Davangere

History

Davanagere was originally an obscure village, forming one of the suburbs of Bethur. 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.

Till the 1980s, Davangere used to be popularly referred as the Manchester of Karnataka due to its numerous cotton mills, many of which were of national and international repute. Availability of cotton led to the establishment of many cotton mills from prominent business families of the city. This fame was lost in time as cotton mills were shut down gradually. The city however continues to be a major trading center of agricultural commodities.

Nowadays Davangere is also being recognised for educational institutions apart from its flourishing trade and commerce, which have historical legacy. The city now hosts two medical, two dental and four engineering colleges.

Attractions

Durgambika Temple It is said that around 200 years ago, a stone was brought from Dugatti Village and installed in this temple and worshipped as Durga Devi. In 1932, this shrine was converted into the beautiful Durgambika Temple. The presiding deity is Durgambika, also known variously as Durgamma.

Lingeswara Temple Lingeswara temple is located close to Gandhi Circle Near Railway Track . Built by Kirwadi Family in the 1950s. The presiding deity in this temple are Lord Shiva & Naga Devata . Maha Shivratri (the Great Night of Shiva) is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. It is the day Shiva was married to Parvati. The Maha Shivratri festival, also popularly known as Shivratri or Great Night of Lord Shiva, is observed on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha every year on the month of Falgun according to the Hindu calendar. The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael or golden apple orBilva/Vilvam leaves to Lord Shiva, all-day fasting and an all-night-long vigil (jagarana). All through the day, devotees chant "Om Namah Shivaya", a sacred Panchakshara mantra dedicated to Lord Shiva. In accordance with scriptural and discipleship traditions,

Sri Ram Mandir & Navagraha Temple. Ram Mandir is located close to Gandhi Circleon PB Road. Built by Sh. Rajanahalli Family in the 1960s The presiding deity in this temple are Lord Ram, Sita, Lakshman & Hanumanji, Specialty of this Navagraha Temple devoted to Navagrahas along with Their wives- the nine (nava) major celestial bodies (Grahas) of Hindu astronomy. These celestial bodies are Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangal (Mars), Budhan (Mercury), Guru/Brihaspati(Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (North Lunar Node) and Ketu (South Lunar Node). Navagrahas is considered to have a major role in influencing the fortunes of any individual. In order to mitigate the negative effects of a planet which is debilated in the birth chart or to provide more potency to a planet that is in an exalted state,

Subramanya Temple Subramanya temple is located close to NH4 highway on lokikere road. The presiding deity in this temple is Subramanya, also known as Lord Muruga(Tamil). Aadi Krithigai is a day auspicious for Lord Muruga. This year it falls on Aug 10, Subramanya or Muruga is the second son of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi. Extolled as the epitome of beauty, valour and "Jnana" [Supreme Knowledge], Muruga is worshipped in several ways, through various rituals. Here, special poojas and yagams are conducted for Lord Subramanya on Aadi Kirthigai day.

Kunduvada kere (Mallikarjuna Sagara Parivartita Kunduwada Kere) in Davangere, is a picturesque lake. It is one of the sources of drinking water for the city. It is restored from its ruins. During the last decade, when Davangere was suffering from water shortage, the local MLA Mallikarjuna worked to restore Kunduvada kere and made it as a water reservoir for the city. New garden and walking paths have been built around the lake, and it is quite pleasant to take evening walks along the lakeshore. Another one is a lake at the TV station, that has a good view of sunsets and is a popular picnic spot.

Bathi Gudda is situated 4 km (2.5 mi) from Davangere city towards Harihara. From the top of this hill, the city looks scenic. On this hill, there is a Temple and Dargah where believers go for prayers and mercies. Chaman Sha Wali Dargah of Baathi is a famous place to visit for all communities. Every year there are festivities conducted jointly by all the community leaders. Near this hill, the Bhadra sugar factory and Bathi lake are situated. Visitors can even visit the Davangere Dairy located in Bathi, which supplies milk to Davanagere and Chitradurga District.

