Location

CHITRADURGA Located at a distance of 202 kms Northwest of Bangalore, in the heart of the
Deccan Plateau, Chitradurga is recognized as the land of valour and chivalry. The district
headquarters town, Chitradurga owes its name to Chitrakaladurga, or Picturesque castle. This
is a massive fortress on top of granite hills that rises dramatically from the ground.
Archaeological remains found in the area, trace its history to the 3nd millennium B.C.
Hsitroy

A rock cut edict of Emperor Ashoka, near Bharamagiri reveals that Chitradurga was part of the
Mauryan Empire dating to the 3rd century B.C. After the fall of the Mauryans, this land was
under the rule of royal dynasties like the Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas and Hoysalas. But it really
achieved eminence, as a feudatory state of the Vijayanagar Empire, under the dynastic rule of
the Nayakas or Paleyars, known for their heroic exploits. The most eminent of the feudatory
chieftains, was Madakari Nayaka, who after the fall of the Vijayanagar Empire, declared his
suzerainty and consolidated his power. This hill fortress built by the Nayakas during the
Vijayanagar era, became their stronghold later. In 1779, the fort was captured by Haider Ali,
who along with his son Tipu Sultan, was responsible for its expansion and strengthening. After
Tipu Sultans defeat by the British, the fort came under the rule of the Royal Mysore family.
Chitradurga features bold rock hills and picturesque valleys, huge towering boulders in
unimaginable shapes. It is known as the "stone fortress" (Kallina Kote). The landscape looks
much like a mischievous giant's playground, with boulders thrown around, forming silhouettes
against the sky. According to a story in the Epic Mahabharatha, a man-eating gaint named
Hidimbasura lived on the Chitradurga hill and was a source of terror to everyone around. When
the Pandavas came with their mother Kunti in the course of their exile, Bhima had a duel with
Hidimba. Hidimba was slain by Bhima and peace returned to the area. Legend has it the boulders
were part of the arsenal used during that duel. In fact, the boulders on which major part of the
city rests belong to the oldest rock formation in the country.
Timmana Nayaka a chieften under the Vijayanagar empire rose to the rank of governor of
Chitradurga as a reward for his excellence in military achievements, from the Vijayanagara ruler.
This was the beginning of the rule of the Nayakas of Chitradurga. His son Obana Nayaka is
known by the name Madakari Nayaka 1588 CE. Madakari Nayaka's son Kasturi Rangappa 1602
succeeded him and consolidated the kingdom to rule peacefully. As he had no heirs to succeed
him, his adopted son, the apparent heir was enthroned but was killed in few months by the
Dalavayis.
Chikkanna Nayaka1676 the brother of Madakari Nayaka II sat on the throne, and his brother
succeeded him with the title Madakari Nayaka III in 1686. The unwillingness of Dalawayis to
accept Madakari Nayaka III's rule gave an opportunity to one of their distant relatives,
Bharamappa Nayaka to ascend the throne in 1689. He is known as dthe greatest of the Nayaka
rulers. Somehow, the subjects of Chitradurga did not experience a good reign of the successive
rulers as they ruled on the throne for very brief periods. The Hiri Madakari Nayaka IV 1721,
Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka II 1748, Madakari Nayaka V 1758 ruled this area but there is not much
to mention of their rule.

Famous People

1. T.R. Subba Rao (Tarasu) - Sahitya academy award , 1985

2. Madakari Nayaka - Chieften under Vijayanagar Empire
3. Baramanna Nayaka
4. Onake Obavva - Legendary woman who fought Hyder Ali's army.
5. S.NijaLingappa - First CM of Karnataka, ex-MP and ex-All India Congress Leader
6.Venkata Subba Iyengar the musician based on whom Hamsageethe movie was made.
Geography

The district is hilly, with lots of forts and villages. The district is bounded by Tumkur District to
the southeast and south, Chikmagalur District to the southwest, Davanagere District to the west,
Bellary District to the north, and Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh state to the east.
Davanagere District was formerly part of Chitradurga. The district is divided into Six taluks,
namely Chitradurga, Hiriyur, Hosadurga, Holalkere, Challakere and Molakalmuru. It is rich in
mineral deposits, including gold prospecting at Halekal, Kotemardi or Bedimaradi, etc., and open
cast copper mines at Ingaldhal.
DISTRICT AT A GLANCE :

