Honnavar taluk
 |
Honavar Taluk
ಹೊನ್ನಾವರ ತಾಲೂಕು | |
|---|---|
| Country |  India |
| State | Karnataka |
| Region | Kanara |
| District | Uttara Kannada |
| Government | |
| • Body | Taluk Panchayat, Honnavar |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 160,331 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Kannada |
| • Other Languages | Konkani, Nawayath, Marathi |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| Telephone code | +91-8387 |
| Vehicle registration | KA 47 |
Honavar Taluk is one of the five coastal taluks in the district of Uttara Kannada in Karnataka, India.
Geography
Honavar taluk has Arabian Sea to the west, Kumta Taluk to the North, Siddapur and Sagar taluks to the east and Bhatkal taluk to the south. The western part of the taluk towards Arabian sea is a plain with Paddy fields, Coconut and Areca plantation while the eastern part has Sahyadri hill range.
Demographics
As of the Census of 2011, there were 160,331 people, 32,808 households in Honavar Taluk, of which Males constitute 49.9% (80,018) and Females were 50.09% (80,313). A majority of the population (141,222) lives in rural villages while about 19,109 people live in semi-urban Honavar town, which is the headquarters of the taluk.
Most people in Honavar taluk are native speakers of Kannada language. There are sizeable numbers of people who speak other languages such as Konkani, Marathi, Nawayath, Tulu and Malayalam. This can be attributed to the fact that Honavar taluk, along with the rest of Uttara Kannada district was under Bombay Presidency till India got independence from the British in 1947. Also, it was part of different kingdoms at different times in the history.
Places of interest
Idagunji is an important place of worship in Uttara Kannada district. Idagunji has an ancient temple to Lord Ganesha constructed by Narada.
Karikanamma is a temple to Goddess Kali in Honavar taluk. The temple is on the Western Ghats and has picturesque surroundings.
Apsarkonda is a waterfall in the midst of hillocks near Honavar.
Sharavati River is one of the main attractions of Honavar. The river joins the Arabian Sea at Honnavar. While joining the sea, the river has created some islands. Among them, Mavinkurva is the largest and the most beautiful.
Colonel Hill is an place of interest in Honavar. It is a 30-meter tall column on the top of a hillock by the side of N-H 17. This column was installed in memory of Colonel Hill on 20 January 1845. It was set up by the 14th Madras Native Infantry at the instance of the East India Company in honour of Col. Hill who died at Gersoppa while commanding the Mysore Division.
Ramatirtha is another beautiful location in Honnavar. It is on the Honavar-Chandavar road about 3 km away. This pushkarini or water tank which is 50 steps below the ground level is very spacious. The water from a height falls into the tank from two points called Ramathirtha and Laxmanthirtha. According to local traditions, Sri Rama, Sita and Laxman had a holy dip in the tank during their exile.
Kasarkod beach is a tourist attraction of Honnavar. It is about 2 km from Honnavar. This beautiful sandy beach is about 5 km long. The waves, golden sand top and the enchanting scenic beauty attract thousands of tourists every day.
Keppa Jog is a smaller yet spectacular version of Jog Falls. It is situated deep in the hearts of Gerusoppa, which is a hilly village in Honavar Taluk.
Basavaraja Durga is a fortified spot is an 19 hectare island in the Arabian Sea. It is 3 km from the Sharavathi Sea Mouth and can be reached by boat. The fort was constructed during the Vijayanagara rule. In 1690, the Keladi ruler Shivappa Nayak captured it and named it Basavarajadurga in memory of the Keladi Prince Basavaraja.
