Chapter III

people
Geographically, Karnataka occupies the centre tableland of the Deccan Plateau.
At times, it has been termed as an anthropological museum, where the people
of different racial traits are seen. Apart from the so-called Dravidians and IndoAryan races, the land has notable strains of other categories too. The Muslim
dynasties that ruled over the region attracted considerable number of Turks,
Afghans and other people from the Middle-East. Proximity to Goa made many
run-away Negro slaves from that region are believed to have come and settled
down on the territory bordering Goa, especially in Uttara Kannada and these
people are called Siddhis. Of late, certain settlements of the Tibetans have
also come into existence. Some places on the coast like Bhatkal has people of
Arabic origin and who are locally called Navayats, having settled down there
for centuries.
The Christian population here has a considerable strain of European element
in it, as the Portugese in Goa had married local women and considerable sections
of Goan Christians have migrated to Karnataka. The contact the coastal people
had with the Arab traders helped their mingling with the local population.
The various racial elements including the indigenous, the various religious
movements and regional customs have helped in evolving the Karnataka culture
which has shaped the life of the people.
Demography
According to 2001 census, Karnataka with an area of 1,91,791 sq. km. has
a population of 52,850,562 with 26,898,918 males and 25,951,644 females.
Karnataka State ranks 9th among the 28 States and 7 Union Territories in
the Indian Union both in respect of area and population as per 2001 census.
Karnatakas population constitutes 5.1% of Indias population. The projected
population in the state by 2008 was expected at 59,446,867 (for details see the
tables enclosed).
As can be seen from the trends in growth of population, there was a fall in
growth and a decrease during 1911-21 due to epidemics, plague and influenza.
In 30 years between 1901 and 1931 the population increased only about a
million and a half. The rate of growth of population has accelerated from 1951
onwards. The percentage growth rate of population during 1981-91 was 21.12
(Rural 17.65 and Urban 29.62) as against 26.76 during 1971-81 It reduced
to 17.50% during 1991-2001. (Rural 19.07 and Urban 50.65). Among the
districts, during 1981-91, Bangalore District has recorded the highest growth
rate of 35.10 per cent and newly formed Udupi district (1997) has registered
the lowest growth rate of 7.10 percent.

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The district-wise population of the State in 2001 and the percentage of

decennial increase between 1991 and 2001 are as follows: Bangalore 6,537,124
35.10%; Bangalore Rural 1,881,514-12.50%; Belgaum 4,214,505-17.60%;
Bellary 2,027,140-22.40%; Bidar 1,502,373-19.60%; Bijapur 1,806,91817.50%, Chickmagalur 2,65,462-9.30%; Chitradurga 15,17,896-09.30%;
Dakshina Kannada 1,897,730-14.90%; Dharwad 1,604,253-16.70%; Gulbarga
3,130,922-21.30%; Hassan 1,721,669-09.70%; Kodagu 548,561-12.30%; Kolar
2,536,069-14.40%; Mandya 1,763,705-07.30%; Mysore 2,641,027-15.80%;
Raichur 1,669,792-23.50%; Shimoga 1,642,545-13.10%; Tumkur 2,584,71112.10% and Uttara Kannada 1,353,644-10.90%.
Sex Ratio: The sex ratio is defined as the number of females for every 1000
males in a given area. The sex ratio of population in 2001 was 965. The rural sex
ratio was 977 and that of the urban ratio was 942, as compared to the figures
to that of 1991 (Rural 975, Urban 930; Total 961). The sex ratio has almost
remained the same for the total population of the state with a slight decrease
in the number of females whereas in the rural areas the ratio was higher and
in the urban areas it was a little less during 2001. During 2001, the districtwise sex ratio was as follows: Bagalkot 980; Bangalore 908; Bangalore Rural
955; Belgaum 960; Bellary 969; Bidar 949; Bijapur 950; Chamarajanagar 971;
Chickmagalur 984; Chitradurga 955; Dakshina Kannada 1022; Davanagere
952; Dharwad 949; Gadag 969; Gulbarga 966; Hassan 1004; Haveri 944;
Kodagu 996; Kolar 972; Koppal 983; Mandya 986; Mysore 964; Raichur 983;
Shimoga 978; Tumkur 967; Udupi 1130, and Uttara Kannada 971. These
figures indicate that the sex ratio in the districts of Bangalore, Bangalore
Rural, Belgaum, Bidar, Bijapur, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Dharwad, Haveri
and Mysore was less than the States average and Udupi has higher sex ratio
than other areas.
Density of Population: The number of persons for every square kilometre
area is called the density of population. The density of population in the state
was 235 in 1991 as against 194 in 1981 which is less than that of the country
(267 in 1991 as against 230 in 1981). Among 35 states and union territories in
the country Karnataka occupies the 20th position in density of population in
1991 and 2001.
According to 2001 census Bangalore District has registered the highest
density of 2,985 persons per sq. km and the lowest of 132 persons per sq.km.
in Kodagu and Uttara Kannada district. The density of population in the
urban areas of Bangalore district in 2001 was 10,375 per sq km and next
comes Mysore district which has a density of 5,508 per sq. km. in the urban
areas. Apart from Bangalore, Dakshina Kannada, Mysore, Mandya, Dharwad,
Bangalore Rural, Belgaum, Kolar and Davangere districts have a density of
more than 300 persons per sq. km. Those with a density between 250 and
300 were Haveri, Udupi, Bidar, Hassan and Bagalkot districts; with a density

