Gajendragarh
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Gajendragad (also called Gajendragada) is a town and a sub-district place in
Gadag District Gadag is a district in the state of Karnataka, India. It was formed in 1997, when it was split from Dharwad district. As of 2011, it had a population of 1064570 (of which 35.21 percent was urban). The overall population increased by 13.14 perc ...
,
Karnataka Karnataka (; ISO 15919, ISO: , , also known as Karunāḍu) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reor ...
,
India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area, the List of countries and dependencies by population, second-most populous ...
. This place is known for its hill station and hill strip. Highest populated city after Gadag in the district. It is about 55 kilometers from the district head quarter Gadag, 110 kilometers from
Hubballi Hubli, officially known as Hubballi, is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. The twin cities Hubli–Dharwad form the second largest city in the state by area and population and the largest city in North Karnataka. Hubli is in Dharwad distr ...
, 200 kilometers from
Belagavi Belgaum ( ISO: ''Bēḷagāma''; also Belgaon and officially known as Belagavi) is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka located in its northern part along the Western Ghats. It is the administrative headquarters of the eponymous Belagavi ...
and 450 kilometers from state capital
Bengaluru Bangalore (), officially Bengaluru (), is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It has a population of more than and a metropolitan population of around , making it the third most populous city and fifth most ...
.


Introduction

Gajendragad (Gajendra:Elephant;gad:fort), is a historical place in the Gadag district. The name Gajendragad is a combination of Elephant and a fort. This is because the city looks like
elephant Elephants are the largest existing land animals. Three living species are currently recognised: the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant, and the Asian elephant. They are the only surviving members of the family Elephantida ...
body in the bird view. Local people generally call it as ''Gada''. It is about 55 km from Gadag and is one of the big towns in the
Gadag District Gadag is a district in the state of Karnataka, India. It was formed in 1997, when it was split from Dharwad district. As of 2011, it had a population of 1064570 (of which 35.21 percent was urban). The overall population increased by 13.14 perc ...
. Gajendragad is a pilgrimage destination due to its ''Kalakaleshwara temple''. It is known for the long hill strip, hill station, film shooting spots, fort, kalakaleshwara temple, market for Javali / Dress Materials for marriage and festivals, windmills, Handloom, Gajendragad Kubusa Kana.


History

Gajendragad is surrounded by the historical places associated with
Badami Chalukyas The Chalukya dynasty () was a Classical Indian dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th centuries. During this period, they ruled as three related yet individual dynasties. The earliest dynast ...
and Western Chalukya and the places are
Badami Badami, formerly known as Vatapi, is a town and headquarters of a taluk by the same name, in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. It was the regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas from CE 540 to 757. It is famous for its rock cut monuments ...
,
Aihole Aihole (pronounced "Eye-hoḷé"), also referred to as Aivalli, Ahivolal or Aryapura, is a historic site of ancient and medieval era Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments in Karnataka, India that dates from the sixth century through the twelfth ...
,
Pattadakal Pattadakal, also called Paṭṭadakallu or Raktapura, is a complex of 7th and 8th century CE Hindu and Jain temples in northern Karnataka (India). Located on the west bank of the Malaprabha River in Bagalakote district, this UNESCO World ...
, Mahakuta, Banashankari, Sudi, Mahadeva Temple at Itagi and
Kudalasangama Kudalasangama (also written as Kudala Sangama) in India is an important centre of pilgrimage for Lingayats. It is located about from the Almatti Dam in Bagalkote district of Karnataka state. The Krishna and Malaprabha River rivers merge he ...
. Rastrakuta Monuments at Kuknur. The Gajendragad fort and town were built and renewed by
Shivaji Shivaji Bhonsale I (; 19 February 1630 – 3 April 1680), also referred to as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was an Indian ruler and a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan. Shivaji carved out his own independent kingdom from the declining Adil ...
.


Ghorpade

Founder of the Ghorpade family was Shri Valabhasinh Cholaraj Ghorpade and then the descended Bahirjirao (Hindurao) Ghorpade The Royal families of Kapsi and Gajendragad owe their origin to Vallabhasinha and the Chiefs of Sondur are descended from the third son of Cholraj.


