Kanakapura is a town and the headquarters of Kanakapura Taluk in the Ramanagar district in the state of Karnataka, India. Situated 55 km from the city Bengaluru, this town is famous for the production of silk and granite. It is located among the lush green forests of the state of Karnataka and The town is a tourism hotspot and an often visited tourist favorite in the entire state of Karnataka, as it has something for everyone ranging from avid trekkers to history buffs and wildlife enthusiasts.
Kanakapura is located at 12°33′N 77°25′E / 12.55°N 77.42°E / 12.55; 77.42. It has an average elevation of 638 metres (2093 feet).
Kanakapura is situated 55 km south to Bangalore on National Highway NH 209, on the banks of the river Arkavathi (Incarnation of River Kaveri) and 27 km from Ramanagar and 96 Km from Mysore.
As of 2001 India census, Kanakapura had a population of 47,047. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Kanakapura has an average literacy rate of 66%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 72%, and female literacy is 59%. In Kanakapura, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Kanakapur Lok Sabha constituency was a former Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka state in southern India. It includes eight Assembly constituencies, namely Ramanagar, Channapatna, Magadi, Kanakapur, Kunigal, Bangalore South, Anekal, and Rajarajeshwarinagar assembly segments. Tejashwini Sreeramesh of Indian National Congress was the last member to represent this constituency before it was abolished in 2008. Seven of the assembly segments were retained in the Bangalore Rural constituency created in 2008 as part of delimitation in Karnataka.