Mandya district General information
Mandya District is an administrative district located in Karnataka, India. Mandya District is bounded on the south by Mysore District, on the west by Hassan District, on the north by Tumkur District and on the east by Bangalore District.
The main town is in Mandya District is Mandya. Mandya district popularly known as ‘Land of Sugar’ came in to existence on 1st of July 1939. Earlier it was part of Mysore district. It is one of the districts with fertile land in south Karnataka.
According to Hindu legend, Sage Mandavya had performed penance in this land. Since then, this place is called as "Mandya".
The district is located in the south east of Karnataka State and shares its borders with the districts of Mysore, Hassan, Tumkur and Bangalore. Most of the land is flat, interspersed with hilly region and sparsely vegetated by thorns and bushes. The district is situated at the height of 762 to 914 meters from the sea level.
The district consists of 7 revenue blocks and for the easy educational administration the district is divided into 8 educational blocks. Total area of the district is 4961 square kms, out of which 3.11 lakh hectares are cultivated land, 0.24 lakh hectares are covered by forest area and remaining 1.63 lakh hectares are barren and uncultivable.
Srirangapatna, the island fortress of the legendary warrier king Tippu sultan popularly known as “Tiger of Mysore” is just 25 K.Ms from Mandya city. Inside the fortress is Tippu’s Mosque with its twin minarats, the celebrated Ranganatha swamy temple, Tippu’s summer palace, the Wellesley bridge and dungeons where British officers were once imprisoned. Equally impressive is the ornate white domed Gumbaz, an imposing structure with dooms of ebony inlaid with ivory and lacquered with Tippu’s Tiger - striped emblem. About 1 KM to the east of the fort, Tippu’s summer palace known as the Dariadaulat bagh (Museum) is set amidst a lovely garden.
Geography
The District lies between 76° 19' and 77° 20' East Longitude and 12° 13' and 13° 04' North Latitude. It is bounded on the North by Hassan and Tumkur Districts on the East, by Tumkur and Bangalore Districts on the South by Mysore and on the West by the districts of Hassan and Mysore.
Climate
The district receives an average annual rainfall of 700 millimeters. The climate of the district comprises of moderate summers (Maximum 35 degree Celsius) and moderate winters (Minimum 20 degree Celsius).
Rivers
Mandya has five important rivers, Kaveri River and its four tributories Hemavathi, Shimsha, Lokapavani, Veeravaishnavi.
Demographics
As of 2001India census, Mandya had a population of 131,211. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Mandya has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 77%, and female literacy is 68%. In Mandya, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Mother tongue of 96% of Mandya is Kannada which is highest in the state.
Education
Peoples Education Society College of Engineering(popularly known as PESCE), is one of the top engineering college in the state. PET Indoor stadium for shuttle Badminton[International tournaments are held several times], Swimming pool, Cricket Stadium[Ranji tournament is played here] shows the encouragement toward sports. Also the degree and diploma courses in bharathi nagar are good education centers. Karnataka government has also started a Medical college in Mandya. Its called MIMS [Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences]. Keonics computer center a Government of Karnataka organization is providing Computer Education for rural and unemployed youth at lower price.K.M. DODDI IS A GREAT EDUCATION CENTRE.BHARATHI EDUCATION SOCITY IT WAS ESTBLISED IN 1970'S PROVOIDING EDUCATION TO RURAL STUDENTS .
Sports
Mandya district is known for its enthusiasm in sports. International Basketball player A.V Srinivasa Gowda, Badminton player Aditya Prakash and many other sportspersons like Rajkumar,Chandan are gift to the Indian Sport and national Volley Ball Coach Mr M S Made Gowda.
Places of Interest
Srirangapatna: This island fortress of Tippu Sultan is situated on the Bangalore-Mysore Highway at about 25Kms from Mandya. This history-rich town was the capital of the Warrior-Kings Hyder Ali and his son Tippu Sultan - The Tiger of Mysore.
Sriranganatha Temple: Temple of Lord Vishnu in the sleeping posture on the Great Snake Anantha, is one of the Largest Shrines in the State. The temple represents a mixture of Vijayanagara and Hoysala Styles of Architecture.
Daria Daulat Bagh: Built in 1784, this Summer Palace was one of Tipu's favourite retreats. Made of teak, this Indo-Saracenic structure has ornate and beautiful frescoes. Now, a museum houses some of Tippu's belongings There are mural paintings on the walls of the ground floor depicting Tippu's Military Campaign against the British.
