Banakal
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Banakal (Kannada: ಬಣಕಲ್) is a small Malnad town in Mudigere Taluk, Chickmagalur dstrict of Karnataka, India. This tiny town is situated atop Charmadi hills in the Western Ghats section. The Western Ghats is one amongst twenty-five identified hot-spots for bio-diversity conservation in the world. Banakal is surronded by coffee estates and paddy fields and known for its pleasant weather through out the year. Banakal town is the head quarter of Banakal Hobli.
Banakal lies on the banks of river Hemavati. Hemavati which flows through Banakal, originates in Western Ghats. This 245 km. long river covers about 5,410 sq.km. of drainage area and considered as a prime source of irrigation along with natural rainfall[1]. The geographical location of Banakal is 13°3'34" North and 75°32'21" East.
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[edit] Culture and cuisine
The people lead a monotonous way of life irrespective of the religious diversities. Generally life is slow paced as it is seen in the most of agriculture dominant villages of Chickmagalur district. Gowda community is dominant and owns most of the landed property like agricultural fields and coffee estates. Folk songs and folk dances are given much importance. During special occasions men play Kolata - a group dance using sticks and women do perform folk dances and folk songs like Bhaagyada balegaara hogi baa nanna tawarige are note worthy. Like Are Bhashe of Dakshina Kannada the people here speak another distorted version of Kannada. Rice and wheat is a part of the daily menu. Traditional dishes like Ragi Mudde, Ganji, Kadubu are a few other dishes. Generally people are non vegetarian.
[edit] Economy
Agriculture is the main source of economy. Rice which forms the chief food of people in southern India is the main crop and is being produced in large scale. Coffee plantation is another prime source of economy which makes the region distinctive and contributive to national economy. The coffee estates in this regeon gains limelight and becomes world famous when it began to compete with Brazil in both producing and exporting coffee beans. Both the genetic subspecies of high quality coffee namely Robusta and Arabica are being produced, processed and exported. Black pepper, cardamom are the other economic crops. Oranges have also been produced in some areas. Honey and alike forest produts also contribute to the economy.
[edit] Flora and fauna
Most of the land is brought under cultivation. Paddy or rice fields provide multiple crops in a year based on monsoon. Coffee (both Robusta and Arabica) is the main plantation crop. Other crops include black pepper, cardamom and forest products. Tall straight Nilgiri plantation is found on the northeren bank of river Hemavati along with coffee plantation. Natural forests surround the village. Wildlife and rich birdlife can also be seen. Teak and sandalwood are abundant.
[edit] People
Generally life style is slow paced and people do live cordially irrespective of cast and religious differences. Although Gowdas are economically dominant, Shetty and Poojary are the immigrant Tulu communities from adjacent Dakshina Kannada also are seen. The Muslim community can be identified as local Deccani (a dialect of Urdu and Hindi) speaking farmers and immigrant Byari businessmen. A good number of Christians belonging to Roman Catholic speaking Konkani and some Protestants also are inhabitants of Banakal.
[edit] Schools and educational institute
- Government Junior College
- Government High School
- Vidyabharati – Nursery to 7th & High School
- Government Model Higher Primary School
- Government Urdu Higher Primary School
- Nazareth Convent
- River View School - Nursery to 7th
- Banakal Village School
- Sabli Village School
[edit] Religious institutes
[edit] Temples
- Kallinateshwara Temple
- Shreedevi Temple
[edit] Mosques
- Jamia Masjid
- Mohiyuddin Juma Masjid
- Quba Masjid
[edit] Banks and financial institutes
- Karnataka Bank Ltd
- District co-operative Bank
[edit] Getting there
- By bus: any bus that commutes between Mangalore and Chickmagalur goes via Banakal
- 3 Kms from Kottigehar
- The nearest railway station: Mangalore, Kadur and Hassan
- The nearest airport is Bajpe Mangalore International Airpot
[edit] Nearby places
The nearby palces are Mudigere, Chickmagalur, Kottigehar, Dharmasthal, Kalasa, Kudremukh.