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between 200 and 250 were Bidar, Chitradurga, Hassan and Tumkur. Raichur,
Tumkur, Bellary, Gadag, Mysore and Mandya districts have an urban density
of more than 5,000.
Marital status: According to 1990-91 census the total number of married
person under the age group 15-44 in the state was 1,32,55,554 (56,59,555
males, 75,95,999 females) and the percentage of these figures to the total
population was 64.24% (53.75% for males and 75.05% for females). Likewise
according to 2001 census the total number of married persons between 15-44
age group was 2,56,43,500 (1,30,79,600 males and 1,25,63900 females) and
among them 1,25,400 persons (19,200 males and 1,05,200 females) of between
age group 15 and 44 were either divorced or got separated.
Urbanisation: Karnataka stood 10th in the level of urbanisation in 1981
census and has moved to 11th rank in 1991 census among the States and
Union Territories in India. The rate of urbanisation is faster in Karnataka when
compared to other states of India. This trend has been growing from 1901
till 1991. In the 1991 census, there are 306 places in the State classified as
towns as against 281 towns in 1981 census. The State is becoming steadily
urbanised. It has a larger proportion of its population living in urban areas,
than the average for the country as a whole. The districtwise total number of
towns as per 1991 census was as follows: Bangalore 33; Bangalore Rural 9;
Belgaum 22; Bellary 12; Bidar 5; Bijapur 18; Chickmagalur 10; Chitradurga
10; Dakshina Kannada 27; Dharwad 20; Gulbarga 19; Hassan 13; Kodagu 9;
Kolar 15; Mandya 11; Mysore 18; Raichur 13; Shimoga 16; Tumkur 12 and
Uttara Kannada 14.
Urban Agglomeration and Cities: There were 22 Urban Aglomerations in
Karnataka as per 1991 census and they were Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore,
Belgaum, Gulblarga, Davanagere, Bijapur, Shimoga, Tumkur, Raichur,
K.G.F., Bhadravathi, Hospet, Bidar, Udupi, Hassan, Chitradurga, Gangavathi,
Shahabad, Sirsi, Arasikere and Wadi. The number of towns in each class and
their growth rate during the decade 1981-1991 in the State were as follows:
Class I- population 1,00,000 and above : 21, + 42.14, Class II- population
50,000 to 99,999: 17, +47.34; Class III- population 20,000 to 49,999 : 82+28.71;
Class IV-population 10,000 to 19,999 : 70, +27.27; Class V-population 5,000
to 9,999 : 2.08, -5.85 and Class VI population less than 5,000 :24, +23.42 (the
first figure indicates the number of towns and the second figure indicates the
growth rate). Accordingly to 2001 census 270 town in the state which included
the 24 urban agglomerations viz., Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Karwar,
Sirsi, Ankola, Kumta, Bhatkala, Belgaum, Ramadurg, Athani, Gulbarga,
Shahabad, Wadi, Harihara, Bijapur, Gangavathi, Robertsonpet (KGF), Bidar,
Udupi, Hassan, Arasikere, Channarayapatna, Chitradurga in the state. It
also included eight city corporations, 44 City Municipal Councils, 94 Town

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Municipal Councils, 68 Town Panchayats, besides the census towns, notified

area committee township.
Rural Areas: The rural areas include all villages and areas such as forest
and settlement not falling within the limits of a village. They comprise all areas
not classified as Urban. A village without any inhabitants is referred to as
uninhabited or bechirack. Bechirack literally means without any light.
According to 1991 census the district-wise rural population and the percentage
to the total population in the districts were as follows (The first figure indicates
the rural population and the second figure indicates the percentage to the total
population of the district):
Bangalore 6,69,909-13,84%; Bangalore Rural 13,69,908-81.87%; Belgaum
27,41,820-76.81%; Bellary 13,25,692-13%; Bidar 10,10,096-80.43%; Bijapur
22,39,244-76.48%; Chickmagalur 8,45,422-83.11%; Chitradurga 15,91,76573.00%; Dakshina Kannada 19,31,670-71.71%; Dharwad 22,79,259-65.06%;
Gulbarga 19,72,366-76.38%; Hassan 12,96.962-82.63%; Kodagu 4,10,51484.04%; Kolar 16,99,906-76,68%; Mandya 13,77,570-83.77%; Mysore
22,24,724-70.29%; Raichur 18,29,765-79.21%; Shimoga 14,03,621-73.50%;
Tumkur 19.23,656-83.43% and Uttara Kannada 9,25,744-75.86%. for
districtwise 2001 census rural population see the table at the end.
The total number of inhabited villages at each census from 1901 to 1991
were as follows: 1901-28,288, 1911 -28,548, 1921-28,349, 1931-28,635,
1941-28,290, 1951-27,629, 1961-26,377, 1971-26,826, 1981-27,028 and
1991 -27,066. In 2001 there were 27,481, inhabited and 1925 uninhabited
villages in the state. Refer chapter I for village details.
Houses, Households and Amenities
As per 2001 census there were 1,38,30,096 census houses (89,98,481 rural
(85%) and 48,31,615 (34.9%) (urban) and 1,02,32,133 (66.75,173 (65.2%)
rural and 35,56,960 (34.8%)urban) households in the state. Among the total
census houses, 1,26,57,293 were (95,51,113 residential, 5,18,186 residential
cum others, 7,79,024 shop and offices, 1,16,719 schools and colleges, 62,858
hotels-lodges and questhouses, 38,380 hospitals, dispensaries 1,80,891 factory,
workshops and sheds, 2,07,332 worshiping places and 12,02,790 other non
residentials. Occupied census houses and 11,72,803 were unoccupied census
houses.
Among the total house holds (1,02,32,133) 56,13,007 are permanent,
36,45,185 semipermanent 9,71,473 temporary and 2468 are of unclassified
nature. Among the total households, 60,25,364 depend on tap 17,50,387 on
handpumps . 8,76,001 on tubewells, 12,68,913 on wells 1,10,689 on tank
and ponds, 1,11,748 on river and canals 30,640 on springs and 54,491 on
other water sources likewise if 13,68,797 use pit latrine, 19,07,116 use water
closets 5,61,118 use other latrines and 63,95,107 (62,5%) households have

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no latrine at all. Similarly if 80,37,052 (78.5%) households have electricity,

