Latest news with #KempeGowda
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Kempe Gowda lived as a universal man, was a symbol of unity and progress: D.K. Shivakumar
Calling Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda a symbol of unity and progress, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday said the founder of Bengaluru, though born in a Vokkaliga community, lived as a 'universal man' whose contributions continue to inspire people across communities. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Kempe Gowda Bhavan and during the Kempe Gowda International Awards presentation held to mark the 516th birth anniversary of the city's founder, Mr. Shivakumar said that Kempe Gowda's accomplishments are eternal. Mr. Shivakumar said, 'None of us are born into a caste by choice. Kempegowda belongs to every community. He is the pride of this land and all its people.' Highlighting infrastructure initiatives for the State's capital, the Deputy CM said tenders worth ₹17,000 crore are being prepared for 40 km of tunnel roads, in addition to 118 km of elevated corridors. 'Projects worth ₹1 lakh crore are being planned for the comprehensive development of Bengaluru,' he said. We started Kempe Gowda Jayanti: CM Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who was also present, recalled that it was the Congress government in 2017 that officially began celebrating Kempe Gowda Jayanti on June 27 every year. It was also under the party's tenure that the Kempegowda Development Authority was constituted, and Bengaluru airport was named after the iconic city founder, he said. 'Of the 33 Jayantis officially celebrated in Karnataka today, more than half were introduced during Congress rule,' Mr. Siddaramaiah noted. He also said that the government was working on the development of Kempe Gowda's memorial at Kempapura in Magadi. The Chief Minister also congratulated the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Kempegowda International Airport, and Mysore Soaps and Detergents Ltd. for receiving this year's Kempe Gowda International Awards.
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Kempe Gowda Jayanti celebrated in Mysuru
The Mysuru district administration and the Department of Kananda and Culture, celebrated Kempe Gowda Jayanti in the city and paid tributes to the historical figure, on Friday. Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Deve Gowda described Kempe Gowda as someone whose name will forever be etched in the pages of history for founding the city of Bengaluru, which is now known globally as a technological and industrial hub. The MLA hailed Kempe Gowda as a person with great foresight as he constructed multiple pavilions suitable to specific areas of the region, apart from tanks to supply drinking water to the residents. Notably, he was responsible for establishing several tanks such as Kempabudikere, Gidde Gowdara Kere, Karanji Kere, Jakkarayanakere, Kempapura Agrahara Kere, and Mavalli Siddapura Kere, etc, he said. Mr. Deve Gowda also recalled Kempe Gowda's contribution to construction of temples, and cited the examples of Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple, Basaveshwara temple, Dodda Vighneshwara temple, Hanumantha Devara temple, and Chennigarayaswamy temple in this connection. Highlighting the commercial acumen of Kempe Gowda, the MLA said new markets such as Binnepet, Chikkapet, Balepet, Akkipet, Mamulpet, Ganigarapet, Nagarthapet, etc., came into existence, providing livelihood opportunities and furthering trade. Kempe Gowda made donations and supported different communities, including the Lingayat, the MLA said. Chamaraja MLA K. Harish Gowda, who presided over the function, said that Kempe Gowda, known by the honorific name of 'Nadaprabhu', established a well-planned city in the form of Bengaluru during the 15th–16th century, and enabled thousands to shape their lives. He also pointed out that all the markets established by Kempe Gowda are still functioning to this day. Someshwaranatha Swamiji, secretary of the Adichunchanagiri Mutt, said that Kempe Gowda envisioned a system where people from all over the world could live together and mentioned that the youth should be aware about his contribution. The event was also marked by a ceremony where achievers from various fields were felicitated. Students who topped the SSLC and II PUC exams were awarded the Pratibha Puraskara. MLCs C.N. Manjegowda and K. Vivekananda, Krishnaraja MLA T.S. Srivatsa, DC G. Lakshmikant Reddy, ZP CEO S. Yukesh Kumar, MCC Commissioner Sheikh Tanveer Asif, Joint Director of Kannada and Culture Department V.N. Mallikarjunaswamy and others were present. Earlier in the day, a procession of folk artists was also taken out through the main roads of the city, en route to the Kalamandira.
Hindustan Times
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru's long relationship with its 280 lakes
Recently, I saw the premiere of 'My Otter Diary' by acclaimed wildlife filmmaker and National Geographic Fellow, Sugandhi Gadadhar and her producer-husband Rana (Raghunath) Belur. Filmed over five years, the film explores the symbiotic relationship between otters and the river Kaveri. Otters, says Sugandhi, are to the river what tigers are to a jungle: they are apex predators who preserve and enhance the ecosystem that they belong to. The worst time for our lakes was in February 2017 when Bellandur Lake caught on fire, thanks to the large amount of toxic waste released into it (File photo) The screening was held at Shankar Nag theatre in MG Road and the entire wildlife community was in attendance. Through the film, I got to know the river Kaveri in all her glory. Kaveri looms large in the minds of this city and state. For Kodavas in particular, Kaveri is their home and reigning patron goddess. Which made me wonder, is it because of the river Kaveri that Bangaloreans love their lakes so much? Lots of things fail in civic activism in our city, but stray dogs and lake restoration command passion, witness the rejuvenation of Puttanahalli lake and others. Why do Bangaloreans love their lakes so much? Architect Naresh Narasimhan has a nifty narrative to explain this. He says, Bengaluru is perhaps the only large city in the world that has developed on a plateau with nary a natural object nearby. Most civilisations were established beside rivers. Ditto for large cities of the world: the river Seine flows through Paris, the Hudson through New York and the Nile through many great African cities. Bengaluru, on the other hand, became a city because it was at the crossroads of trade routes. This is why, says Naresh, the old city area or Pete (pronounced pay-tay) is full of trading communities including Marwaris, Settys and Mudaliars. To protect the Pete, Bengaluru's erstwhile rulers built a kote (ko-tay) or fort. Once Bangalore thrived, the rulers began building thottas or gardens including Lal Bagh and Cubbon Park. In order to water the gardens, they established lakes or keres. This nifty pete-kotte-thotta-kere model of Bangalore's development is something Naresh speaks about often. Bangaloreans love lakes because we built them. They are all man-made with bunds holding the water in, and sluices to connect one to the other. Civic evangelist V Ravichander quotes the legend of Kempe Gowda as an additional reason. The story goes that when Kempe Gowda decided to establish his dream city on the plateau with hillocks where Bangalore exists today, his mother is supposed to have told him: 'Keregalum kattu, maragalum nadu' or 'Build lakes, plant trees.' Kempe Gowda did just that, building hundreds of lakes and gardens. By some accounts, Bengaluru used to be a city of a thousand lakes – one crowdsourced initiative put it at 1521 lakes. What is more reasonable is that we used to have some 280 lakes of which only 80 currently remain under the ambit of the Bangalore Bruhat Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). Even calling them lakes is a misnomer. In an evocative 2014 paper by Professor Meera Baindur, titled 'Bangalore Lake story: reflections on the spirit of a place,' she talks about a holy man who used to come and sit under a tree beside a kere to conduct rites and rituals. This tight and daily connection that Bangalore's early people had with the kere in their neighbourhood does not exist anymore. In public presentations and in paper, researcher Rohan D'Souza has stated that a kere refers to an ecosystem rather than a mere water body. It is literally larger than life in the Kannada imagination. The good news is that Bengaluru's keres are slowly making a comeback, thanks mostly to Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) that have taken it upon themselves to improve the ecosystem. The worst time for our lakes was in February 2017 when Bellandur Lake caught on fire, thanks to the large amount of toxic waste released into it. Cut to 2022 when the 'Lakeman of India,' a Bangalore resident, Anand Malligavad, helped to restore Kyalasanahalli Kere. As an aside, let me ask if part of the problem is the fact that most of these lakes have long, barely pronounceable names? Malligavad, even today, continues to be at the forefront of lake restoration. D'Souza documents how government bodies treat water bodies such as Rachenahalli Kere, thus making them accountable. Civic activism has also kept real estate developers away from lakes, not always and not always successfully, but not for nothing either. What next? As an immigrant to Bangalore, although one who has lived here now for nearly 20 years, I remain fascinated by the hold that these lakes have on the city's collective imagination. But in order for lakes to revive or even survive, people need to have a connection with it that goes beyond just morning walks. Unless people are able to relate to each kere as a living ecosystem that gives them something, why would you want to save it? (Shoba Narayan is Bengaluru-based award-winning author. She is also a freelance contributor who writes about art, food, fashion and travel for a number of publications)
India.com
15-06-2025
- General
- India.com
Discover The Myths That Shape Bengaluru's Cultural Landscape
The urban hub of Bengaluru continues to merge its progressive technological development with a solid foundation of cultural history as the 'Silicon Valley of India.' The ancestral collection of local legends and myths has molded the city identity of Bengaluru since ancient times despite its thriving IT zones and city lifestyle. Through their narratives and historical significance, Bengalsuru shows its depth in addition to creating a distinctive personality that defines its identity. Founding Legend: Kempe Gowda and the Bull Statue A persistent legend focuses on Kempe Gowda I who ruled in the Vijayanagara period because he established Bengaluru as we know it today. Kempe Gowda decided to construct his city at the spot where he witnessed a hare defeating a dog because he saw this unusual event as a symbol of endurance. The witnessing of this incident led Kempe Gowda to found Bengaluru during 1537 CE. As part of his city establishment Kempe Gowda constructed four watchtowers that modern people call the KempeGowda Towers. Local legend attributes a Nandi statue to Bull Temple in Basavanagudi which serves as one of the traditional symbols of this tale. The local people believe Kempe Gowda constructed the temple after witnessing divine events during his construction of his planned city. These landmarks demonstrate Bengaluru's ancient past and people from both local and tourist groups come to visit them now. Curse of Hallemane and Ulsoor Lake A myth regarding Bengaluru's oldest man-made reservoir known as Ulsoor Lake exists. Local tradition reports the curse of Hallemane on the waterbody after she lived near the lake. The lake resources caused domestic trouble to her family because of alleged mismanagement or exploitation. Frustration led Hallemane to curse the waterbody that she believed would cease being at peace. Through multiple years Ulsoor Lake has confronted various problems that include pollution levels and both encroachment attempts and natural flood risks. Local people persist in following the curse story even though experts attribute downtown growth and environmental carelessness to the lake problems thus adding mystery to its historical narrative. History of Lalbagh Botanical Garden The historical landmark known as Lalbagh Botanical Garden in Bengaluru receives accolades from both historical events and local tales throughout history. The garden received its name 'Lalbagh' from the period when it was covered in red roses during the time of Hyder Ali who was Tipu Sultan's father. Beyond its floral attraction, Lalbagh holds multiple other attractions for visitors. The garden has an obscure historical connection to Tipu Sultan. According to historical accounts Tipu Sultan designed Lalbagh as his earthly paradise which he fashioned after Persian garden designs. He carefully designed Lalbagh for people to access as a place of mental and reflective retreat. The most interesting claims about Lalbagh involve the possibility that military operatives used hidden subterranean tunnels in their strategies to fight against the British East India Company. While historians question whether actual tunnels existed beneath Lalbagh the mythological story helps make the fortress more interesting to explore. Gangadhareshwara Temple and the Sun's Alignment The Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple at Gavipuram contains both scientific importance alongside sacred religious traditions. During the 9th century Cholas constructed this temple cave which worships Lord Shiva as its main deity. Sun rays which pass through Nandi's horns create a special light effect to illuminate the worshipped lingam within the temple's inner sanctum during select annual periods. Makar Sankranti serves as the annual festival during which the Sun undergoes its movement from Sagittarius to Capricorn. Many religious followers visit the temple each year to observe the holy occurrence that they believe demonstrates divine architectural skill. The temple showcases exceptional architectural precision because ancient Indian astronomers shared sophisticated knowledge that creates a masterpiece that transcends mere spiritual needs. Ghost Stories of Bangalore Fort The historical Bangalore Fort which Kempe Gowda first built later underwent expansion through the efforts of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan maintains a dark atmosphere. Local people share strange reports of spirit sightings together with unexplained activities taking place at the decaying fort walls. Several ghost narratives share the tale of soldiers that served Tipu Sultan who watched over Bangalore Fort after their deaths. People who doubt the supernatural stories nonetheless feel drawn to the strong ghostly energy which permeates the fort. These ghost stories, whether real or not, give historical sites of Bengaluru an inexplicable aura that attracts people who want to experience both excitement and dread. Creatures and Folktales Numerous folktales about mythical creatures together with supernatural beings reside throughout Bengaluru's rural outskirts. Local residents in the village share experiences about Pishachas (ghosts) and Yakshis (female spirits) reported to haunt empty forests. The tales from Bengaluru serve to warn people about risks of nighttime exploration of uncharted locations. Folktales illustrate how traditional cultures maintain dual feelings between nature worship and its frightening elements. Modern culture benefits from these traditional storytelling means because they mainline both inter-tribal connections and cultural wisdom during transmission to newer age groups. Final Thoughts Bengaluru's essence integrates historical significance with spiritual charm demonstrated through the manuscripts and folk stories surrounding Kempe Gowda's establishment and temple treasures. The narratives reveal important secrets about the city's deepest nature as they showcase its people's beliefs and its growth across time. Bengaluru functions as an exceptional city because it embraces its dynamic historical heritage which ties the part with present innovations.
