Thirthahalli

Thirthahalli ತೀರ್ಥಹಳ್ಳಿ
—  town  —
Bridge across the river Tunga at Thirthahalli
Thirthahalli Location of Thirthahalli in Karnataka and India
Coordinates	13°42′N 75°14′E
Country	India
State	Karnataka
District(s)	Shimoga
Population • Density	14,806 (2001) • 2,505 /km2 (6,488 /sq mi)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	5.91 square kilometres (2.28 sq mi) • 591 metres (1,939 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 577 432 • Telephone • +08181 • Vehicle • KA-14
Website	www.thirthahallitown.gov.in

Thirthahalli (Kannada: ತೀರ್ಥಹಳ್ಳಿ, [t̪iɾt̪ʰəhʌɭɭi]) is a panchayat town located in the Shimoga District of the state of Karnataka, India. It lies on the bank of the river Tunga and is also the headquarters of the Thirthahalli Taluk of Shimoga district.

Etymology

According to a Hindu legend, the sage Parashurama using an axe, chopped off his mother Renuka's head on the orders of his father, the great sage Jamadagni. Later, Parashurama tried to wash the blood stains off the axe by dipping it in various rivers. Despite his best efforts, a sesame-sized blood stain remained on his axe. It was washed away only when he dipped his axe in the Tunga river near Thirthahalli. This place is now called as Parashurama Thirtha (or RamaThirtha) and is the origin of the name Thirthahalli (halli means village in the native Kannada language). Near RamaThirtha, there is a stone mantapa called Rama Mantapa. This legend has made Thirthahalli a holy place for Hindus with a belief that a dip in the river Tunga here will cure one of all sins.

History

Another legend related to the times of Ramayana, indicates that Maricha, a relative of the Lanka king Ravana came in the disguise of a golden deer to enchant Sita, the wife of Rama. When Sita requested Rama to get her the deer, Rama followed the deer and killed it. This incident is supposed to have happened near a place called Mrugavadhe in Thirthahalli Taluk. Mrugavadhe means Killing of an animal in the local Sanskrit language.

Thirthahalli has a rich archaeological history with Neolithic sites uncovered in Kunda Hill near Agumbe and portholed burial chambers found at Arehalli near Thirthahalli.

A small fort was constructed at Kavaledurga, near Thirthahalli at around 9th century AD. The king of Belagutti, Cheluvarangappa strengthened this fort in the 14th century. Venkatappa Nayaka, a Keladi king, acquired this fort and constructed seven battlements to protect this fort in the 16th century. Hyder Ali conquered this fort in the 18th century and later the fort came under the rule of Tipu Sultan and became part of the domain of the Wodeyar dynasty of Mysore.

Geography

Thirthahalli is located at 13.7°N 75.23°E / 13.7; 75.23. It has an average elevation of 591 metres (1938 feet). it is located in the midst of dense forests of the Western Ghats.

Transport

By Road

Thirthahalli is at a distance of about 60 km. from the district headquarters, Shimoga. From Shimoga, one has to take the National Highway NH-13 (Thirthahalli road) to reach Thirthahalli. From Bangalore, one has to take the National Highway NH-206 to reach Shimoga and then take the above mentioned route. The total distance from Bangalore to Thirthahalli is 332 km. From Mangalore, one can take NH-13 to reach Thirthahalli. The distance from Mangalore to Thirthahalli is around 146 km.There are numerous mini-buses from Udupi to Thirthahalli. From Udupi Railway Station,the distance to Thirthahalli is about 86 km.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is in Shimoga. Numerous trains run from Bangalore and Mysore to Shimoga.

By Air

Thirthahalli is a typical Malnad region, the best time to visit is between October and March. The nearest airport is Mangalore International Airport.

Tourism

Tunga Bridge

This town has a unique bridge built by Sir. M.Visvesvaraya across the Tunga River which connects Thirthahalli on one side to a place called Kuruvalli on the other side. Now, Kuruvalli has become an extension of Thirthahalli.

Sri Rameshwara Temple

Sri Rameshwara Temple is the main Hindu temple of Thirthahalli. This temple is made of stone and is on the banks of the river Tunga. It is near the place Parashurama Thirtha. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple has a Lingam which is said to have been installed by Sage Parashurama himself. The day when Parashurama cleansed his axe to remove the sesame-sized blood stain; is supposed to be the New Moon Day of Margashira month in the Hindu calendar. That particular day is termed as Yellu Amavasya day (Yellu meaning sesame and Amavasya meaning New Moon day) and every year on this day a festival termed as Yellu Amavasya Jatre is held in Thirthahalli.