21,26,345 have kerosene 21,989 have solar energy 5,187 have other oil 7,047
any other source as their lighting sources, 34,513 households have no lighting
at all. Regarding drainage and sanitation facilities if 17,66,563 households
have closed drainage and 34,75,862 have open drainage 49,89,708 households
have no drainage facilities at all.
Migration: Migration is one of the key factors in changing the size and
structure of the population. It may be temporary or permanent. Temporary
migration may be seasonal and it may be continued to certain periods in a year.
Generally, people from plains move to Malnad districts both during sowing
and harvesting seasons and later return to their houses. The migration of
females is mainly due to marriages. Other socio-cultural factors like education
and employment also contribute to the migration of the people. The number
of immigrants from the neighbouring states of Karnataka has increased
considerably between 1971 and 1981 and these figures are as follows: Andhra
Pradesh by 62,000; Kerala by 60,000; Maharashtra by 67,000 and Tamil Nadu
by 1.53 lakhs. There were 11.88 lakh persons hailing from other States in
India, 21,394 persons from other Asian countries and 2,859 persons from
non-Asian countries as in 1981. As per 2001 census there were 5,82,799
immigrants from Andhra Pradesh, 5,47,156 from Tamilnadu, 3,87,567 from
Maharastra, 2,83,764 from Kerala, 79,730 from Rajasthan, 38,679 from U.P.,
31,060 from West Bengal 29,898 from Bihar 25,375 from Gujarat 16,840
Orissa, 4,664 from Punjab, 4,664 from Jammu Kashmir, 1,02,925 from other
states and 44,305 from outside the country. Likewise from Karntaka there
were 12,67,421 emigrants to Maharastra, 2,88,862 to Andhra 1,32,882 to Goa,
1,19,993 to Tamilnadu, 55,685 to Kerala 28,098 to Gujarat 16,309 to Delhi
12,262 to Uttara Pradesh 10,432 to Madhya Pradesh, Bihar-9077, Rajasthan
8,294, West Bengal-5,327, Punjab 4,042, Haryana 3,293, Uttaranchal2,697, Chattisgarh 2,635, Jharkhand-2,274, Pondichery 2,023, Chandigarh,
1,830 Orissa-1,822, Jammu and Kashmir-1,452, Assam 1,438, and 4,0671
persons other parts of the country.
SC and ST population: Scheduled Castes means such castes, races, or
tribes or parts of groups within such castes, races or tribes as are deemed under
Article 341 of the Constitution of India. Scheduled Tribes means such tribes
or tribal communities as deemed so under Articles 342 of the Constitution.
In 1976, the Government of India by an amendment to the Scheduled Castes
and the Scheduled Tribes order published a list of Scheduled Castes and the
Scheduled Tribes for the State of Karnataka. According to 2001 census there
are 101 Schedule Caste and 49 Schedule Tribes in Karnataka. A vast majority
of people of the Schedule Caste and the Schedule Tribes live in rural areas.
According to 2001 census there were 85,63,930 Scheduled Castes people in
the State (64,17,243 in Rural and 21,46,687 in Urban) which is about 16.2%

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of the total population of the State and there were 34,63,986 Scheduled Tribes
people (29,34,530 Rural and 5,29,456 Urban) which is about 6.6% of the total
population of the State. Both the Central and the State Governments have
taken up a number of welfare measures for the upliftment of Scheduled Castes
and Scheduled Tribes and voluntary organisations are also functioning for
the benefit of the weaker sections of the community (see Chapter XII - Social
Welfare Measures for more details ).
Disabled Population: The census of disabled population was discontinued
since 1941 and however it has been continued during 1981, the International
Year of the Disabled. The data on crippled has been collected during 1981 for
the first time in the history of Indian Census. According to 1981 census, the
disabled population in the State is (the first figure in the bracket indicates
for Rural areas and the second figure in the bracket is of the Urban areas)
Dumb(14,970; 2,643); Blind(15,162; 2,944) and crippled (15,208; 3,803). For
a population of 10,000 there were six totally blind six totally crippled and six
totally dumb persons in rural areas and the corresponding figures for the urban
areas were three, four and three respectively. Incidence of disabilities is greater
in rural areas than in urban areas and this might be due to the lack of public
health services, sanitation, personal hygiene, cleanliness, food and nutrition.
The Central and the State governments and many voluntary organisations have
come forward with various kinds of programmes for the rehabilitation, of the
disabled (See chapter XII - Social Welfare Measures for more details). According
to 2001 census, among the total disabled population of 9,40,643 were 4,40,875
blind, 90,717 dump 48,861 deaf 2,66,551 crippled and 92,631 mental disorder
person.
Literacy: A person is treated as a literate if he can read and write with
understanding in any language. For this no minimum educational standard
or formal education is required. All children of the age group 0-4 are treated
as illterate. The percentage of literacy in the State according to 2001 census is
66.6% as against 47.05% in 1991; 38.41% in 1981; 31.52% in 1971 and 25.40%
in 1961. These figures indicate that there is a steady increase in the proportion
of literates to the total population. The trend has been maintained for both
male and female literacy in the State. Among the males it has improved from
41.62 percent in 1971 to 48.61 percent in 1981 and 56.41 percent in 1991 to
76.1% in 2001. Among the females, the literacy percentage has increased from
20.97 percent in 1971 to 27.83 percent in 1981 and 37.31 percent in 1991 to
56.9% in 2001. The male literacy rate has increased from 9.9 percent in 1901
to 76.1 percent in 2001 and that of the female literacy rate has increased from
0.6 percent in 1901 to 56.9 percent in 2001. In all the districts, literacy both
among the males and females has considerably improved. Bangalore district has
topped the list in the district wise female literacy rate (77.5%) in 2001 followed
by Dakshina Kannada (77.2%), Udupi (75.2%) and Kodagu (72.3%). Raichur