Kondajji is situated around 12 km (7 mi) from Davangere city. It is a major scout and guides camp for south India which is named in commemoration of former Union minister and Scouts veteran, Kondajji Basappa. In Kondajji there are 3 hills and a lake, and a boating facility on the lake is available.

Santhebennur: a village situated from Davangere at 40 km, is famous for a pond called "Pushkarani,"(bath pond) locally called "Honda." Apart from the structure in the center, four more can be seen on the surrounding steps, and there are two more - one each on the left & right. The Pushkarani itself is in front of a gallery kind of structure, open towards the Pushkarani, and without any rooms. These structures are built with a mixture of stone, bricks & mortar.

Uchangidurga is located 30 km (19 mi) from Davangere, on the Annaji route. It is a historic place and has an old fort. Adjacent to Uchangidurga, there is village called Karadidurga (Land of Bear). It is believed that the Sri Hanuman Temple in the village was worshipped by the bears in the fort.

Shamanur is famous for Sri Anjaneya Swamy temple.

Shanthi Sagara near Davangere, is a major water supply source and also the second-largest pond in Asia. This place is also known by the name "Soolekere" among locals. It was built by namesake Princess Shanthi during the 12th century. Now it is a source for both drinking water and agriculture. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Siddeshwara near the lake. An aqueduct designed by Sir M Vishweshwariah is also a major tourist attraction. The government is taking steps to improve tourist attractions in the area.

Anekonda: The Eshwara temple at Anekonda is a little one in the Hoysala style. It was restored about 1912 with mud walls and plastered. Originally it had three cells, though there are only 2 at present, the south cell being no longer in existence and a navaranga. The garbhgriha doorway is well-executed and has figure of Gajalakshmi in the middle of the lintel. The sukhanasi door-way, which is also good, has ornamental screens at the sides and a figure of Siva on the lintel, flanked on the left by Vishnu and Subramanya, and on the right by Brahma and Ganapati, with makaras beyond these on both the sides.

Punyasthala: is a village situvated from Davanagere at 38 km, it is famous for temples, it called chathurtha manthralaya, and has minimum 25 temples situvated in one place like venkateswara,aadi subramanya, raghavendra swami, narasimha swami, Ganesh, Nava graha, Rama, Krishna, kannika parameswari.

Commerce and Economy

Davangere town is a major trading center in Central Karnataka. It was well acclaimed as the "Manchester of Karnataka" for housing many cotton mills and cloth business establishments. Its geographical location at the center of the State and good rail and road connectivity provides ample scope for trading. The surrounding hinterlands provide support to the businesses at Davangere. Around half of the Davangere District is irrigated, thanks to the Bhadra Reservoir. Many rich cash and food Crops like Rice, arecanut, Maize and cotton are traded here. Currently the major agro-industrial activity around Davangere revolves around rice and sugarcane, with a number of sugar mills in and around this area. The Shamanur Sugar Mills, situated in the Dugavathi village near Davangere, is a major industry in Davangere. Many of the rice mills are established in the industrial area near the Bypass Road. There are many rice mills making puffed rice and beaten rice in and around this town. Davangere is famous for textile mills. Shankar Textile Mills, Chigateri Mills, Chandrodaya Mills Ltd, Yallamma Cotton Woollen and Silk Mills Ltd, all contributed to the economic development of the city. The cotton mills which are existing till date are: Anjaneya Cotton Mill, Ganesh Mill, and Siddeshwara Cotton Mill. Davangere was a major cotton textile exporter during the 1960s until the 1980s. But most of the mills were shut down during the 1990s. Davangere has a big garment and clothing shop, i.e. B.S. Channabasappa and Sons, Vastra (Texas)Kaipet circle. This is one of the biggest garment shop of Central karnataka with its branches spread all over the city.

References