Even though the festivities last for more than five days, three days are very important for the common public. On the day of Yellu Amavasya, the Utsava Moorthi (main idol) of Lord Sri Rameshwara is taken to the river and holy Abhishekam (consecration) is carried out on the idol in the Parashurama Thirtha. After this, the devotees take a holy dip at this place.

On the second day, the decorated temple chariot is pulled along the main street of Thirthahalli. This street; called as Car Street is a narrow street having a width of approximately 30 feet. The big chariot of the temple which occupies almost the whole width of the street, is pulled by devotees and the chariot even climbs a steep gradient on this road.

On the third day, the Utsava Moorthi is taken on a Teppa (raft) on river Tunga to the river bank at Kuruvalli and brought back. This celebration is called Teppotsava (raft-festival). On this day, a lot of colourful crackers are lit and also the river banks, Tunga Bridge and Rama Mantap are decorated with lights.

This festival normally falls on last half of December or the first half of January. This festival attracts thousands of people from other cities. this is the most holy place of thirthahalli and pradanaarchakaru was sri. Rajashekar bhat.

Ambuthirtha

its a place where river Sharavathi originates,this river with several tributaries forms a water falls in jog near Shimoga,popularly known as jog falls,it is believed in mythology that when Rama & Sitha were in period of vanavasa,Sitha got thirsty and asked Rama to fetch water..at that time there was no water source in that place,so Rama shot the arrow to a place from where the goddesses Ganga came and quenched her thirst,now also 24*7 water flows from that place.jog falls is the vital part of power source in Karnataka..

Anandagiri and Siddeshwara Gudda

Two hills adorn Thirthahalli town. First one is Anandagiri Gudda and the second one is Siddeshwara Gudda. Anandagiri Gudda is located on Shimoga Road and Siddeshwara Gudda is located on Agumbe Road near Balebailu. Both are reachable by walk from the town. One can climb Anandagiri Gudda during any time of the year. Its height may be around 200 to 300 feet (60 to 90 m). There is large mantapa with a big doom on this hill. One can relax on this mantapa and can enjoy scenic beauty. Tunga College is on the base of this hill. For climbing Siddeshwara Hill, the preferred months are October and November. This hill is also about 200 feet in height. From the top of this hill, one will be able to see the other big hills of Shimoga District such as Kodachadri and Kundadri.

Kuppalli

Kavishaila at Kuppalli

Located at a distance of 18 km from Thirthahalli[Thirthalli - Koppa road], Kuppalli is the native place of the great Kannada poet and playwright Kuvempu. Kavishaila and Kavimane are two historical places to see in Kuppalli.

Agumbe

Agumbe is a small town in Thirthahalli Taluk famous for being the location where the television serial Malgudi Days (based on a novel of the same name by the famous writer, R K Narayan) was shot. This town also attracts tourists who come to see a beautiful sunset over the valleys of the Western Ghats. On a clear day, the Arabian Sea can be seen from here. You can also see places such as barkana falls, jogi gundi, nishani hills and onake abbe falls which are very beautiful. This place is also known for its wild life, mainly king cobras. This is referred to as the world's first king cobra sanctuary.

Chibbalagudde

Famous temple of Sri Siddi Vinayaka and Matsyadhama which has lot of fishes at Tunga River. Chibbalagudde, is 10 KM apart from Thirthahalli, and is also near to Kuppalli.

Mathiga

Madaga is a beautiful place which is situated near Thirthahalli a 15 km distance from the town, where you can find the backwater and a submerged remains of the temple, and also it has a beautiful view of the backwater. It is between Kaimara and Yedur on the road from Thirthahalli to Kundapura via Mastikatte with a view of the backwater of Varahi Dam.

Kundadri Hill

Kundadri hills is situated near to Thirthahalli and Agumbe which has a beautiful pond and an old jain temple and also a very good view of the nearby villages you can get. It is 30 km from Thirthahalli town and 20 km from Agumbe near Megaravalli.

Sunset Point

Agumbe has the significant number of visitors to view a unique and beautiful sunset. The sun settles in the Arabian sea which is distance away from Agumbe and one of the good places to see the sun setting down most beautifully.

Notable People

Thirthahalli has a unique record that two persons who are natives of this Taluk are the recipients of the top most literary award of India, the Jnanapith Award. They are Kuvempu and U R Ananthamurthy.