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still has the lowest literacy rate in the State. The district-wise literacy rate
according to 2001 was as follows: Bagalkot 57.3%; Bangalore 83%; Bangalore
Rural 64.7%; Belgaum 64.2%; Bellary 57.4%; Bidar 60.9%; Bijapur 57%;
Chamarajanagar 50.9%; Chikmagalur 72.2%; Chitradurga 64.5%; Davanagere
67.4%; Dakshina Kannada 83.4%; Dharwad 71.6%; Gadag 66.1%; Gulbarga
50%; Hassan 68.6%; Haveri 67.8%; Kodagu 78%; Kolar 62.8%; Koppal 54.1%;
Mandya 61%; Mysore 63.5%; Raichur 48.8%; Shimoga 74.5%; Tumkur 67%;
Udupi 81.2%; Uttara Kannada 76.6%. But in general, Dakshina Kannada
(83.4%) was in top and pushed Bangalore in a minute difference (83%) to next
and Udupi (81.2%) comes under third place. Bangalore was in top place in 1991
census. The literacy rate of urban areas under the existing 27 districts (2001)
of the state were as follows: Kodagu District topped the list (89.7%) followed by
Udupi district (89.5%) and Raichur has the lowest rate in the state (66.9%). In
the males and females literacy rate Dakshina Kannada dist. topped the list for
males (89.7%) and Bangalore District topped the list for females (77.5%).
Languages: As many as 15 languages are recognised in our Constitution as
the main languages of the country. Though Kannada is the principal language
of the state, accounting for more than 65% of the total population (according to
1981census) there are people who speak other major languages also. According
to 1981 census the number of persons speaking some major languages in the
State was as follows: Assamese 157; Bengali 10,226; Gujarathi 36,390; Hindi
6,57,561; Kannada 2,41,99,576; Kashmiri 94; Konkani 6,40,738; Malayalam
5,90,709; Marathi 13,91,311; Oriya 2,118; Punjabi 9,536; Samskrita 509;
Sindhi 11,597; Tamil 13,85,313; Telugu 29,93,501; Tulu 12,17,834 and Urdu
35,12,831.
According to 1991 census, 66.22% of the population of the state were
speaking Kannada, Urdu 9.96% Telugu 7.3%, Tamil 3.84%, Marathi 3.65, Tulu
3.07%, Hindi 1.97%, Malayalam 1.68%, Konkani 1.75%, Coorgi 0.21%.
Religions
Karnataka is a land of many religions. Every religion has contributed in
its own way in shaping the life and activities of the people and promoting the
culture of Karnataka. Majority of people in Karnataka are adherent to Hinduism
and the other major religions of the State are Buddhism, Christianity, Jainism,
Islam and Sikkhism.
According to 1991 census the population and the percentage of the total
population of different religions and religions not stated were as follows (the
first figure in the bracket indicates the population and the second figure is
the percentage of the total population : Buddhists (73,012 - 0.16), Christians
(8,59,478 - 1.91), Hindus (3,84,32,027 - 85.45), Jains (3,26,114 - 0.73),
Muslims (52,34,023 - 11.64), Sikhs (10,101 - 0.02), other religions and
persuations (6,325 - 0.01) and religion not stated (36,121 -0.08).

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According to 2001 census the population and the percentage of the total
population of different religions are as follows (the first figure indicates the
population and the second figure is the percentage of the total population)
Buddhists 393300, 0.74; Christians 1009164, 1.90; Hindus 44321279, 83.86;
Jains 412659,0.78; Muslims 6463127,12.23; Others 115460, 0.22; Religion not
stated 120247, 0.23; Sikhs 15326,0.02. For districtwise detail see the table.
Hinduism: Hinduism comprises of several sects and faiths. The Hindu
Code denotes all persons who profess Hindu religion either by birth by Hindu
parents or by conversion. All Indians who are not Muslims, Christians,
Parsees or Jews, can be termed as Hindus. Hinduism according to Hindu Law
includes followers of Vedic tradition, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Veerashaivas,
Arya Samajists, Bramhos and the followers of aministic cults including Bhuta
worship etc. There are a number of cults and religious practices, among Hindus.
Gokarna is an important Shaiva centre of great antiquity. Pranaveshwara
temple at Talagunda is one of the oldest among the Shiva shrines of India.
Shankaracharya (circa 788-820) visited Karnataka and the Sringeri Peetha
is one of the four mathas believed to have been
founded by him in India. He preached the doctrine of
Monism or Advaitha, according to which Brahma or
the Supreme Being alone is real and the universe is
illusory or Maya. He advised people to worship any
of the six deities, Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, Kartikeya,
Ganapathi or Surya. In addition to Sringeri, Shankara
Mathas were also founded later at Kudali, Shivaganga,
Avani and Sankeshwara in Karnataka. Many groups
of Brahmanas like the Badaganadu, Mulukanadu,
Babburakamme, Kota, Karade, Hoysala Karnataka,
Uluchukamme, and Chitpavan are adherents of the
school of Shankara in Karnataka.
Shankaracharya
Veerashaivism: Veerashaivism is a full blown offshoot of earlier Shaivism.
Five Acharyas had earlier taught this cult. It was
popularised by Basava (circa 1131-1167), th e
Treasurer of Kalachuri Bijjala of Kalyana. Basava
and his contemporaries preached their religion in
Kannada. The Veerashaiva teachers preached through
Vachanas (poetic-prose) and they propagated the
worship of Shiva and the leading of a life of morality
and condemned social evils like caste differences and
untouchability. Basava stressed the dignity of labour
by his statement Kayakave kailasa (worship through
work) and wanted every Veerashaiva to follow some
useful profession to earn his rightful livehood. Jedara
Jagajyoti Basaveshwara

