Belthangady

Belthangady

ಬೆಳ್ತಂಗಡಿ
Belthangady ಬೆಳ್ತಂಗಡಿ
Town
Country	India
State	Karnataka
District	Dakshina Kannada
Taluka	Belthangady
Area
• Total	8.87 km2 (3.42 sq mi)
Elevation	685 m (2,247 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	7,635
• Density	860/km2 (2,200/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Kannada
• Regional	Tulu, Konkani
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	574 214
Telephone code	08256
Vehicle registration	KA 21
Lok Sabha constituency	Dakshina Kannada
Vidhana Sabha constituency	Belthangady
Website	http://www.belthangaditown.mrc.gov.in/

Belthangady is a town panchayat and the headquarters of Belthangady taluk of the Dakshina Kannada (South Canara) district of Karnataka state in India.

The Town Panchayath Belthangady was established on 09/01/1996. The total extent of area of this Town Panchayath is 8.84sq/km and the population as per 2011 Census is 7,746. The town Panchayath consists of 11 wards. After the conclusion of the rule of Administrator a fresh election was conducted to the said Town Panchayath on 28/09/2007. Belthangady Town Panchayath is a class V located in Belthangady Taluk of Dakshina Kannada district. Belthangady TP has a total population of 7,746 as per census 2011. It is one of the least populated urban centre in the district. The total town area is 8.87sq.km consisting of 11 wards. It was formed in 1975. It is considered as an important trade center for agricultural products like areca, cashewnut, coconut and rubber. It is centre for various religious pilgrimages and tourist locations in the district.

Belthangady Town Panchayath is located in Belthangady Taluk in Dakshina Kannada District. It is 60 km east of Mangalore and the least urbanized Taluk in the district. Belthangady is located at 13.98 N Latitude and 75.3 E Longitude. It is situated at an average elevation of 685m from MSL. The town is located in the Northern part of the district and adjacent to the Chikmagalur district. It is at a distance of 57 km from the district headquarters Mangalore. The nearest urban centre is Ujire which is at 5 km from the town. The other urban centre like Guruvayanakere, Dharmasthala, Madanthyar, Bantwal and Moodbidri are located at a distance of 5 km, 15 km, 12 km, 35 km and 62 km respectively. The major roads passing through the town connecting to Mangalore and Chikmagalur via Bantwal and Belthangady. The other major road passing through the town are Udupi to Subramanya, Karkala to Dharmasthala, Chikmagalur to Mangalore and Puttur to Dharmasthala. The town does not have direct rail linkage. The nearest railway station is Bantwal located about 35 km from the town. The nearest airport is at Mangalore which is at a distance of 65 km from the town.

History

Belthangady is one of the five Talukas of Dakshina Kannada district which has a great history and heritage. Alasangadi, Bylangadi, Belthangady are the important places having historical significance. Belthangady now known as Bangadi was the capital of Banga arasas who ruled Dakshina Kannada district. Dharmasthala is one of the holy places in the taluk which is 16 km from Belthangady. The famous Manjunatha Temple located along River Nethravathi is here. The Jamalabad fort also known as the Narasimha Gada located just 6 km from the town. Tippu Sultan built the fort on the top of the hill & called it Jamalabad in memory of his mother Jamalabee. Venur, a Jain pilgrim centre is located 19 km from the town.

Geography

Belthangady is located at 13°59′00″N 75°18′00″E / 13.9833°N 75.3°E / 13.9833; 75.3.^[1] It has an average elevation of 685 metres (2247 feet).

Demographics

In the 2001 India census, the town of Belthangady had a population of 7,302. Males constituted 50% of the population and females 50%. Belthangady had an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 53% of the males and 47% of females being literate. In 2001 in the town of Belthangady, 11% of the population was under 6 years of age.^[2]

In the 2011 census, the town of Belthangady had a population of 7,635.^[3]

Baraya Palace

The Baraya Palace, is an abandoned (but well preserved) structure at Aladangady in the middle of a jungle, located about 60 km from Mangalore, which belonged to the Jain Ajila Kings of Aladangady. It is about 900 years old, built with mud walls and had a thatched roof, which was replaced by Mangalore Tiles about a century ago, and is maintained by the present heirs of the Jain Ajila Kings. There is ornamental wood work both inside and outside the palace, with 8 carved pillars, facing each other in 2 rows and supporting 4 solid wood beams.^[4]