UKA
ME

No of
House
holds

TOTAL POPULATION

0-6 POPULATION

SC POPULATION

ST POPULATI

TOTAL

MALE

FEMAL
E

TOTAL

MALE

FEMA
LE

TOTAL

MALE

FEMA
LE

TOTAL

MALE

ATAKA

133570
27

61095
297

30966
657

30128
640

71610
33

36752
91

34857
42

10474
992

52645
45

52104
47

42489
87

21347
54

ATAKA

794665
7

37469
335

18929
354

18539
981

45176
45

23170
69

22005
76

74957
63

37715
06

37242
57

34297
91

17237
62

ATAKA

541037
0

23625
962

12037
303

11588
659

26433
88

13582
22

12851
66

29792
29

14930
39

14861
90

81919
6

41099
2

durga

357003

16594
56

84084
3

81861
3

18428
0

94629

89651

38911
7

19681
9

19229
8

30255
4

15293
9

durga

283669

13299
23

67557
3

65435
0

14929
4

76667

72627

33357
1

16916
0

16441
1

26652
6

13520
9

durga

73334

32953
3

16527
0

16426
3

34986

17962

17024

55546

27659

27887

36028

17730

27551

14128
4

72049

69235

18674

9580

9094

27951

14391

13560

52908

26916

24202

12548
7

64095

61392

16815

8640

8175

25810

13311

12499

50797

25880

3349

15797

7954

7843

1859

940

919

2141

1080

1061

2111

1036

kere

76361

36578
4

18593
1

17985
3

41247

21318

19929

82899

42115

40784

10764
0

54709

kere

64311

31059
0

15834
3

15224
7

35489

18330

17159

73610

37456

36154

93795

47844

kere

12050

55194

27588

27606

5758

2988

2770

9289

4659

4630

13845

6865

durga

90256

42387
9

21456
3

20931
6

46679

23973

22706

10153
2

51160

50372

69629

35198

durga

56845

27214
2

13853
2

13361
0

30474

15721

14753

75409

38175

37234

57725

29386

durga

33411

15173
7

76031

75706

16205

8252

7953

26123

12985

13138

11904

5812

ere

45730

20726

10499

10226

21195

10870

10325

56733

28730

28003

25395

12694

almur

almur

almur

ere

40855

18524
1

93964

91277

18952

9707

9245

52681

26748

25933

23498

11769

ere

4875

22019

11028

10991

2243

1163

1080

4052

1982

2070

1897

925

rga

53019

23511
6

11914
8

11596
8

25729

13172

12557

48272

24354

23918

18954

9431

rga

46441

20674
6

10460
5

10214
1

22697

11584

11113

44345

22300

22045

17684

8798

rga

6578

28370

14543

13827

3032

1588

1444

3927

2054

1873

1270

633

64086

28613
3

14416
0

14197
3

30756

15716

15040

71730

36069

35661

28028

13991

51015

22971
7

11603
4

11368
3

24867

12685

12182

61716

31170

30546

23027

11532

13071

56416

28126

28290

5889

3031

2858

10014

4899

5115

5001

2459

al, R:Rural, U:Urban) Data provided by District Statistical Office, Chitradurga. As per 2011 Census
About NIC

Government of India, Ministry of Communications & Information Technology National

Informatics Centre (NIC), Chitradurga, a unit of Premier IT organisation of the country was
established in the year 1988 with an aim to provide computerisation support to the local
government system. The office was set up in District Magistrate's office premises. The initial task
was to generate computer awareness among the local government officials and encourage them
to use NICNET communication facility. NIC Chitradurga has come a long way since its inception.
The district unit is involved in various computerisation Projects catering to the needs of the
District Administration, Zilla Panchayat and other state/central government departments. The
district unit is also playing a major role towards e-governance.
Major Activities:

Bhoomi (Land Record Computerisation) :