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Dasimayya and Ekantada Ramayya, two saints who had preceded Basava and
contemporaries of Basava like Allama Prabhu, Channabasava, Siddarama,
Madivala Machayya (a washerman), Kakkayya (a cobbler), Hadapada Appanna
(a barber) and women like Akka Mahadevi, Akka Nagamma, Neelambika
Muktayakka and others were among those who composed Vachanas and
profounded this philosophy. The Veerashaivas are a major section and are
recognised by the Ishtalinga which they wear on their body. The practice of
dasoha led to the starting of free hostels by the Veerashaiva Mathas and
in the long run to educational institutions. The Veerashaivas are rendering
yeoman service in the field of education in the state.
Natha Pantha, believed to be a blend of Mahayana
Buddhism and Shaivism, was also popular in
Karnataka. Natha Pantha Mathas are found in many
parts beginning from Handi Badaganath in Belgaum
District to Kadri and Vittala in Dakshina Kannada.
Adichunchangiri in Nagamangala taluk of Mandya
district was once a centre of this cult. Dattatreya
worship (influenced by the Natha Pantha) is a popular
cult in Karnataka. Narasimha Saraswathi (1378-1455)
believed to be an avatara of Dattatreya had visited
Bidar and is described to have cured Bahamani Sultan,
Allaudin of some serious sickness. Devara Ganagapur
in Gulbarga district, Kurugadda in Raichur District
Narasimha Temple, Ganagapur and Baba Budangiri in Chikamagalur district are a few
notable centres of Dattatreya worship in Karnataka.
Another form of Shaivism that was and is popular in Karnataka is the
worship of Mailara and his consort Malachi (Malavva). Centres of this worship
are found at Adi and Mangsuli in Bidar district, Mailara in Bellary district,
Guddadaguddapur in Haveri district and Bellur in Mandya District are the
other important centres of this seet. Promoters of
this cult, wearing red robes and a cap made of bear
skin are found even today and are called Goravas or
Vaggayyas.
Vaishnavism is another old religion in Karnataka.
Some of the early Ganga rulers were also Vaishnavas.
Ramanuja (1017-1137) who was born at Sriperumbudur
in Tamil Nadu, came to Karnataka during the beginning
of the twelth century. His parents were Bhumi Piratti
(Kantimati) and Keshava Perumala. Ramanuja taught
qualified monism or Vishishtadwaitha. Vishnu is the
Supreme Deity, accompanied by his consort Lakshmi
and she represents divine grace. Lakshmi is the

Ramanujacharya

A Handbook of Karnataka
mediator between God and men. That is why this religion
is called Srivaishnavism. Ramanuja tried to preach to
all in the society and even admitted the untouchables
into the temples on specified days in a year. Many fine
Vaishanava temples including the one at Belur in the
Hoysalas style were constructed during this time. Melkote
has the famous Cheluvarayaswamy temple and Mysore
City has the famous Parakala matha of this cult. After
Ramanuja came Acharya Madhwa (1238-1317) who was
born at Pajaka near Udupi. He preached the philosophy
of Dualism or Dwaita and worship of Vishnu, who is the
Supreme Devotee according to him. The teachings of
both Ramanuja and Madhwa, who propounded Bhakti
(devotion) gave an impetus to the Bhakti Movement of
North India. He started eight Mathas to conduct the worship
of the Lord Krishna in turns. Uttaradi Matha at Hospet and
Raghavendra Brindavana at Mantralaya in Andhra Pradesh
are other noted centres of this sect.

132

Madhwacharya

Worship of Shakti or the Mother Deity is found in various

forms in different parts of the state. Most of the villages have
village deities who are believed to protect the villages. The
epidemics like cholera, small pox, plague etc. are believed
to be caused by the anger of the Mother Deities. These
deities are also called Gramadevatas under different names
like Maramma, Malagamma, Yellamma, Renukamma,
Kolaramma, Kolar
Durgamma, Dyamawwa and Kalikadevi in different parts of the state. A village
deity is often represented by an image, a shapeless stone or some other symbol
and in many places, She has shrines built in her honour. There can be wooden
images also, some of them gaily painted. Blood sacrifice was also offered to
these deities. Yellamma at Saudatti, Kolaramma at Kolar, Banashankaramma
at Banashankari, Marikamba at Sirsi, Mayavva at Chincholi (Belgaum district)
and Chandralamba at Sannati are some notable centres of such worhsip. The
Jatra of Madduramma at Huskur (where the priests are from the Scheduled
Castes) near Bangalore is attended by scores of thousands.
Buddhism: Buddhism was popular in Karnataka from the
time of Ashoka. It is believed that Ashoka had sent Buddhist
missionaries to Banavasi. Hiuen- Tsiang who visited
Karnataka in about 640 A.D. says that Banavasi country
had hundreds of Viharas. At Sannati and Kanaganahalli
(Gulbarga district), remains of Stupas of Shatavahana times
have been unearthed. There are Buddist monuments of
Chalukyan times at Badami and Aihole in Bijapur district.

Buddha Aihole

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133

Tharabhagavati images have been found at Belgavi (Balligave, Shimoga Dt.)

and Koliwada (Dharwad Dt). Many Buddhist remains were unearthed in and
around Hampi. Some of the centres of Buddhist worship as in Kadiri later were
converted into centres of Shaiva worship and Manjushri at Dharmastala became
Manjunatha. They came under the influence of the Natha Panthis. There are
worderful 10th Century bronze images at Kadri which include Lokeshwara.
There is a Mahabodi Society at Bangalore active both in social and spiritual
activities. Of late many SCs have embraced Neo-Buddhism.
Jainism: Jainism has been an important religion of Karnataka and it
has contributed quite substantially to the culture
of Karnataka. Bhadrabahu, the last Shrutakevalin,
migrated to Karnataka with a large number of followers
including a Maurya prince and spent his last years at
Shravanabelgola. Banavasi Kadambas built Jaina basti
at Halsi, the ancient Palashika in Belgaum dt. The
Gangas highly patronised Jainism and famous Gomata
monolith at Shravanabelagola was erected (Circa 982)
by Chavundaraya noted scholar and Ganga general.
But even before that Gommata sculpture was erected
at Aretippur in Madaur taluk as early s\as 918 A.D.
Besides Bastis were built at Shravanabelgola, Manne
and Kambadahalli during the Ganga rule. There were Gomata, Shravanabelagola
Jaina scholars like Pujyapada (Devanandi) and Kundakunda in the Ganga
court and Kannada authors Nemichandra and Chavundaraya were also Jains.
The Kadambas, the Rashtrakutas and Chalukyas of Kalyana were the great
patrons of Jainism. Great mathematician Mahavira, the earliest Kannada poets
Srivijaya, Pampa, Ponna and Ranna who were Jains. Gommata monoliths were
erected at Gommatagiri in Hunsur Taluk (Mysore district), Karkala in Udupi
dt. (1432), Venuru (1603) and recently at Dharmasthala (1982) in Dakshina
Kannada District. The Jains in Karnataka are mostly followers of the Digambara
sect and Swetamabaras came in recent years from Gujarat and Rajasthan
mainly to trade and are found mostly in commercial and urban towns.
Sikhism: Sikhism also has left Its Imprint on Karnataka. Guru Nanak is
believed to have visited Bidar and there is
Guru Nanak Jhira Sahib in his memory. One
of the close disciples (Panch Piyares) of Guru
Govind, Bhal Sahib Chand (later known as
Sahib Singh), a barber, was from Bidar and
he was among the five who were initiated to
the Khalsa. Considerable number of Sikhs
took service under Hyder and Tipu and many
have come and settled down in the cities of
Guru Nanak Jhira, Bidar

