Challakere

Geography

Challakere is located at 14.312°N 76.651°E / 14.312; 76.651. It has an average elevation of 585 metres (1919 ft).

Demographics

Challakere is the largest taluk of Chitradurga District. As of 2011 India census, Challakere had a population of 55,194. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Challakere has an average literacy rate of 69%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 75% and female literacy of 62%. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Oil Industry

Challakere is also known as the 'oil city' or "second Mumbai" of India because it is the second largest producer/supplier of edible oil after Mumbai. There are as many as 60+ oil industries in Challakere. Not only oil, several other industries like dal, fried gram, rice, etc. are also present. The commercial activity in the town is comparable to that of a standard district and the district enjoys a huge business turnover out of town's business.

Kambali Business

Challkere is famous for kambali (woven blankets) made by the local Kuruba people. Challakere kambali are sent to various markets across India. Challakere weekly market Sunday market has the highest turnover in the state.

Schools

The famous Datta Mandir is located in Tyagaraja Nagar, and traditional practices of Datta Sampradaya, can be seen at this temple. There is an audumbara tree which has branched into three segments symbolising datta avatar. The tree is full of fruits, which normally attract many insects, but these are not seen in this tree. A great saint, Srinivasa Datta Yogishwar, who lived for about 112 years, like an avadootha. You can see his samadhi in this mandir. Now the mandir is run by Dr. G.S.Govindadas, an ayurvedic practitioner. There is a sacred well in front of the datta idol. In the surrounding areas the water table is 150 to 200 ft (61 m) down, but the 'sacred Ganga' in this well is at 6 ft (1.8 m). and the level remains constant throughout the year. There are legends that, the well known avadooth Sri Sath upaasi of Dodderi (previously called Mallanna) also attained datta sakshatkara in this sacred place. Datta mandir has become a shelter for well-known saints and vidwans. It encourages people in both spiritual and social development. The tiny place has an attracted many saints from all over the country. Datta Jayanthi, Gurupurnima, Gurupadyami are the major celebrations. A sacred place one must visit and get the blessings of lord Dattatreya.

Jagalurajja temple (Ajjana Gudi) is well known for its beautiful location beside the Ajjana Kere, which is the main water source for surrounding wells and drinking water for challakere and weekly second day of Monday is the special worship of the god. Some people mistake the god name "ajjayya"; it is not an name of god. "jagalurajja" is the name of the god.

Challakere is also famous for its Challekeramma temple, at Bellary Road. Challakeramma Jathre is conducted once every five years. in this Jathra more than 15,000 people will participate to get blessings of Challakeramma.

Challakeramma tayi she is known as a sister of Virabadhra swami. Virabadra swami temple located in Bellary road Challakere. Virabdra swami temple jatra is famous in Challakere city its wonderful time for every year in the month of may . Venkateshwara temple in gandhinagara this is the one of the famous temple in Challakere it had hundred fifty-year history and the shila murthy of the venkateshwara temple is brought from Tirumala.

Transport

Challakere is well connected to Bangalore, Bellary, Pavagada, and Chitradurga by road. The Heart of this City is the Nehru Circle. Newly introduced NH 150A which connects Chamarajanagara and Jevargi passes through the city. This highway is well connected to Bangalore-Puna highway (NH4) Via Hiryur.Challakere is 206 km from Bangalore and is well connected to Bangalore. Chitradurga, which is the district headquarters, is 30 km from this city. Many bus connections are available as Bengaluru, Mangalore, Chitradurga, Ballari, Northern Karnataka, and major cities. A KSRTC Bus Depot is newly available in Pavagada Road in this city.

Railway: In this City Good Railway Connection is available as.. 1.Bangalore City-Hospet Passenger Slip/56909-Slip 2.Chikjajur-Hospet Passenger/56911 3.Guntakal Chikjajur Passenger/57452 4.Chikjajur Guntakal Passenger/57451 5.Hospet - Bangalore Passenger/56910-Slip 6.mysore-varanasi trains runs on weekly

Science and Research Organizations

Challakere is 200 km from Bangalore where an integrated township spread over 8,000 acres (32 km²) has been set up by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). This is the first of its kind and has created one of India's largest science and Research hubs. ISRO is said to have conducted tests for Chandrayan-2 in its facility here. DRDO's ATR (Aeronautical Test Range) has been built at a cost of Rs. 2500 Crore. IISc has set up a Talent Development Center (TDC) here to train the teachers and lecturers of local origin.