Chitradurga district
Encyclopedia
Chitradurga district is an administrative district of Karnataka
state in southern India
. The city of Chitradurga
is the district headquarters. Chitradurga gets its name from Chitrakaldurga, an umbrella-shaped lofty hill found there. Tradition dates Chitradurga District to the period of the Ramayana
and Mahabharata
. The whole district lies in the valley of the Vedavati River, with the Tungabhadra River
flowing in the northwest. During the British times it was named Chitaldroog. The district was practically ruled by all the well known dynasties that ruled Karnataka.
s, Nayakas
, Gollas (Yadavs), Kurubas, Madiga
, Bhovi and several other communities.Majority of the people in Chitradurga are Hindus with Muslims comprising about 9% of the population. Kannada is the most widely spoken language but Telugu is also spoken near areas bordering Andhra Pradesh
.
to the southeast and south, Chikmagalur District
to the southwest, Davanagere District
to the west, Bellary District to the north, and Anantapur District
of Andhra Pradesh
state to the east. Davanagere District
was formerly part of Chitradurga.
The district is divided into taluks, namely Chitradurga
, Hiriyur
, Hosadurga
, Holalkere
, Challakere
and Molakalmuru
. It is rich in mineral deposits, including gold prospecting at Halekal, Kotemardi or Bedimaradi, etc., and open cast copper mines at Ingaldhal.
s came with their mother Kunti in the course of their exile, Bhima
had a duel with Hidimba. Hidimba was slain by Bhima and peace returned to the area. 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 chieften under the Vijayanagar empire rose to the rank of governor of Chitradurga as a reward for his excellence in military achievements, from the Vijayanagara ruler. This was the beginning of the rule of the Nayakas of Chitradurga
. His son Obana Nayaka is known by the name Madakari Nayaka 1588 CE. Madakari Nayaka's son Kasturi Rangappa 1602 succeeded him and consolidated the kingdom to rule peacefully. As he had no heirs to succeed him, his adopted son, the apparent heir was enthroned but was killed in few months by the Dalavayis.
Chikkanna Nayaka 1676, 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 III's rule gave an opportunity to one of their distant relatives, Bharamappa Nayaka to ascend the throne in 1689. He is known as dthe greatest of the Nayaka rulers. Somehow, the subjects of Chitradurga did not experience a good reign of the successive rulers as they ruled on the throne for very brief periods. The Hiri Madakari Nayaka IV 1721, Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka II 1748, Madakari Nayaka V 1758 ruled this area but there is not much to mention of their rule.
. A chance sighting of a woman entering the Chitradurga fort through an opening in the rocks 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 and asked his wife to be on guard until he was back. The wife of that guard, Obavva while in her temporary seat, noticed soldiers emerging out of this opening. Obavva was not perturbed. She was carrying with her an Onake (a long wooden club meant for pounding paddy grains). She killed Hyder Ali's soldiers one by one as they attempted to enter the fort through the opening and quietly moved the dead. Over a short period of time hundreds of soldiers entered and fell, without raising any suspicion. Obavva's husband, upon his return from his lunch was shocked to see Obavva standing with a blood stained Onake and hundreds of dead bodies of the enemy around her. The opening in the rocks still remains as a historical witness for the story, beside the Tanniru doni a small water source which holds cold water all round the year. Though her sincere and brave attempt saved the fort on that occasion, Madakari Nayaka could not repel Hyder Ali's attack in 1779. In the ensuing battle, the fort of Chitradurga was lost to Hyder Ali.
Obavva, like Kittur Rani Chennamma remains a legend, especially to the woman of Karnataka.
is renowned for its name Kallina Kote / Ukinna kote / Elu Suttina kote in Kannada
, which was built in parts by the Palegar Nayakas, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. It comprises a series of seven enclosure walls. Eighteen ancient temples can be found inside the fort. This seemingly impregnable
fort has 19 gateways, 38 posterior entrances, a palace, a mosque, granaries, oil pits, four secret entrances
and water tanks. The rulers of this fort built 2000 watch towers to guard and have a better look at enemies movement all the time.
named Chitradurga one of the country's 250 most backward districts
(out of a total of 640
). It is one of the five districts in Karnataka currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).
