Mandya District (Kannada: ಮಂಡ್ಯ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ) is an administrative district of Karnataka, India. Mandya District borders on the south by Mysore District, on the west by Hassan District, on the north by Tumkur District and on the east by Ramanagara district. The district was formed in the year 1939.The main town is in Mandya District is Mandya.
Etymology
Mandya district gets its name from the city of Mandya which is also
the headquarters of the district. Leagend has it that the name Mandya
may have originated from the popular belief that Mandavya - a holy man,
much revered lived in the area in ancient times. Mandya's history is
closely related to the history of the old Mysore State, which included
the present district of Mandya and areas around the Cauvery Basin. Ruled
successively by the kings of the Ganga dynasty and then the Cholas and
the Hoysalas, the area was annexed by the rulers of Vijayanagara in
1346. After the cruel battle of 1565 When the Vijayanagara king was
defeated by the combined power of the Sultans of the Deccan, the
Vijayanagara Empire began to lose its power and extent. The Wodeyars of
Mysore gradually grew in importance. Before long, they had established
their own rule over a large part of South India which included all of
old Mysore, parts of the present Tamil Nadu and the districts of
Dakshina Kannada and Dharwar, with Srirangapatna as their capital.
The power of the Wodeyars was more or less unchallenged till 1761
when Hyder Ali, one of their generals rose to great strength and
overcame them. Between then and 1799 when Hyder's son Tipu was defeated
by the British, the area was under constant crossfire.
Finally on 30 June 1 799, Krishnaraja Wodeyar Ill, a descendant of
the ancient royal house was placed on the throne o Mysore by the British
while Srirangapatna became the property of the victorious East India
Company. The dynastic rule of Wodeyars thereafter ended only with the
establishment of democracy in free India. The district of Mandya itself
constituted in 1939 as an administrative unit with seven taluks has
remained unchanged to this day.
Tourist Attractions
Mandya
(99 km from Bangalore, 40 km northeast of Mysore)
The importance of the district's headquarters town, Mandya, grew with
the establishment, in January 1933, of the Mandya Sugar Factory with an
authorized capital of Rs. 20 lakhs - a great amount those days.
Predictably the sugar factory is now one of the biggest in India.
Mandya town also contains the stately Janardhanaswami temple whose
principal deity holding the traditional Shanka and Chakra i5 flanked by
Sridevi and Bhudevi on either side. The temple's gopura recently
renovated adds to the aesthetics of the temple. The annual car festival
is held in April–May every year.
Accommodation: Traveler’s Bungalow
Tourist Bungalow and Private Hotels
Maddur
(21 km from Mandya) Maddur, 21 km from Mandya claims legendary
importance because it was originally known as Arjunapura after the
Pandava Prince who is believed to have come here on pilgrimage. In more
recent authenticated history, the town suffered heavily during Tipu's
wars with the British. Maddur fort, in fact, which had been fortified by
Hyder, was dismantled by Lord Cornwallis in 1791.
Among the important temples here, thankfully still existing, is the
Narasirnha temple of the Hoysala period whose 7 ft high image of Ugra
Narasimha made of black stone is believed to be the best of its kind in
the State.
Maddur's marvelous Varadaraja temple is an early Chola or pre-Chola
structure. Its 1 2 ft high Alialanatha deity is elaborately carved both
in front and on the back with unusual features which has led to the
Kannada saying 'Ella devara munde nodu Allalanathana hinde nodu' - 'All
other idols are to be seen from the front but Allalanatha is to be seen
from the back'.
Maddur, incidentally, is also famous for the Maddur Vadai - a delicious fried snack made of a variety of pulses.
Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation's Mayura Highway Restaurant offers wayside facility.
Malavalli
(37 km from Mandya)
A historic town 37 km from Mandya which was partially destroyed by
Tipu himself to prevent its being of use to the British, Malavalli is
now an important centre for sericulture - a growing industry in this
part of the State. Malavalli also has a flourishing leather unit.
Accommodation: P.W.D. Guest House
Cauvery Water Falls
(20 km from Malavalli)
20 km from Malavalli and 44 km from Mandya at Shivasamudram the river
Cauvery separates into two streams that thunder down 106.68 meter’s of
rocky hillside. The Gaganachukki on the Western branch of the river and
the Barachukki Falls a mile away to the east, are best viewed during the
monsoon and after - from July to about mid November. The Gaganachukki
Fails are also believed to be the site of suicide of
Nandiraja, a 16th century King of the area who leapt into its waters with his wife as penance for some
Ceremonial offence.
Accommodation: Karnataka Power Corporation's Circuit House
Bhimeshwari
(Cauvery Fishing Camp)
Cauvery Fishing Camp, managed by jungle lodges and Resorts Ltd.
Bangalore, is 50 km from Mandya The camp is situated on the banks of the
river Cauvery Nature has created a natural sanctuary at Bhimeswari for
the 'Mahseer, Asia's premier sporting fish, between Shivasamudram and
Mekedatu, across the river Cauvery downstream. The verdant valley, with,
thick forests is home for the elephant, sambar, chital, wild boar and a
colorful variety of birds. The swirling waters, of the river: have
crocodiles in them too.
On this beautiful stretch, of water, jungle lodges & Resorts
limited have put up comfortable tents with toilet facilities. Food, both
vegetarian and non-vegetarian are served in 'Gol Ghar', the open-air
dining room. The fishing camp is not only a paradise for anglers but
also ideal picnic spot for holidaymakers,
For Accommodation Contact
Jungle lodges & Resorts
II Floor, Shrungar Shopping Complex
Mahatma Gandhi Road
Bangalore 560 001.
Pandavapura
(35 km from Mandya)
Associated with the Mahabharata, as is obvious from its name and
26 km from Mandya is Pandavapura. It was a military station during Hyder
and Tipu's time and housed their French servicemen. It is now important
for its large-scale sugar factory. Earlier, Pandavapura was known as
Hirode , Dandu , and French Rocks.the buity stone material chinakurali
Accommodation: Private Hotels
Kuntibetta
(2 km from Pandavapura)
Kuntibetta is a small hill 2 km from Pandavapura that derives its
importance from the belief that the exiled Pandava brothers and their
mother Kunthi spent some time here.
Nearest Accommodation: Pandavapura
Melkote
(25 km from Pandavapura, 32 km from Mandya)
Melkote or 'high fort' 25 km from Pandavapura is an important religious centre. The 12th century
Srivaishnava saint Sri Ramanujacharya is believed to have lived here
for 14 years. The Chaluvarayaswami Temple in Melukote came under the
special patronage' of the Mysore Rajas and holds a valuable collection
of royal jewels. The idol of Chaluvarayaswami is adored with these
jewels, once a year during March–April. This occasion is called
'Vairamudi'. There is also an inscription here dated 1785, stating that
Tipu Sultan gave some elephants to the temple. Built on the rocky hills
of Yadugiri, the town also attracts visitors for its breathtaking scenic
beauty and its bracing climate.
Accommodation: Temple Choultry (unfurnished)
Tirumalasagara
(6 km from Melkote)
6 km from Melkote is located the beautiful Tirumalasagara Lake where
the Hoysala king Bittideva, under the benign influence of the sage
Ramanujacharya, accepted the Vaishnava faith and adopted the name
Vishnuvardhana. Namki Narayana Swamy and the venugopala Temple here are
two exquisite examples of Hoysala architecture. In 1749 the Adilshahis
of Bijapur annexed this area and renamed the lake Moti Talab or the
'Lake of Pearls' - a testimony to its clear beauty.
Nearest Accommodation: Melkote
Krishnarajapet
Known as the ‘Motherland of Hoysala temples’, the Krishnarajapet
taluk in Mandya district has a large number of shrines built during the
Hoysala period. Among them, the Lakshminarayana temple is well-known for
its sculptural splendour.