India.com
27-05-2025
- India.com
The Hidden Folklore Behind Bengaluru City's Iconic Landmarks
As India's Silicon Valley capital and the hub of Karnataka Bengaluru stands as a historic city filled with cultural heritage alongside mythological tales. Bengaluru excels in presenting itself as a modern city with technological progress and urban excitement but the monumental sites of the city hold sacred myths and ancestral tales. Several generations of storytelling about the city have led to amplifying the structures of its signature historical sites and ancient landmarks. This essay reveals the mysterious old traditions that surround the famous landmarks throughout Bengaluru. 1. Bangalore Fort: The Legend of Kempe Gowda Bengaluru emerged as a city through the visionary plan of Kempe Gowda who received authority from the Vijayanagara Empire before he established the city in 1537. Local people believe that Kempe Gowda dreamt about a hare chasing down a hunting dog before constructing his fort in this location. After understanding the dream vision as a symbol of good fortune he selected this location to establish his fort since he believed it would become a power center for prosperity. Bengaluru started its evolution into a major urban area after Kempe Gowda formally established the city during 1537. The remnants of the Bangalore Fort still stand today, whispering tales of valor and ambition. 2. Lalbagh Botanical Garden: A Gift from Hyder Ali The founder of Mysore under the 18th century Hyder Ali established the beloved green space of Bengaluru known as Lalbagh. History claims Hyder Ali believed Lalbagh delivered both visual loveliness and strength to the population by creating this garden when the nation suffered warfare. According to local knowledge he established a Persian-Afghan paradise by planting exceptional trees and flowers in the garden he built. Tipu Sultan added more exotic plants to the garden which his father had originally planted. People in the area believe the garden design sought to duplicate the famed Babylonian gardens thus becoming an interactive monument of royal ambitions. 3. Ulsoor Lake: The Curse of Kempe Gowda II Local people consider Ulsoor Lake a historical man-made lake which holds an enchanting tale about its origins. According to tradition Kempe Gowda II built the lake after he became the grandson of the original city founder to support the increasing population of the area. When completion work on the lake finished, a sage laid a curse that prophesied the water would never empty from the lake yet peace would never find those who misused the waters. For multiple centuries the lake has managed to stay at full capacity while droughts occurred while simultaneously facing water conflicts and pollution worsening which demonstrates the truth in the curse. 4. Nandi Hills: The Abode of Lord Shiva Spiritual importance surrounds Nandi Hills because this hill exists approximately 60 kilometers east of Bengaluru. Territorial history shows that sage Ramakrishna once made his home upon these mountains which are dedicated to Lord Shiva. Locals believe Nandi the bull mount of Shiva meditated on this site and thus gave birth to the name of this hill. The peaceful atmosphere of Nandi Hills draws spiritual and contemplative visitors according to local tales. People currently make pilgrimage to Shiva temples alongside Nandi shrines atop these hills in order to collect blessings through connections with past rituals. 5. Cubbon Park: The Whispering Trees Cubbon Park continues to promote rumors about supernatural occurrences that surround its area. Regional inhabitants assert that particular trees in the park produce faint voice-like sounds during windy evenings which they believe to be the protective spirits of the area. People believe that Cubbon Park contains supernatural phenomena because it was constructed at the same time as the British colonial rule and numerous fatalities occurred among workers during construction. Even though there is no proof for these reports they add to Cubbon Park's aura of mystery and visitor attraction. 6. ISKCON Temple: The Miraculous Foundation Stone ISKCON Temple in Bengaluru stands out as one of the largest and spiritual sites within the city. However, few know the story behind its foundation stone. According to folklore the temple construction started with many unexplained issues involving repeated delays that caused equipment failures. The priest advised conducting a religious ritual so the deity in charge of the land could be pacified. When the religious event concluded everything functioned without interruptions which allowed construction of the temple to finish without additional events. The temple exists as a spiritual and peaceful center because faithful people believe divine help protected its construction. 7. Vidhana Soudha: The Architect's Dream The architectural wonder of Vidhana Soudha uniting Dravidian and Indo-Saracenic and modern design elements serves as the legislative building of Karnataka. The construction of this site took place during mid-twentieth century while being accompanied by multiple interesting stories. A widespread story depicts B.R. Manickam the main designer who received divinely guided instructions from Goddess Saraswati about the building layout in his dream. The visionary appearance led him to include detailed decorative elements with meanings dedicated to knowledge as well as wisdom and administration. The heritage of Karnataka shines through Vidhana Soudha which currently represents both tradition and modernization of the state. Conclusion The landmark sites throughout Bengaluru harbor not just architectural designs but also function as locations where history and cultural expressions and legendary stories reside. Multiple sites throughout Bengaluru contain everlasting stories about dreams and struggles that recognize both miracles and curses responsible for forming the city's enduring identity throughout the last several centuries. Through Kempe Gowda's pioneering work and mysterious tales about Cubbon Park these stories reveal the strong bond between inhabitants and their surroundings. The evolution of Bengaluru into a global metropolis can be preserved through sharing its tales which guarantees the city's spirit stays alive while undergoing rapid development. Make the effort to listen to the historical tales of these landmarks during your next visit because they could capture your complete attention.
