| Lok Sabha Constituencies in Ballari (Bellary) district, Karnataka (MP Constituencies) | Bellary Koppal |
| MLA Assembly Constituencies in Ballari (Bellary) district, Karnataka | Bellary Bellary City Hadagalli Hagaribommanahalli Kampli Kudligi Sandur Siruguppa Vijayanagara |
About Ballari (Bellary) District :
Ballari district takes its name from the word Balari which refers to goddess Durugamma as this goddess had manifested herself in the town. Some of the events in the great epic Ramayana are related to this historical place. It is said that Rama while searching for Sita met Sugreeva and Hanuman at a place which is very near to Hampi, the celebrated capital of Vijayanagara kingdom. The history speaks volumes about significant role it acquired during Satavahanas, Kadambas, Chalukyas of Kalyana, Kalachuryas, Sevunas and Hoysalas period. There upon the Vijayanagararulers built the ” City of Victory ” on the bank of Tungabhadra river at Hampi in Hospet Taluk. This area which had witnessed the prosperity to its peak fell into political turmoil after the fall of Vijayanagara in 1565. This district was transferred to the erstwhile Mysore State on 1st October 1953 from Madras State. With the re-organisation of the districts during 1997, the number of taluks is reduced to 7. The Harapanahalli taluk has been transferred to Davanagere district.
At a Glance :
| STATISTICS AT A GLANCE – BELLARY | |||
| Sl.No | Key Indicator | Unit | Ballari |
| 1. | Total Population – 2011 | No. | 24,52,595 |
| 2. | SC & ST Population – 2011 | No. | 9,68,815 |
| 3. | Density (per Sq. Km) | Sq.Km | 290 |
| 4. | Rural Population | No. | 15,32,356 |
| 5. | Urban Population | No. | 9,20,239 |
| 6. | Total Workers | No. | 11,16,880 |
| 7. | Total Non Workers | No. | 13,35,715 |
| 8. | Agriculture Workers | No. | 4,06,092 |
| 9. | Total Geographical Area | Hect. | 8,13,196 |
| 10. | Forest Area | Hect. | 97,017 |
| 11. | Gross Sown Area – 2003-04 | Hect. | 4,79,719 |
| 12. | Area Sown More Than once 2003-04 | Hect. | 73,078 |
| 13. | Gross Irrigated Area | Hect. | 1,76,260 |
| 14. | Net Irrigated Area | Hect. | 1,47,468 |
| 15. | Electrification for pump sets as on 31.03.2005 | No. | 7706 |
| 16. | Total No. of banks 31.03.2005 | No. | 158 |
| 17. | Co-Operative Societies 31.03.2005 | No. | 277 |
| 18. | Members in Co-Operative Socities 31.03.2005 | No. | 2,10,020 |
| 19. | Total No.of Motor Vehicles 31.03.2005 | No. | 1,48,892 |
| 20. | Road Length 31.03.2005 | Km. | 5033 |
| 21. | Post Office 31.03.2005 | No. | 393 |
| 22. | Telephone in use 31.03.2005 | No. | 62,318 |
| 23. | Current income 2002-2003 | Rs. Lakhs | 4,03,870 |
| 24. | Per Capital income 2002-2003 | Rs. | 19,527 |
| 25. | Primary Schools 31.03.2005 | No. | 1660 |
| 26. | High Schools 31.03.2005 | No. | 273 |
| 27. | Govt. Hospitals 31.03.2005 | No. | 139 |
| 28. | Fair Price Shops 31.03.2005 | No. | 606 |
| 29. | Life Expectancy at Birth | % | 60.32 |
| 30. | Infant Mortality at Birth | per 1000LB | 73 |
| 31. | Total Fertility Rate | per woman | 4.85 |
| 32. | Population per medical Institutions per 100 L.B | No. | 14,584 |
| 33. | Children under 5 Mortality Rate | Per 1000 LB | 119 |
| 34. | Population per PHC | No. | 27600 |
| 35. | Rural Population per sub Centre | No. | 6487 |
| 36. | No. of beds per lakh of Population | No. | 86 |
| 37. | Crude Birth Rate 2001 Census | per 1000 | 30.00 |
| 38. | Crude Death Rate 2001 census | per 1000 | 7 |
| 39. | Population Below poverty level | per 1000 | 46.50 |
| 40. | Female Literacy 2011 | % | 58.09 |
| 41. | Male Literacy 2011 | % | 76.64 |
| 42. | Total Literacy 2011 | % | 67.43 |
Tourist Places :
Hampi was the capital city of the magnificent Vijayanagara Empire. Founded by Harihara and Bukka in 1336, it fell to the rulers of Northern India in 1565 after the Battle of Talikota, and subsequently lapsed into decline and abandonment.
