundi, Mahadeva Temple, Lakshmeshwar and Dambal. Magadi Bird Sanctuary - It is one of the Biodiversity hotspots of Karnataka, binkadakatti Zoo - A Biggest Zoo set up in North Karnataka. Kumara Vyasa - Gadag immediately brings to mind the name of Naranappa, popularly known as Kumara Vyasa and it is the classic Mahabharata in Kannada. Naranappa was born in the village of Koliwada. He composed his work sitting before Lord Veera Narayana, his chosen deity, the temples of Veera Narayana and Trikuteshwara are places of religious and historic importance
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Galaganatha
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Galaganath is a small village located near Haveri, in the Haveri District, Karnataka. Located here is the famous Galageshwar Shiva Temple built during the rule of the Western Chalukyas and this large temple faces east and is situated along the Tungabhadra River. The rivers Tunga and Varada join at Galaganath, Galaganath was formerly known as Palluni. The Galageshwar temple, an example of the Chalukya style of architecture, was built here around the 11th century, sri Venkatesh Galaganath worshiped at the Galageshwar temple, and he wrote his novels on the temple premises. The temple faces to east and it is situated along the Tungabhadra river, the temple consists of a huge Shiva Linga in a closed hall, it is called Sparsha linga. The temple has a pyramidal basement and a large open hall. The Gopura is decorated with architectural elements while the wall panels of the back of the hall have some fine decorations. The interior has numerous niches containing figural sculpture including Ganesha, a large inscription slab in the open hall of Galageshwar temple dates from 1080 AD and records a grant to the God Galageshwar. The date gives an indication of the era when the temple was built, the inscription here informs about the prevalence of the tradition of dance and music. The high state of development which the art of music had reached in the 11th century A. D, North Karnataka Tourism in North Karnataka Ranebennur Haveri Chaudayyadanapur Mylar Lingeshwar Temple at Mylar Hangal Bankapur Kaginele
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Gokarna, Karnataka
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Gokarna is a small temple town on the western coast of India in the Kumta taluk of Uttara Kannada district of the state of Karnataka. The main temple and deity is Lord Shiva, who is known as Mahabaleshwara. This temple houses what is believed to be original image of Lord Shivas linga, there are many other temples all over this small town. Ankola and Kumta on National Highway 17 are the towns near Gokarna and Bhatkal. Gokarna is known as one of the seven important Hindu pilgrimage centers and it is on what was once an unspoiled beach near the estuary of the river Aghanashini. Due to its laid-back, unspoiled and rustic nature many younger western tourists started visiting Gokarna about a decade ago, the beaches around Gokarna were hardly used by the locals until these mainly western tourists started coming. Enterprising locals started stores, restaurants, and now the resorts also caters to wealthier tourists and it is believed that Lord Shiva emerged from the ear of a cow here. It is at the confluence of two rivers Gangavali and Aghanashini. Gokarna is mentioned in the Shrimad Bhagavata Purana as being the home of the brothers Gokarna, so the place came to be known as gokarna or ear of the cow. Hindu mythology says that when Lord Parashurama, the avatar of Lord Vishnu created Kerala. As per legend, Ravana was given Atmalinga by Lord Shiva, but Lord Ganesha came in the form of a boy and planted it in Gokarna while Ravana was performing rituals. Once placed Ravana could not remove it from ground, but he removed some pieces of the Linga and threw them in different directions. Maha vishnu devised a plan to install the linga somewhere and as he thought that Lord Ganapati was alone capable of doing it, Lord Ganapati accepts and reaches Gokarna as a Brahmin boy. As Ravana was nearing Gokarna, Maha Vishnu who had known well that Ravana was punctual in performing his periodical rites, hides sun with his Sudarshana Chakra. Thinking that it was time to perform the rites, Ravana finds a Brahmin boy. Ganapati calls Ravana three times when he was performing his rites and places the linga on the earth and he vanished, the Atmalinga at once got firmly entrenched in the earth. Ravana learned that he had been tricked by the Gods, the depressed demon king Ravana was deeply agitated and tried to pull up the linga, but the linga did not budge a little. It resulted in his throwing the coverings of the Linga to Dhareshwara, Gunavanteshwara, Murudeshwara, Ravana was unable to lift the linga from the ground again and called the shiva linga as Mahabala, one with great strength, and ever since, the linga illustrious as Mahabaleshwara
