Kolar is located at a distance of about 68 kilometres from Bangalore. It lies in the eastern part of Karnataka. It is situated on the Bangalore to Chennai National highway (NH-4). Kolar is also known for its fortresses and temples.
History
Kolar town, the headquarters of this district was formerly known as Kuvalala. Kolar was the first capital of the Gangas, till about the 4th century A.D. In 1004 A.D., the Cholas annexed Kolar with their empire. Later, Kolar came under the Vijayanagar empire, before being taken over by the British in 1768. In 1792, Kolar was given to Tippu Sultan, by the British. This town came under the rule of Maharaja of Mysore and since then several improvements have taken place and with a result that it became the district Head quarters. It was Krishnaraja Wodeyar who was responsible for connecting the road and Railways.
Historically, Kolar is said to be associated with the epic age, which recalls many legends associated with Avani in Mulbagal Taluk, which was also called Avani Kshetra. This region is home to legends from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
It is also believed that the sage Valmiki, the author of the epic Ramayana, lived here and Sri Rama stayed here on the way back to Ayodhya, after his conquest of Lanka. The legend goes further to establish that Seetha Devi, after being rejected by Rama, gave birth to her twins Lava and Kusha in this Avani.
The hill to the west of Kolar, called the Satasringa Parvata or 'Hundred-Peaked Mountain' is 'Antharagange', associated with the story of Parasurama and his fight with King Kartaviryarjuna over Surabhi, the divine cow.
Tourist Attractions
Someswara Temple: is a fine example of Vijayanagara style, complete with a massive pillared mukha mandapa. Heavy Prakara walls, ornate Kalyana mantapa and a Devi Shrine, lofty gopura is known for fine stucco figures on the tower, while the door frame is carved in typical Vijayanagara style with dwarapalas etc.. The temple has large tank (Kalyani) also. There are Vijayanagara inscriptions on the wall of store room and the yagashala dated to 15th century A.D.
Kolar Gold Fields: KGF is located 27 Kms away from Kolar. The K.G.F. city is entirely a creation of the Gold mining industry. The Champion mine is the second deepest mine in the world. BEML, recently established a large scale industry for the manufacture of Earth moving Equipments and Crawler tractors.
Antara Gange: Located 3 Kms from Kolar, Antharagange, a sacred stream, that pours sweet water from the mouth of a bull. This scenic spot, known as Shatha Shringa Parvatha, abounds in rocks of many shapes and rare flora and fauna. The hill top resembli
ng a snakehood- (Havina Hede), gives a bird’s eye view of seven towns. It is a trekker’s delight, accessible from two routes, steep steps on one side and a motorabel route on the other. The granite temple of Neelakanteshwara, at the foothills, is an attraction.
Avani: known as Gaya of the South, Avani has a cluster of Ramalingeshwara Temple all with in one courtyard dedicated to Lakshmana, Bharatha, and Shatrugna as well as a shankara muth built by the Nolamba dynasty. Legend has it, that the hill above was home to Valmiki's Ashram, where Lava and Kusha were Born and raised.
K
olar Betta or Kolar Hills:was also known as Satasringa hills (the hundred peaked mountain). This Place is also a great picnic spot. On top of the hill their is an huge plateau. Antargange, a perennial spring on the east of the hills has become a popular tourist destination. There is water gushing out from the mouth of a stone bull (Basava),all the time nobody knows the source of water or the place from where it originates. Water flows here through out the year.
Bangaru Tirupati: is located 29kms from Kolar in place called Guttahalli. This is a very famous temple which resembles the famous Sri Venkateshwara Temple of Tirupathi in Andhra Pradesh.The temple is built on rocks which dates back to Brigu Maharushi's days.At Guttahalli, you'll find the temple on a hillock that is about 40 metres high. Just below the hillock is Garuda, Vishnu's vehicle.
The temple itself has a very impressive gopuram. There is the kalyani or water tank near which a flight of steps leads us to the idol of Venkataramana, also called Srinivasa. This small attractive sculpture has to be viewed from a six-holed window. The temple attracts lots of devotes particularly during the month of Shravana (July/August)
At a different level is the shrine for the consort Padmavathi, dating back to mid-19th Century.
Adinarayanaswamy Temple: is a cave temple located at the top of Yellodu hills in Kolar District.It is 12 Kms from Bagepalli. This temple enshrines a stone idol named Udbhavamurthy without any jewels or ornaments. Special pujas are performed on every Sundays and a car festival is celebrated on the third Sunday of Magha month, third lunar month, which usually falls in February-March. The devotees have to climb 618 steps to reach the temple. The two steps near the temple are unusually tall and can be climbed only with the help of a hanging rope.
How To Reach
Air: The nearest airport is Bangalore airport.
Rail: The nearest railway junction is Bangarpet at a distance of about 15 km.
Road: KGF is located on NH-4 Local
Transportation: Government buses ply on regular basis daily from Bangalore.
All these places are a days trip from Bangalore
Also see:
