Quick Facts

Quick Facts

 Davangere - Overview

General Information:

• Location: Central Karnataka, India.
• Coordinates: Approx. 14.47° N, 75.92° E.
• District: Davangere District (it is the district headquarters).
• Region: Part of the Bayalu Seeme (plains) region.
• Nicknames:
  • "Manchester of Karnataka" (due to its once-thriving cotton textile industry).
  • "Heart of Karnataka" (because of its central location in the state).

 Historical Background:

• Initially part of Chitradurga district; became a separate district in 1997.
• Historically influenced by the Chalukyas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara Empire, and later the Mysore Kingdom.
• Grew significantly during the British era, especially as a trading post for cotton and textiles.
• The city became a major center for education and commerce in the 20th century.

 Geography and Climate:

• Elevation: Around 602 meters (1,975 feet) above sea level.
• Topography: Flat land with fertile soil, making it suitable for agriculture.
• Climate:
  • Type: Tropical savanna climate.
  • Summers: (March–May) Hot and dry, temperatures sometimes reaching up to 40°C.
  • Monsoon: (June–September) Moderate rainfall.
  • Winter: (November–February) Pleasant and mild.
• Main Rivers: Tungabhadra River (nearby).

 Economy:

• Historically cotton mills and textile industry fueled Davangere’s growth.
• Once home to over 20 textile mills during its peak.
• Present-day economy:
  • Agriculture: Major crops are rice, maize, sugarcane, cotton, and areca nut.
  • Education: The city is a major educational hub.
  • Industries: Emerging sectors include food processing, agro-based industries, and small-scale manufacturing.
• Davanagere Benne Dosa: The city is famous for its unique style of butter dosa (benne dosa).

 Education:

Davangere is considered one of the educational capitals of Karnataka.

• Major Institutions:
  • Davangere University (established in 2009).
  • Bapuji Educational Association (runs many prestigious schools and colleges).
  • JJM Medical College.
  • Bapuji Dental College.
  • GM Institute of Technology.
• It has produced a large number of doctors, engineers, and academicians.

 Transportation:

• Road:
  • Well-connected by National Highway 48 (Bangalore-Pune Highway, part of the Golden Quadrilateral).
  • Good bus connectivity with Bangalore, Hubli, Chitradurga, and other parts of Karnataka.
• Rail:
  • Davangere Railway Station lies on the Bangalore-Hubli line.
  • Connected by daily trains to Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli, and other cities.
• Air:
  • Nearest airport: Hubballi Airport (~140 km).
  • A domestic airport for Davangere is in planning stages as part of Karnataka’s regional airport development.

 Tourist Attractions:

• Kunduvada Kere: A beautiful lake ideal for picnics and evening strolls.
• Bathi Gudda: A scenic hill offering panoramic views of the city.
• Durgambika Temple: One of the oldest and revered temples in the city.
• Anagodu: A place near Davangere with natural scenic beauty.
• Harihar (24 km away): Famous for the Harihareshwara Temple built during the Hoysala period.
• Chitradurga Fort: A massive historical fort (about 65 km away), popular for day trips.

 Culture and Festivals:

• Language:
  • Kannada (official and widely spoken).
  • Urdu and English are also spoken among certain communities.
• Culture:
  • Mixture of traditional and modern lifestyles.
  • Known for vibrant theater, classical music, and local art forms.
• Major Festivals:
  • Ugadi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Deepavali, Dasara.
  • Local fairs (jatre) in nearby villages are also common.

 Demographics (2025 estimate):

• City Population: ~ 550,000.
• District Population: ~ 2.2 million.
• Literacy Rate: Over 80%.
• Religious Composition:
  • Majority Hindus.
  • Significant Muslim and Christian communities.

 Administration:

• Davangere is governed by the Davangere City Corporation.
• It is a Municipal Corporation since 2006.
• Politically important constituency — often a key player in Karnataka’s state elections.

 Notable Personalities from Davangere:

• Siddalingaiah: Renowned Dalit poet and activist.
• M. P. Prakash: Former Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka.
• S. Shivashankarappa: Veteran politician and leader.
• Several writers, doctors, and engineers hail from Davangere.

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