About:

Chamarajanagara is the southern-most district in the state of Karnataka, India. It was carved out of the original larger Mysooru District in the year 1998. Chamarajanagara town is the headquarters of this district.

Chamarajanagar is a district in southern Karnataka, India, bordering Erode District of Tamil Nadu and Wayanad District of Kerala. The district was created after the larger Mysore district was split into the new Mysore district and the current Chamrajnagar district.Being the southernmost district of Karnataka, Chamarajanagara district specifically, it borders Mysooru district of Karnataka to the west and north, Mandya and Bengalooru districts of Karnataka to the north-east, Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu to the east, Salem and Erode districts of Tamil Nadu to the south-east, Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu to the south and Wayanad district of Kerala to the south-west.

The District capital is the city of Chamarajanagar. The administrative units of districts in south India are known as taluks. The taluks of Chamarajanagar include Chamarajanagar taluk, Yelandur taluk, Kollegal taluk, and Gundalpet taluk. Many languages are spoken within the district. Kannada being the state language of Karnataka, is the main language in Chamarajanagar district. Tamil is a minor language within the district but of great importance in many areas within the district. Kollegal taluk has a great deal of Tamils, and was originally part of the Tamil Nadu state, in the Salem District.

Chamarajanagar is known for a good extent of forest land within its boundaries. Hence, it has a very high population of forest-dwelling tribals - Soligas, Jenu Kurubas, Betta Kurubas. Most of these tribes inhabit the forest of B R Hills, Malai-Mahadeswara Hills, and Bandipur National Park. All of these are protected areas. These tribals all have their own dialect, usually with a strong Tamil influence.

The district has its share of natural beauty. Local people and devotees revel in the beauty of the temples of the BR Hills, a wildlife sanctuary and the MM Hills. Since, much of the southern area of the district is dense forest, it provided good refuge to the notorious brigand Veerappan, responsible for the death of over a hundred policemen. He was shot dead in an encounter with the specially formed Special Task Force (STF) in mid 2004, at Dharmapuri District, Tamil Nadu. He had been on the run for several years.

There are many quarries in the district, all mining for the valuable black stone. Unfortunately, many of these quarries are today mining very close to or within the sanctuaries/protected areas and are posing a threat to the rich flora and fauna of this area.

Location info:

Climate/Weather:

History:

Educational Institutions:

Nursing Colleges in Chamrajnagar

• Goutham School of Nursing, Chamrajnagar
• Holy Cross School of Nursing, Chamrajnagar
• JSS School of Nursing, Chamrajnagar

Other Institutions

• JSS Arts Commerce & Science College
• Government Polytechnic
• JSS Arts Commerce & Science College
• Government Sdb PU College
• SG Edun Society PU College
• B Basavalingappa PU College
• Government Svk Girls PU College
• Karuna Trust Development Project

Langauge

Culture:

Sericulture is a tradiitional activity in the district. In terms of number of families engaged in rearing silk worms as also the area under mulberry crops, Chamarajanagar district occupies a prominent place.

Chamarajanagar, on the banks of the Cuvery River is a treasure trove of religious and cultural legacy. The legendary Malemahadeshwara Betta shrine accompanied by its annual car rally attracts flocks of tourists.

How to reach?

Tourist Attraction

Chamarajeshwara Temple : The biggest temple in Chamarajanagara, which was built during end of 19th Century. Temple resembles Nanjanagudu Srikanteswara temple and has a very big gopura.

Survarnavathi Reservoir is 16 km. from Chamarajanagar. Net Storage Capacity of the Dam is 1258.76 mft., length of overflow of dam - 160 ft. Top width of dam is 18 ft.

The Kanakagiri hill has been described by ancient historians and writers as Nakopama Shaila, meaning a hill in the form of a Heaven. Since ancient times Srikshretra kanagiri was one of popular Jain centres of the world. Kanakagiri situated near Maleyur in Chamarajanagar District was well known for its sandalwood and rich forestry around it.

