Kolar

Kolar ಕೋಲಾರ
city
Someshwara Temple, 14th century Vijayanagara style
Kolar Location in Karnataka, India
Coordinates: 13°08′00″N 78°08′00″E / 13.1333°N 78.1333°E / 13.1333; 78.1333Coordinates: 13°08′00″N 78°08′00″E / 13.1333°N 78.1333°E / 13.1333; 78.1333
Country	India
State	Karnataka
District	Kolar
Area
• Total	26.56 km2 (10.25 sq mi)
Elevation	821 m (2,694 ft)
Population (2011)[1]
• Total	138,553
• Density	5,200/km2 (14,000/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Kannada
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	563101
Telephone code	08152
Vehicle registration	KA-07
Website	www.kolarcity.gov.in

Kolar  pronunciation (help·info) is a city in the South Indian state of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of Kolar District and is known for gold mining. Kolar is called the land of silk, milk, and gold.

Geography

Kolar is located at 13°08′N 78°08′E / 13.13°N 78.13°E / 13.13; 78.13.^[2] with an average elevation of 822 metres (2,697 ft).

It is located at a distance of about 70 kilometres (43 mi) from Bengaluru and 32 kilometres (20 mi) from Kolar Gold Fields. The city is located on the southern maidan (plains) region of Karnataka. The Ammerallikere, a tank, forms its eastern boundary. To the north is the Kodikannur tank, the main source of water supply to the city. The nearest railway junction is Bangarpet at a distance of about 15 km. It is situated on the Bengaluru - Chennai National Highway-4.

Kolar is also The gateway for Tirumala Via National Highway 4

History of Kolar

The Gangas sovereignty lasted from about 350 to 550 CE, initially ruled from Kolar as their Capital City. The founding king of the Ganga dynasty was Konganivarman Madhava who made Kolar his capital around 350 and ruled for about twenty years.

Kolar, the headquarters of the Kolar district, was earlier known as Kuvalala, also known as Kolahala Pura. Historically, Kolar is said to be associated with the epic age, which recalls many legends associated with Avani in Mulbagal Taluk, which was also called Avani Kshetra.

It was once known as Avantika- Kshetra, a sacred place in Kolar district in Karnataka State. It was famous for its religious establishments from ancient times.

It was once known as Aavanya which was under the Ganga prince Madhava Muttarasa, who governed several districts. In about A.D 890, its earliest grant relates that Tribhuvana Kartara Deva, who held the title of Kali Yuga Rudra, ruled over the Avaniya Thana for 40 years. During this period he constructed 50 temples and two large tanks.

Maharshi Valmiki, author of the epic Ramayana, lived here. The legend goes further to establish that Seetha Devi, after being sent to exile, gave birth to her twins Lava and Kusha at Avani.

The Avani continued to survive as a religious establishment from the 9th to 11th centuries. There are temples dedicated to Lord Rama.

The hill to the west of Kolar, called the Shatasringa Parvata or 'Hundred-Peaked Mountain' is 'Antharagange', associated with the story of Parasurama and his fight with King Kartaviryarjuna over Surabhi, the divine cow. As the story goes, King Kartavirya Arjuna (Sahasrarjuna) and his army visited Jamadagni, Parasurama's father, when the king demanded the magical cow from Jamadagni. When Jamadagni refused, the King sent his soldiers to take the cow, but Parashurama killed the entire army and the king with his axe. In return, the princes beheaded Jamadagni. Thus, Parasurama took an oath to behead the entire Kshatriya race, which is said to have taken place on the hills. It is said that the 'kolahala' on the death of Kartaviryarjuna gave its name to the town, which later become Kolar. Kannada is the main languages spoken in the district of Kolar.

