Chamarajanagar District

Chamarajanagar District is one of the administrative districts of Karnataka with its headquarters located at Chamarajanagar town. Chamarajanagar District was carved out of Mysore District.

Total area covered by Chamarajanagar District is 5686 sq kms. This district was one of the seven new districts formed on 15th of August, 1997. Those seven districts are Chamarajanagar, Udupi District, Davanagere District, Haveri District, Koppal District, Gadag District and Bagalkot District.

Economy of Chamarajanagar District is basically agrarian in character. Agriculture is the backbone of the economy. The main occupation of the people of this district is farming and other allied activities. Most of the lands of the region are dry lands. Since, the irrigation facility is very sparse in the district the farmers are largely dependent on seasonal rains to grow their crops. Maize, jowar, paddy, cowpea, groundnut, cotton, sunflower and sugarcane are the major crops that are grown in the district. The district is traditionally known for Sericulture activities with a total area of 8,601.59 hectares under mulberry cultivation. Coconut, banana, turmeric, and various vegetables are also grown. Sericulture is a traditional activity in Chamarajanagar 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. The district is having around 431 Sericulture villages. The integrated rural cottage industries ancillary to sericulture supports large number of families and provides direct and indirect employment. Average size of sericulture farms in the district is nearly 1.5 to 2 acres.

The temples of Chamarajanagar District are all constructed on higher elevation and thus are the best destination to attain the breathtaking view of the region. Chamarajanagar District was carved out of Mysore District and the prime religious areas include Chamarajnagar, Gundlupet, Santhemarhalli, Kollegal and Hanur.

Chamarajeshwara Temple is one of the biggest temples of Chamarajanagar District, which was built during end of 19th Century. Temple resembles Nanjanagudu Srikanteswara temple and boasts a very big gopura. Mahadeshwara (Madeshwara) Hills, popularly known, as MMHills, is one of the most notable temples of Chamarajanagar District. This temple is one of the most important pilgrimages site in the state of Karnataka and lies in the middle of the hills near to the Eastern Ghat Ranges, belonging to the Ramapura Hobli. It is situated at a distance of 80 Kms to the East of Kollegal and is at 3200 feet above Mean Sea level. According to the folklore songs and stories surrounding the presiding deity Mahadeshwara, the MMHills comprises Seven (7) Hills. The MMHills Range is affluent with large number of flora and fauna. The temple built in the name of Mahadeshwara is at the top of this Hill. According to the myth the MMHills consists of 77 ranges namely Anemalay, Jaynumalay, Kadumalay, Pacchaymalay and so on. The temples of Chamarajanagar District have the marks of their builders through the forms of architecture and unique patterns.