Ganjam: Housing the mortal remains of Tipu Sultan, his father Hyder Ali and his mother, the Ganjam has splendid ebony doors inlaid with ivory. Tippu's favourite Tiger stripes cover the walls.
Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary: situated on the banks of the Cauvery River , includes of a group of six islets. The isolated islets and the abundance of aquatic insects during the monsoon make Ranganthittu a favorite abode for birds. Ranganthittu attained the status of a bird sanctuary in 1940, courtesy of the visions of India 's noted ornithologist-Dr. Salim Ali who, during his survey of the birds, advocated for the establishment of such a sanctuary. The sanctuary is now a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers and bird watchers.
Some species of birds that have made Ranganthittu their home are spoonbills, open bill storks, darters, white Ibis, little cormorants, egret, heron, partridge, river tern, stone plougher, snake bird, and other exotic bird species that fly to the sanctuary in large flocks. The best time to visit this Sanctuary is between June - October.
The Krishna Raja Sagar dam (in Sriranagapatna Taluk) was designed & constructed by renowned architect Sir.M.Vishweshwaraiah in 1932 during the regime of Sri. Krishnaraja Wodeyar - IV. It is built close to confluence of three rivers cauvery, Hemavathi & Lakshmana Teertha. The length of the dam is 2621 meters & height 39 meters. The reservoir itself is spread over an area of 130 Sq. Kms.
The beautiful garden laid out on the side of the dam are decorated by fountains. There is a small lake for boating. The illumination & musical fountains are the special features of the garden.
Shivanasamudra falls: The river Shimsha , a tributary of the Cauvery, has its fall in Malavalli taluk in Mandya district, located at about 60 Kms from Mandya.The Cauvery at Shivanasamudra falls (in Mandya district) has twin jumps, Gaganachukki and Bharachukki, one km away from each other and their water has been harnessed for production of power from 1901. Falling down from a height of 75 m into a deep gorge,these falls are best during the monsoons.1.5 kms.away is Asia's first hydro-electric power project set up in 1901.
The eastern falls - Bhara Chukki: Two kms from Shivanasamudram, which is popularly called Bluff, through green fields dotted with multitudes of young trees lies the waterfall. From the watchtower, one can view the falls where the river plunges downward in a wonderful cascade, sending up dense clouds of mist, presenting a breathtaking scene. The Falls which plunges to a depth of 300-350 ft. Shivasanamudram falls is the second biggest waterfall in India .
The western falls - Gagana Chukki: At Shivasanamudram, the river branches into two, creating the second largest island in its course. There are a group of ancient temples situated in this island. It is believed that very long ago there was a village in this island.
Kokkrebellur: Kokkrebellur, a Small village at about 40 Kms from Mandya. Entire village waits eagerly for the arrival of winged guests every year with whom villagers have developed a relationship of reverence.
During October/November every year, the village turns home to migratory birds. Flocks of painted storks (ibis leucocephalus) and spot billed pelicans (pelecanus philippenis) descend on the hamlet to build their nests and rear their young ones. Large, shady trees of tamarind, peepal and portia bristle with colonies of birds, and they come in droves, especially during February when the population peaks. For the villagers, these winged visitors are welcome guests. So much so, that if they fail to turn up in a year, they believe it bodes ill for the village.
Melkote: Around 35 kilometres from Mandya city is to be found on a hilly tract comprising some of the oldest rock formations on the earth's crust. Nestling in the heart of these hills lies the temple town of Melkote or Tirunarayanapuram (as it is also called ). The origins of the towns are lost in antiquity, but it rose to cultural and religious importance in the 12th century AD when the great South Indian philosopher and teacher, Sri Ramanujacharya lived in the town for twelve years.Today life in Melkote revolves around the Cheluvanarayanaswamy temple within the township, which enjoyed the patronage of the Mysore Maharajas as well as Tipu Sultan, and the Yoganarasimhaswamy temple on the hill overlooking Melkote. These temples are repositories of Melkote's living tradition as well as storehouses of academic knowledge of our culture.Melkote, a sacred pilgrim centre known for the Vairamudi Festival held during March - April. One of the best - preserved towns, Melkote is unique in that it has retained its traditional character over the centuries.