Country India District Gulbarga Time zone IST (UTC+5:30) | State Karnataka Metro Gulbarga district Planning agency Panchayat | |
Chittapur is a taluk and panchayat in Gulbarga district, Karnataka, India.
The Town Municipal Council (TMC) Chittapur was constituted in 1952. It is situated on the main railway from Hyderabad to Mumbai. Chittapur town is located 50 km from Gulbarga district. It has a population of 29,674 as per census 2001.
It is famous for polished stones and toor dal.
The TMC has 23 wards and an equal number of councilors. Chittapur TMC stretches to an area of 17.45 km2 Chittapur town has its own historic background of Nagavelambika Temple and Hajarat Chittavali shaha Darga.
The town has the famous and ancient Nagavi University at the southern part of the town. The main part of this "Nagavi University is supported with 60 Pole" (60 Khambad Gudi) (೬೦ ಕಂಬದ ಗುಡಿ) "Nandi Bhavi" "ನಂದಿ ಭಾವಿ" A water body which has water all around the year.
There are ruined temples and mosques scattered all around this area probably belongs to Rashtrakoot Empire. Capital Malkhed of Rashtrakoot is located east of Chittapur about 14 km.
In 1986, when the roof of the Kali temple in Chandralamba temple complex collapsed, it destroyed the idol. However it revealed four Ashokan edicts on the floor and foundation stone of the temple. These edicts were written in the Prakrit language and Brahmi script and one of them was used as foundation of the pedestal for the Kali idol. During subsequent excavations by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the State Archaeology Department, tablets, sculptures, and other terracotta items were found, and most importantly numerous limestone panels of sculptures of the ruined 'Maha Stupa' or Adholoka Maha Chaitya (the Great Stupa of the Netherworld) were found. Archaeologists believe that Ranamandal was a fortified area, spread over 86 hectares (210 acres; 0.33 sq mi), out of which only 2 acres had been excavated by 2009. Clay pendants of Roman origin, black polished pottery, Shatavahana and pre-Shatavahana coins, ornaments made of copper, ivory and iron, a township with paved pathways, houses, and limestone flooring have been found. Many excavated items were later shifted to Gulbarga Museum.
The government has asked the Archaeological Survey of India to take up further exploration of the Ranamandal area to know the history of the region and its connection with Buddhism.
One of the stones - the only known example of its type - is of Emperor Asoka (r. 274–232 BC) seated on his throne. It is probably the only surviving image of the emperor.
In 2010, ASI along with Sannati Development Authority deputed Manipal Institute of Technology to prepare a blueprint for restoration and reconstruction of the stupas.