Successfully implemented the Bhoomi project in all 6 talukas of Chitradurga District. A total of
over 10 Lakh RTC's have been computerised. The software is developed by National Informatics
Centre, Karnataka State Unit.
Election Support :
NIC has always played a pivot role during Loksabha and Assembly Elections at National, State
and District level. In Chitradurga District NIC was involved in computerising the Pre-Poll
Statistics, Counting of Votes Statistics and Post Poll Statistics. During the last Loksabha elections
the work done by NIC Chitradurga was highly appreciated by the District Administration. An
application package was developed locally to computerise some of the electoral activities. The
district staff worked round the clock and participated in the collection of voting statistics and
timely transmission of the election data and result analysis.
Zilla Panchayat Accounting :
The District Unit of NIC is providing total support to the Zilla Panchayat Accounts Section. A
package is developed by local unit for computerisation of voucher level accounting process. The
package is developed on Access and VB. The package is used for entering the daily voucher
details of both the Zilla Panchayat Accounts and Taluka Panchayat Accounts. The package
includes modules for generating reports for the user department.
NREGA (for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj) :
NREGA is a national level project for which Chitradurga district has been selected in the first
phase. Its a scheme to guarantee an employment of a minimum of 100 days to the Rural
unemployed people.This is a dream project of the Honble Prime Minister. In Chitradurga District
the software has been installed in all the 185 gram panchayats. Fulfledged training programme
has been completed to all the gram panchayat computer operators and the data entry is in
progress.
Samanya Mahiti (for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj) :
To help in micro and macro level planning, the basic amenities available in all hamlets are
captured into 400 parameters that are categorized into 21 sectors. Data collected and keyed in
at the District / Taluka, are transmitted electronically for consolidation at State level. Web site
(http://www.kar.nic.in/rdpr) enables information to be viewed at various levels. Samanya
Mahiti is implemented in Chitradurga district and is actively working towards keeping the data
up-to-date.
WEBPAAS for SP Office:
The Ministry of External Affairs has now decentralized the process of acceptance of passport
applications to the district SP/DC/DM offices. WEBPAAS has crossed all boundaries and allows for
passport application acceptance at the districts, where they are registered and acknowledged,
with on-the-spot receipt issue. Data from the Chitradurga district is uploaded daily to the central
web server for consolidation and further processing. WEBPAAS is implemented in SP office,
Chitradurga district.

Other than the above mentioned major projects NIC Chitradurga is lending maximum
support to all the Government departments in computerization activities of their departments.
Other Important Projects:
Apart from the above the NIC in Chitradurga has implemented many more important projects
like AGMARKnet, e-vetana, VATSOFT for commercial tax department, SARATHI for RTO Office, eyojane(draft plan) for ZP, sahakardarpana for Co-operative Department, CONFONET for
Consumer Reddressal forum etc.
In and Around Chitradurga

Chandravalli:- Suituated at the north easterly axis of the Chitradurga hill, the Chandravalli is an ancient archaeological
site. Digs revealing bricks, painted pottery and coins are traced to the Satavahana period as well as well as prehistoric
times. The Basavanagondi region has the Byraveshwara Temple
Ankali Mutt:- Nestling amongst a group of rugged hills, west of Chitradurga, this mutt is known
for its subterranean chambers. Near the Panchalinga cave (Wonder cave) entrance, is an
inscription dated 1286 A.D. executed in the reign of the Hoysala King Narasimha III.
Bruhanmutt:- Located about three kms from Chitradurga this mutt, also known as Sri.
Murugarajendra Matt was built in honour of an eminent guru of the Veershaiva
Community. The main object of worship is the Gudduge (tomb) of lmmadi Muruga Swamy.
Aadumalleshwara:- Located 5 kms. from Chitradurga, is a Shiva Cave temple built by Aadooru
Mallapa. An interesting feature is a perennial stream that flows through the Nandis (buills)
mouth.
Ingaladalu:- Two kms from Chitradurga, this village is known for its copper mines. It is
believed, that ancient times gold and silver mines were here
Thamatekallu:- Located 8 kms from Chitradurga, this place has the oldest hero stone in
Karnataka. Ancient rock cut inscriptions are also found her.
Jogimatti:- Ten kms. south of Chitradurga is this hill resort, situated at a height of 3803 ft. (The
highest point in the district). The place is named after a yogi, who was well known for his social
service. Himavatkedra, a waterfall that flows through the rocks, has created a natural cave, that
has a Shiva Linga and idols of Veerabhadra and Basavanna.
Sirigere:- Located northwest of Chitradurga, Sirigere is well known for the Veershaiva Mutt of
Taralabalu Jagadguru. The monastery is noted for the educational and religious centers run by
them.
Neerthadi:- Thirty eight kms. from Chitradurga, this village has the famous Ranganathaswamy
Temple in the Vijayanagar style

Nayakanahatti:- Thirty five kms Chitradurga, this place has the temple dedicated to the sage,
Thipperudraswamy. The fact that his Samadhi (tomb) is also located here makes it a popular
religious center. An annual jatra (fair) takes place here during the month of Phalgun.