Treaty of Gajendragad

After the 2nd ''
Mysore Mysore (), officially Mysuru (), is a city in the southern part of the state of Karnataka, India. Mysore city is geographically located between 12° 18′ 26″ north latitude and 76° 38′ 59″ east longitude. It is located at an altitude o ...
War'',
Tippu Sultan Tipu Sultan (born Sultan Fateh Ali Sahab Tipu, 1 December 1751 – 4 May 1799), also known as the Tiger of Mysore, was the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore based in South India. He was a pioneer of rocket artillery.Dalrymple, p. 243 He i ...
had to engage in an armed conflict (during 1786–87) with the Marathas and the Nizam. The war concluded with the treaty of Gajendragad. Tipu Sultan ceded Badami to the Marathas. Tipu would release Kalopant and return Adoni, Kittur, and Nargund to their previous rulers. Badami would be ceded to the Marathas. Tipu would also pay an annual tribute of 12 lakhs per year to the Marathas. In return, Tipu would get all the places that they had captured in the war, including Gajendragarh and Dharwar. Tipu would also be addressed by the Marathas by an honorary title of "Nabob Tipu Sultan, Fateh Ali Khan". In Fourth Anglo-Mysore War maratha empire presented its support to the
East India Company The East India Company (EIC) was an English, and later British, joint-stock company founded in 1600 and dissolved in 1874. It was formed to trade in the Indian Ocean region, initially with the East Indies (the Indian subcontinent and Sou ...
.


Tourism

;Kalakaleshwara temple: The pilgrim Kalakaleshwara temple, is a huge mountain with the temple carved into it. This is a weekend destination which could be wound up in a day's time. One can see many windmills lined on the hill opposite the hill on which the temple is located. ;Sudi: Mallikarjuna Temple, Twin Towered Temple, Ishwara in a stone made shelter and Naga Kunda are prime attractions of Sudi. ;Itagi Bhimambika: The temple of Bhimambika, about 13 km from Gajendragad ;Banashankari: It is known for temple of Banashankari, and Annual car festival. ;Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal and Mahakuta: *
Badami Badami, formerly known as Vatapi, is a town and headquarters of a taluk by the same name, in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. It was the regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas from CE 540 to 757. It is famous for its rock cut monuments ...
*
Aihole Aihole (pronounced "Eye-hoḷé"), also referred to as Aivalli, Ahivolal or Aryapura, is a historic site of ancient and medieval era Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments in Karnataka, India that dates from the sixth century through the twelfth ...
*
Pattadakal Pattadakal, also called Paṭṭadakallu or Raktapura, is a complex of 7th and 8th century CE Hindu and Jain temples in northern Karnataka (India). Located on the west bank of the Malaprabha River in Bagalakote district, this UNESCO World ...
* Mahakuta Mahakuta is the source of an important
Badami Badami, formerly known as Vatapi, is a town and headquarters of a taluk by the same name, in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. It was the regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas from CE 540 to 757. It is famous for its rock cut monuments ...
Chalukya The Chalukya dynasty () was a Classical Indian dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th centuries. During this period, they ruled as three related yet individual dynasties. The earliest dynast ...
inscription called Mahakuta Pillar inscription. ;Kuknur: MahaMaya temple, Navalinga Temples at Kuknur. ;Kudalasangama: At
Kudalasangama Kudalasangama (also written as Kudala Sangama) in India is an important centre of pilgrimage for Lingayats. It is located about from the Almatti Dam in Bagalkote district of Karnataka state. The Krishna and Malaprabha River rivers merge he ...
the rivers Krishna and Malaprabha merge (sangama) here, This place is closely associated with the 12th-century poet and social reformer Basavanna. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Sangameswara, worshipped in the form of a linga. The temple is an ancient monument built in the
Chalukya The Chalukya dynasty () was a Classical Indian dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th centuries. During this period, they ruled as three related yet individual dynasties. The earliest dynast ...
style architecture. This place is well developed as one of the great tourism place.


Kalakaleshwara temple

A little known pilgrim of North Karnataka. Gajendragad is a small town lying amidst hills, in one of which is encapsulated Kalakaleshwara temple of Lord Shiva (known as Dakshina Kashi), who is worshipped in the form of Kalakaleshwara. There are some large steps that lead you up to the temple. It is a traditional temple with Udbhava Linga. There we can find God Veerabhadra temple also in the same premises. But one would definitely be amazed at the story in which the significance of the destination lies. Just outside the temple exit is a small square water reservoir called AntharaGange. It is an evergreen water resource that constantly falls along the roots of Peepal tree into the pond all throughout the year. It is said to be flowing even in the peaks of summer season and has an unknown root.


