Raichur District

About:

Raichur is an administrative district of Karnataka with its head quarter at the same town of Raichur. The district is bounded by the Krishna River on the north and the Tungabhadra River on the south. The wedge of land between the rivers is known as the Raichur Doab, after the city of Raichur. Bijapur and Gulbarga districts lie to the north across the Krishna River. Bagalkot and Koppal districts lie to the east. Across the Tungabhadra lies Bellary District of Karnataka to the southwest and Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh to the southeast. Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh state lies to the east, and includes the lower portion of the Raichur Doab.Raichur district has rich cultural traditions and has been playing an important role in the field of literary activities since early times. The temples and mathas were centers of cultural, literary and social activities. A galaxy of eminent personalities, who shone in the cultural field, hailed from this district.

It stretches from 15 degree 09 min-16 degree 34 min North latitude and 75 degree 46 min-77 degree 35 min East longitude. The total area of Raichur is 14,013 sq km. According to the census of 1961, the total population of Raichur is 1961 11,00,895.

Raichur District is located in the north-western part of Karnataka. Over the centuries, Raichur was part of various empires: Mauryas, Chalukyas, Vijayanagara, Bahmanis, and the Mughal Kings. It was once known as Kishkindha.

The district derives its name from its headquarters town Raichur (origin of name Rayachooru in Kannada), as do most of the other districts also in the State. Though many of the villagers round about still call the place by the earlier from of the name which is Rayachooru, however, in modern times, it has come to be generally written and pronounced in Kannada as Rayachooru. The name of this place which is of considerable antiquity, can be traced back to the Twelfth Century at least

There are some worth visiting sites in and around Raichur. Anegundi, a small town located 135 kms from Raichur, has some beautiful temples from the Vijayanagara period such as the spectacular Ranganatha Temple and the Huchchappayana Matha. The Pampa Sarovara, the Kamal Mahal and Nava Brindavana are worth seeing inside the Matha.

Raichur is situated in the eastern part of Karnataka. From the historical perspective, this district is very important.Raichur is known for producing good quality rice. It has also received acclaim as producer of cotton and oil seeds.

Location info:

Climate/Weather:

History:

The District of Raichur was a part of the Hyderabad State till the re-organisation of State on 1st November 1956. The recorded history of the district is traced to as far back as the third century B.C. The fact that three minor rock edicts of Ashoka are found in this district one at Maski in the Lingasugur taluk and the other two near Koppal, prove that this area was included in the dominions of the great Mauryan king Ashoka (273 - 236 B.C.). At that time, this region was under the governance of the Viceroy or Mahamatra of Ashoka. The Vakatakas, who reigned during the 3rd and 4th centuries A.D., seem to have held sway over Raichur for sometime, after which it appears to have been included in the Kadamba dominions. The next dynasty of importance, which ruled over this region, was that of the Chalukyas of Badami. According to an inscription from Aihole, Pulikeshi-II having defeated the Pallavas, occupied this area and made it a province in his empire under the governance of his son Adityavarma. Later the whole of the present Raichur district was included in the dominions of the Rashtrakutas, who rose to power in the eighth century, as could be gathered from the inscriptions of that period found in this district.

Numerous inscriptions of the Chalukyas of Kalyana, found in the various parts of the district, testify to the fact that this region was under their sway for a considerable length of time between the 10th and 12th centuries A.D. It is learnt from an inscription found at Naoli in Lingsugur taluk that during the reign of Chalukya Vikramaditya-V, the Adedore-pranta, i.e., the Raichur region, was being ruled by his younger brother Jagadekamalla-I. Another inscription from Maski describes the place as a capital and makes a reference to the reign of Jayasimha. There were, however, frequent wars between the Chola kings of the south and the Chalukyan kings of Kalyana for supremacy over the Raichur region and the territory had passed into the hands of the cholas for a brief period. The Haihayas and Sindas also seem to have ruled some parts of this region for sometime. Later, after the fall of the Chalukyas, Raichur passed into the hands of the Kalachuri kings. Then came the Kakatiyas in the 13th century. .