Other noted persons associated with Thirthahalli are

• Kuvempu - RASTRAKAVI.
• Sri Shantaveri Gopala Gowda, great opposition leader of Karnataka Assembly, Leader of socialist movement, a great politician, very famous for "Kagodu Satyagraha"
• Sri Kadidal Manjappa, Former Chief Minister of Karnataka
• Justice N D Venkatesh :Former Justice of Karnataka High Court and the former President of Kuvempu Prathishtana
• Sri Nagaraja Rao H S, Freedom Fighter from Humchadakatte
• Sri. T S Ramachandra Rao (popularly known as TSR): Former editor of Prajavani, a well known Kannada newspaper
• Dr. B.V. Balakrishna, Radiologist and Founder Principal of Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences.
• Smt. M. K. Indira: A popular Kannada novelist.
• Sri. S V Parameshwara Bhatta: A popular Kannada writer.
• Sri.M.R.Dharmaiahgowda - 8th Director of Technical education board and one of division engineer.
• Justice. M Rama Jois: A popular judge; he was the former governor of the Jharkhand state of India and also has been the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Courts.
• Sri.E V Sathyanarayana: News Editor Prajanvai. Popularly known as EVS.
• Sri. Girish Kasaravalli: A well known Kannada film director with four Golden Lotus awards against his name.
• Sri. Poornachandra Tejaswi: Son of Kuvempu and a well known Kannada writer himself.
• Smt K V Lalithamma: Sportsperson
• Dr.Y.B.Prabhudeva, M.S.(Ay)., Well known ayurveda consultant, Dhanvantari Ayurveda Clinic & research Centre, kuvempu road, shimoga.
• Sri Anthony D'Souza (Mankikuppe) was a Ayurvedic doctor in the early 1900s. Social Service was his forte, gave medicines free of cost.
• Sri Alaka Thirthahalli, a noted playwright, story writer, poet; has secured prizes in literary at national and state levels.
• Sri Ramanna Gowda from Devangi, was born in 1870. He introduced education in Malnad region for women.
• Mr. Araga Jnanendra who has been elected as MLA from Thirthalli continuously 15 years (three terms).
• Presently Mr. Kimmane Rathnakar is elected as MLA 2007.
• C S Sudheer - Founder & CEO of India's First and the Only Financial Literacy Company IndianMoney.com.
• Prominent Kannada writer Ha.Ma.Nayak (Harogadde Manappa Nayak)
• B.S.Vishwanathan from basaravalli ex MLC and known for co-operative movement
• Diganth - Kannada cinema actor and former model.
• Kaviraj - one of the lyric writer of sandalwood.
• Shamita Malnad - one of the play back singer of sandalwood.
• Archana Udupa - one of the play back singer of sandalwood.
• Kodlu Ramakrishna - One of the Director of Kannada film industry.
• Praveen - Upcoming young Kannada actor.(jolly days)
• Rakesh -Upcoming young Kannada actor.(josh)
• Araga Ravi-Senior Reporter, Vijaya karnataka. and young writer

Education

Thirthahalli has 2 degree colleges. One is Tunga Mahavidyalaya, Another is Government Degree College and a Polytechnics college, Sahyadri Polytechnic.

• Tunga Mahavidyalaya

One of the famous Degree college in Thirthahalli. Affiliated to Kuvempu University. It offers graduation courses BA, B Sc., B Com., BCA and BBM. And also offers Pre-university courses in Arts, Science and Commerce.

• Sahyadri Polytechnic

One of the famous polytechnic in shivamogga district. It offers the courses like Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Computer Science and Commercial Practice.

• Govt Higher Primary Boys School.(Kuvempu Studied.)
• Govt High School.
• Govt Degree College.
• Govt Pre-university College.
• Sahyadri Higher Primary School
• Sevabharathi Higher Primary School.
• Sahyadri High School
• Sahyadri Pre-university College.
• St.Marry Higher Primary and High school.
• Vaghdevi Higher Primary and High school.
• Vaghdevi College of Education.(B ed)

Press & Media

Thirthahlli local News Papers List

Daily News Papers

• 1. Chalagara - Near marikamba Temple (Morning)
• 2. Bruhaspathivani - Near Gandhichowka (Morning)
• 3. Neladha Dhwani - Near S.B.M (Morning)

Weekly News Papers

• 1. Varadhi - Kushavathi
• 2. Vidhatha - Near S.B.M
• 3. Nimma Antharanga - Balebylu
• 4. Sahyadri Varthe - Azad Road
• 6. Lakshmeesh Pathrike - Near Taluk office

Cable Media

• Amoggh Cable Network - Seebinakere Circle

External links

• Thirthahalli Information Site.
• Official Website of Thirtahalli Town Panchayath