Bellary is located at a distance 301 Kms from Bangalore. It is situated on the eastern side of Karnataka state. Bellary takes its name from the word Balari which refers to goddess Durugamma as this goddess had manifested herself in the town. Bellary presently is the second fastest growing city in the state of Karnataka after Bangalore. It has to its credit the second largest single rock mountain in the world.The city stands in the midst of a wide, level plain of black cotton soil.
Granite rocks & hills form a prominent feature of Bellary, and granite quarrying is big business.
The city is spread mainly around two huge rocky granite hills, the Ballari Gudda and Kumbara Gudda (Gudda - hill in Kannada). These two hills are dominant features of the city, and are visible from every part of the city.
History
Bellary is also believed to be related to a few incidents in the Hindu epic Ramayana. The story goes like this Lord Rama while searching for his wife Sita meets Sugreeva and Hanuman at a place which is close to Hampi, the celebrated capital of the Vijayanagara empire.
The history speaks volumes about significant role it acquired during Satavahanas, Kadambas, Chalukyas of Kalyani, Kalachuris, Sevunas, and Hoysalas' period. The Vijayanagara rulers 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 defeat of Vijayanagara in 1565 by the Deccan sultanates.
Another legend is that the city is named after Indra, the king of Gods, who slayed a Rakshasa (demon) named Balla who lived around this place. Balla-ari means 'enemy of Balla' (ari – enemy in Sanskrit). One of the two hills at the heart of the city is called Balahari Betta.
The major occupation of this district is agriculture and 75% total labour force is dependent on agriculture for its livelihood.
Bellary district is rich in natural resources which need to be tapped to a great extent for overall development of the district. This district is endowed with rich mineral resources. It has both metallic and non-metallic minerals.
Tourist Attractions
Bellary Fort is built on top of the Ballari Gudda or the Fort Hill. The Fort was built round the hill during Vijayanagara times by Hanumappa Nayaka. Hyder Ali, who took 
possession of the Fort from the Nayaka family in 1769, got the fort renovated and modified with the help of a French Engineer.
The fort is divided as the Upper Fort and the Lower Fort.
The Upper fort is a polygonal walled building on the summit, with only one approach, and has no accommodation for a garrison. There is only one way up to the fort, which is a winding rocky path amongst the boulders.It contains several cisterns, excavated in the rock.There is a small temple on the top. You can also see the remains of some cells and several deep pools of water.Muzzaffar Khan, the Nawab of Kurnool, was confined here from 1823 to 1864 for the murder of his wife.
The Lower fort (wikimapia) lies at the eastern base of the rock and measures about half a mile in diameter, and probably had an arsenal and barracks.The entrance to the lower fort is via two gates, one each on the western and eastern sides. There is a temple dedicated to Hanuman just outside the lower fort on the easter side. Now the lower fort contains a number of public buildings, government offices, schools & educational institutions and churches.
Legend has it that Hyder Ali had the French Engineer hanged. It seems that the unfortunate engineer had overlooked the fact that the neighbouring Kumbara Gudda was taller than Ballari Gudda, thus compromising the secrecy & command of the fort. Some believe that he is buried near the East Gate of the fort while others believe it to be the grave of a Muslim holy man.
The fort attracts plenty of visitors during the day and also towards the evening. Recently the fort has been illuminated on a 2 km stretch using 188 special lights.
Children's Park in the city has a musical fountain is also another attraction.
Mallara - Renowned for the temple consecrated to Lord Shiva in his form of Mallara or Mallari, it is famed for the annual festival of Mallara.
Ramanadurga or Ramgad - A hill-station is set amidst a group of granite hills, there is a temple dedicated to Ramadeva.
Places around Bellary
Tunga Bhadra Dam: This huge dam, situated neat Hospet, is built on river Tunga and Bhadra, and has a beautiful garden.
Ambali: Positioned 10 km north-west of Kottur, Ambali is popular for the black stone Chalukyan temple dedicated to Kalleswari.
How to get there
By Air: Bellary has its own airport in Toranagallu-40 km, from where regular flights to Bangalore are available.
By Rail: You can access to any place in Karnataka from the Bellary Railway Station.
By Road: Bellary is linked with the rest of the state by a vast network of well-connected roads.It is on NH-63 (Ankola Gooty)
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Bellary is between the months of October and March.
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