Molakalmuru

Molakalmuru ಮೊಳಕಾಲ್ಮೂರು
city
Molakalmuru Location in Karnataka, India
Coordinates: 14°44′13″N 76°42′14″E / 14.737°N 76.704°E / 14.737; 76.704Coordinates: 14°44′13″N 76°42′14″E / 14.737°N 76.704°E / 14.737; 76.704
Country	India
State	Karnataka
District	Chitradurga
Area
• Total	43.05 km2 (16.62 sq mi)
Population (2001)
• Total	14,131
• Density	328.25/km2 (850.2/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Kannada
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	577535
Telephone code	+08198
Vehicle registration	KA-16
Website	www.molakalmurutown.gov.in

Molakalmuru is a panchayat town in Chitradurga district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is near the border of Karnataka state with Andhra Pradesh. It borders the Rayadurg Taluk of Ananthpur district of Andhra Pradesh. Molakalmuru has major villages like Hangal. It is famous for the unique Molkalmuru sarees which are manufactured here. Legend has it that its name means "broken knees" in Kannada after a battle between the native Indians and the British in which due to the rocky and hilly terrain behind the city, the Brits suffered many broken knees in their losing battle.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[1] Molakalmuru had a population of 14,131. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Molakalmuru has an average literacy rate of 66%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 75%, and female literacy is 57%. In Molakalmuru, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Temples

There is an interesting legend behind the name of this town. Translated into Kannada, Molkalmuru means ‘broken knees’. The story runs that during a battle between the native Indians and the British, many British soldiers suffered from broken knees because of the rocky and hilly terrain in the town’s surroundings.

The Nunkemale Siddeshwara temple is a famous temple in the region and once in three years, a jaathre is held in the town. Another jaathre is held every year on the Nunkemalle hill for three days and people from the surrounding villages throng the fair.

The Sri Rama temple is another famous temple in this region. Every year, the Ramnavami festival is celebrated here with great pomp and splendour. It also has a large reservoir and a huge rock which is popularly known as kugo bande or the rock that screams. Here, tourists can hear echoes of their voices. The sithaphala fruits (custard apples) that grow in these hillocks are immensely delicious.

Molakalmuru Sarees

Molakalmuru Sarees are the traditional sarees that are weaved in the region. Molakalmuru Sarees is also called as karnatakada kanchipuram, Recently it has been granted Geographical Indiaction tag^[2] and its tag number is 53.Kanaka silk and sarees is the best silk Saree distribution in molakalmuru.^[3] Vijayalakshmi silk sarees is the best place to buy beautiful and elegant silk sarees

Places to Visit

• Ashoka Siddapura is an important archeological site where emperor Ashoka's edicts were found. Nearby is Ramagiri, a hillock that has mythical associations with the epic Ramayana. A temple dedicated to Rameshwara built in 926 CE. exists here.

• Brahmagiri village is the ancient site of Ishila, one of emperor Ashoka's provincial capitals. His earliest rock edicts in Brahmi script and Prakrit language (3rd century BC) containing Kannada words were discovered.

• Rampura village is the ancient site of Rama Pura, In Ramayana, Ram had offered prayers to Shiva in a Hill called Jatangi Rameshwara Hill Which is located in Devasamudra village 3 K M from Rampura.

• Shirekola village which has Shree Guru Raghavendra Temple located near Rampura.

• Jakkalavadike village near to Siddapura named after old art works in the region.(Jakkalavadike means "House of world art" in Kannada). There are other facets to the village.

References