BR Hills : Biligiri Rangana Betta (short form: BR Hills), refers to a cliff in the BR Hills range which is a North-South range in the Yelandur Taluk. It is famous for the Ranganathaswamy temple.: Apart from being a religious centre, BR Hills is also the location of the BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. It is spread over an area of 539.52 sq. km. Some of the important animals found here are tigers, sloth bears, elephants and gaurs.

Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary (52 km):Situated on the Mysore-Ooty, this wild life sanctuary adjoins the Mudhumalai sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and the Wayanad sanctuary in Kerala. Herds of bison spotted deer, Elephants and sambar can be seen here. Tigers and lepards can be spotted occasionally. Bandhipur has been brought under 'Project tiger' since 1974.

Biligirirangana Hills Wildlife Sanctuary (109 km):Located at a height of 5,091 ft., this beautiful sanctuary is a home to a variety of wildlife such as gaur, chithal, sambar bears, elephants, panthers, tigers and a wild varity of birdlife. The Soligas, a native tribe also live here. The temple of Bilgiri Rangaswami is situated on these on these Hills, at 1567 meters above sea level.

GS Betta : Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta (short form: GS Betta is a hill near the Bandipura Wildlife Sanctuary in the Gundlupete Taluk. It is famous for the Gopalaswamy temple which is atop the hill. Gopalaswamy is an incarnation of the Hindu God Krishna.

MM Hills : Malai Mahadeshwara Hills (short form: MM Hills), is an important Shaiva pilgrimage centre in the Kollegala Taluk. The yearly chariot festival (locally called 'jatre') at the MM Hills brings many devotees. The temple is situated within the MM Hills Reserve Forest, not very far from where the river Kaveri flows into Tamil Nadu.

Dodda Sampige Mara: Located 4 km from BR Hills, Dodda Sampige Mara is the location where a large Champaka tree, 34 mts in height and 20 mts of girth is present. Near its trunk, there are many Shiva Lingas (around 100) which are worshipped by the pilgrims who come here.

Bandipura : Bandipura is a well known National Park in the Gundlupete Taluk straddling the state's border with Tamil Nadu. It is also a tiger reserve and part of the Project Tiger initiative. Apart from tiger, the other animals found here include gaur, elephant, leopard and wild dogs.

Hogenakal : Hogenakal is a famous waterfall where the river Kaveri cascades down a gorge to give a breathtaking view. It is in the Kollegala Taluk and right on the border between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Dzogchen Monastery, Dhondenling Tibetan Settlement, Odeyarpalaya, Kollegal Taluk.A large monastery in the Nyingma Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism

Kaveri Fishing Camp:The river Kavari at Bhimeswari, abounds in a a varity of fish including the Carnatic Carp and the mahseer. This place is a protected area for thr fish, as the anglers are advised to release the fish, after catching them. the wild beauty of the river and the countryside, are sure to hook any tourist.

Kollegal forest division:The Kollegal forest division lies to the east of BRT Wild Life sanctuary. The other three sides are bounded by Cauvery Wild life Sanctuary, Sathyamangalam forest division and the Erode forest division. It is bounded by forests on all four sides. This makes it a virgin forest area.

Cauvery Wildlife sanctuary, Kanakapura:Cauvery wildlife sanctuary is situated about 100 kms south of Bangalore. The river Cauvery which traverses along the eastern boundary of the sanctuary gives the name to this sanctuary

Hogenakal Falls (also Hogenakkal Falls) in Kollegal Taluk.Hogenakal Falls is on the border between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The name Hogenakal is derived from Kannada language, it means smoky rocks. "Hoge" means "smoke" and "kal" means "rocks". When the water is falling on the rocks it looks as if smoke is emanating from the rocks because of the force of the water.

Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta. A hill in Bandipur National Park. There is a temple at the peak, and is well known for its wild life, including elephants.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

• Jungle Lodges K Gudi Wildernes
  
• Ambuja Farms, Chamarajanagar
  
• KSTDC Mayura Prakruti

Links

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamarajanagar_district
http://chamrajnagar.nic.in/distprofile/dtprof.html