The once proud city of victory is now a city of desolation. However, the ruins of these historical monuments have stood the ravages of man and time and still evoke memories of regal splendour.
HAMPI :Amidst an awesome boulder-strewn landscape along the banks of the Tungabhadra river, Hampi was one of the glittering showpieces of India’s might in the 15th century. There were opulent palaces, marvellous temples, massive fortifications, baths, markets, pavilions and stables for royal elephants. The city’s merchants traded in diamonds, pearls, fine silks, brocades, horses and much more.
What to See :King’s Palace
The largest enclosure in Hampi, the King’s palace includes two major platform structures, an underground chamber which must have served as a treasury or private audience hall, several minor platforms and double fortification walls, besides other interesting architectural elements.
Virupaksha Temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Pampadevi, this is the only temple here that is still used for worship. Parts of the temple predate the Vijayanagara empire. The temple, with its nine storied gopuram, towers above the other structures at Hampi. The ceiling of the Ranga Mantapa is beautifully painted with scenes from the epics and Puranas.
Ganesha Images
Two Ganesha images(Sasuvekalu and Kadalekalu) can be seen on the slopes of the Hemakuta Hill. One of them is enclosed in a temple with unusally tall pillars, while the other is in an open hall.
Lakshminarasimha
The awesome 6.7 meters high monolith depicting the man-lion form of Vishnu is seated on a seven hooded serpent.
Badavilinga
Located next to the Lakshminarasimha statue, the Badavilinga is 3 meter high and stands permanently in water that flows through an ancient channel.
Vijaya Vithala Temple
The Vijaya Vithala Temple is Hampi’s crowning glory, with a magnificent stone chariot standing temple courtyard. Equally impressive is the large Ranga Mantapa with 56 musical pillars that resound with musical chimes when struck.
Elephant Stables
An imposing edifice with arched entrances and many domes that once housed the magnificent state elephants.
Pushkarni
The stepped water tank, excavated in the mid 1980’s, was originally a part of the palace complex. Almost lyrical in its beauty, the tank is a tiered structure crafted from rectangular pieces of granite.
Lotus Mahal
This visually appealing strucutre has two levels, with open pavilions at the bottom and balconies above. Highlighting the fusion of the Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture, the Mahal derives its name from its beautiful, geometrically arranged cusped arches that resemble the petals of the lotus opening to the sun.
Hazara Rama Temple
The royal temple reserved for ceremonial use, the Hazara Rama Temple is embellished with bass reliefs depicting scenes from the epic, Ramayana. The walls of the enclosure are richly carved with friezes depicting processions of horses, elephants, dancing girls and soldiers attired in splendid armour. Inside, four exquisitely sculpted granite pillars add to the beauty of the Ardha Mantapa.
Mahanavami Dibba
Equally impressive is the massive Mahanavami Dibba, where the kings of the Vijayanagara Empire once sat upon their gem studded golden throne and watched processions pass by. The structure is also embellished with densely carved bands of horses, soldiers ans depictions of various aspects of courtly life.
Queen’s Bath
Though the exterior may appear simple, the interior is stunningly ornate, with graceful arched corridors, projecting balconies and lotus shaped fountains that once spouted perfumed water for the ladies of the court.
Arround Hampi :
Anegundi (15 km)
Just across the Tungabhadra river is the fortress town of Anegundi, pre-dating the Vijayanagara Empire and its capital city. More anscient than Hampi, Anegundi lies in the mythical kingdom of Kishkinda, ruled by the monkey-king Sugriva of the Ramayana fame. Anjanadri Hill, near Anegundi, is believed to be the birthplace of the monkey god Hanuman. Anegundi and its tranquil environs are dotted with forgotten temples and fortifications. The dilapidated Huchappayana Matha Temple, near the river, is worth a peek for its black stone lathe turned pillars and fine panels of dancers. The other places of interest are the sacred Pampa Sarovara, Aramane (a ruined palace) and the Ranganatha Temple.
Travelling Options :
Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka, is well connected to different parts of the world. Several international airlines operate direct flights to Bangalore. The city serves as a gateway to various destinations in Karnataka including Hampi, which is easily accessible from Bangalore by road and rail.
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