Davanagere

Davanagere is derived from the word "DAVANA KERE" which means "Village of Lake" This City has historical background, as this village was with in the province of "Nolambavady" ruled by great Chalukya Kings. During 1173-1220, this province was ruled by Pandyas.

Then Hoysalas ruled this province after defeating Pandyas. In 1342, Nolamba province was conquered by the great kings of Vijayanagara. After the downfall of Vijayanagara Kingdom, it came into the hands of local "Palyagars" of Chitradurga. This province was also ruled by Maratha Sardars as this town was given to Maratha sardar, Sri Devrao as "Jahagirs" by Hyderali. This part of land became very prosperous during the reign of Tippu Sultan and Mysore Maharajas.

Davanagere City is a district head quarter located on NH4 at a distance of about 260 Km away from Bangalore. During 1997, Davanagere was bifurcated from Chitradurga district and made district head quarter consisting of six taluks viz Davanagere, Harihara, Honnali, Chennagiri, Jagalur and Harapanahalli. This city is an important educational, commercial and industrial centre. Davanagere City is situated in the heart of the Karnataka state and it is located at 14° 28’ altitude and 75° 59’ latitude with an elevation of 602.5mts above the mean sea level. The City is well connected by a network of national and state highways and also Poona - Bangalore railway line. Davanagere City limit has been extended during 1995 including 8 villages and the area of the city is 68.63 SqKms. Davanagere City Municipal Council has come into existence during the year 1939.

It is popularly believed that the Chalukyas halted at this place to overcome the fatigue (danivu kaleyuva) of a long horse-ride. A lake (kere) was excavated for them to quench their thirst. The place came to be known as Devan giri (a corruption of danivina kere) and eventually Davanagere. This popular belief is not attested by any concrete historical evidence.

Davangere town is a major trading center of Karnataka state. It was called the "Manchester of Karnataka" for housing many cotton mills and supported trade and business. Being at the center of the State makes it suitable for trading. The surrounding hinterland provides support to business at Davangere. Crops like Rice, Arecanut and Cotton are traded here.There are many rice mills making puffed rice and beaten rice in and around this town. Davangere is famous for textiles mills. Davangere was a major cotton textile exporter during the 1960s till the 80s. But most of the mills were shut down during the 90s and currently the major agro-industrial activity around Davangere revolves around Rice and Sugarcane, with a number of sugar mills in and around this area.

Davanagere District , also known as Devangere District, is an administrative district of Karnataka state in southern India. The city of Davanagere is the district headquarters. It had a population of 1,790,952 of which 30.32% was urban as of 2001. This district was carved out of Chitradurga district in 1997 by then Chief minister of Karnataka J. H. Patel.The district lies above the historic Chitradurga. The prominent cities/towns in this district are Harihara, Honnali and Channagiri. Neighbouring districts are Shivamogga District, Haveri District, Chitradurga District, and Bellary District.

History dates back to 1000 AD when Baithur was the capital of Hoysala and Pallava Empire.  The name Davanagere may have been evolved from the word Davan-kere (Gods Tank).  It was once the Royal Stables of the Yousala Dynasty because of abundant supply of feed and water.  It was also called Deva-Nagari, as it was one of the biggest townships of the empire.

The Davanagere district has 6 taluk panchayats, 24 hoblies, 230 gram panchayats, 803 villages, 1334 habitations, and 2 city municipal councils and one City Corporation.

The 6 Talukas are : Davanagere, Harihar, Jagalur, Honnali, Channagiri, Harapanahalli.

Davangere or Davanagere is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka, lying in western South India. It is the administrative headquarters of Davangere District, which lies at the centre of the state of Karnataka.

Davanagere was originally an obscure village, forming one of the suburbs of Bettur. Sultan Hyder Ali gave it as jagir to a Maratha chief named Apoji Ram, who encouraged merchants to settle there. While Apoji Ram died without heirs, the place continued to grow, favored by Tipu Sultan. After the fall of Tipu Sultan's regime, a European firm stepped in and started a cotton mill. These mills flourished as cotton was grown in plenty, in and around Davanagere, as well as the adjacent town of Harihar. Climatic conditions and the nature of the soil (black gypsum) favoured its growth. Davanagere Cotton Mills is now a well-known name in the region.

Harihar is a city located in Davanagere District in the Indian state of Karnataka.Harihara is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, 275 kilometres north of Bangalore. There is famous temple built in 12th century during Hoysala's time called Harihareshwara temple (Guharanya Kshetra), from which the city derives its name, which is also known as "Dakshina Kashi".

The god Harihareshwara is a combination of god Shiva and Vishnu. There is a story behind avatara of this god. In ancient days this place was known as 'Guharanya'. A dense jungle and habitat of a demon Guhasura. He had a boon that no human or Rakshasa or god can kill him. And he started harassing people around this place. Then Vishnu and Shiva came together in a new avatara called Hari – Hara (Harihara) and killed demon Guhasura. That is how this place has got the name Harihar.

Jagalur is a panchayat town in Davanagere district in the Indian state of Karnataka. Jagalur is 47.3 km far from its District Main City Davanagere . It is 220 km far from its State Main City Bangalore.

As of 2001 India census, Jagalur had a population of 14,741. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Jagalur has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 74%, and female literacy is 64%. In Jagalur, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Honnāli is a panchayat town in Davanagere district in the Indian state of Karnataka. Shimoga is around 44 km to the south, Ranebennur is around 46 km to the north, Harihar is around 40 km to the north east &

Shikaripur is around 37 km to west of Honnali.Tungabhadra river flows through this taluk. Main occupation of the people in this taluk is agriculture.Nearest tourist places can be visited are Trirtha rameshwara which is famous for Lord Shiva temple.

Channagiri is a panchayat town in Davanagere district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is a taluk headquarters in Davanagere District.It is said that the hill was fortified by Rani Chennamma of Keladi (1672–1697), queen of Keladi Nayaka Kingdom and town was named after her.

The city has multiethnic population. Most of them are Hindus and rest Mohammadans, Jains. Every year Anjaneya Swamy Ratotsawa at Muddenahalli and Gaddigeshwara Utsava is held for three days. On this occasion, the Mutt will arrange with Prasadam thrice a day. Most beautiful scene to see will be Pallakki Utsava and Veeragaase played there. The main temples in town are situated on hills. One is at Mudenahalli (Aanjaneya) and other at Fort (Ranganathaswamy). Gowramma Street is in the heart of city. This street is famous for Gowramma temple. Channagiri is famous for Aracanut farming and famous Shanti Sagara is located here.

Channagiri has a hill fort of about 1770 A.D. with a Ranganatha temple inside it, which rises to a height of about 200 feet to the west of the town consists of a single soft dark covered with earth which commands a wide plain. The fort consists of two rubble walls defending by moats, the chief gate being on the north where the gradient is lowest.

Harpanahalli is a town in Davanagere district in the Indian state of Karnataka.

Harapanahalli is quite famous for its well known educational institutions and is home of several schools and colleges which makes it to stand different in terms of literacy.

There are more than 30+ Primary Schools and 5+ high schools,4+ pre university and first grade colleges located in the city along with a Pharmacy College for all level which draws student from far other states from North

India to the Harapanahalli. The famous Government Junior college in Harpanahalli is more than 120 years old and was second oldest college in the then Bellary District. Harapanahalli Bheemavva Well-known poet of Hardidas movement. Proud Woman Poetess of Karnataka Period : 1822-1903.