Birur
| Birur | |
|---|---|
| city | |
  Birur | |
| Coordinates: 13°35′45″N 75°58′16″E / 13.5959°N 75.9711°ECoordinates: 13°35′45″N 75°58′16″E / 13.5959°N 75.9711°E | |
| Country |
 India |
| State | Karnataka |
| District | Chikkamagaluru |
| Elevation | 833 m (2,733 ft) |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 22,601 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Kannada |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 577 116 |
| Telephone code | 08267 |
| Vehicle registration | KA-18 |
| Website | www.birurtown.gov.in |
Birur is a town located in Kadur Taluk in Chikkamagaluru district in the state of Karnataka, India.
Geography
Birur is located at 13°35′45″N 75°58′16″E / 13.5959°N 75.9711°E. It has an average elevation of 833 metres (2732 feet). It is called as Gateway to Malnad region. Birur is on the National High way no. 206 which connects Tumakur and Honnavara { Bangalore to Shimoga } .
Economy
Birur is known for its Areca nut production. Most of the households are directly or indirectly dependent on Areca nut production, processing, and trading activities.
Transport
Birur is well connected both by Road (NH 206) and Rail. It is also the hub of Broad gauge railway lines to Hubli, Guntakal, Hassan and Bangalore.Shimoga Talaguppa.[1]
Demographics
As of 2001 India census,[2] Birur had a population of 22,601. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Birur has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 76% and female literacy of 63%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Temples
The famous temples in Birur are of Sri Veerabhadraswamy, Sri Antharaghatammanavaru, Sri Rama Devaru, Sri Vasavi Temple, and Sri Mylaralingaswamy & Moksha lingeswara in mukti dhama. There are numerous temples of Sri Ganesha and Sri Anjaneyaswamy. The most popular festivities of the town are Sri Veerabhadraswamy rathotsava, Ammana Habba, Ganesha Chaturthi, Dasara Mahotsava, etc.
Festivals
Birur is also famous for its Jatras. The prominent one is sri Veerabhadra Swamy rathotsava with religious guggala seve. Another jatra held during February on account of Antaraghattammana Habba with Bullock Cart Racing, is also famous here. Dasara Mahotsava is held in the month of October and is very popular for its Karnika nudi. Dasara also includes procession of sri Satya Ganapathi, sri Mylara Lingeshwara, sri Veerabhadraswamy, sri Mallikarjunaswamy, sri Beeralingeswara, sri Antaraghattamma devi, and other deities in the town. These festivities represent the real harmony among people from different castes.
Sri Veerabhadraswamy Rathotsava
It is an annual rathotsava (car festival) which happens during the month of March lasting more than a week. The festival is in dedication to Sri Veerabhadraswamy, who is revered as Ooradevaru (village deity). During each day of the festival week, a procession is carried out in major streets of the town with devotees offering fruits and flowers to the god. The procession itself is a treat to watch with utsava moorthi (procession idol) of Sri Veerabhadraswamy along with his entourage which includes his consort Sri Bhadrakalammanavaru being carried on vaahana (vehicle), represented by different animal statues (elephant, ox, peacock, serpent, lion, horse, etc. made out of brass). One of the days is reserved for noora ondu ede (101 offerings). Men and women of the town gather in the temple to prepare the offering and after the maha pooja is performed, devotees partake the offering as prasad. Apart from the Dasara festival, noora ondu ede is the only other event where sri Mylara Lingaswamy deity is brought out for procession.
The last three days bring a festive atmosphere to the whole town. It is a tradition for married daughters to visit their parents' family on this occasion. The town is decorated with lights and houses with mango leaves and banana plants.
On the day of kalyana (celestial marriage) between Sri Veerabhadraswamy and his consort Sri Bhadrakalammanavaru, women from the town offer auspicious items to receive blessings from the god. On the same day, women perform guggula seve around utsava moorthi seated on a wooden chariot (theru). In this ceremony, women do pradakshina carrying a small pot lit with camphor and sambrani (Benzoin resin) around utsava moorthi.
On the day of theru habba, the utsava moorthi (procession idol) of Sri Veerabhadraswamy along with his entourage is taken on a procession in a big wooden chariot (theru) in the "raja beedhi" of the town. The festivities culminate with holi with people in the town playing with colors and taking a procession around the town.
The festival features numerous folklore dances like Veeragaase dance and Dollu Kunitha.
Education
Birur town has been the hub of education at all levels, and conveniently located for students from the surrounding villages. It has both Kannada and English medium schools, pre-university, undergraduate, and diploma colleges. There are several community hostels which provide free boarding and lodging for the students from low-income families.
References
- ↑ Railway Gazette International p7
- ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
External links
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