Situated at Hosaholalu, a tiny village about three kms towards the
east of Krishnarajapet, the temple is a fine specimen depicting the
glory of Hoysala architecture. The place was once an agrahara, where you
can still find the remains of a Hoysala fort that was altered during
the Vijayanagar period.
The Lakshminarayana Temple at Hosaholalu is equated with the temples
of Somanathapur, Nuggehalli, Javagal, Hirenallur and Aralukuppe for its
elaborate sculptural work. Though the date of construction is unknown,
historians place the temple to the middle of 13th century, taking into
consideration the style of architecture. It is a trikutachala or a
three-celled temple built on a star-shaped, raised platform. The main
temple rises with in the platform leaving a broad terrace around it
which serves as the pradakshinapatha.
The temple has three sanctorums and a navaranga or pillared-hall in
the middle. The central sanctorum has the idol of Lakshminarayana, the
main deity of the temple, while the other sanctorums consist of
Lakshminarasimha and utsava idols.
In the navaranga are lathe-turned pillars, where groups of dancing
girls with accompaniments in impressive poses adorn their capitals. The
ceilings of the navaranga decorated with fine carvings are noteworthy.
The outer walls of the temple are richly ornamented with the friezes
of elephants, horses, scrolls, scenes from epics, capricorns, swans and a
number of gods and godesses with their attendants. The scenes from the
epics depict stories from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavata. The
figures of Yoga-Madhava, Dhanvanthri, Dakshinamurthy, dancing
Saraswathi, Kalinga-Mardhana, Para-Vasudeva, dancers and musicians are
highly appealing to the eye.
The outer walls of the temple are also decorated with aregambas and
aregopuras. There is a five-stepped tower over the central sanctorum.
The arrangement made over the roof of the temple for rain water drainage
is quite interesting.
Harihareshvara and Anjaneya are the other main temples here. While
the former one is in a badly dilapidated condition, the Anjaneya temple
belonging to the 17th century has a 10-mt-tall garuda pillar. An annual
jathra called ‘Rangada Habba’ which resembles the Holi festival is held
here in honour of Anjaneya. The village also has an ancient lake from
which a large monolithic Basava idol was recovered recently.
_at_Hohaholalu_in_Mandya_district.JPG)
Lakshminaraya temple (1250 CE) at Hosaholalu, a Hoysala architectural showpiece
Kikkeri
The Brahmeswara temple in Kikkeri, 20 km from Krishnarajpet is a fine specimen of the Hoysala style of architecture. Built in 1171, during the reign of Narasimha I, this single-celled temple has an impressive stone tower. The figures carved on its pillars are of extraordinary workmanship.Accommodation Not available
_at_Kikkeri,_Mandya_district.JPG)
Basaralu
(25 km Northeast of Mandya)
Basaralu, a small village, is famous for its 12th century
Mallikarjuna temple that was established uniquely enough, by the Army
Chief of the Hoysalas. The exterior of the temple is adorned with
exquisite inscriptions from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the
Bhagwata. The remarkable sculptures in the temple include a
sixteen-armed Shiva dancing on Andhakasura's head and Ravana lifting
Kailasa. The Mallikarjuna temple at Basaralu was constructed by the Hoysalas in 1234 CE
Nearest Accommodation: Mandya
Shivapura
(23 km from Mandya)
Situated 3 km from Maddur, Shivapura is a famous historic spot where
between the 10th and the 12th of April 1938 thousands of freedom
fighters hoisted the Indian tricolor in spite of a prohibitory order
imposed by the British Government. The monument here, simple in its
dignity is a fitting tribute to those valiant fighters for India's
freedom.
Accommodation: P.W.D. Guest House at Maddur
Kokkare-Bellur
(10 km from Maddur)
A village that has now been developed into a bird sanctuary,
Kokkare-Bellur attracts cranes, pelicans and other large bird visitors
from as far away as Australia, Africa and Europe. The best season to
spot these migratory birds is from October to March. Accommodation:
P.W.D. Guest House at Maddur
Bluff
On the way to the waterfalls is located Bluff. Eastern Asia’s first,
power generating station set up by the Dewan of Mysore in 1902 and meant
to supply power to the Kolar Gold Fields nearly 200 km away. The area
is called 'Bluff' after the 1 37.1 6 metres bluff which facilitated the
laying of hydraulic pipes for feeding the turbines at the generating
station. The powerhouse is located at the foot of a small hill and is
reached by an exciting trolley ride.