Chitradurga district has a population
of 1,660,378, roughly equal to the nation of Guinea-Bissau
or the US state of Idaho
. This gives it a ranking of 297th in India (out of a total of 640
).
The district has a population density of 197 PD/sqkm . Its population growth rate
over the decade 2001-2011 was 9.39 %. Chitradurga has a sex ratio
of 969 females
for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate
of 73.82 %.
Sirigere is situated on the Poona- Bangalore National Highway (NH4). It is at distance of 227 KM from Bangalore and is located between Chitradurga (27 KM), the District Head Quarters, and Davangere (50 KM). It can be easily recognized while travelling on the National Highway No.4 by the presence of an attractive arch on the western side. Sirigere is just 6 KM from this Arch.
Chitradurga Kote is a fort that is one of a kind, as it is built on top of hill with stones. Chitra-durg gets its name because of this fort. "Chitra durga" means "picture perfect".
Ashoka Siddapura is an important archaeological site where emperor Ashoka's edits were found.
Nearby is Ramagiri, a hillock that has mythical associations with the epic Ramayana. A temple dedicated to Rameshwara built in 926 CE. exists here.
Brahmagiri village is the ancient site of Ishila, one of emperor Ashoka's provincial capitals. His earliest rock edicts in Brahmi script and Prakrit language (3rd c. BC) containing Kannada words were discovered here.
Chandravalli
is an ancient archaeological site where painted pottery and coins from the Shatavahana empire and prehistoric times were discovered. The rock inscription of king Mayurasharma
dated 450CE. discovered here gave historians much information about Karnataka
's first Kannada kingdom.
Hiriyur
situated on the right bank of Vedavathi river is famous for its Therumalleshawara temple. The temple has impressive lofty gopura and the ceiling of the main hall is painted with scenes from the Shivapurana and Ramayana.
Jogimatti Hill Station
Molakalmuru fortified town of the Kadambas
Neerthadi is famous for its Ranganathaswamy temple built in Vijayanagar
style.
Vani Vilas Sagar (also known as Mari Kanive
) an artificial lake built by the Mysore Maharaja across the river Vedavathi. The reservoir has two mantapas built in saracenic style.
Thamatekallu has ancient rock inscription and the oldest virgallu or hero stone
inscription in Karnataka.
Holalkere
is well known for its 10th century Jain settlement and 9 ft. tall statue of Bala Ganapathi, a child form of Hindu god Ganapathi.
Doddahottrangappa Hill has a Ranganathaswamy temple on top of a hillock which is a trekkers paradise.
Halu Rameshwara near Hosadurga
is well known for the temple & wells, the well has white coloured water (looks like milk) in it that's why the name 'Halu' Rameshwara.
Harthikote a historical (Palegar's of Madakarinayaka ruled) village of Hiriyur taluk, Famous for 'Dana Jathra'. conducting every year in month of April. Veerabhadreshwara, Revanna Siddeshwara temples are famous here.
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
state in southern India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The city of Chitradurga
Chitradurga
Chitradurga is a town in the southern part of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is also the headquarters of Chitradurga district. Chitradurga was also known by the names Chitradurg, Chitrakaladurga, Chittaldurg. Chittaldrug was the name officially used by the British Govt.-Geography:Chitradurga is...
is the district headquarters. Chitradurga gets its name from Chitrakaldurga, an umbrella-shaped lofty hill found there. Tradition dates Chitradurga District to the period of the Ramayana
Ramayana
The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic. It is ascribed to the Hindu sage Valmiki and forms an important part of the Hindu canon , considered to be itihāsa. The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India and Nepal, the other being the Mahabharata...
and Mahabharata
Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
. The whole district lies in the valley of the Vedavati River, with the Tungabhadra River
Tungabhadra River
The Tungabhadra River is a sacred river in southern India that flows through the state of Karnataka to Andhra Pradesh, where it serves as the chief tributary of the Krishna River...
flowing in the northwest. During the British times it was named Chitaldroog. The district was practically ruled by all the well known dynasties that ruled Karnataka.