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Halasi
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Halasi also called as Halsi or Halshi, is a town in Khanapur Taluk, Belgaum District in Karnataka, India. It is 14 km from Khanapur and about 25 km from Kittur and it is famous for having been the capital of a branch of Kadamba Dynasty. The town is rich in monuments and temples and is near Khanapur. Halasi is in Background of Western Ghats in lush green atmosphere and it was the second capital of the Kadambas of Banavasi. The huge Bhuvaraha Narasimha temple has images of Varaha, Narasimha, Narayana. The place has a fort, and temples of Gokarneshswara, Kapileshwara, Swarneshwara and Hatakeshwara, halasi has groups of monuments like Kalmeswara, Suvarneswara, Ramalingeswara and Bhuvaraha temples. The Archaeological Survey of India is looking after this ancient structure, halasi was called Palasika in ancient times and the Bhoo Varaha Laxmi Narasimha Temple is one of the best examples of the Kadamba style of architecture. The 50 feet tall tower of the shrine or garbhagruha is very similar to the Madhukeswar temple in Banavasi built by them. According to historians, it was built during the Kadamba period or 5th century AD, as per the records, it was built by Shivachitta. In 1169 AD, the idol of Ananta Viravikrama Narasimha installed by Matayogi, according to a legend associated with this shrine, Pandavas built this temple overnight during their exile and worshiped Lord Vishnu here. According to the temple priest, the two feet tall idol of Narasimha, on the side of Vishnu, is swayambhu or udbhava. Inside the temple There are two facing each other. In the right one is the four feet idol of Lord Shri Vishnu in a sitting posture, the idols of Suryanarayana and Mahalaxmi are just behind the main idol. The garbhagruha on the side has the idol of Bhoo Varaha Swamy. In 1186-87, a 5 feet standing idol of Varaha was installed by Vijayaditya III, Lord Vishnus Varaha avatar, where he carries Mother Earth on his tusk, can be seen. The beautifully carved lotus on the ceiling goes to prove that the Kadambas patronised and developed their own art form, just outside the main temple are smaller temples dedicated to Ganesha, Shiva and Vitthala. One fine statue of Radha Krishna can also be seen in a smaller shrine, halasi Bhoo Varaha Laxmi Narasimha Temple complex on Google Maps
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Halebidu (town)
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Halebidu is located in Hassan District, Karnataka, India. Halebidu was the capital of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century. It is home to some of the best examples of Hoysala architecture, most notable are the ornate Hoysaleshwara and Kedareshwara temples. The city got the name Halebidu because it was ransacked two times during the invasion of Malik Kafur, Halebidu was the 12th-13th century capital of the Hoysala empire. The Hoysaleshwara temple was built during this time by Ketamala and attributed to King Vishnuvardhana and it is believed to have been completed around 1160 AD by Kedaroja, the chief architect of Vishnuvardhanas son and successor Narasimha I. It enshrines Hoysaleshwara and Shantaleshwara, named after King Vishnuvardhana Hoysala, the town was sacked by the armies of Malik Kafur in the early 14th century, after which it fell into a state of disrepair and neglect. The temple complex comprises two Hindu temples, the Hoysaleshwara and Kedareshwara temples and two Jain basadi, in front of these temples there is a large lake. The two Nandi images on the sides of the Hoysaleshwara temple are monoliths, soapstone was used for the construction of these temples. There is a museum in the temple complex. The Hoysaleshwara temple, dating back to the 1121 C. E. is astounding for its wealth of sculptural details, the walls of the temple are covered with an endless variety of depictions from Hindu mythology, animals, birds and shilabalikas or dancing figures. No two sculptures of the temple are the same and this temple, guarded by a Nandi bull, was never completed, despite 86 years of labour. The Jain basadi nearby are equally rich in sculptural detail, the Parshvanatha Basadi was built by Boppadeva in 1133AD during the reign of Vishnuvardhana by Boppana, the son of the famous Gangaraja who was a minister under Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana. There is an 18 ft tall Parshvanatha tirthankara statue inside the Basadi made of granite stone. Sculpture of Yaksha Dharanendra and Yakshi Padmavati present in mahamantapa, the Shantinatha Basadi was built around 1192 A. D. during the reign of Ballala II. There is an 18 ft. tall statue of Shantinatha and this temple is now being proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Adinatha Basadi is a small Jain basadi built in 12th century, the temple houses an idol of Adinatha and Hindu goddess Saraswati. Halebidu is 16 km away from the one more historical place Belur and it is well connected by road and rail to Bengaluru, Mysuru and Mangaluru. There are regular buses to Hassan, the distance is 149 km to Mysore and 31 km to Hassan
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Hampi
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Hampi is a village and temple town recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed as the Group of Monuments at Hampi. in northern Karnataka, India. It is located within the ruins of the city of Vijayanagara, predating the city of Vijayanagara, Hampi continues to be an important religious centre, housing the Virupaksha Temple and several other monuments belonging to the old city. Hampi — traditionally known as Pampa-kshetra, Kishkindha-kshetra or Bhaskara-kshetra — is derived from Pampa, the name Hampi is an anglicized version of the Kannada name Hampe. Over the years, it has also referred to as Vijayanagara and Virupakshapura. Emperor Ashokas Rock Edicts in Nittur & Udegolan suggest that this region was part of the Maurya Empire during the 3rd century BC, a Brahmi inscription and a terracotta seal dating to the II century CE were also recovered from the excavation site. The first settlements in Hampi date from 1 CE, immediately before the rise of the Vijayanagara kings, the region was probably in the hands of chiefs of Kampili, now a small town,19 km east of Hampi. Hampi was one of the best areas of the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1343 to 1565, Hampi was chosen because of its strategic location, bounded by the torrential Tungabhadra river on one side and surrounded by defensible hills on the other three sides. The ruins of Hampi were surveyed in 1800 by Scottish Colonel Colin Mackenzie, the site is significant historically and architecturally. The landscape abounds with large stones which have used to make statues of Jaina deities. The Archaeological Survey of India continues to conduct excavations in the area, the Islamic Quarter, sometimes called the Moorish Quarter, is located between the northern slope of the Malyavanta hill and the Talarigatta Gate. According to archaeologists, high-ranking Muslim officers of the kings court, Hampi is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. It is 353 km from Bangalore and 74 km from Bellary, hosapete,13 km away, is the nearest railway head. The annual Hampi Utsav or Vijaya Festival has been celebrated since the reign of Vijayanagara and it is organized by the Government of Karnataka as Nada Festival. Due to the presence of mineral deposits in this region, such as iron-ore and manganese. A recent boom for the supply of iron-ore in the market has led to increased levels of mining in this district. Some feel that the World Heritage Site at Hampi and the Tungabhadra Dam are under threat as a result, the city of Vijayanagara was originally encompassed by seven lines of fortifications, which had many bastions and gateways. The seventh & the innermost fortification enclosed the city and is the best preserved. The extant monuments of Vijayanagara or Hampi can be divided into Religious, the Jain temples on Hemakuta hill, the two Devi shrines and some other structures in the Virupaksha temple complex predate the Vijayanagara Empire
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Hangal
