Tumkur district General information
Tumkur is an administrative district in the state of Karnataka in India. The district headquarters are located at Tumkur. It is located to the North West of Bangalore at a distance of 70Km.City is in close proximity to Bangalore and has a decadal growth of about 40% over the last few decades. This is a city surrounded by mountains and hills ,pleasant place for learning , Siddhaganga Mutt is one of the god send to poor and Orphan children for getting educated , is gate way for Karnataka ,more than 15 Districts should pass through Tumkur to reach Capital city Bangalore , this city is also famous for good tourist palces like Kaidala Temple ,Devarayana Durga, Namada Chilume, Shiva Gange, Goravanahalli MahaLakshmi Temple etc.
Origin of name
There are various legends of how the name Shivamogga has evolved. According to one legend, the name Shivamogga is related to the Hindu God Shiva. Shiva-Mukha (Face of Shiva), Shivana-Moogu (Nose of Shiva) or Shivana-Mogge (Flowers to be offered to Shiva) can be the origins of the name "Shivamogga". Another legend indicates that the name Shivamogga is derived from the word Sihi-Moge which means sweet pot. According to this legend, Shivamogga once had the ashram of the sage Durvasa. He used to boil sweet herbs in an earthen pot. Some cowherds, found this pot and after tasting the sweet beverage named this place Sihi-Moge[1].
History
Outer wall carving, Aghoreshwara temple, Ikkeri, Shivamogga District.
The history of the Shivamogga region is very much the history of Karnataka itself, considering that all the great kingdoms that came to power here have vied for control of and ruled this land of rich resources. Prior to the beginning of the first millennium, the Shivamogga region formed a part of the Maurya empire. The Satavahana then came to control in central India and Shivamogga must have formed one of the southern most provinces of the kingdom.
After the fall of the Shatavahana empire around 200 C.E., after a brief interlude of confusion that existed, the area came under the control of the Kadambas of Banavasi around 345 C.E. The Kadambas were the earliest kingdom to give administrative status to Kannada language. Banavasi is just across the border from Shivamogga inside Uttara Kannada district. Later the Kadambas became feudatories of the Badami Chalukyas around 540 C.E..
Shivamogga passed into the hands of the Rashtrakutas in the 8th century. It was only under the Kalyani Chalukyas who overthrew the Rashtrakutas did Shivamogga come into prominence in Southern India. Balligavi in Shivamogga district had its greatest and grandest time during there rule. Later in the 12th. century with the weakening of the Kalyani Chalukyas the Hoysalas annexed this area. Shivamogga continued to play an important role in the development of Kannada culture and arts during this time. After the fall of the Hoysalas to the invasion of the Khilji dynasty around 1343 C.E. the entire region came under the Vijayanagar Empire without any bloodshed. The Saluva kings of the Vijayanagar empire find their roots in this region. After the defeat of Vijayanagar empire in 1565 C.E. in the battle of Tallikota, Shivamogga had one more last surprise in that the local Keladi Nayakas who were originally feudatory of the Vijayanagar empire took control, declared sovereignty and ruled mostly as an independent kingdom for about two centuries, often waging wars with the Mysore Kingdom, the Sultans of Bijapur and finally the Maratha. In 1763 they were finally absorbed into the Kingdom of Mysore and remained a part of it till independence from the British[1].
Geography
Map of Karnataka with Shivamogga district highlighted.
Shivamogga district is a part of the Malnad region of Karnataka and is also known as the "Gateway to Malnad" or Malenaada Hebbagilu in Kannada. Located in the central part of Karnataka state, Shivamogga district is landlocked, i.e. neither does it have a coastline, nor does it border any other state of India. It is bounded by Haveri District to the northeast, Davanagere District to the east, Chikmagalur District to the southeast, Udupi District to the southwest, and Uttara Kannada to the northwest.
Ranking 9th in terms of the total area among the districts of Karnataka, Shivamogga district is spread over an area of 8465 km².[2].
Shivamogga lies between the latitudes 13o27' and 14o39' N and between the longitudes 74o38' and 76o04' E at a mean altitude of 640 metres above sea level[2]. The peak of the hill Kodachadri at an altitude of 1343 metres above sea level is the highest point in this district.
The Western Ghats or Sahyadri range and the numerous rivers that originate there provide Shivamogga with abundant natural beauty. The numerous lakes, ponds and water bodies make the land very suitable for agriculture. Shivamogga is called the rice bowl of Karnataka.
Shivamogga district is the origin of the rivers Kali, Gangavathi, Sharavathi and Tadadi. But the two major rivers that flow through this district are Tunga and Bhadra which meet at a place called Koodli near Shivamogga city and flow together as Tungabhadra.
Climate
Shivamogga district being a part of the Malnad region receives good monsoon rainfall; the months from June to October being the rainy season. In the years 1901-1970, it received an average annual rainfall of 1813.9 mm with an average of 86 days in the year being rainy days.
The average annual temperature of Shivamogga District is around 26oC. The average temperature has increased substantially over the years and the trend can be viewed here
In some regions of Shivamogga district, the day temperature can really soar to about 40oC during summers, leading to water crisis and other problems
Geology
The major soil forms found in the Shivamogga district are Red gravelly clay soil, Red clay soil, Lateritic gravelly clay soil, Lateritic clay soil, Medium deep black soil, Non-saline and saline Alluvo-Colluvial soil and Brown forest soil[5]
Major minerals found in this district are Limestone, White Quartz, Kaolin, Kyanite and Manganese[6].
Economy
Cornerstone of the Shivamogga district's agrarian economy: the arecanut.
Visweswaraya Iron and Steel Limited, Bhadravathi.
Agriculture and animal husbandry are the major contributors to the economy of Shivamogga district. Rice, Arecanut, Cotton, Maize and Ragi are the major crops cultivated in this district[7]. Karnataka is the largest producer of arecanut in India, majority of which is cultivated in the Shimoga district. The farmers from Shimoga are said to be very innovative and have managed to cultivate crops like Vanilla and Jatropha previously unheard of in India; yielding high monetary benefits[8].
Places of Interest
Tumkur: is One of the Districts in Karnataka which has Mandya District to wards South, towards West and Northeast is Chitradurga , Hassan and Chikkamangalore , towards Southeast is Andra Pradesh's Ananthapura District. Tumkur is 70Km from Capital city Bangalore.it consists of 10 taluks 12 towns 2725 villages.District's area is 10606 sq Kms. Has good Road transport facilities , Transport through train is fantastic.
Siddaganga Mutt: Sri Siddaganga Mutt is a sacred and service center which is a line of hope for f poor and orfan childrens as this mutt is providing Education with free Hostel facility to them, Education is provided rite from formal Education to degree and also professional cources like Medicine and Engineering is being provided to about 5,500 students. Good discipline and principles are imbibed in to these students , every morning and evening each and every student of the mutt assemble in prayer ground to offer their prayer. Historical back ground of Mutt says that this mutt was found by Sree Gosala Siddeshwara.it has rich social and cultural heritagre.
This is one of such place which is not only a ethical place but also such a place which has imbibed, preached and followed the importance of Knowledge, Science and Technology.
Mutt is on Bangalore-Puna highway about 6Km from Tumkur and about 65Km from Bangalore.
This Mutt was largely expanded and saw its extensive growth during Dr|| Sree Sree Shivakumara swamiji's period.
Namadha Chilume: Is one of the historical place which has a small Streak of water flowing, it is said that this streak of water is flowing from Threthra yuga it is said in history that during Rama - sitha vanavasa, Sitha was thirsty to quench her thirst Rama aimed a arrow to a Rock from which water splurged out since than this spring of water has never got dried up even during worst droughts.Source from which this water is flowing is unknown till today.it has thick forest and beautiful Deer Safari which is quite amusing. It has beautiful Travellers Bunglow which makes staying here more pleasant.This place is 62Km to 65Km from Bangalore.8km from Tumkur