Demographics
The population was 1,517,896, of which 18.07% were urban as of 2001 comprising Lingayats, DevangaDevanga
Devengas are a community from South India that traditionally followed the occupation of weaving. Some Devangas consider themselves to be Brahmins, while most others classify themselves as Vaishyas.-Origins, location and languages:...
s, Nayakas
Nayak (ethnic group)
-History and origin:The word nayak means a head of a regiment. This word is derived from the Sanskrit senanayaka, which means head of a regiment. The community trace there descent from the Vaghela Rajputs who converted to Islam in the 12th Century. They established a number of petty states in...
, Gollas (Yadavs), Kurubas, Madiga
Madiga
Madiga is a social group or caste group of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharastra etc. found almost in all Indian states with different names. The people belonging to this community are most oppressed and exploited in the society. The term Madiga is derived from Sanskrit word Maha-Adiga which can be...
, Bhovi and several other communities.Majority of the people in Chitradurga are Hindus with Muslims comprising about 9% of the population. Kannada is the most widely spoken language but Telugu is also spoken near areas bordering Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
.
Geography
The district is hilly, with lots of forts and villages. The district is bounded by Tumkur DistrictTumkur district
Tumkur district is an administrative district in the state of Karnataka in India. The district headquarters are located at Tumkur. The district occupies an area of 10,598 km² and had a population of 2,584,711, of which 19.62% were urban as of 2001...
to the southeast and south, Chikmagalur District
Chikmagalur District
Chikkamagaluru is a district in the Indian state of Karnataka. Chikkamagaluru is where coffee was first cultivated in India. The mountains here which are a part of the Western Ghats are the source of rivers like Tunga and Bhadra. Chikkamagaluru district also contains Mullayanagiri; which is the...
to the southwest, Davanagere District
Davanagere district
Davanagere District , also known as Devangere District, is an administrative district of Karnataka state in southern India. The city of Davanagere is the district headquarters. It had a population of 1,790,952 of which 30.32% was urban as of 2001.This district was carved out of Chitradurga district...
to the west, Bellary District to the north, and Anantapur District
Anantapur district
Anantapur District , ) is one of the 23 districts in Andhra Pradesh, India. The district headquarters is Anantapur City. It is currently a part of the Red Corridor.- Geography :...
of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
state to the east. Davanagere District
Davanagere district
Davanagere District , also known as Devangere District, is an administrative district of Karnataka state in southern India. The city of Davanagere is the district headquarters. It had a population of 1,790,952 of which 30.32% was urban as of 2001.This district was carved out of Chitradurga district...
was formerly part of Chitradurga.
The district is divided into taluks, namely Chitradurga
Chitradurga
Chitradurga is a town in the southern part of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is also the headquarters of Chitradurga district. Chitradurga was also known by the names Chitradurg, Chitrakaladurga, Chittaldurg. Chittaldrug was the name officially used by the British Govt.-Geography:Chitradurga is...
, Hiriyur
Hiriyur
Hiriyur is a town and taluk capital located near Chitradurga in the Indian state of Karnataka.Hiriyur is renowned for having the oldest dam in Karnataka, built on the Vedavati river, and named Mari Kanive. The Water on the dam looks exactly the preindipendce India Map. Hiryur is situated along...
, Hosadurga
Hosadurga
Hosdurga is a panchayat town in Chitradurga district in the Indian state of Karnataka.-Geography:Hosdurga is located at . It has an average elevation of 739 metres .-Demographics:...
, Holalkere
Holalkere
Holalkere is a town and taluk headquarters located near Chitradurga in the Indian state of Karnataka.-History:LegendsA Ganesha Temple with an idol of Lord Ganesha carved out of monolithic stone is around 20 ft tall, with entwined hairs and was established in 1475 CE. by the Nayaka Guthyappa...