Mythology

More amazing is the story attached to this destination that has taken a few lives too. These were the daring people who wanted to try to learn more about a miracle that happens on the previous night of Ugadi, New Year of Kannadigas. The pandit/pujari of the temple prepares a solution of
limestone Limestone ( calcium carbonate ) is a type of carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material lime. It is composed mostly of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of . Limestone forms w ...
, and keeps it ready for application along with a brush, inside the temple. The next morning, the jobs done. But the temple is painted on its own and this happens without fail every year. A hookah that is also kept along with it seems to be used when seen the next morning.


MMTC's wind farm

Minerals & Metals Trading Corporation (MMTC) Limited under the ministry of commerce and industry. MMTC's Gajendragad plant started in 2007, the plant has delivered electricity power of over 102 million units to Hubli Electricity Supply Company (HESCOM) Limited. The plant generate a total capacity of 15 MW of power, with 25 wind energy generators, can each generate 600 KV.


Environmental issues

Windmills set up to generate wind energy, are posing a threat to the very existence of rare hyenas and wolves at Gajendragad. Earlier Gajendragad was recognised as a safe haven for highly endangered species like the Indian ''grey
wolf The wolf (''Canis lupus''; : wolves), also known as the gray wolf or grey wolf, is a large canine native to Eurasia and North America. More than thirty subspecies of ''Canis lupus'' have been recognized, and gray wolves, as popularly un ...
'' and striped '' hyenas'', but wind farming and windmills with huge noisy fans and human traffic to maintain these machines have driven away these species from their habitat.


Notable people

*''Raghavendra Acharya'' - scholar in
Vedanta ''Vedanta'' (; sa, वेदान्त, ), also ''Uttara Mīmāṃsā'', is one of the six (''āstika'') schools of Hindu philosophy. Literally meaning "end of the Vedas", Vedanta reflects ideas that emerged from, or were aligned with, ...
, Vyakarana (Grammar), Nyaya (Law), Mimamsa and Alankar, lived in Gajendragad * Prahlad Balacharya Gajendragadkar - served as the
Chief Justice of India The chief justice of India ( IAST: ) is the chief judge of the Supreme Court of India as well as the highest-ranking officer of the Indian Judiciary. The Constitution of India grants power to the president of India to appoint, in consultation ...
from 1964 to 1966, was native to Gajendragada.


Geography

Gajendragarh is located at . It has an average elevation of 643 metres (2109 feet).


Demographics

India
census A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses inc ...
, Gajendragarh had a population of 28,227. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Gajendragarh has an average literacy rate of 62%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 74%, and female literacy is 51%. In Gajendragarh, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.


See also

* Ghorpade *
Sandur (princely state) Sandur State was a princely state of India during the British Raj, part of the Madras States Agency. Its capital was the town of Sanduru. History From 1731 until the accession to India, the Sandur state was ruled by Maratha royals. In 1776 ...
* Mudhol State *
Gooty Gooty ( ) is a town in Anantapur district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is the headquarters of Gooty mandal in Anantapur revenue division. The town is renowned for the Gooty hill fort. Geography Gooty is located at , at a dis ...
* North Karnataka * Tourism in North Karnataka *
Badami Badami, formerly known as Vatapi, is a town and headquarters of a taluk by the same name, in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. It was the regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas from CE 540 to 757. It is famous for its rock cut monuments ...
,
Pattadakal Pattadakal, also called Paṭṭadakallu or Raktapura, is a complex of 7th and 8th century CE Hindu and Jain temples in northern Karnataka (India). Located on the west bank of the Malaprabha River in Bagalakote district, this UNESCO World ...
,
Aihole Aihole (pronounced "Eye-hoḷé"), also referred to as Aivalli, Ahivolal or Aryapura, is a historic site of ancient and medieval era Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments in Karnataka, India that dates from the sixth century through the twelfth ...
, Mahakuta * Kuknur *
Mahadeva Temple (Itagi) The Mahadeva Temple is located in the town of Itagi in Yelburga Taluk, in the Koppal District of Karnataka state, India. It is about from Kuknur and from Lakkundi. Mahadeva Temple The Mahadeva Temple was built based on the general plan of ...
* Sudi *
Gadag District Gadag is a district in the state of Karnataka, India. It was formed in 1997, when it was split from Dharwad district. As of 2011, it had a population of 1064570 (of which 35.21 percent was urban). The overall population increased by 13.14 perc ...
* Mudhol Hound


Gallery


References

{{Gadag Forts in Karnataka Shiva temples in Karnataka Cities and towns in Gadag district Cliff dwellings Hindu temples in Gadag district