Educational Institutions:

• Academy Of Medical Education Dental
• Kalmathada Pujya Shri Virupaksha Sivacharya Ayurved Medical College and Hospital (KPSVS), Manvi
• Sri Virupaksha Sivacharya
• Navodaya College Of Physiotherapy
• Srimal Rikhabchand Sukhani College Of
• V. L. College Of Pharmacy
• Net Pharmacy College
• H. K. E. Societys Sln College Of Engg
• Bapuji T T I
• District Institute Of Education & Training - Government TTI
• Govt T T I , Sindanur
• S. R. K. College Of Teacher Education
• Shakuntala Bai Ramchandra College Of
• Tmae College Of Education,
• Seth Chunnilal Amar Chand Bhohar Law
• Govt Polytechnic, Raichur
• Nes Polytechnic, Kallur
• Smt B T Lalithanayak Iti
• Govt T T I, Sindhnur
• Govt First Grade College, Manvi
• S S R G Womens College
• T M A E College Of Arts
• College Of Agriculture
• Brb College Of Commerce
• Laxmi Venkatesh Desai College
• T S Samiti Womens College
• Govt Pu College, Lingsugur
• Srimathi Leeladharan Nair College Of Eng
• Ames Vutkoor Laxmaiah College Of Pharma
• Navodaya Medical College
• S. L. N. College Of Engg(slnce)
• A. M. E's Dental College And Hospital

Langauge

Culture:

How to reach?

Nearest Railway Station:Raichur is connected by railway lines with almost all the important places in South India. Raichur is on the main broad gauge trunk route from Chennai to Delhi via Hydrabad.

Railway Stations

• Raichur Railway Station
• Chiksugar Railway Station
• Matmari Railway Station
• Yermaras Railway Station

Road Transport:Raichur is connected by roads to almost all the important places in South India.

Bus Stations

• Deodurg Bus Station
• Manvi Bus Station
• Sindhnur Bus Station
• Lingsugur Bus Station
• Raichur Bus Station

Tourist Attraction

A tourist visiting Raichur should not miss the places like

• Ranganatha Temple
• Pampa Sarovara
• Kamal Mahal
• Huchchappayana Matha

Gabbur is one of the religious quarters of the district and has several old temples and inscriptions. In the old days, it was a center of education and was also known as Gopuragrama.

Bichal:Bichal, in Raichur taluk, is noted for the Matha of Sri Saviradevaru Channaveera Shivacharya Swami.

Deodurg:Deodurg is the headquarters town of the taluk of the same name and is about 34 miles (55 km) west of Raichur. It was formerly a stronghold of Bidar chieftains and has an old fort. Nearby, there is a hill, which contains talc.

The temple of Venkateshwara is a popular one amongst the temples of Raichur district and consists of three shrines, two of them containing the images of Vishnu and the third a linga. The carving on the outer walls of this temple represents elegant figures of various deities and animals, those of the elephants being particularly striking.

Anegundi, 135 km from Raichur, has some splendid temples from the Vijayanagar era such as the Ranganatha Temple and the Huchchappayana Matha. The Pampa Sarovara, the Kamal Mahal and Nava Brindavana enshrine the mortal remains of famous saints. Markandeshwara Temple is one of the oldest temples of Raichur district at Kallur.

Matmari, in Raichur taluk, is looked upon as a holy place. It has a temple dedicated to Veerabhadra and the well-known Matha of Sri Saviradevaru Channaveera Shivacharya Swami is nearby.

Markandeshwara Temple is one of the oldest shrines at Kallur, near Raichur, in Karnataka. Lord Shiva in the form of Markandeshwara is the presiding deity here.King Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar Empire, along with his family, is believed to have worshipped the lord here.

Narada Temple at Naradagadde:Built on Naradagadde, a picturesque island in the Krishna River, this temple is dedicated to the Celestial Sage, Narada. Naradagadde is also known as Kuruvapur.It is believed that the temple was built on the site where Sage Narada performed penance.

Malliabad:The whole village is filled with sounds of birds such as peacocks, wild pigeons, and doves. Several ancient monuments of Vijayanagar period around here are impressive.

Kotekal, in Manvi taluk, is situated on the Raichur-Lingsugur road, about 11 miles (18 km) from Lingsugur. The village has two hillocks, each having a fort at its top. Along the slopes of these hillocks have been found artifacts, iron-slag and gold-crushers, belonging to the prehistoric period.

Manvi is the headquarters town of the taluk of the same name.It has a well-known temple of Jagannathaswami and an old fort now in ruined condition.

Arkera:Famous for custard apples, Arkera is around 65 km south-west of Raichur.A hillock adjacent to the village, which was once filled with rocks and wild grass and shrubs, has now been turned into a green lush land. Fruit bearing trees and medicinal plants are cultivated on the hillock. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman and Maremma, the village goddess.]

Mudgal:Mudgal, in Lingsugur taluk, is one of the most important places of historical interest in the district, next in importance only to Raichur. A historical town, Mudgal has several inscriptions belonging to the Yadavas of Devagiri. The main attraction here are the remnants of the Mudgal fort and an ancient Roman Catholic Church.

The Tomb of the Muslim Saint:This is a beautiful structure, built in the Bijapur style, with a rectangular hall and a beautiful dome.

Citadel:The Bala Hisar or citadel is built at the top of the hillock and commands a good view of the interior of the fort as well as of the surround country. The view gives a good idea of the extent of the fort and of the large garrison, which could be accommodated therein.