A Handbook of Karnataka

134

Karnataka in recent decades. There are Gurudwaras at Bangalore, Gulbarga

and Hubli.
Islam: Islam entered Karnataka soon after its propagation in Arabia as Arabs
were trading at the ports of Karnataka. Some of the Arabs had settled on the
West Coast and inscriptions speak of them as Tajjikas. As testified by Sanjan
plates, the Rashtrakutas had a Tajjika Governor and Arab travellers also speak
of Muslim settlement in the major commercial centres of Rashtrakuta empire.
Their guild called Hanjamana (Anjuman) is mentioned in the records of the
Kadambas of Goa, Alupas of Dakshina Kannada and of Vijayanagara. The
Navayats and the Mapilles (Moplas) are the Muslims from Karnataka Coast,
who follow the Shafi sect like the Arabs. The Afghan, Turks, Persians etc. are
called Dakhni Muslims, who speak Urdu and belong to Hanafl sect. Islam
introduced the Persian and the Arabic languages into Karnataka and Dakhni
Urdu also developed in the South. Fine Indo-Sarsenic monuments at Gulbarga,
Bidar, Bijapur, Shahpur, Sagara, Gogi, Ashttur, Sira and Srirangapatna have
the pride of place in the history of
Islamic art of Karnataka. The Sufi sect
is also popular in Karnataka and the
tomb of Bande Nawaz Gesu Daravaz
at Gulbarga is higly venerated by
all. The Sufi saints received royal
patronage from Bahmani rulers and
they were active at Gulbarga, Bidar
and Bijapur. The Muslims introduced
coffee, paper and agarbatti [joss
stick) industry into Karnataka. Tipu
Juma Masjid (Masjid-E-Ala), Srirangapattana
introduced sericulture.
Christianity: With the advent of the Portugese,
Catholic Christians entered Karnataka. Portugese
founded factories at Mangalore, Kundapura and
Honavar where they also tried to secure converts
to their religion in the days of Vijayanagara.
Inquisition, epidemic and famines forced many
Catholic Christians to leave Goa and enter
Karnataka. Keladi rulers encouraged their
migration as the Christians had acquired new
techniquesin agriculture and animal husbandry.
Keladi Channamma granted a site to them to build
a church at Mangalore. During the beginning
of the 19th century, Protestant missionaries
like the Basel Mission, the London Mission and
the Wesleyan Mission entered Karnataka. The

St. Marys Basilica, Bangalore

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135

London Mission was first founded at Bellary in 1810 and from there they came
to Bangalore in 1820. The wesleyans started their activites in princely Mysore
from 1821 and the Basel Mission started its activity in Mangalore in 1834
and later spread to other places like Dharwad, Hubli, Haveri and Gadag. The
Basel Mission started the first Kannada news paper, Mangaluru Samachara in
1843 and printed Kannada classics which were found written on palm leaves.
Both Catholics and Protestants popularised English education in Karnataka
by opening schools at Mangalore, Madikeri, Bangalore, Bellary, Dharwad
and Belgaum. They also took up service in the field of healing and ran many
hospitals.
Modern Religious Movements: The modern
religious movements like Brahma Samaj, Arya
Samaj, Theosophical Society, Ramakrishna
Mission, Chinmaya Mission and Prajapitha
Brahma Kumari Ishwariya Vishwavidyalaya
have influenced the life of Karnataka by starting
their activities in the State. The Theosophical
Society started functioning in the State in 1886
with its first unit at Bangalore City followed
by Bangalore Cantonment unit in the same
year and subsequently started its branches
in various places like Mangalore (1901) and
Dharwad (1902). The Ramakrishna Mission was
first started at Bangalore in 1904 followed by
one at Mysore in 1927. Swami Vivekananda had
Swami Vivekananda
visited Belgaum and Mysore in 1892 and the then Mysore ruler Chamaraja
Wodeyar extended financial help to Swami Vivekananda for his journey to
Chicago. A trusted follower of Swami Vivekananda, Alasinga Perumal (18651909) was from Chikmagalur and he founded the journal Brahmavadin from
Madras at the Swamis instance.
Brahma Samaj opened its first branch in Karnataka at Bangalore in 1866
followed by branches at Mangalore and Mysore. Kudmul Ranga Rao, who
started Depressed Classes Mission at Mangalore in 1897 was influenced by
Brahma Samaj. Sir Narayan Chandavarkar of the Prarthana Samaj hailed from
Honnavar in Uttara Kannada.
Arya Samaj started functioning in Mysore State by early 1880s and a branch
was opened at Mangalore in 1919 and at Bangalore in 1922. The modern
religious movements have not only played an important role in social reforms
such as work against untouchability and emancipation of women but also in
promotion of moral education. Men like Sir Sheshadri Iyer, the Dewan of Mysore
were influenced by these movements and enacted laws aimed at social reform.

