Bagalkot is a prominent town in North Karnataka. The place is also known as Bagalkote and it serves as the administrative headquarters of the Bagalkot district.
Bagalkot is divided into Navanagar or new Bagalkot, and old Bagalkot. The new town was created to mitigate the submergence of the old town with the Almatti Dam. Navanagar is a properly planned town with every basic amenity and lots of cultivated greenery. This town is located on the banks of Ghataprabha River.
History and Overview of Bagalkot
It is believed that the place was gifted to musicians by the King of Lanka, Ravana. According to another legend, the Sultan of Bijapur gifted this town in Bangle Money to one of his daughters. In earlier times the place was known as Bagadige, which later became Bagdikot and later Bagalkote.
Bagalkot gained historical prominence mainly due to its Chalukyan roots. The town was ruled by the Peshwas, Hyder Ali of Mysore, the Marathas, and the Vijayanagar Kings from time to time. Bagalkot was also a major center during the Indian independence movement.
The Bagalkot district was formed in 1997 and it borders along the Bijapur district in its north, Raichur district in the East, Gadag district down South and Belgaum district in the west. The Krishna, Malaprabha and Ghataprabha rivers serve as the primary water sources for the town.
Places to Visit near Bagalkot
- Aihole: Lying on the banks of Malaprabha River, this spot is home to 140 temples from the Chalukyan era.
Badami Cave Temples: These temples are located in the town of Badami in the Bagalkot district and they are considered to be excellent examples of Badami Chalukyan architecture. Sandstone hills were used to carve these temples.- Pattadakal: There are many temples in this region built by Vikramaditya II, and the place has been added onto the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
- Kudalasangama: This place is known for the Samadhi of Basavanna, who was a social reformer. Basavanna was born in the 12th century and fought against caste and racial exploitation.
- Mudhol: It is believed that famous Kannada poet Kavi Chakravarti Ranna was born here. Today Mudhol is famous for its own breed of dogs known as Mudhol hounds. The imprints of royal British and ancient Indian architecture can be observed at Mudhol. Mudhol was one of the princely states of British India.
Bagalkot Weather
The weather in Bagalkot is dry and the place rarely experiences any rainfall. The climate is moderate from October to February, and this is the best time to visit Bagalkot.
Bangalore to Bagalkot
The distance between Bagalkot and Bangalore is 485 km and it will take around 10 hours to drive to Bagalkot from Bangalore or vice-versa. Buses will also be available for travel, and you can opt for air conditioned and non air conditioned buses.
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