, Challakere
Challakere
-Geography:Challakere is located at . It has an average elevation of 585 metres .-Demographics: India census, Challakere had a population of 49,065. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Challakere has an average literacy rate of 69%, higher than the national average of...
and Molakalmuru
Molakalmuru
Molakalmuru is a panchayat town in Chitradurga district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is near the border of Karnataka state with Andhra Pradesh. It borders the Rayadurg Taluk of Ananthpur district of Andhra Pradesh. Molakalmuru has major villages like Rampura, Hangal...
. It is rich in mineral deposits, including gold prospecting at Halekal, Kotemardi or Bedimaradi, etc., and open cast copper mines at Ingaldhal.
History and Legends
Chitradurga features bold rock hills and picturesque valleys, huge towering boulders in unimaginable shapes. It is known as the "stone fortress" (Kallina Kote). The landscape looks much like a mischievous giant's playground, with boulders thrown around, forming silhouettes against the sky. According to a story in the Epic Mahabharatha, a man-eating giant named Hidimbasura lived on the Chitradurga hill and was a source of terror to everyone around. When the PandavaPandava
In the Hindu epic Mahābhārata, the Pandava are the five acknowledged sons of Pandu , by his two wives Kunti and Madri. Their names are Yudhisthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva. Although, Karna is told by Lord Krishna that according to the laws and ethics he is the first son of Kunti making...
s came with their mother Kunti in the course of their exile, Bhima
Bhima
In the Mahābhārata, Bhima is one of the central characters of Mahabharata and the second of the Pandava brothers...
had a duel with Hidimba. Hidimba was slain by Bhima and peace returned to the area. 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 chieften under the Vijayanagar empire rose to the rank of governor of Chitradurga as a reward for his excellence in military achievements, from the Vijayanagara ruler. This was the beginning of the rule of the Nayakas of Chitradurga
Nayakas of Chitradurga
Nayakas of Chitradurga ruled parts of eastern Karnataka. During the rule of Hoysala Empire and Vijayanagara Empire, they served as a feudatory. Later after the fall of the Vijayanagara empire, they ruled at times as an independent kingdom and at other times as feudatory of the Mysore Kingdom,...
. His son Obana Nayaka is known by the name Madakari Nayaka 1588 CE. Madakari Nayaka's son Kasturi Rangappa 1602 succeeded him and consolidated the kingdom to rule peacefully. As he had no heirs to succeed him, his adopted son, the apparent heir was enthroned but was killed in few months by the Dalavayis.
Chikkanna Nayaka 1676, 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 III's rule gave an opportunity to one of their distant relatives, Bharamappa Nayaka to ascend the throne in 1689. He is known as dthe greatest of the Nayaka rulers. Somehow, the subjects of Chitradurga did not experience a good reign of the successive rulers as they ruled on the throne for very brief periods. The Hiri Madakari Nayaka IV 1721, Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka II 1748, Madakari Nayaka V 1758 ruled this area but there is not much to mention of their rule.
Battle with Hyder Ali, Legend of Obavva
During the reign of Madakari Nayaka, the city of Chitradurga was besieged by the troops of Hyder AliHyder Ali
Hyder Ali was the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in southern India. Born Hyder Naik, he distinguished himself militarily, eventually drawing the attention of Mysore's rulers...
. A chance sighting of a woman entering the Chitradurga fort through an opening in the rocks 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 and asked his wife to be on guard until he was back. The wife of that guard, Obavva while in her temporary seat, noticed soldiers emerging out of this opening. Obavva was not perturbed. She was carrying with her an Onake (a long wooden club meant for pounding paddy grains). She killed Hyder Ali's soldiers one by one as they attempted to enter the fort through the opening and quietly moved the dead. Over a short period of time hundreds of soldiers entered and fell, without raising any suspicion. Obavva's husband, upon his return from his lunch was shocked to see Obavva standing with a blood stained Onake and hundreds of dead bodies of the enemy around her. The opening in the rocks still remains as a historical witness for the story, beside the Tanniru doni a small water source which holds cold water all round the year. Though her sincere and brave attempt saved the fort on that occasion, Madakari Nayaka could not repel Hyder Ali's attack in 1779. In the ensuing battle, the fort of Chitradurga was lost to Hyder Ali.
Obavva, like Kittur Rani Chennamma remains a legend, especially to the woman of Karnataka.