A Handbook of Karnataka

136

Festivals and Fairs

The Hindus have several religious holy days,
occasions of festivals and fasts throughout
the year. Some of the important festivals for
Hindus are: New Year Day or Ugadi (the first
day of Chaitra month); Ramanavami (the birth
day of Lord Rama, the ninth day of Chaitra);
Basava Jayanthi the birth day of Basaweshwara
A Jatra Scene
(Akshayatritiya); Shankara Jayanthi the birth
day of Acharya Shankara (Vaishaka Shuddha Panchami); Kara Hunnime (full
moon day of Jyestha, a festival for peasants); Ashadha
Ekadashi (the eleventh day of the bright half of Ashadha);
BheemanaAmavasya (New Moon day of Ashadha);
Nagapanchami the festival of Serpent God (on the fifth day
of Shravana); Gokulashtami, the birth day of Lord Krishna
(the eighth day of the dark fortnight of Shravana); Ganesh
Chaturthi (fourth day of the bright half of Bhadrapada when
God Ganesh is worshiped); Navarathri or Dasara (first ten
days of Ashweeja Masa); Deepavali (thirteenth day of dark
half of Ashvija) and the festival of light and day to worship
Goddess of Wealth Lakshmi (lasts for five days); Bhogi
and Makara Sankranthi (on the 13th and 14th January, Karaga, Malleshwaram
respectively); Mahashivarathri 13th or the 14th day of the dark fortnight of
Magha, a festival in honour of God Shiva; and Holi or Kamana Habba, marking
the death of Kama (God of Love) on the full moon day of Phalguna, marked in
places with much noise and gay abandon.
In many places, Navarathri is also celebrated as Nada Habba (State festival)
and in Mysore, on Vijayadashami day
(the victorious tenth day), the statue of
Goddess Chamundeshvari is taken in a
colourful procession to Bannimantapa
with all pomp and pageantry, consisting
of tableaux of historical episodes,
infantry, mounted horses, Bharat
Scouts and Girl Guides, NCC., Bharat
Seva Dal etc. Rama Navami and
Ganesh Chaturthi are marked by public
celebrations accompanied by speeches,
dance and music recitals. Kodavas have
Dasara Procession, Mysore
three important festivals like Koil Muhurta, Cauvery Sankramana and Huthri
(harvest festival).
The chief Muslim festivals are Id-ul-fitar or breaking the fast, which marks
the conclusion of Ramazan; Idul-ul-Zuha or Bakrid which is held on the ninth

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137

day of the month called Zil-hajah and the Shab-e-Barat which is celebrated
during the evening of the fifteenth day of the month of Shaban. Moharram is
celebrated publicly in many places by honouring symbols called tabuts.
The Christians observe the New Year day, Good Friday, Ascension day. Feast
of St. Joseph, Easter Sunday (the Day of Resurrection), birth day of Mary,
Christmas (the birth day of Christ), Thanks Giving Day, Harvest festival and
church anniversary.
The Jains celebrate most of the Hindu festivals in
their own way and according to their own tradition
and they give importance for fasting, praying and
hearing the recitation of the religious texts. Some of
the important festivals observed by them are Chaitra
Pratipad (Ugadi) to commemorate the victorious
Digvijaya of Bharata, son of Teerthankara Adinatha
(Vrishabhadeva); Mahavira Jayanthi (Chaitra Shukla
Trayodashi); Dasara (Vijayadashami) is believed to
be the date when Adinatha attained Kevala Jnana
or enlightment and the date when his son Bharata
secured his disc or Chakraratna); Deepavali (celebrated
as the date of Mahanirvana of Mahavira and they
Mahamasthakabhisheka
worship Lakshmi and Jnana Lakshmi) and Shivaratri
Dharmasthala
(celebrated as Jinaratri as Adinatha is believed to have attained salvation on
the dark 14th of Magha).
The Sikhs observe Guru Nanaks birth day of Karteeka Pournima and
Gurudwara inauguration day at Nanak Jhira, Bidar with enthusiasm and
pomp with akhand pathan of Guru Granth Sahib. Kirtan and Satsang attract
a large number of Sikhs from many places.
Jatras: Every year, the Jatras (fairs) are held in
honour of village dieties (grama devathas) generally
after the harvest takes place. In Hindu temples,
Muslim dargahs, Jain bastis and in other holy
places of worship people celebrate annual festivals.
Men,women, people of rural and urban areas take
part in these jatras with full enthusiasm without
discrimination of caste, creed and religion. Itinerary
merchants open their stalls to sell toys, sweets,
sarees, vessels, bangles and other items during
these jatras. Cattle fairs are also held in many
places during the jatras and these are the centres
of large trade and commerce. Jatras promote social
and religious harmony among various sections of
the society.

Gold Chariot, Udupi

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138

Districtwise list of some important Jatras and Uruses is given below

attendance
Place
Bagalkot dt.
Sivayogamandir,
Badami taluk
Bangalore district
Bangalore city
Nagartharapete

Month*

Deity / Saint in
Whose honour the
jatra is Help

Jan/Feb.

Hanagal Kumara
Swamy

No. of
days

Approximate
attendance

50,000

Apr.

Dharmaraya
(Karaga)

5 lakhs

Basavanagudi

Nov.

Basavanna
(Groundnut fair)

50,000

Hanumanthanagar

Aug.

Kumaraswamy

3 lakhs

Feb/Mar.

Madduramma

40,000

Ranganatha

1 lakh

1 lakh

50,000

25,000

Bangalore Rural dt.

Huskur, Anekal taluk
Magadi
Melinajuganahalli,
Doddaballapur taluk
Shivagange
Nelamangala Taluk
Belgaum dt.
Panth Balekundri,
Belgaum taluk
Saundatti
Handi Badaganatha
Khanapur Tq.
Chinchili, Raibag taluk
Bellary dt.
Mailara, Hadagali
taluk
Hampi, Hospet taluk
Bellary
Kurugodu, Bellary Tq.
Sandur
Yashvantanagar,

Apr.

Jan
(Sankranti)

Ghati
Subrahmanya
Gangadhareshwara

Apr/May

Datta Maharaj

Oct/Nov/Dec
(Bi - annual)

Yellamma devi

Dec.

Feb.
(Shivaratri)

Kalabhairava

50,000

Feb

Mayavva

1 lakh

Apr.

Mailaralinga

2 lakhs

Nov.
Feb.
Apr.
Nov.
Apr.

