Hiriyur

Hiriyur
ಹಿರಿಯೂರು
city

Vani Vilasa Sagara dam located near the Hiriyur taluk
Hiriyur
Coordinates: 13°57′N 76°37′E / 13.95°N 76.62°ECoordinates: 13°57′N 76°37′E / 13.95°N 76.62°E
Country  India
State Karnataka
District Chitradurga
Elevation 630 m (2,070 ft)
Population (2001)
 • Total 48,772
Languages
 • Official Kannada
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 577 598
Telephone code 08193
Vehicle registration KA-16
Website www.hiriyurtown.gov.in

Hiriyur is a town and taluk capital located near Chitradurga in the Indian state of Karnataka.

Hiriyur is renowned for having the oldest dam in Karnataka, built on the Vedavati river, and named Mari Kanive. Hiriyur is situated along National Highway 4. Hiriyur is located 160 km north of Bangalore. All the buses from Bangalore going towards Hubli, Belgaum, Davanagere, Bellary pass through Hiriyur.

The climate is generally dry with low rain fall. During winter (November - February) night temperature may come down up to 18 degrees C.

History

Hiriyur is famous as a centre for regional (rural) markets. The 'santhe' attracts people from all over the district. It is also famous for the Mari Kanive, which is an architectural masterpiece constructed during the rule of the Mysore Wodeyars. C.N. Malige is one of the villages of Hiriyur taluk and it is situated between Hulithotlu and Adiralu villages. Sub office to this village is Aimangala. The national highway 4 which passes through Hiriyur has for decades created a cluster of business catering to the commuters. Hiriyur is also famous for its 500+year old temple of lord shiva. Famously known as "Terumalleshwara temple" it is also called as "dakshina kashi" by the devotees. It is believed that famous devotee of lord shiva "Hema Reddy Mallamma" was a resident of this town. Every year she travelled to Varanasi by foot, as she grew older and weaker, one day she prayed to her lord that "O lord I have become old and weak, unable to visit varanasi and have your darshan, what do I do". On the night of that day lord shiva appeared in her dream and told her that she need not come to varanasi to see him, he himself will come and reside in Hiriyur. As promised lord shiva was believed to have incarnated in the "oralukallu" (a stone of cylindrical shape used in the households of ancient India for grinding purpose). That stone which was worshipped by Mallamma later became known as Terumalleshwara.

The ancient name of hiriyur was "Ghanapuri". The "Yeppattu Kannina Setuve" ("the seventy eyed bridge") located near Hiriyur is noted for its architecture. The patterns in the bridge resemble human eye, and there are seventy eyes.

Geography

Hiriyur is located at 13°57′N 76°37′E / 13.95°N 76.62°E.[1] It has an average elevation of 630 metres (2066 feet). The months of March and April are the hottest months of the year.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[2] Hiriyur had a population of 48,772. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Hiriyur has an average literacy rate of 69%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 75%, and female literacy is 62%. In Hiriyur, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Regional

The Vedavati river is dammed here to meet the water needs of the otherwise mostly dry district of Chitradurga. This place lies on NH4, the Mumbai-Bengaluru National Highway, and is a central place for most commuters travelling to southern and central parts of India via Karnataka. Several villages around Hiriyur like Adivala, have been major producers of coconuts.

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Hiriyur
  2. ↑ "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.