Bangalore Rural district General information
Bangalore Rural District is one of the 29 districts in Karnataka. It was formed in 1986, when Bangalore district was divided into Bangalore Rural and Bangalore (Urban). Presently in Bangalore Rural district, there are 2 divisions, 4 Talukas, 35 Hoblis (cluster of villages), 1,713 inhabited and 177 uninhabited villages, 9 towns, and 229 Gram Panchayats.
Origin of Name
The Bangalore Rural District derives its name from its head quarters town, Bangalore and majority of the district consists of Rural Areas. The earliest reference to the name is seen in a Ninth Century Ganga Inscription from Begur as ‘ Benguluru' ‘The present name Bangalore is the Anglicised form of Bengaluru. A popular story tries to suggest the origin of Bengaluru ‘ from ‘ Bendakaluru `, Hoysala Ballala, during his long journey is stated to have been fed by an old women , with Benda kalu (Boiled beans). The prince named the place as ‘Benda kala uru ‘
History
Historically, the earliest dynasty which established its sway over this district is that of the Gangas. In about the fourth century A.D., the Gangas established themselves at Kolar and the territory comprised in Bangalore Rural district formed part of Gangavadi 96,000 and Honganur of Channapatna Taluk was the chief town of a sub-division, called Chikka Gangavadi, which occupied the Shimsha valley. During the Seventh century, Mankund was a place of great importance and was the second royal residence of Ganga Bhuvikrama(654-79) and also of Shivamara(679-726). In the eight century Shri Purusha made Manyapura ( Manne of Nelamangala Taluk) his royal residence and later it was a major center under the Rashtrakutas. Manne or Mannekadakam of Tamil records had been the headquarters of Rashtrakutas Governor Kambarasa. Certain parts of the district, especially in the East, were held by the Nolamb Pallavas.
Rivers
The Arkavati, the Kanva and the Dakshina Pinakini are the tributary Rivers which flow through the District in the General Direction from North to South. Cultivable lands
Area and Population
Bangalore Rural district has an area of 5,814sq km, and it forms about 3% of the Total area of the State.'
Tourist Place
Channapatna Toys: Channapatna, a small hamlet 46 kms. from Bangalore on the Mysore highway, excels in lacquerware, a craft practised today by over 3000 local craftspersons. Lacquerware products include brightly coloured wooden toys, door curtains, powder boxes and napkin rings, besides a range of distinctive jewellery.
Shivagange: Shivagange is 8+Kms from Dabas Pet on the way to Tumkur from Bangalore on NH 4. Shivagange gets its name from the Holy places and temples it hosts. The spring water found here is considered to the sacred water 'Gange'. The hillock has few temples atop and a statue of Nandi carved out of single stone is a beauty. It is about two kilometers from the bottom of the hillock where there is a village to the top of the hill. There are many temples all along the way. The place being a huge collection of boulders and solid granite rock structures, it invites not just pilgrims but rock climbers and adventure lovers as well. Though there are no bolted routes, there is plenty of climbing.
Devanahalli Fort: The fort was built in 1501 by Mallabairegowda of Avati clan, with the consent of ‘Devappa’ a feudatory at Devanadoddi. Subsequently the name was changed to Devanahalli.The fort remained under the Avati rulers until 1747, when Mysore Dalawai, Nanjarajaiah, attacked the fort and captured it. Subsequently Devanahalli was usurped by the Marathas and reclaimed by the Mysore army under the leadership of Haider Ali.During the reign of Tipu Sultan Lord Cornwallis laid siege to the fort and took possession of it during the Mysore War of 1791.The original mud fort built by the Avati rulers was renovated and the present stone fort was built by Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan after they recaptured the place from the Marathas.
Kaveri Fishing Camp, Bhimeswari (Ramnagar): The river Kaveri at Bhimeswari, abounds in a variety of fish including the Carnatic Carp and the Mahseer. This place is a protected area for the fish, as the anglers are advised to release the fish, after catching them. The wild beauty of the river and the countryside, are sure to hook any tourist. Cottages run by The Jungle Lodges and Resorts make this place a definite tourist attraction.
Manchina Bele, Magadi: This is about 36 km from Bangalore by road and about 8 km from the Big Banyan Tree. Manchinabele Dam is situated in the midst of hills and forests. Even though it is not a big dam, it is a good picnic spot. Route: Proceed from the Big Banyan Tree via Chikkappa Circle. This reservoir and dam is about 15 km from the tree
Sawan Durga: In Kannada Durga means Fort (also Goddess Amba). Savan Durga being one of the nine such forts around Bangalore, is situated at a distance of around 50 kms west of Bangalore near Magadi. This is also the biggest monolith in Asia. There are several routes to the monolith at Sawana Durga, rising to the height of more than 1000ft, At the foothill there is a village by the same name and the forest around has been declared as Reserved forest and there is protected garden of the Herbs of medicinal interest
Mekedaatu in Kanakapura Taluk: It is about 90 km from Bangalore via Kanakapura. Mekedatu means goat's leap in Kannada. Mekedatu is a beautiful picnic spot where the rivers Cauvery and Arkavathi after their confluence at the Sangam, squeeze though a narrow gorge. Gushing waters, imposing landscapes, and untouched picnic spots is what Mekedatu is all about. The Cauvery river squeezing through a narrow gorge before traversing its south-bound terrain is a breathtaking sight.