Arkalgud

Arakalagudu ಅರಕಲಗೂಡು
city
Arakalagudu Location in Karnataka, India
Coordinates: 12°46′N 76°04′E / 12.77°N 76.06°E / 12.77; 76.06Coordinates: 12°46′N 76°04′E / 12.77°N 76.06°E / 12.77; 76.06
Country	India
State	Karnataka
District	Hassan
Elevation	916 m (3,005 ft)
Population (2001)
• Total	15,184
Languages
• Official	Kannada
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)

Arkalgud, also known as Arakalagudu is a panchayat town and is one among the eight taluks of Hassan district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is situated 30 km from Hassan and 195 km. from Bangalore. The river Hemavati forms the entire northern boundary of the Taluk; river Kaveri runs through a portion of the south. It is well connected by road to many towns and cities of Karnataka. Holenarasipura is the nearest railway station to Arakalgud taluk and the nearest airport is in Mangalore.

History

It is said that Gautama rishi performed penance to Surya(Sun God) and installed the idol of Arkeshwara, the presiding deity of the local Arkeshwara temple and the town was originally called Arkapuri (city of an image of Arkeshwara, the presiding deity). Hence the name Arkalgud came into existence. It was founded by Krishnappa Nayaka, one of the Aigur (Balam) chiefs in 1568 A.D. It was then captured by Kanthirava Narasaraja I of Mysore in 1647 A.D., it was retaken subsequently by Keladi Shivappa Nayaka of Ikkeri and finally in 1694 by Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar (1673–1704) of Mysore.

Geography and salient features

Arkalgud is located at 12°46′N 76°04′E / 12.77°N 76.06°E / 12.77; 76.06.^[1] It has an average elevation of 916 metres (3005 feet). It lies partly in semi-malnad and partly in maidan tract. It is bound in the north by Hassan taluk, in south by Hunsur taluk of Mysore district, in the east by Holenarasipura taluk and west by Kodagu. The total geographical area of the Taluk is 675 km². It occupies sixth place in the District in terms of geographical area. The soil is red sandy derived from granites, gneiss and schists. The soil is red to brownish in colour, shallow to fairly deep shallow, loamy to sandy loamy in texture intermixed with fairly large amounts of coarse gravel and pebbles. They are well drained but poor in bases and water holding capacity. It is favourable for growing crops like paddy, sugarcane, coconut, potato, vegetables and plantation crops under irrigated conditions. It is suitable for growing ragi, millets, pulses, groundnut, potato and maize under rain-fed conditions. The river Kaveri enters at Kodavinahosahalli, a village in the south of Arkalgud and flows only through a small portion of about 24 km and enters Mysore district. An Anicut called Krishnarajakatte has been constructed across the river in the Taluk from which two channels viz. Kattepura channel and Ramanathapura channel take off for a length of about 24 km and 30 km respectively. The Kattepura channel runs along the south bank, past Rudrapatna; and the Ramanathapura Channel along the north bank past Konnanur and Ramanathapura to Basavapatna. The river Hemavati divides Arakalgud and Hassan taluks. The river enters in Honnathapura in the western side and flows towards to east and enters Holenarasipura taluk. The taluk receives rainfall from south-west monsoon. It is located at around 3,085 feet (940 m) above sea level. This taluk enjoys dry and cold climate during the year as the central part of the Taluk borders the Malenadu region and south-eastern portions form the southern maidan region. One can find some low hilly regions in the taluk as well as high altitude region such as Hippi-betta (3486 ft. or 1063 meters) in the western portion of the taluk.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[2] Arkalgud had a population of 15,184. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Arkalgud has an average literacy rate of 65%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 57% of the males and 43% of females literate. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

References