Accommodation: KEB Circuit House
Muttati
(35 km from Malavalli)35 km from Malavalli, 6 km from the fishing camp in Muttati is located a handsome Anjaneyaswamy temple with an interesting sthalapurana related to the Ramayana. It is believed that Sita lost her finger ring in this part of the river Cauvery and Hanuman twirled the river to find the ring. The temple attracts a great many devotees, particularly on Saturdays, a day considered special to Hanuman.
Accommodation: Forest lodge
(For reservations contact Regional Forest Officer - Maddur)
Nagamangala
An important town, even during the days of the Hoysalas, Nagamangala 42, Kms from Mandya has always been known for its metal work and ski I led artisans. It was Thimanna, of Nagamangala, who built the fort at Srirangapatna. The Saumyakeshava Temple here, probably originally built in the 12th century, has Features that may have been added in the Vijayanagara the temple is so called because it’s principal deity Keshava, 1.83 meter high and beautifully worked, has a particularly benign aspect.Accommodation: Inspection Bungalow managed by P.W.D
Kambadalli, a holy place for the jains, is a village m Nagamangala and gets its name from the Brahmadeva pillar that is situated here.
Made of hard, dark Grey soapstone, this octagonal 'Kamba' has a seated Brahma at its top. Nearby is a cluster of seven granite shrines, built in a uniquely Dravidian style.
16 km from Nagamangala, Adi Chunchanagiri is a noted place of pilgrimage. The two natural cave temples here are dedicated to Siddheswara and Someshwara. The Adi Chunchanagiri Mutt is also located here. The Mutt runs a Medical College here. Nearby is the exotic Mayura Vana, which throngs with peacocks morning and evening.
Srirangapatna
Srirangapatna, 24 km from Mandya has been named after the presiding deity in the Sri Ranganatha Temple here. This ancient temple, according to an inscription was built in 894 by Tirumala, a Ganga king. Once the capital of the Rajas of Mysore, Srirangapatna was also the seat of government for Hyder and Tipu till the defeat of Tipu in 1799 and the shifting of the Wodeyar capital to Mysore. The famous fort of Srirangapatna in fact was so formidable that a military visitor in 1880 pronounced it the second strongest in India. The fort protected on the north and west by the river Cauvery has within its walls, the remains of lal Mahal, Tipu's palace, the larger part of which was demolished by the British after capture of the fort in 1 799. The fort also contains seven outlets and a couple of dungeons - a characteristic feature in Tipu's military buildings.Nearby on the north bank of the river is Tipu's Draya Dault Bagh or Garden of the Wealth of the River' in the middle of which he constructed in 1874, an elegant summer palace which soon became his favorite place of retreat. The building is an excellent specimen of Saracenic architecture, its walls embellished with paintings that were restored twice since they were first done. 3 km from Srirangapatna town is also located, Tipu Gumbaz, built in a village called Ganjam for his father and in which his mother and he lie buried too.
Sangama
Sangama (3 km from Srirangapatna)
Taj at Agra built in the same fashion, but less ornate.
2 km from Srirangapatna are located KSTDC's pretty Riverside Cottages
overlooking the south branch of the river Cauvery. The cottages are
fully furnished and extremely comfortable and the spacious restaurant
offers an elegant menu. The river is calm, dotted with tiny green
islands and is pristine.
Around the town of Srirangapatna and on the banks of the rivers
Cauvery and the lokapavani are small bathing ghats attached to temples
that attract pilgrims as well as those looking for picturesque
locations.
Accommodation:
Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation's Riverside Cottages
Traveler’s Bungalow managed by P.W.D. Private Hotels
Located south of Srirangapatna, Sangama is where the two branches of
river Cauvery re-unite in a small whirlpool formation, which adds to the
beauty of the mingling waters.