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Hangal, also spelled Hanagal, Hanungal, and Hungul, is an historic town in Haveri district in the Indian state of Karnataka. Hangal lies about 75 kilometres south of the city of Hubli-Dharwad, about 30 kilometres west of the Tungabhadra river and it is located on state road one, running north to south. A nearby body of water is the Anakere lake, the town is on level terrain in an agricultural district. Hungal is recorded as Panungal in early documents and it was once the capital of a feudatory of the Kadambas. The Kadambas was an ancient dynasty of south India which ruled the region of the present day state of Goa and they built temples in Hangal in the Jain tradition. Hanagal is also known for Agnihotra which was practised by Brahmashri Chayanayaji—Girishastri Kashikar—for seven generations till 1973, around 1031, the Hoysalas took and held Hangal. In 1060, Mallikarjuna of the Shilahara laid siege to Hangal, in the 12th century, Hangal was held by the Kalalyani Chalukyas, rulers of the Deccan. The Chalukyas built temples in the Gadag architectural style, from grey green coloured chloritic schist, on 14 July 1800, English forces took Hangal from Dhoondia Punt Gocklah, a Marhatta rebel deserter. As of 2001 India census, Hangal had a population of 25,011, males constituted 51% of the population and females 49%. Hangal had a literacy rate of 64%, higher than the national average of 59. 5%, male literacy was 67%. 14% of the population is under six years of age, Hangal is approximately 370 kilometres from Bengaluru and 40 kilometres from Haveri. The town can be reached from Bengaluru via Chitradurga and Haveri and from Dharwad via Hubli, the nearest rail head is at Haveri. Hangal has many historic temples related to the Chalukyas and the Hoysalas, the Tarakeshwara Temple is a large structure decorated with images and pillars dating to the Chalukya era in the mid-12th century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva in his form as Tarakeshwara. The images include scenes from the Ramayana, the outer walls are designed with miniature shikaras of both Dravidian and Nagara style. The pillars of the main hall are lathe turned wood. They have a bell shaped section and other decorations including elephants, the elephants are carved so there appears to be a space between their trunks and the pillars. The band motifs vary in detail, the temple main hall has a large domed ceiling. It consists of circles of cusped mouldings
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Ikkeri
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Ikkeri is situated in Sagara taluk about 6 km to the south of Sagara. The word Ikkeri in Kannada means Two Streets and it was, from about 1560 to 1640 AD, the capital of the Nayakas of Keladi chiefs, afterwards removed to Bednur Nagara. Ikkeri continued, however to be the capital, the Rajas were called by its name, and the coins were called Ikkeri Pagodas and Fanams, although, if fact. Its walls were of great extent, forming three concentric enclosures, on the floor in front of the shrine are the effigies of three of the Keladi chiefs, doing obeisance, with the name inscribed above each. One of them, Huchcha Somasekhara, is represented as manacled and fettered, the distance between the central pillars was adopted as the standard measure for garden land. The temple faces north and has lofty roof and ornamental doorways on the west, north and east, in the Sukhanasi is a small translucent Nandi carved out of white spar. The temple has no navaranga doorway there are two niches, those to the containing the figures of Ganesha and Subramanya and those to the left figures of Mahishasuramardini. There are intricate carvings on the walls of the temple. There are carvings & sculptures such as Temple Relief, Erotica, Fingurine, Old Kannada Manuscript, at present it is maintained by Archaeological Survey of India. Fellow, University of Mysore, Editor, Mysore Gazetteer,1930 Edition, Government Press, B B Susheel Kumar, Founder and Photographer at © B B Susheel Kumar Keladi Keladi Nayaka Vijayanagara Empire Karnataka
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Kanakagiri
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Kanakagiri is an historical place in India, situated in Karnataka State, in Gangavati taluk of Koppal district. 20 km north west to Gangavati town, Kanakagiri means a Hill of Gold. The common local saying is that those who have eyes should visit Kanakagiri, for Kanakagiri near Maleyur, please see Kanakagiri Jain Shri kshetra It is said that Acharya Pujyapada had turned the entire mountain into Gold once. Because of that the later came to be known as Kanakagiri as kanaka means gold. It was the capital of the area of the Mauryan Empire during the 3rd century BC. During the Vijayanagar period, this was the town of the Bedar Rajas. Kanakachalapati temple with its spacious halls and massive pillars is a specimen of the South Indian architecture of Vijayanagar times. The gopuras and walls have sculpture, in black polished stone there are statues of Rajas and Ranis and plaster models and wooden statues of mythological figures. There is a royal bath constructed by Venkatappa Naik on the ourskirts of Kanakgiri, hemagudda Fort, about 20 km from Kanakagiri, next to the Kammatadurga Fort of Gandugali Kumara Rama. The fort was constructed in the 14th century, celebrating Dasara in the fort has temple of Durga Devi. The event Kanakagiri Utsav sponsored by Karnataka Govt, annual fair associated with Kanakachalapathi temple in the month of Phalguna