Old City

Old City of Kolar comprises the following Areas: 1.Fort Area

2.Kurubarapet

3.Kumbarpet

4.Kanakanapalya

5.Dr.Ambedkar Nagar

6.Dharmarayanagar

7.RTO Nagar

8.BEML Layout/ C.Byregowda Nagar

9.Jayanagar

10.P.C.Halli

11.P.C.Extension

12.Kataripalya

13.Big Bazaar

14.Kilaripet

15.Karanjikatte

16.Old Extension

17.New Extension

18.Gowripet

19.Cottonpet

20.Ammavaripet

21.Palasandram Layout

22.Mahalakshmi Layout

23.Autonagar

24.Shahinsha Nagar

25.Shahid Nagar

26.Chowdeshwari Nagar

27.Gandhinagar

28.Gulpet

29.Shanthi Nagar

30.Sarige Nagar

31.Rahmath Nagar

32.Harohalli

33.Karanjikatte

34.Kuvempu Nagar

35.Muneshwara Nagar

36.Keelukote

37.Vibhutipura

38.Antaragange

39.Udayagiri Nagar

40.Sahakar Nagar

Antaragange

Antaragange is one of the tourist attractions Of Kolar. It is also known as "Dakshina Kashi Kshetra". In the temple is a pond which gets a continuous flow of underground water from the mouth of a Basava (stone bull). There is a steep, narrow path to the top of the mountain. There are seven villages on this mountain, including Therhalli. The mountain consists of granite rocks and lot of caves around. Antaragange is 4 Kilometers away from Kolar and 71 Kilometers away from State capital Bangalore

New City

Many of the rural areas are developing into urban areas. The following rural areas are being converted into urban areas:

1. Kondarajanahalli is the upcoming major hub for industry and other trading activities as it is located at the by-pass junction towards bangalore.

2. Ammerahalli

3. Maderahalli

4. Arabhikothanur (Up to Narasapura Industrial Area)

5. Tamaka

6. Gaddekannur

7. Vittappanahalli

8. Kogilahalli

9. Hasala

10. Sangondahalli

11. Hogari

12. Elam

13. Garudanahalli - Chokkahalli

14. Medihala

15. Talagunda

16. Vemagal (Upto Vemagal Industrial Area)

17. Moorandahalli

18. Thoradevandahalli

19. Arahalli (Up to Powergrid Station)

20. RM Golden City 21.clock tower

Religion

The major temples in the town are the Kolaramma Temple and the Someswara Temple. Someswara Temple is a fine example of the Vijayanagara style, complete with a massive pillared Mukha Mandapa, heavy Prakara walls, ornate Kalyana mantapa, a Devi Shrine and a lofty Gopura with fine stucco figures on the tower; while the door frame is carved in the typical Vijayanagara style, with dwarapalas, etc. The temple has a large tank (Kalyani) also. There are Vijayanagara inscriptions on the wall of the store room and the yagashala, dated to the 15th century.

Kolaramma Temple: This "L"-shaped temple has two shrines, one for Durga (Kolaramma) and the other for the Saptamatras. Both have a common vestibule. The Durga Shrine has a wagon-roof tower. The stucco figures in the Saptamatras shrine are unusually large. The temple is of Dravida Vimana Style, built in the Ganga Tradition (11th century). The Mahadwara has imposing pavilions in the inner side. The temple contains several Chola inscriptions, the earliest belonging to Mr. Yendeti (1012-1045).

Hyder Ali Tomb is also found. Islamic religion also plays a very important role. Many Darga's are also found like Khutub Gowri Dargah in heart of the city, A Dargah above the Antaraganga Hill and etc., Number of mosques are also found all over Kolar.

Administration

The Member of Parliament is K.H. Muniyappa who has won the last 6 elections. He is currently Union Minister of State (independent charge) for micro small and medium enterprises in the national government.

Varthur Prakash is the local member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.

Demographics

As of the 2011 census, Kolar municipality had a population of 138,553.^[1] The municipality had a sex ratio of 978 females per 1,000 males and 11.5% of the population were under six years old.^[1] Effective literacy was 84.02%; male literacy was 87.28% and female literacy was 80.69%.^[1]

Kannada is the language spoken by the majority. However, significant population speaks Telugu and Tamil (in KGF).

