Chamarajanagar district
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?Chamarajanagara District Karnataka • India |
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Coordinates: | |
Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
Area | 5,101 km² (1,970 sq mi) |
Headquarters | Chamarajanagara town |
Subdistrict | Yelandur, Gundlupete, Chamarajanagara, Kollegala, Hanur |
Population • Density |
965,462 (2001) • 189 /km² (490 /sq mi) |
Deputy Commissioner | |
Codes • Pincode • Telephone • Vehicle |
• 571 3xx • +08226 • KA-10 |
Chamarajanagara ಚಾಮರಾಜನಗರ is the southern-most district in the state of Karnataka, India. It was carved out of the original larger Mysooru District in the year 1998. Chamarajanagara town is the headquarters of this district.
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[edit] History
Chamarajanagara was earlier known as Arikottara. Chamaraja Wodeyar, the Wodeyar king of Mysooru was born here and hence this place was renamed after him. The Vijaya Parsvanath Basadi, a holy Jain shrine was constructed by Punisadandanayaka, the commander of the Hoysala king Gangaraja in the year 1117 A.D.
[edit] Geography
Being the southernmost district of Karnataka, Chamarajanagara district borders the state of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Specifically, it borders Mysooru district of Karnataka to the west and north, Mandya and Bengalooru districts of Karnataka to the north-east, Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu to the east, Salem and Erode districts of Tamil Nadu to the south-east, Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu to the south and Wayanad district of Kerala to the south-west.
Most of the district lies in the leeward region of the Nilgiris and consists of mainly semi-arid rain-dependent flatlands along with forested hills.
[edit] Demographics
According to the census conducted in 2001, Chamarajanagara district has a population of 965462 of which 489940 are males and 475522 are females. Having a large percentage of forest cover, the district also has a high population of forest-dwelling tribals; prominent among them are the Soligas, Yeravas, Jenu Kurubas and Betta Kurubas. These tribals have their own dialect and their total population is said to be around 82000. The literacy level of Chamarajanagara district is 51%, unfortunately one of the lowest in the state.
[edit] Places to see
[edit] Religious sites
- Chamarajeshwara Temple : The biggest temple in Chamarajanagara, which was built during end of 19th Century. Temple resembles Nanjanagudu Srikanteswara temple and has a very big gopura.
- MM Hills : Malai Mahadeshwara Hills (short form: MM Hills), is an important Shaiva pilgrimage centre in the Kollegala Taluk. The yearly chariot festival (locally called 'jatre') at the MM Hills brings many devotees. The temple is situated within the MM Hills Reserve Forest, not very far from where the river Kaveri flows into Tamil Nadu.
- BR Hills : Biligiri Rangana Betta (short form: BR Hills), refers to a cliff in the BR Hills range which is a North-South range in the Yelandur Taluk. It is famous for the Ranganathaswamy temple.
- Kanakagiri : Kanakagiri in Chamarajanagara Taluk is a famous Jain pilgrim centre. It is described as Hemanga Desha in ancient works and is said that Bhagwan Sri Mahavira visited this place during his visit to South India.
- GS Betta : Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta (short form: GS Betta is a hill near the Bandipura Wildlife Sanctuary in the Gundlupete Taluk. It is famous for the Gopalaswamy temple which is atop the hill. Gopalaswamy is an incarnation of the Hindu God Krishna.
- Dodda Sampige Mara: Located 4 km from BR Hills, Dodda Sampige Mara is the location where a large Champaka tree, 34 mts in height and 20 mts of girth is present. Near its trunk, there are many Shiva Lingas (around 100) which are worshipped by the pilgrims who come here. Near the tree flows the stream Bhargavi which is a tributary of Kaveri. This stream is supposed to be an incarnation of Renuka, the wife of the revered Hindu sage, Jamadagni.
[edit] Wildlife Sanctuaries
- Bandipura : Bandipura is a well known National Park in the Gundlupete Taluk straddling the state's border with Tamil Nadu. It is also a tiger reserve and part of the Project Tiger initiative. Apart from tiger, the other animals found here include gaur, elephant, leopard and wild dogs. It is contiguous with the Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary which is across the state border in Tamil Nadu.
- BR Hills : Apart from being a religious centre, BR Hills is also the location of the BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. It is spread over an area of 539.52 sq. km. Some of the important animals found here are tigers, sloth bears, elephants and gaurs.
[edit] Waterfalls
- Hogenakal : Hogenakal is a famous waterfall where the river Kaveri cascades down a gorge to give a breathtaking view. It is in the Kollegala Taluk and right on the border between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
[edit] Trekking
The Forest Department of Karnataka has come up with an initiative called Mystery Trails to promte eco-tourism by organising treks through the rich forests of Chamarajanagara district. Some of the trekking routes are:
- Bedaguli to Jodigere to Bylore
- BR Hills to Chenni Halla
- MM Hills to Naaga Male
- Bheemeshwari to Chellure Hill
- Elephant Camp to Muthathi
- Yerekem Halla to Gopinatham
[edit] Further Information
Since much of the southern area of the district is dense forest, it provided good refuge to the notorious bandit Veerappan, responsible for the death of over a hundred policemen. He was shot dead in an encounter with the specially formed Special Task Force (STF) in mid 2004, in Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu. He had been on the run for over two decades.
The presence of illegal quarrying for black stone imposes a great threat to the forests in the region.
[edit] External links
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