Mudval, in Lingsugur taluk, is situated at about 12 miles (19 km) from Lingsugur.This is one of the important pre-historic sites of the district. Artifacts were found on the slopes of the hill about a mile and a half to the west of the village.

Devasugur is a village located in Raichur District, on the right bank of the Krishna River. It is noted for its Sugureswar or Veerabhadra Temple, where an annual Jatra is held in the month of Margashira, which attracts a large number of people.

Ganadhal: This picturesque place is enriched with hillocks, extensive green lands and numerous trees. Ganadhal is famous for a well known temple of Panchamukhi Prana Devaru which is situated on a hillock.

Ramagadde, in Raichur taluk, about 14 miles (23 km) north of Raichur, is a beautiful island in the Krishna. It is looked upon as a holy place

Somalpur, in Sindhanur taluk, about 14 miles (23 km) from Sindhanur, is well known for its Ambadevi temple, situated at the foot of a hill, where annually a fair takes place in the month of Pushya, which is largely attended.

Venkatapur:To the south of this village are two hills, along the skirts of which 45 cairns were found in a good condition of preservation. Some of them are in pairs. On the western side of these hills, there is another group of cairns with double rings

The Hill Fort of Raichur, is surrounded on there sides by massive, low circuit walls. the speciality of the inner walls, made of huge blocks of stone is that, they have been built without the aid of any cementing material. Kannada inscription can be found inside the fort.Built in 1294,A major attraction here is the huge stone slab,which is 41 ft in length depicts writing in Telugu .The stone inscriptions found here are in Persian and Arabic language which belonged to the bastion of the fort.It is also called the Hill Fort.The structure is surrounded by two low circuit walls.

Hatti, an ancient gold mining spot, is situated about 70 km from Raichur city. Hutti Gold Mine Company operates here. Due to the gold mining activity, the village has now been transformed into a township.

Kallur is a small village, about 13 km from Raichur. It is surrounded on all sides by granite hills.Markandeshwara Temple, noted for its beautifully carved pillars, is the prominent attraction here.

Kavital:Kavital, in Manvi taluk, is a large village, situated on the Raichur-Lingsugur road, about 40 miles (64 km) from Raichur and 18 miles (29 km) from Lingsugur. There is a hillock to the south-west of the village which has several natural caverns.

Koormagadde:Just near Naradagadde, there is Koormagadde (Kurumakshetra or Kuravakala) which has a Dattatreya Peetha and the samadhi of Sripadavallabha Swami. It is said to be the original place of Dattatreya.

Kotekal, in Manvi taluk, is situated on the Raichur-Lingsugur road, about 11 miles (18 km) from Lingsugur. The village has two hillocks, each having a fort at its top. Along the slopes of these hillocks have been found artifacts, iron-slag and gold-crushers, belonging to the prehistoric period.

Manvi is the headquarters town of the taluk of the same name.It has a well-known temple of Jagannathaswami and an old fort now in ruined condition.

Kuruvapur Village, or Naradagadde, is a beautiful island blessed by the Krishna River, 48 miles northeast of Raichur. This picturesque island.The magnificent temple dedicated to Narada. with a famous Shivayoga Peetha, is the landmark.

Ek Minar ki Masjid is built in Persian architecture style. With its two-storeyed 20 meter high minaret, the masjid is one of the major attractions of the town. There is a twisting staircase leading to the top.

Jami Masjid, one of the most beautiful and biggest of mosques, is located at Raichur. This magnificent structure has two entrances and six massive pillars. Near the Jami Masjid there is a cemetery belonging to the Adil Shahi dynasty. Remains of an ancient palace and a fort are also seen nearby.

Maski:Maski, in Lingsugur taluk, situated 17 miles (27 km) south-east of Lingsugur and 72 miles (116 km) south-west of Raichur. Popular for prehistoric excavations, various rock inscriptions have been discovered here. Axes, hammers, urns, beads of amethyst and other semi-precious stones, conch-shell items, and metal jewelry, of the fifth to third century have been unearthed here.

Devarbhupur:Devarbhupur, in Lingsugur taluk, about 11 miles (18 km) from Lingsugur, is noted for its Amareshwara temple and jaggery trade. The temple is beautifully situated amidst hillocks, which have green foliage.

Devarsugur:Devarsugur, in Raichur taluk, situated on the right bank of the Krishna river, is noted for its Sugureshwara or Veerabhadra temple.

Jaladurga:Jaladurga, in Lingsugur taluk, is an island fort situated picturesquely in the Krishna river, about eight miles (13 km) from Lingsugur.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

• Hotel Priya - Raichur
• Hotel Nrupatunga - Raichur

Links

Raichur District Major Attraction