The Fort (ಏಳು ಸುತ್ತಿನ ಕೋಟೆ )
Chitradurga FortChitradurga Fort
Chitradurga Fort , or as the British called it Chitaldoorg, straddles several hills and a peak overlooking a flat valley in the Chitradurga District, Karnataka, India...
is renowned for its name Kallina Kote / Ukinna kote / Elu Suttina kote in Kannada
Kannada language
Kannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world...
, which was built in parts by the Palegar Nayakas, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. It comprises a series of seven enclosure walls. Eighteen ancient temples can be found inside the fort. This seemingly impregnable
fort has 19 gateways, 38 posterior entrances, a palace, a mosque, granaries, oil pits, four secret entrances
Secret passage
Secret passages, also commonly referred to as hidden passages or secret tunnels, are hidden routes used for stealthy travel. Such passageways are sometimes inside buildings leading to secret rooms. Others allow occupants to enter or exit buildings without being seen...
and water tanks. The rulers of this fort built 2000 watch towers to guard and have a better look at enemies movement all the time.
Culture under Palegaras
Known for their valour, Chitradurga's Nayaka Palegaras were also patrons of great musicians. Writer Ta. Ra. Su (T.R. Subba Rao) has not only researched extensively in the area but has brought to life several characters who lived in those times in the fortified city. Several films (notably Nagara Haavu, Hamsa Geete and KallaraLi Huvaagi have brought to life the glory of this fort).Location
Accessible by road, this fortress lies on the outskirts of what is Chitradurga today. The city of Chitradurga is located at the junction of NH-4 (Bangalore-Pune National Highway) and NH-13 (Sollapur-Mangalore National Highway). Chitradurga is also accessible by train. There is a daily service to Bangalore and weekly services to Mumbai. Proposed link between Chitradurga and Tumkur can reduce the travel time to Bangalore by half.Economy
In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati RajMinistry of Panchayati Raj
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is a branch of the Government of India looking after the ongoing process of decentralization and local governance in the States....
named Chitradurga one of the country's 250 most backward districts
Poverty in India
Poverty is widespread in India, with the nation estimated to have a third of the world's poor. According to a 2005 World Bank estimate, 41.6% of the total Indian population falls below the international poverty line of 1.25 a day...
(out of a total of 640
Districts of India
A district is an administrative division of an Indian state or territory. Districts are further subdivided, in some cases into Sub-Divisions, and otherwise directly into tehsils or talukas.District officials include:...
). It is one of the five districts in Karnataka currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).
Demographics
According to the 2011 census2011 census of India
The 15th Indian National census was conducted in two phases, houselisting and population enumeration. Houselisting phase began on April 1, 2010 and involved collection of information about all buildings...
Chitradurga district has a population
Demographics of India
The demographics of India are inclusive of the second most populous country in the world, with over 1.21 billion people , more than a sixth of the world's population. Already containing 17.5% of the world's population, India is projected to be the world's most populous country by 2025, surpassing...
of 1,660,378, roughly equal to the nation of Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau
The Republic of Guinea-Bissau is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Senegal to the north, and Guinea to the south and east, with the Atlantic Ocean to its west....
or the US state of Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
. This gives it a ranking of 297th in India (out of a total of 640
Districts of India
A district is an administrative division of an Indian state or territory. Districts are further subdivided, in some cases into Sub-Divisions, and otherwise directly into tehsils or talukas.District officials include:...
).
The district has a population density of 197 PD/sqkm . Its population growth rate
Family planning in India
Family planning in India is based on efforts largely sponsored by the Indian government. In the 1965-2009 period, contraceptive usage has more than tripled and the fertility rate has more than halved , but the national fertility rate is still high enough to cause long-term population growth...
over the decade 2001-2011 was 9.39 %. Chitradurga has a sex ratio
Sex ratio
Sex ratio is the ratio of males to females in a population. The primary sex ratio is the ratio at the time of conception, secondary sex ratio is the ratio at time of birth, and tertiary sex ratio is the ratio of mature organisms....
of 969 females
Women in India
The status of women in India has been subject to many great changes over the past few millennia. From equal status with men in ancient times through the low points of the medieval period, to the promotion of equal rights by many reformers, the history of women in India has been eventful...
for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate
Literacy in India
Literacy in India is key for socio-economic progress, and the Indian literacy rate grew to 74.04% in 2011 from 12% at the end of British rule in 1947. Although this was a greater than sixfold improvement, the level is well below the world average literacy rate of 84%, and India currently has the...
of 73.82 %.