Notable residents

• Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvarayya – The architect of modern Karnataka and of the Brindavan Gardens
• D. V. Gundappa – Kannada poet
• Masti Venkatesha Iyengar: Kannada poet and recipient of Jnanpith Award
• K. C. Reddy : First Chief Minister of Karnataka, (then Mysore State)
• Hyder Ali: Father of Tipu Sultan
• K. Pattabhiraman: Noted freedom fighter,^[3][4][5] Sarvodaya Nayaka (Leader), eminent lawyer and Member of Legistive Assembly of Mysore (MLA) in 1951. One of the four Independent candidates who won from Mysore State during that elections, amidst a near sweep by Indian National Congress (INC). He was slated to be the first Chief Minister of Mysore but due to caste politics, K. C. Reddy became the first CM. One of Kolar town extensions named after him - "Pattabhiraman Extension" which was previously called Old Extension.
• K. H. Muniyappa: Union Minister of State for Railways, Government of India

• Soundarya, Versatile film actress ruled southern film industry and household famous in southern part of India^[6]

Transportation

Kolar has transportation amenities such as Buses, Taxis, and Auto Rickshaws.

Kolar also has a local transportation facility " Antaragange Kolara Nagara Sarige" which was inaugurated in July 2012.

Railways

The district headquarters has a railway station connecting two destinations:

1. Bangalore - Via Bangarpet

2. Chikkaballapura - Via Srinivaspura

Improvement of The City

. Most of the old buildings are getting demolished and new buildings are getting constructed.

. To avoid accidents, The police department has introduced the traffic light signals at KSRTC Bus Station Road and Mekke Circle.

. A 4-way lane is being built at Tekal Road, Petechamanahalli Extension, Kolar

Major Hospitals and Medical colleges and other colleges located in Kolar

Here is a list of hospital and Medical college located in Kolar

1. Maruthi Hospital -Opp. District Central Library D.V.G. Road, Kolar

2. Srinivasa Nursing Home - Bangarapet Circle, Kolar

3. Shreya Hospital - Shanaishwara Swamy Temple Road, Behind Tirumala Dairy, Fort, Kolar

4. Gaurav Orthopedic Hospital - Opp.Shanaishwara Swamy Temple, Fort, Kolar

5. Manjunatha Health Care - Opp. ETCM Hospital, Kanakanapalya, Kolar

6. E.T.C.M Mission Hospital - Bangarapet circle road, Kanakanapalya, Kolar

7. S.N.R. Hospital - Bangarapet road, Opp. Mahila Samaja School, Doomlight Circle, Kolar

8.Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College - Next to Horticulture college, Tamaka, Kolar

9. R.L.Jalappa teaching Hospital and Research center - Next to S.D.U.M.C,tamaka, Kolar

10.Chowdeshwari Hospital - Opp. Anur Hardware, KSRTC Bus Station Road, Kolar

11.Arogya Hospital. Doom Light Circle Kolar

A New Government Medical College is going to be established in Vemagal Village, Which is about 17 Kilometers From Kolar

12.C. Byre Gowda Institute of Technology,Thoradevanda Halli [p],Kolar to Srinivaspur Road,KOLAR- 563 101.

13. Janatha High School,Kembodi,kolar-mulbagul Road.

14. College of Horticulture, Jack Garden, Tamaka, NH4, Kolar. It is a constituent College of University Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot

15. Zonal Horticultural Research Station (ZHRS) Hogalagere, Srinivasapura Taluk

16. St.Anne's High school,Kolar

17. Manipal hospital, Doomlight Circle, Kolar

Industrial areas located in Kolar District

• Narasapura Industrial Area - 15 Kilometers (National Highway 4)

• Tamaka Industrial Area - 5 Kilometers (N H 4)

• Vemagal Industrial Area - 15 Kilometers (Chikkaballapura Road)

• Malur Industrial Area - 30 Kilometers (Hosur Road)

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kolar.

External links

• City Official Website