Bantwal

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Bantwal| type = city | latd = 12.9| longd = 75.033
state_name = Karnataka
district = Dakshina Kannada
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 36
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 36830| population_density = 1473.2
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total = 25
area_telephone = 08255
postal_code = 574 211
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Bantwal (Kannada/Tulu/Konkani-ಬಂಟ್ವಾಳ) is a taluk in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, India. It is also a town by the same name. The adjacent township of B.C.Road (Bantwal Cross Road) serves as the commercial center.

History

Vatapura Kshetra, popularly known as “bantwal” is situated on the banks of holy River Nethravathi on the National Highway - 48, 25 K.M East of Mangalore.

In the olden days, the town of Bantwal was known for trade. However, flooding caused by the river Netravathi during the monsoons compelled traders and newer settlements to move to the adjacent township of B.C.Road due to its higher altitude. Gradually, most Government offices shifted to B.C. Road.

Prior to 1852, Bantwal Taluk was the largest Taluk in the entire of Canara Province (then comprising of North Canara, Udupi, Mangalore and Kasargod Districts) with 411 villages and a total population of 1,69,416. In 1852, a portion of it was formed into the Taluk of Puttur. (Source: "A Gazetteer of Southern India" published in 1855, searchable via Google Books)

According to this book, Buntwal (as it is spelt in the Gazetteer) was an enterpot for the produce of the province on its way to the Mysore Country and had derived great benefit of late years from the extension of the coffee trade. It contained about thousand scattered houses inhabited by Moplas, Bunts,Konkanis, and a few Jains.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Bantwal had a population of 36,829. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Bantwal has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 76% of the males and 72% of females literate. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Mostly Bunts, Christians, Bearys and Gaud Saraswats inhabited the town of Bantwal.

Economy

The town is still considered an important trade center for groceries, tobacco, hardware and most importantly gold.

Geography

The taluk is flanked by the state of Kerala in the south, and the towns of Belthangady and Puttur in the east, the city of Mangalore in the west and Karkala in the north. It covers an area of about 720 km square. National Highway 48 cuts through B. C. Road. The highway serves as the conduit for several arterial routes leading to neighboring towns with Mangalore. Mangalore is connected with other cities in Karnataka such as Mysore and Bangalore via NH-48.

The Grama Panchayats in Bantwal taluk are Golthamajalu, Kolnadu, Kurnadu, Maani, Pudu, Sangabettu, Sarapady, Thumbe, Veerakumba and Vittla (Vittal).

The Netravati River passes through the taluka. Water supply to Mangalore city is provided by a vented dam at Thumbe to Netravathi. There is a bridge over the Netravati river at Panemangalore.

Some other places in Bantwal taluk of interest are Ajilamogaru, Alike, Karanje, Naraharibetta and Nandavara.

Education

List of schools
**SVS English School, Vidyagiri, Bantwal
**SVS temple school
**Infant Jesus school, Modankap
**Deepika highschool, Modankap
**Carmel Convent School, Modankap
**Holy Saviour School, Agrar
**Christa Jyothi HighSchool, Agrar
**St.Jacob's School, Farla
**B.A, thumbayList of colleges
*General Courses
** Sri Venkatramana Swamy College, Bantwal.
** P.A. Fr. Gr. College, Kairangala, Nadupadavu, Bantwal.
*Engineering
** P A College of Engineering, Konaje.
** Canara Engineering College, Benjanapadavu.

Places to See

* Temples
** Shri Mahalingeshwara Temple: is one of the oldest temples in the region and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
** Shri Tirumala Venkatramana Swamy Temple of Bantwal is very famous. It is believed that Lord Venkateshwara or Balaji came here all the way from Tirupati.
** Shri Vinayaka Shankaranarayana Durgamba temple at Nandavara: is another historical and famous temple situated in the banks of Netravati River.
** Shri Seetharam Temple
** Rakhteshwari Temple.
** Shri Hanumanth Temple
** Shri Krishna Math
** Shri Mahamaya Temple.
** Shri Karinjeshwara Temple, Karinje, Bantval Taluk. This temple is situated at a place called Karinja of Kavalamudur village of Bantval taluk. 38 km away from Mangalore and 14 km away from Bantval. Could be reached from (2 km) a place called Vogga on Mangalore-Belthangady route. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvathi. The temple stands high on the hill amidst beautiful surroundings. The view of the lake below the hill will certainly cool one's eyes. Every year in months of February - March, Shivaratri, the festival of Lord Shiva is celebrated here with much festivity, which attracts large masses of people. ** Shri Rajarajeswari Temple, Polali, Bantval Taluk, placed at 20 km away from the city and 20 km away from Mangalore city and 10 km away from Mangalore Airport(Bajpe Airport)
** Nara Hari Betta, Bantwal: This Shiva temple is also historically known as a place where Nara and Hari, incarnations of Lord Vishnu were supposed to have performed the penance. This hill top temple is also known for its lyrical ponds, which are in the shape of Shanka (Conch), Chakra (Wheel), Gadha (Heavy Weapon) and Padma (Lotus), the weapons of Vishnu. Taking a holy dip in these ponds on the day of Karthik Somvar is considered to be sacred according to the Hindu mythology. Location: It is situated 25 km from Mangalore in Bantwal.

*Churches
** The Most Holy Saviour Church on the hills of Agrar three kilometers away from the town is more than three hundred years old and has got beautiful paintings on the walls similar to the ones at the St. Aloysius Chapel.
**Infant Jesus Church, Modankap is also a three hundred year old church which is the main church of the Bantwal deanery headed by the Vicar Var.
** Our Lady of Vailankani ChurcH, Farla
** Our Lady of Loretto Church, loretto.
** [Church Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus..Shamboor.(Shambur)**..] LOCATION: This church is situated at a distance of 37 km from Mangalore, 6 kms from Panemangalore and is surrounded by Borimar, Mogarnad, Bantwal, Modankaup and Allipade parishes

See also

Nearby Places/Cities:
* Mangalore
* Kasargod
* Puttur
* Belthangadi
* Siddapur

References

External links

* [http://www.karinjeshwara.templeinfo.in Shri Karinjeshwara Shiva & Parvati Temples, Karinje ]
* [http://www.weareforseva.org/veeramaruti/index.html Shri Veera Maruthi Temple,Nandavar ]
* [http://www.bantwal.com/ Bantwal ]