Famous people
- Madakari NayakaMadakari NayakaMadakari Nayaka was the last ruler of Chitradurga, India. Nayaka lost Chitradurga in a siege of Mysore by Hyder Ali, and was slain by Ali's son Tipu Sultan....
— Ruler of Chitradurga - Bichugatti Baramanna Nayaka
- Onake ObavvaOnake ObavvaOnake Obavva was a woman who fought the forces of Hyder Ali single-handedly with a masse in the small kingdom of Chitradurga in the Chitradurga district of Karnataka ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ, India. Her husband was a guard of a watchtower in the rocky fort of Chitradurga...
— Legendary woman who fought Hyder AliHyder AliHyder Ali was the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in southern India. Born Hyder Naik, he distinguished himself militarily, eventually drawing the attention of Mysore's rulers...
's army. - Malladihalli Sri Raghavendra SwamijiMalladihalli Sri Raghavendra SwamijiSri Raghavendra Swamiji of Malladihalli , popularly known as "Malladihalli Swamiji", was a founder of Anatha Sevashrama Trust, Malladihalli...
(Tiruka) — a Great Yoga and Ayurvedic Guru - S. NijalingappaS. NijalingappaSiddavanahalli Nijalingappa was a senior Congress politician and the Chief Minister of Karnataka between 1956 and 1958 and once again between 1962 and 1968...
(vinayak) — politician, ex-CM, ex-MP and ex All India Congress leader - Janardhana SwamyJanardhana SwamyJanardhana Swamy is a Member of Parliament , India.He is elected to the 15th Lok Sabha on 2009, and is representing the Chitradurga Lok Sabha Constituency in the Parliament of India.-Education:...
— Member of Parliament, 15th Lok Sabha, Chitradurga Parliamentary Constituency - T.R. Subba Rao (TaRaSu) — a novelist, 1985 winner of Sahitya Akademi AwardSahitya Akademi AwardSahitya Akademi Award is a literary honor in India which Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, annually confers on writers of outstanding works in one of the following twenty-four major Indian languagesAssamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri,...
- Venkata Subba Iyengar — musician on whom the movie Hamsageethe was made
- P.R. Thippeswamy (PRT) Artist, Writer & Folklorist - K. Venkatappa Awardee 1999, ex-Chairman Karnataka Lalithakala Academy
Places to Visit
Taralabalu Mata Sirigere Sirigere place from towards Chitradurga to Davanagere.Sirigere is situated on the Poona- Bangalore National Highway (NH4). It is at distance of 227 KM from Bangalore and is located between Chitradurga (27 KM), the District Head Quarters, and Davangere (50 KM). It can be easily recognized while travelling on the National Highway No.4 by the presence of an attractive arch on the western side. Sirigere is just 6 KM from this Arch.
Chitradurga Kote is a fort that is one of a kind, as it is built on top of hill with stones. Chitra-durg gets its name because of this fort. "Chitra durga" means "picture perfect".
Ashoka Siddapura is an important archaeological site where emperor Ashoka's edits were found.
Nearby is Ramagiri, a hillock that has mythical associations with the epic Ramayana. A temple dedicated to Rameshwara built in 926 CE. exists here.
Brahmagiri village is the ancient site of Ishila, one of emperor Ashoka's provincial capitals. His earliest rock edicts in Brahmi script and Prakrit language (3rd c. BC) containing Kannada words were discovered here.
