Ankola

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Ankola | type = town | latd = 14.667 | longd = 74.3
locator_position = right | state_name = Karnataka
district = Uttara Kannada
altitude = 16
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 14309
population_density = 1928.44
area_total = 7.42
area_telephone = 08388
postal_code = 581 314
vehicle_code_range = KA-30
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Ankola ( Kannada: ಅಂಕೋಲಾ) which is a Taluk (an administrative subdivision) is in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka state, India. A small town by any standard surrounded by numerous temples. The main language spoken here is Kannada, and a dialect of Konkani that is unique to Uttara Kannada.Ankola is famous for its native breed of mango called "ishaad".

Geography

Ankola is located at coord|14.67|N|74.3|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/19/Ankola.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Ankola] ] . It has an average elevation of 17 metres (55 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Ankola had a population of 14,306. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Ankola has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 53% of the males and 47% of females literate. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.Santosh Aravind Nayak, the famous Entrepreneur is from this place.

Institutes

* Jai Hind High school (Edwards), Ankola
* Peoples Multi-purpose High School, Ankola
* Nirmala Hridaya High School, Ankola
* Gokhale Centenary College, Ankola, Vandige,
* Government Collage, Ankola, Shetgeri

Hospitals

* Government Hospital,
* KLE Society's Kamal Medical Centre,
* Christ Mitra Ashram Hospital, College Rd,
* Dr. Avinash Tenaikar's Arya Medical Centre

Tourist Attractions

* "For the genus of grass skipper butterflies, see "Ankola (butterfly).
* Beaches - Keni, Belekeri, Nadibag, Basakal gudda (Bela Bundar).
* Festivals - Bandihabba, Kartika, Ganesha, Deepavali, Laxmipuja, Yugaadi, Bajana saptaha.(Kanshigadha)
* Activities - Costal walk, swimming, and trekking.

Temples

There are temples in Ankola which form the part of cultural and social activities of Ankola.

* Shri Shantadurga temple,
* Venkatramana temple,
* Aryadurga temple,
* Honna Raka Temple,
* Lakshminarayana Mahamaya Temple
* Narsimha temple(Bendi bazar)

Annual mela called 'Bandihabba' is celebrated on Buddha Poornima in the month of May. This is an important festival to be celebrated for 9 days. On 9th day the mela is conducted near Shantadurga temple and people from around the town and village will throng to temple and celebrate it. Another big festival called 'Vana ratri' is celebrated during November when five temple deities will be out of Ankola town on Palakki for a night stay and will return next morning. The entire town celebrates this town with fire works.

Mansoon is vigorous in this part and no major festivities are conducted during this season other than Ganesh Chaturthi.

Transportation

In Ankola mass transport is famous.It comes under NWKRTC(North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation).Apart from buses tempoes,Autos are also available.

By road and train

* North South Direction - It is well connected to Mangalore and Goa - by bus and train. Konkan railways operates fairly regular services. Bangalore is connected by road. The National Highway 17( NH-17 ) passes through Ankola from Goa to Udupi.
* East Direction - Connected to Hubli by National Highway 63.

Airports

* Goa (Vasco).
* Bangalore.
* Hubli
* Mangalore
* Belgaum

References