Nearest Accommodation: Srirangapatna.
Karighatta
(6 km from Srirangapatna)Karighatta is a small hillock, on the banks of the river lokapavani. Sri Venkateshwara Temple atop the hill attracts a number of devotees during July and November months. About a hundred steps reach one to the top land there is a motorable road also. The place is ideal for trekking.
Nearest Accommodation: Srirangapatna
Ranganathittu
(8 km from Srirangapatna)Cauvery River is studded with small islets here. Ranganathittu is a paradise for birds coming from Siberia, Australia and North America. The best season to visit this bird sanctuary is between May and November when it would seem as if there are more birds than bird watchers. Visitors are taken around the lake, in a boat run by the Forest Department, to help one get a closer view of the birds. The birds are identified by the boatman who also gives a warning when he sights a mud island that is actually a sleeping crocodile.
Nearest: Accommodation: Srirangapatna
Krishnarajasagar Dam
(18 km from Srirangapatna)Lying across the river Cauvery and 18 km from Srirangapatna the K R Sagar Dam is 39.62 meters in height and 2621.28 meters long. When the reservoir is full, it stores water up to a height of 38.04 meters.
But more fascinating than the statistics of the dam itself are the gardens laid out below it. The Brindavan Gardens, the best-illuminated terraced gardens in India also abound in flora of the most exotic varieties. There are fountains here of different shapes and sizes, the most attractive being a musical dancing fountain that was installed, here recently, and is the only one of its kind in India. After sunset and as the darkness deepens, the brilliantly lit gardens could well be a mirror image of heaven.
Accommodation.
Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation's Hotel Mayura Cauvery
Traveler’s Bungalow managed by P.W.D. Private Hotels.
The people of Mandya are, warm and hospitable. Although the local language is Kannada, in most towns people can communicate in Hindi and English as well. But surely the language of welcome needs no words.
Geography
Mandya district is located between north latitude 12°13' to 13°04' N and east longitude 76°19' to 77°20' E. It is bounded by Tumkur district to the northeast, Ramanagara district to the east, Chamrajnagar district to the south, Mysore district to the west and southwest, and Hassan district to the northwest. It has an area of 4,961 square kilometres (1,915 sq mi). The administrative center of Mandya District is Mandya City.Rivers
Mandya District has five important rivers: Kaveri River and four tributaries main Hemavathi, Shimsha, Lokapavani, Veeravaishnavi.Administrative divisions
Mandya district consists of 7 taluks grouped under 2 subdivisions. The Mandya subdivision comprises Mandya, Maddur and Malavalli taluks and the Pandavapura subdivision comprises Pandavapura, Srirangapatna, Nagamangala and Krishnarajpet Taluks.Economy
Since Mandya is located on the banks of the river Cauvery, agriculture is the dominanat occupation and is the single largest contributor to its economy . The main crops grown are Paddy, Sugarcane, Jowar, Maize, Cotton, Banana, Ragi, Coconut, Pulses (predominantly horse gram and to some extent tur, cowpea, green gram, black gram, avare), Vegetables etc.Transport
Roads
Mandya district has an extenstive road network. NH 48 and NH 209 passes through the district. The road network in the district includes 73 kilometres (45 mi) of National Highways, 467 kilometres (290 mi) of State Highways and 2,968 kilometres (1,844 mi) of Major district roads.Railways
Mandya belongs to "South Western Railways" of "Indian Railways". Mandya has many railway stations which are listed below:Station Name
- Shrirangapattana - S
- Pandavapura - PANP
- Mandya- MYA
- Maddur -MAD
Photo Gallery:
_at_Kambadahalli.JPG)
The Panchakuta Basadi is a fine specimen of 10th century Dravidian art and was constructed by the Western Ganga Dynast
Ceiling art at Panchakuta Basadi at Kambadahalli
The Panchalingeshwara temple in Govindanahalli is a 1230 CE Hoysala construction
Courtesy: Wikipedia
