Kolar district General information
Kolar is a district in Karnataka state of India. Kolar town is the district headquarters. Among other things, this district is famous for the large quantities of gold that are available for extraction in the Kolar gold mines. Kolar is popularly known as the golden land of India, for it is at the famous Kolar Gold Fields of this district that gold mining was first undertaken during modern times.
A landlocked district, Kolar is the Eastern gateway to Karnataka. It is famous for its erstwhile Kolar gold mines, cool hill stations, with fortresses and lofty temples. The area offers excellent opportunities for adventure sports like trekking, rock climbing and parasailing.
History
On tracing back the history of the district, the usual legends are encountered. These are associated principally with Avani in the Mulbagal Taluk, which is identified with Avantika kshetra, one of the ten chief sacred places in India. Here Valmiki, the author of the Ramayana, it is said, lived and here Rama remained for some time on his way back to Ayodhya after the conquest of Lanka. Here too Sita retired on being rejected by her Husband, and , under the protection of the sage Valmiki, gave birth to her twin sons Kusa and Lava, to whom he became the preceptor.
The hills to the west of Kolar, called Satasringa parvata or hundred peaked mountains and also made the scene of the story of Ranuka and Parasu-Rama, and there the latter is said to have revenged upon Kartaviryarjuna the murderer of his father Jamdagni commited in order to obtain possession of Surabhi, the cow of plenty. The kolahala or "shouting" consequent on this feat is represented to have given the town its name, since shortened into kolara.
Location
Kolar district is located in the southern region of the State and happens to be the eastern-most district of the Karnataka State. The district is bounded by the districts of Bangalore and Tumkur on the west and on all other sides by the districts of the adjoining States of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. On the north, it is bounded by Anantapur district; on the east by Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh and on the south by the districts of North Arcot and Dharmapuri of Tamil Nadu. The district headquarters, Kolar town is located 65 Kms, north east of Bangalore.
The town’s eminence drew from the nearby Kolar Gold Mines which recently actively produced a major part of the country’s gold. Kolar is now well known for its silk farming and wool spinning. Kolar is popularly known as city of Gold, Silk, Mangos and Milk.
Places of Interest
Someswara Temple: This is fine example of Vijayanagara style, complete with a massive pillared mukha mandapa. Heavy Prakara walls , ornate Kalyana mantapa and a Devi Shrine, lofty gopura is known for fine stucco figures on the tower , while the door frame is carved in typical Vijayanagara style with dwarapalas etc.. The temple has large tank (Kalyani) also. There are vijayanagara inscriptions on the wall of store room and the yagashala datable to 15 cent A.D.
The Kolar Betta or Kolar Hills: which are also known as Satasringa hills present a barren and rockery appearance on all sides but on the tops are some villages with irrigable lands. A perennial spring on the east of the hills called Antaraganga is deemed sacred culminated a small pond having a mantapa in the center supplied with water falling through the mouth of a stone Bull. This Place is also a popular picnic spot..
Kurudumale: The famous Kurudumale Temple is situated 12 Kms away from Mulabagal, was the capital of Hoysala Dynasty. The gaint 13.5 foot sculpture of kurudumale Ganesha and the Someswara Temple, attract thousands of visitors from the surrounding states.
Koti Lingeshwara Kammasandra: a village 6 Kms away from Kolar Gold Fieid has a collection of number of Shiva Lingas. More than 80 lakhs of such Lingas have already been installed here since 1974. Among them 108 ft. height Linga is the main attraction. Accommodation and free food facilities are also available for Tourists.
The Kolar Gold Fields: is located 27 Kms away from Kolar. The K.G.F. City is entirely a creation of the Gold mining industry. The Champion mine is the deepest mine in the world. The BEML, recently established at this place by the Union Government as a large scale industry for the manufacture of Earth moving Equipments and Crawler tractors.
Avani: known as Gaya of the South, Avani has a cluster of Ramalingeshwara Temple all with in one courtyard dedicated to Lakshmana, Bharatha, and Shatrugna as well as a shankara muth built by the Nolamba dynasty. Legend has it, that the hill above was home to Valmiki's Ashram, where Lava and Kusha were Born and raised.