Facts About Karnataka – The modern state of Karnataka was created on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Re-organisation Act. Earlier the state was known as the State of Mysore, it was renamed Karnataka in 1973. The state is associated with a horde of historical activities since the ancient prehistoric civilization. The earliest of recorded history dates back more than two millenniums. The Satavahana dynasty ruled for around 300 years from 230 BCE till 3rd Century CE. This period led to the kingdom being given an independent stature the and the Kannada language gave an administrative status.

After Independence, the Mysore State was created in 1953, wherein all the Kanada dominant areas under different dispensations were unified and the enlarged Mysore state carved in 1956 and was renamed Karnataka in 1973. The word “Karnataka” is derived from the Kannada words “Karu” and “Nadu” which means “Elevated Land”.

Karnataka is the place where the two main river systems of India flow out to the Bay of Bengal. These are river Krishna and Kaveri.

Karnataka state Formation Day

Karnataka Formation Day is Celebrated on 1 November every year and in 1956 all the Kannada language speaking- regions of south India were merged to form the state of Karnataka. Know more information about Foundation Day of Indian States.

Government of Karnataka

State Symbols of Karnataka

Seats of Karnataka State

Wildlife Sanctuaries of Karnataka

• Adichunchunagiri Wild Life Sanctuary
• Arabithittu Wild Life Sanctuary
• Attiveri Wild Life Sanctuary
• Bhadra Wild Life Sanctuary
• Bhimgad Wild Life Sanctuary
• Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wild Life Sanctuary
• Chincholi Wild Life Sanctuary
• Dandeli Wild Life Sanctuary
• Daroji Bear Wild Life Sanctuary
• Ghataprabha Bird Wild Life Sanctuary
• Gudavi Wild Life Sanctuary
• Gudekote Sloth Bear Wild Life Sanctuary
• Malai Mahadeshwara Wild Life Sanctuary
• Melkote Temple Wild Life Sanctuary
• Mookambika Wild Life Sanctuary
• Nugu Wild Life Sanctuary
• Pushpagiri Wild Life Sanctuary
• Ranebennur Black Buck Wild Life Sanctuary
• Ranganathittu Bird Wild Life Sanctuary
• Ramadevara Betta Vulture Wild Life Sanctuary
• Rangayyanadurga Four-horned antelope
• Sharavathi Valley Wild Life Sanctuary
• Shettihalli Wild Life Sanctuary
• Someshwara Wild Life Sanctuary
• Talakaveri Wild Life Sanctuary

National Parks of Karnataka

• Anshi National Park
• Bandipur National Park
• Bannerghatta National Park
• Kudremukh National Park
• Nagarhole National Park

Thermal Power Plants in Karnataka

• Raichur Thermal Power station
• Bellary Thermal Power station

UNESCO Heritage Sites of Karnataka

• Group of Monuments at Hampi
• Group of Monuments at Pattadakal
• Western Ghats (Shared Site)

Famous Temples in Karnataka

• Udupi Sri Krishna Matha
• The Marikamba Temple at Sirsi
• The Sri Manjunatha Temple at Dharmasthala
• Kukke Subramanya Temple and Sharadamba Temple at Shringeri
• Shravanabelagola, Mudabidri and Karkala are famous for Jain history and monuments.
• Kudalasangama and Basavana Bagewadi are holy sites of Lingayats.

Other Heritage Sites of Karnataka

• The Amruteshwara Temple in Chikmagalur district
• Vatapi (famous for cave temples) in Bagalkot district
• Belur Temple in Hassan district
• Halebidu Temple (Hoysala Temples) in Hassan district
• Mysore Palace
• Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple in Nandi village
• The Kempegowda Fort located in Magadi
• The Golden Temple or Namdroling Monastery (Beautiful Buddhist Monastery) situated at Bylakuppe
• Mirjan Fort in Uttara Kannada district
• Sri Veera Narayana Temple in Belavadi village of Chikmagalur district.

Hill Stations of Karnataka

• Nandi Hills
• Kermana Gundi(Chikmagalur)
• Gangamoola
• Madikeri
• Kudremukh
• Biligiri Hills

Festivals celebrated in Karnataka

Ganesh Chaturthi, Basava Jayanthi, Deepavali, Ramzan, Ugadi, etc. are some of the important festivals celebrated in Karnataka.

Famous Dances of Karnataka

• Veeragase
• Kamsale
• Kolata
• Dollu Kunitha
• Yakshagana – Classical Dance Drama

Ports in Karnataka

Karnataka has one major and ten minor ports in this coastal belt.

• Major Port – New Mangalore Port

Famous Personalities 

• Shakuntala Devi – Famously known as Human-Computer
• Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
• RK Laxman – Cartoonist
• Basavaraj Rajaguru – The King of Hindustani Music
• H D Devegouda – Former Prime Minister of India
• Bhimsen Joshi – Khayal Singer
• KV Puttappa – Greatest poet of Kannada literature
• Purandara Dasa (1484-1564) – Known as the “Father of Carnatic Music”, he was born near Tirthahalli in Shivamogga (Shimoga) district.

Tidbits about Karnataka

• Kittur Rani Chennamma (1778-1829), Queen of the princely state of Kittur, was the first woman to lead an armed rebellion against British governance and kappa tax in 1824.
• Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha (KKGSS) in Bengeri in Hubli, is the only unit in India that is authorized to manufacture and supply the Flag of India.
• Karnataka hosts the maximum number of Jnanapith awardees. The state has won eight.

2011 Census

• The population of Karnataka is 6.25 crores (50.9% are male and 49.1% are female).
• Sex ratio is 973 females to 1000 males.
• The literacy rate is 75.4%.
• Child Sex Ratio is 948.

TRIVIA

1. Prakash Padukone and Ashwini Ponappa were born in Bengaluru. They are associated with which sport?

2. Mysore Palace was built by

3. Official Language of Karnataka is

4. Gersoppa Falls is also known as

5. Highest Peak in the state is

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