Gadag-Betigeri

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Gadag-Betegeri
type = city
latd =
longd =
state_name = Karnataka
district = Gadag
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude =
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 154,849
population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone = 08372
postal_code = 582 101 & 582 102
vehicle_code_range = KA-26
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =
skyline=Gadag_1.jpg
skyline_caption=Viranarayana Temple

Introduction

Gadag-Betageri [cite web |url= http://www.gadagbetageri.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9&Itemid=1 |title=Gadag Betgeri past and present
publisher= |accessdate=2008-08-13] (Kannadaಗದಗ)is a town and a city municipal council in Gadag district in the state of Karnataka, India.It is the administrative headquarters of Gadag District. Gadag and its sister city Betageri (or Betgeri) have a combined city administration. The municipality of Gadag-Betageri has a population of 154,849 and an area of 54.56 km².

The twin city muncipality is situated 80 km from Dharward. It is an important centre of Kalyana Chalukya art as seen at the large Trikuteshwara temple. It was later expanded by Kalyana Chalukyas into a vast complex. The complex has triple shrines, once housing Shiva, Brahma and Surya. The Saraswathi temple has the finest shining decorative pillars, and the Saraswathi image, and is one of the largest examples of Chalukyan art. Someshwara and Rameshwara temples, built in the Chalukyan style, are also present. It also has the Veeranarayana temple dating from the Chalukyan era. The great Kannada poet Kumara Vyasa composed his famous Mahabharatha (known as Kumaravyasa Bharata) in this temple. Gadag also has a mosque dating from the Adilshahi era and a church. Betageri has many artistic hero stones dating from the 9th and 10th centuries.

Gadag immediately brings to mind the name of Naranappa, popularly known as Kumara Vyasa, the author of Karnataka Bharata Kathamanjari. It is the classic Mahabharata in Kannada. Naranappa was born in the nearby village of Koliwada. He composed his work sitting before Lord Veera Narayana, his chosen deity. The temples of Veera Narayana and Trikuteshwara [http://www.nkpost.kar.nic.in/tourismgadag.htm] are places of religious and historic importance. The blind singer Ganayogi Panchakshari Gawayi hailed from Gadag. His music school (Veereshwara Punyashrama) [http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl2212/stories/20050617000106500.htm] is famous. The Tontadarya Matha and Shivanada Matha of the Veerashaiva sect of Hinduism is engaged in many educational and literary activities in and around Gadag.

There is a saying that if you throw a stone in Gadag it would either land at a printing press or on a handloom. Gadag also known for the cold drinks shops serving variety of fresh, pure and safe sodas (Carbonated Soft Drinks) and other cold drinks.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Gadag-Betageri had a population of 154,849. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Gadag-Betageri has an average literacy rate of 71%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 79%, and female literacy is 64%. In Gadag-Betageri, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Healthcare infrastructure

The Basel Mission started the hospital in Betgeri in 1902. For decades afterwards, the hospital, served by the doctor missionaries, provided the only healthcare available. The Hospital is fondly called the “German” hospital by the local people, because of the German doctors who served here. The hospital is today the busiest in the district and serves as a referral centre. It is now run by Indian doctors and continues to provide quality and affordable care to its patients, who are mainly from the poor farming community in the surrounding villages. The Hospital has ICU facilities and is equipped with the latest medical technologies including CT scan.

Famous personalities of Gadag

* Gadag has been an important seat of Hindustani music in north Karnataka, and is home to the Hindustani singer Pandit Bhimsen Joshi.
* Cricketer Sunil Joshi was born in Gadag.
* This is also the land of great Freedom Fighters Like Shankarappa Kampli who also founded the Azad Hind Seva Dal and the Kshatriya Maratha samaj near Mulgund Naka.

External links

* [http://www.gadag-betagericity.gov.in/ Gadag-Betageri municipality website]
* [http://www.gadagbetageri.com/ Gadag-Betageri town website]

References

Also visit