Santhebennur is a panchayat town in the Davanagere district of the state of Karnataka, India. It is about 40 kilometers from Davangere and about 60 kilometers from Shimoga. Channagiri, taluk headquarters town, is 22 kilometers away.
Santhebennur is famous for a pond called "Pushkarani," locally called "Honda." Apart from the structure in the center, four more can be seen on the surrounding steps, and there are two more - one each on the left & right. The Pushkarani itself is in front of a gallery kind of structure, open towards the Pushkarani, and without any rooms. These structures are built with a mix of stone, bricks & mortar.
Santhebennur has a Police Station, two movie theatres,(touring talkies), & Government hospital.
Santebennur has a very good education institute run by Vijaya Yuvaka Sangha.this organization was found by Sathyanarayan Nadig. Now Sri Sumateendra Nadig is care taker for Vijaya Yuvaka Sangha. He is a pioneer in bringing out a massive development in education of this town. Students from this institute have made names across the globe. In Santhebennur there is one marriage hall and degree college is also there. Mr.H.M.Omkaraiah presently serving as Assistant Commissioner of Police in Bangalore is the first individual to be awarded Chief Minister's gold medal for meritorious service. Also in Santhebennur, Sri Rama Temple is there. It was inaugurated by Myrore Raj Urs Odeyar many years ago. Every year on Rama Navami "Sri Ramothsava" is celebrated with Rathosvava. Sri Sumateendra Nadig and his friends, relatives, people of town have taken interest in celebrating this Sri Rama Navami
Sante-Bennur, a small town situated in Channagiri Taluk in Davangere District, is a place of historical importance. It was called Sante-Bennur on account of the large weekly fair (sante) held there, and to distinguish it from Male Bennur, Rani Bennur and others of the name. It was founded, probably in the 16th Century, by a chief of the Basavapatna family, on the spot where a hare had been observed to turn upon the hounds, which indicated heroic soil.The settlement of traders and merchants was encouraged, and a large market sprung up.Hanumappa Nayak, one of the chiefs, erected a palace at Sante-Bennur and had skilfully constructed Pushkarni (reservoir) made in front of the ancient temple of Ranganatha, faced round with flights of steps and with ornamental pavilions at the angles and in the center.
The Pushkarni is the biggest in Karnataka and is renowned for its architectural beauty. With a length and breadth of 300 feet, it is 80 feet deep. In all eight directions there are small mantaps (Towers) of which only six are in their original shape. In the middle of this magnificent reservoir, there is a bigger tower called Vasantha Mantapa which is about 50 feet in height.It is said that Hanumappa Nayaka, built this Pushkarni and the temple of Lord Ranganatha along side it in the year 1658 AD. Ranadullah Khan, a sergeant of the Bijapur Sultan defeated Hanumappa Nayaka in a battle, destroyed the temple and constructed a mosque of large dimensions there. Hanumappa Nayaka who had been forced to retire to Tarikere and Kaldurga, was greatly incensed at this, and watching his opportunity planned a night attack, in which he put to death the Muhammadan governor, and desecrated the mosque and rebuilt the temple that existed there.
After his death, the town came under the rule of Tarikere and Chitradurga Palegars. The Bidnur Kings later rebuilt the fort around the town and restored the Pushkarni and the adjacent Temple to its original grandeur.It later fell into the hands of Haidar Ali.The mosque, never used since its desecration, and the Pushkarni, with its ruinous but graceful pavilions are the only points of interest now left.
Santebennur today has a Police Station, two movie theaters (touring talkies). It also has a Hospital run by the State Government. Santebennur has a very good educational institute run by a NGO by name Vijaya Yuvaka Sangha.This organization was founded by Mr.Sathyanarayan Nadig. He is a pioneer in bringing out a massive development in education of this village. Students from this institute have made names across the globe. Now Mr.Sumateendra Nadig is the Executive Director of Vijaya Yuvaka Sangha.In Santhebennur there is an auditorium which is mostly used for marriages. It also has a college for graduate studies.
Mr.H.M.Omkaraiah currently serving in Bangalore as Assistant Commissioner of Police. He is the first individual from Santebennur to be awarded with PRESIDENT MEDAL from INDIAN GOVERNMENT and also CHIEF MINISTER GOLD MEDAL from KARNATAKA GOVERNAMENT for his Prompt and Honest Service to the Governament.
K.Mohammed Yakhoob, son of Santhebennur Khazi Abdul Wahab Saheb, who retired as Chief Engineer, is the first educated person to adorn a coveted place of office in the State Government. His father S.K.Abdul Wahab Saheb served as the representative of the Maharaja of Mysore and his grandchildren S.K Maqbool Ahmed and K.Abdul Raheem are the President and Secretary of SK Welfare Charitable Trust respectively. The Trust is engaged in sponsorship of education and medical relief to economically weaker section of the minority Muslim community. Last year a medical camp was organised and several sewing machines were distributed to widows and jobless women.
The Sri Rama Temple has its own architectural splendor. It was inaugurated by Maharaja of Mysore many years ago. Every year on the day of Rama Navami (Birthday of Lord Sri Rama), Sri Ramothsava is celebrated with Rathosvava (car festival). Mr. Sumatheendra Nadig and his friends, relatives, people of the town join the celebration with great religious fervor.