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Karkala
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Karkala is a town and the headquarters of Karkala taluk in the Udupi district of Karnataka, India. Located about 60 km from Mangalore, it lies near the Western Ghats, the town was called Pandya Nagari during the period of Jain rule, and later became known as Karikallu, then Karkal and finally to Karkala. Karkala has a number of natural and historical landmarks and it is located at the bottom of Western Ghats covered with greenery around the year. It is one of the junction for the religious tourists. It is located strategically on the way to Sringeri, Kalasa, Horanadu, Udupi, Kolluru Mookambika, Karkala dates back to the beginning of the 10th century. Black granite is abundant in the area, and is in use in the local architecture. The name of the town is derived from kari-kal, meaning stone in Tulu. Some assert that the name was Kari Kola meaning elephant lake which is the existing Anekere. Tulu-speaking people call the town Karla, kannadigas call it Karkala, and the Roman Catholics call it Karkol. Its alternative name, Jain Tirtha, is the result of 300 years of Jain rule and it was called Karkal by the English, later, it was called Karkala in Kannada. Karkala is on the top of a bed that is about 300–500 ft thick. The Alupas were the first to rule Karkala and their rule was followed by the Santaras, who were the feudatories of Alupas for many years. Karkala, or ancient Pandya Nagari, attained political and cultural importance from the time of the Kalasa-Karkala kingdom that was established by Bhairarasa Odeyas between 13th and 16th centuries. The Bhairarasas appear to be the descendants of the Santara chiefs, the royal family of Karkala shot to prominence right from the time of the Hoysalas. During the Vijayanagara period this family reached new heights of glory and their kingdom extended over a wider area comprising Sringeri, Koppa, Balehonnur and Mudigere in Chikamagalur and most of the Karkala taluk. They were rich and maintained a large army, despite engaging in wars, peace prevailed in the kingdom and this led to increased cultural activity and development. The first important king was Veera Bhairava, who constructed basadis at Karkala and endowed land and money to numerous temples, ramanatha and Veerapandya were his two sons. Ramanatha died during his fathers time, in his memory, a scenic lake called Ramasamudra was created, which still survives
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Keladi
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Keladi is a temple town in Sagara Taluk of the state of Karnataka in India. Keladi is located about 8 km from the town of Sagara, a cow they had was discovered to shed her milk over a certain ant-hill, which, on digging into, Chavuda Gowda found, contained a linga, over which, therefore, he built a small temple. A little time after, the servants, when ploughing, turned up an old sword, but they discovered that if a crow perched on the shed the sword leaped out in the form of a serpent and killed it. On this, Chavuda Gowda took it and, carefully cleaning it, kept in his house, at another time, the ploughshare struck against the ring of a cauldron, which contained treasure. Afraid to disturb it, Chavuda Gowda covered it up again, on hearing this, his two slaves volunteered to be the victims on condition that their memory was preserved. All the preparations being made, the place was dug up at night, with this accession of wealth, the Gowdas raised a small force and began to subdue the neighbouring villages. But they were seized and sent to Vijayanagar by order from the king, hearing that a Palegar near Balihalu was rebellious, they made an offer through the court musicians to punish him if allowed to do so. Permission being given, they went with a force and killed the Palegar, on which they were released and confirmed in the possession of the places they had captured, the town of Keladi was then founded, together with the temple of Rameshwara. One day while the Gauda was hunting, a hare turned upon his hounds and he therefore removed his town to the spot, calling Ikkeri. His son and successor, with the sanction of Sadasiva Raya, two mounds, called Kalte, at the entrance to Keladi are pointed out as the scene of the human sacrifices. The principal building in the place is the temple of Rameshwara and Virabhadra. After the disintegration of Vijayanagar Empire in the Battle of Talikota, shivappa Nayaka and Chennamma were the rulers of this kingdom. Keladi Nayaka Vijayanagara Empire Karnataka C. Hayavadana Rao, B. A. B. L, fellow, University of Mysore, Editor, Mysore Gazetter,1930 edition, Government Press, Bangalore. Kamath, A Concise history of Karnataka from pre-historic times to the present, Jupiter books,2001, MCC, Bangalore Media related to Keladi at Wikimedia Commons