Hiriyur:- Situated on the right bank of the river Vedavati, this town is famous for the
Terumalleswara Temple, built in the Dravidian style, with lofty Operas (Pyramdal towers) piercing
the sky. The ceiling of the Mukhmantap (Main hall), is painted with scenes from the Shivpurana
and the Ramayana.
Vani Vilas Sagar : (Manrikanvie) Thirty two kms, from Chitradurga, this is an artificial lake,
also called Marie Kanive, built by the Maharaja of Mysore, built across the river Vedavathi.
Measuring 162 ft. by 1300 ft., this reservoir has two mantapa (pavilion halls) built in the
saracenic style and is considered an engineering marvel
Gayatri Jalashaya: This reservoir, was built, also by the Maharaja of Mysore built across the
river Suvarnamukhi. It is a pleasant picnic spot.

Holalkere:- Thirty five kms. from Chitradurga and taluk headquarters, this was an important
jain settlement in the 10th century A.D. it is also famous for its nine foot high statue of the child
god Baal Antipathy, built by Gallops NAACO.
Malladihalli: Forty five kms. from Chitradurga, this new village is well known for the
Raghavendra Swamy Seva Ashram that runs an orphanage, Yoga education and Ayurvedic
Centre.
Ramagiri:This palce is known for the Veerabhadraswamy temple and the Karisiddeshwara Mutt,
built on a hillock.
Doddahotterangappas hill: The Ranganathaswamy temple is situated on top of a hill.
Climbing the steep hill can be a delight for trekkers

Halurameshwar: Local lore has it that once wishes can be fulfilled and once future predicted by
looking into the well, Udbavagange, which makes it a popular place for visitors. Called as
Varava Koduva Bhavi.
Jankal: This is the birth place of the Chitradurgas last chieftain, Madakari Nayaka.
Bagooru: Seventy kms. from Chitradurga, this place is known for the ancient Chennakeshava
temple.
Heggere: The Jain monastery, located here and the Kalleshwara temple are the attractions.
Dasaratha Rameshwara: This is a peaceful religious center, in the midst of a picturesque forest
area.

Molakalmuru:- About 80 kms. from Chitradurga, this town is renowned for its hand woven silk
textiles. Kugo Bande, or Shouting Rock, is a huge rock, where you can experience your voice
resounding as an echo.
Nunke Malae:- This is a small hillock, covered with lush vegetation, with a ancient temple of
Byraveshwara.
Brahmagiri:- 63 kms. from Chitradurga, this village is famous on account of Emperor Ashokas
earliest rock edicts in the Brahmi script and Prakrit language dating to the 3rd century B.C. it is
also the ancient site of Ishila, one of Ashokas provincial capitals.
Ashoka Siddapura:- About forty kms. from Bharamagiri, this is an importantarch aneological
site where Ashokas edicts have been found. Nearby, there is a hillock, known as Ramagiri. Myth
has it that when Ravana was abducting Sita to Lanka, the legendary eagle, Jatayu made a heroic
sruggle to save here, but lost his life in the ensuing fight. Thereafter, Rama performed its last
rites and installed a Shiva performed its last rites and installed a Shiva linga on the spot. The
place was henceforth called Jattinga Rameshwara Linga and a temple dedicated to Rameshwara
built in 926 A.D. exists.

Halurameshwar: Local lore has it that one's wishes can be fulfilled and once future predicted by
looking into the well, Udbavagange, which makes it a popular place for visitors. Called as
Varava Koduva Bhavi.
Jankal: This is the birth place of the Chitradurgas last chieftain, Madakari Nayaka.
Bagooru: Seventy kms. from Chitradurga, this place is known for the ancient Chennakeshava
temple.
Heggere: The Jain monastery, located here and the Kalleshwara temple are the attractions.
Dasaratha Rameshwara: This is a peaceful religious center, in the midst of a picturesque forest
area.

Chitradurga Photo Gallery

Fort Side View

Onake Obavvana
Kindi
Murugha Mutt

Hidembeshwara
Temple

Stone Wall

Fort Entrance

Windmill-1

Windmill-2

SV Park

SV Park-2

Ankali Mutt

Eknatheswari
Temple

Chandravallikere Sampigesiddeswara

Treasury on Fort

Fort Entrance

Galimantapa

Uyyale Khambha

Hidembeshwara
Temple

Vinayakatemple

V V Sagar

Grinding Stones