Chandravalli
Chandravalli
Chandravalli is an archaeological site located in the Chitradurga district of the state of Karnataka, India. The region is a valley formed by three hills, Chitradurga, Kirabanakallu and Cholagudda. It is a semi-arid region with scrub vegetation with a stream running through it...
is an ancient archaeological site where painted pottery and coins from the Shatavahana empire and prehistoric times were discovered. The rock inscription of king Mayurasharma
Mayurasharma
Mayurasharma , a Brahmin scholar and a native of Talagunda , was the founder of the Kadamba Kingdom of Banavasi, the earliest native kingdom to rule over what is today the modern state of Karnataka, India. He took the name of Mayuravarma to emphasise his change from the Brahmin to the Kshatriya...
dated 450CE. discovered here gave historians much information about Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
's first Kannada kingdom.
Hiriyur
Hiriyur
Hiriyur is a town and taluk capital located near Chitradurga in the Indian state of Karnataka.Hiriyur is renowned for having the oldest dam in Karnataka, built on the Vedavati river, and named Mari Kanive. The Water on the dam looks exactly the preindipendce India Map. Hiryur is situated along...
situated on the right bank of Vedavathi river is famous for its Therumalleshawara temple. The temple has impressive lofty gopura and the ceiling of the main hall is painted with scenes from the Shivapurana and Ramayana.
Jogimatti Hill Station
Molakalmuru fortified town of the Kadambas
Kadambas
The Kadamba Dynasty was an ancient royal family of Karnataka that ruled from Banavasi in present day Uttara Kannada district. The dynasty later continued to rule as a feudatory of larger Kannada empires, the Chalukya and the Rashtrakuta empires for over five hundred years during which time they...
Neerthadi is famous for its Ranganathaswamy temple built in Vijayanagar
Vijayanagara Empire
The Vijayanagara Empire , referred as the Kingdom of Bisnaga by the Portuguese, was an empire based in South Indian in the Deccan Plateau region. It was established in 1336 by Harihara I and his brother Bukka Raya I of the Yadava lineage. The empire rose to prominence as a culmination of attempts...
style.
Vani Vilas Sagar (also known as Mari Kanive
Mari Kanive
Mari Kanive is a dam near Hiriyur Taluk, Chitradurga District, in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the oldest dam in the state.The dam was built by the Mysore Maharajas pre-independence across the river Vedavathi...
) an artificial lake built by the Mysore Maharaja across the river Vedavathi. The reservoir has two mantapas built in saracenic style.
- Gavirangapura 3 km from Srirampura Hosdurga taluk has a very well known temple of Sri Gavirangnatha swamy the Lord is in the form of kurma the second avatar of lord vishnu where most of the devotees are from Banglore belonging to Devanga community.It is one of the two temples of kurma avatara in India the other one is at Srikurmam 13 km from Srikakulam [A.P.]
Thamatekallu has ancient rock inscription and the oldest virgallu or hero stone
Hero stone
Hero stone is a memorial commemorating the honorable death of a hero in battle of Tamil People. A hero stone can display a variety of adornments, including bas relief panels, statues, and figures of carved stone...
inscription in Karnataka.
Holalkere
Holalkere
Holalkere is a town and taluk headquarters located near Chitradurga in the Indian state of Karnataka.-History:LegendsA Ganesha Temple with an idol of Lord Ganesha carved out of monolithic stone is around 20 ft tall, with entwined hairs and was established in 1475 CE. by the Nayaka Guthyappa...
is well known for its 10th century Jain settlement and 9 ft. tall statue of Bala Ganapathi, a child form of Hindu god Ganapathi.
Doddahottrangappa Hill has a Ranganathaswamy temple on top of a hillock which is a trekkers paradise.
Halu Rameshwara near Hosadurga
Hosadurga
Hosdurga is a panchayat town in Chitradurga district in the Indian state of Karnataka.-Geography:Hosdurga is located at . It has an average elevation of 739 metres .-Demographics:...
is well known for the temple & wells, the well has white coloured water (looks like milk) in it that's why the name 'Halu' Rameshwara.
Harthikote a historical (Palegar's of Madakarinayaka ruled) village of Hiriyur taluk, Famous for 'Dana Jathra'. conducting every year in month of April. Veerabhadreshwara, Revanna Siddeshwara temples are famous here.