Virupaksha
Malleshwara
Basaveshwara
Kumaraswamy
Siddarameshwara

4
7
2
4
2

2 lakhs
80,000
50,000
20,000
50,000

Jan/Feb.

Basaveshwara

50,000

25,000

3
7

50,000
30,000

Sandur taluk
Kottur, Kudligi taluk

More than
1 lakh

Bidar dt.
Basavakalyana

(Shawwal)

Basavakalyan
Humnabad

Apr/May
Dec.

Hazrat Syed
Tajuddin
Bagsawar
Urus
Basaveshwara
Veerabhadra

People
Bijapur dt.
Bijapur
Chamarajanagar dt.
Mahadeshwara Hills,
Kollegal taluk
Chikmagalore dt.
Inam Dattatreya
Peetha,
Chikamagalur Tq.
Antarghatta,
Tarikere taluk
Chitradurga dt.
Nayakanahatti,
Challakere taluk
Dakshina Kannada
dt.
Dharmasthala

139
Jan/Feb.

Siddeshwara

30,000

Oct/Nov.

Malai
Mahadeshwara

1 lakh

DattatreyaBababudan

25,000

10

1 lakh

15

45,000

Mar.

Feb.

Antarghattamma

Mar.

Thippe Rudra

Nov.

Manjunatheshwara

1,00,000

Duggamma

80,000

Marikamba

80,000

Davanagere dt.

Mar. (once
in 3 years)

Yalebethur
Davanagere taluk

Jan.(once
in 3 years)

Dharwad dt.
Yamanur, Navalgund
Tq.

Mar/Apr.

Raja Bagh Savar

Urus

20,000

Dharwad
Dharwad
Hubli
Gadag dt.
Gadag

Aug.
Feb.
Feb.

Ulvi Basavanna
Murugendra
Siddharudha

1
1
7

30,000
30,000
1 lakh

Apr.

Thotada

20,000

Mukti Mandira,
Shirahatti taluk

Feb.

Dharama
Rathotsava

More than
1 lakh

Itagi, Ron Tq.

Gulbarga dt.
Gulbarga

Morethan
50,000

Itagi Bheemavva,
Mar.

Sharana Basappa

15

1 lakh

Zekhaida

Khaja Bande
Nawaz

1 lakh

Diggi, Shahapur taluk

Aug.

Sangamanath

50,000

Ganagapur(Devara)
Afzalpur taluk

Feb.

Dattatreya

50,000

13

2-3 lakhs

Gulbarga

Hassan dt.
Shravanabelagola

(Once in
12 years)

Mahamastakbhisheka of
Gomateshwara

A Handbook of Karnataka
Haveri dt.
Shishuvinal,
Shiggaon taluk
Guddada Guddapura
Ranebennur Tq.
Kodagu dt.
Bhagamandala,
Madikeri taluk
Kolar dt.
Thoranahalli,
Malur taluk
Avani, Mulbagal taluk
Thalakayalubetta,
Sidlaghatta taluk
Nandi,
Chikkaballapur Tq.
Doddakurudipalli,
(Vidhuraswatha)
Gouribidnur Tq.

140
Mar.

Shishunal Shariff

20,000

Sep/Oct.

Mailara
Lingeshwara

25,000

Oct/Nov.

Cauvery

20,000

Jan.

SappalaHZHmma

10

30,000

Feb.

Ramalige-shawara

10

30,000

Feb.

Venkataramana

10

25,000

Feb.

Bhoga and Yoga

Nandeeshwara

40,000

Arp.

Vidhuranayana

40,000

16

30,000

Devaragudipalli,
Bagepalli taluk
Koppal dt.
Koppal
Kukanur

Gadadam
May.

Venkataramana

June

Gavisiddeshwara

20,000

May

Gudneshwara

50,000

Mar/Apr.

Chaluva Narayana

1 lakh

Jan/Feb

Bairava

10

30,000

Mandya dt.
Melcote, Pandavapur
taluk
Adichunchanagiri,
Nagamangala taluk
Srirangapattana
Mysore dt.
Chamundi Hills,
Mysore
Talakadu,
T.Narasipur taluk

Jan.

Ranganatha

25,000

Oct.

Chamundeshwara

50,000

Nov/Dec.
(once

Panchalinga

2 lakhs

15

75,000

in 12 years)

Darshana

Nanjangud

Mar/Apr.

Srikanteshwara

Mudukuthore,
T.Narasipur taluk

Feb/Mar.

Mallikarjuna

25,000

Syed Shams Alam

Hussain Ali Urus

50,000

Raichur dt.
Raichur

Aug.

People
Devarbhupur,
Lingasugur Tq.

141
Feb/Mar.

Amareshwara

Shimoga dt.
Shimoga

Apr.

Kote Anjaneya

Islapura, Shimoga Tq.

Jan.

Guddakal

80,000

Pulangere,

July

Venkataramana

30,000

Marikamba

40,000

Padmavati and
Parshwanatha

Sagar
Humcha, Hosanagar
Tq.

Jan (Once
in 3 years)
Mar.

50,000
20,000

10,000

Tumkur dt.
Siddaganga, Tumkur

Feb.

Yadiyur, Kunigal taluk

Apr.

siddhalingeshwara
siddhalingeshwara

10
7

50,000
50,000

Narasimha

50,000

Jan.(Once

Lord Krishna

50,000
Udupi

Kollur, Kundapur Tq.

Nov.

Mookambika

10

1,00,000

Subrahmanya,Sullia
Tq.

Dec.

Subrahmanya

Uttara Kannada dt.

Banavasi

Dec.

Madhukeshwara

Marikamba

Vadiraja

Channabasaveshwara

Mahabaleshwara

Devarayanadurga
Udupi dt.

Sirsi
Sonda(Swadi), Sirsi
taluk
Ulvi, Supa taluk
Gokarna, Kumta taluk

Apr/Mar

Mar (Once in
2 years)
May
Jan/Feb
Mar.
(Shivaratri)

* The month slightly varies where lunar thithi is followed

25,000
1 lakh
1 lakh
25,000
50,000
50,000

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