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Kittur
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Kittur, also known as Kitturu and historically as Kittoor, is a taluka in the Belgaum District of the South Indian state of Karnataka. It was part of Bailhongal taluka but was declared as an independent taluka on 23 October 2012 by the Chief Minister of Karnataka on the inauguration of Kittur Utsav and it is 177th Taluk of Karnataka State. On the outskirts of the town lie the ruins of the palace within a fort, the palace was the residence of the Rani Chennamma. In the 18th century, Kittur was ruled by the Marathas, until the Third Anglo-Maratha War, in connection with a disputed succession to this chiefship in 1824, St John Thackeray, Commissioner of Dharwad, was killed in a battle when approaching the Kittur fort. Later another unit stormed Kittur and captured Queen Chennamma, who was imprisoned in Bailhongal Jail where she died, the town is the setting for the 2008 novel Between the Assassinations by Aravind Adiga. However, it is described in the novel incorrectly as a coastal village, Kittur is well known for its residential school for girls named after the warrior queen Chennamma. Kittur Rani Channamma Residential School Locally Kittur Nadu Vidya Vardhak Sangh operates schools, KNVV Sanghs Arts and Commerce College KNVV Sanghs S. G. article name needed
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Kolar
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Kolar pronunciation is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of Kolar District and is known for gold mining, Kolar is popularly known as the land of silk, milk, and gold. The town is famous for the Someshwara temple and the Kolaramma temple, Kolaramma is considered as Grama devathe for Kolar. Kolar is located at 13. 13°N78. 13°E /13.13,78.13, with an average elevation of 822 metres. It is located at a distance of about 70 kilometres from Bengaluru and 50 km from Bangalore International Airport 32 kilometres from Kolar Gold Fields, the city is located on the southern maidan region of Karnataka. The Ammerallikere, a tank, forms its eastern boundary, to the north is the Kodikannur tank, the main source of water supply to the city. The nearest railway junction is Kolar, Kolar is having good road transportation than, Rail amenities. It is situated on the Bengaluru - Chennai National Highway-75 and they ruled Kolar from their death is still a mistery The Western Gangas sovereignty lasted from about 350 to 550 CE, initially ruled from Kolar as their Capital City. The founder of the Western Ganga dynasty was Konganivarman Madhava, who built Kolar as his capital around 350 and he succeeded by his son Madhava I. Kolar, the headquarters of the Kolar district, was known as Kuvalalapura. Historically, Kolar is said to be associated with the age, which recalls many legends associated with Avani in Mulbagal Taluk. It was once known as Avantika- Kshetra, a place in Kolar district in Karnataka State. It was famous for its religious establishments from ancient times and it was once known as Aavanya which was under the Ganga prince Madhava Muttarasa, who governed several districts. In about A. D890, its earliest grant relates that Tribhuvana Kartara Deva, during this period he constructed 50 temples and two large tanks. Maharshi Valmiki, author of the epic Ramayana, lived here, the legend goes further to establish that Seetha Devi, after being sent to exile, gave birth to her twins Lava and Kusha at Avani. The Avani continued to survive as a religious establishment from the 9th to 11th centuries, there are temples dedicated to Lord Rama. As the story goes, King Kartavirya Arjuna and his army visited Jamadagni, Parasuramas father, when Jamadagni refused, the King sent his soldiers to take the cow, but Parashurama killed the entire army and the king with his axe. In return, the princes beheaded Jamadagni, thus, Parasurama took an oath to behead the entire Kshatriya race, which is said to have taken place on the hills
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