Hahalingeshwra Temple Uple: Is a temple of god Shiva and Maha Nandi. it is very old Temple
'''Shree Adishkthi Jagadhamba Temple. Jaddikeri, Kattemane, Honnavar''' is famous to durga pooja . Here navarathri pooja fastival held by every year. This temple was innogarated by Shree Swarnavalli Matadeesh Shree Shree Shree Gangadhrendra Saraswathi Swamiji . Navaratri is a festival dedicated to the worship of the Hindu deity Durga. The word Navaratri means 'nine nights' in Sanskrit, nava meaning nine and ratri meaning nights.During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Devi are worshipped. The tenth day is commonly referred to as Vijayadashami or "Dussehra" (also spelled Dasera). Navaratri is an important major festival and is celebrated all over India and Nepal. Diwali the festival of lights is celebrated twenty days after Dasera. Though there are in total five types of Navaratri that come in a year, Sharad Navaratri is the most popular one. Hence, the term Navaratri is being used for Sharada Navaratri here.Navratri commences on the first day (pratipada) of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Ashwin. The festival is celebrated for nine nights once every year during the beginning of October, although as the dates of the festival are determined according to the lunar calendar, the festival may be held for a day more or a day less.
THE NINE AVTAARS OF MA DURGA AND THE COLORS OF EACH AVTAR
Day 1: SHAILPUTRI
She is the embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. It is in this form that the Goddess was worshipped as the consort of Lord Shiva. The color of the first day is Red. Red depicts action and vigor.
Day 2: BRAHMCHARINI
The one who practices devout austerity. She enlightens us in the magnificent embodiment of Durga with great powers and divine grace. She is blissful and endows happiness, peace, prosperity and grace upon all devotees who worship her. Filled with bliss and happiness she is the way to the emancipation or moksha. The color of the second day is Royal blue. The blue color is synonyms with a calm yet powerful energy.
Day 3: CHANDRAGHANTA
She is worshipped on the third day for peace, tranquility and prosperity in life. She is the apostle of bravery and possesses great strength to fight in the battle against demons. The color of the day is yellow. She represents beauty and grace.
Day 4: KUSHMUNDA
She is considered creator of the Universe. The Universe was no more than a void full of darkness, until her light spread in all directions like the rays of the sun. It is believed that Kushmunda created the Universe through a bout of laughter and made it verdant with vegetation. Hence the color of the day is green.
Day 5: SKAND MATA
She is the mother of Skanda, or Lord Karthikeya, who was chosen by the Gods as their commander in chief in the war against the demons. She is accompanies by the Lord Skanda in his infant form. The color of the day is Grey. The color grey indicates the vulnerability of a mother who can turn into a storm cloud when the need arises to protect her child from danger.
Day 6: KATYAYANI
Katyayani was born to the great sage Kata as an avtar of Durga. She was born Kata, dressed in orange exhibiting immenae courage. Hence the color of the day is orange.
Day 7: KALRATRI
She has a dark complexion, disheveled hair and a fearlessness posture. She has three eyes that shne bright and terrible flames emanate form her breath. She is black like the Goddess kali. She is the most fierce form of the Goddess Durga. She is dressed in white symbolizing that she will protect her devotees from harm. White embodies peace and prayer. The color of the day is white.
Day 8: MAHA GAURI
Maha Gauri is intelligent, peaceful and calm. It is said that due to her long austerities in the deep forests of the Himalayas, her color transformed from white to back. However, later when Lord Shiva cleaned her with the waters of the Ganga, her body regained its beauty and she became to be known as Maha Gauri, which means extremely white. She is said to destroy all the sins of time. The color of the day is Pink. The color Pink denotes hope and a fresh start.
Day 9: SIDDHIDATRI
She has supernatural healing powers. She has four arms and she is always in a blissful happy enchanting pose. She blesses all Gods, Saints, Yogis, Tantrics and all devotees as a manifestation of the mother Goddess. The Goddess is shown to be in a blissful state, just like the sky on a clear day. The color of the day is Sky Blue. The color represents a wonderment towards the beauty of nature.
The NINE colors of Navratri collectively represent the spirit of a woman, who possesses the grace and valor of the Goddess Durga herself.
Economy and Industry
Agriculture and Fishery are the major contributors to the economy of Honavar taluk. There are also a few Roof tile factories in the taluk that are on decline. Cashew nut processing, Beekeeping and Coir processing are the other businesses in the taluk.
Towns and villages
Honavar taluk consists of the following villages and towns.
Barnkeri
References
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