Kolar ಕೋಲಾರ is a district in Karnataka state of India. The town of Kolar is the district headquarters. Due to the modern discovery of the Kolar Gold Fields, Kolar has become popularly known as the "Golden Land" of India.

Geography

Kolar District is situated in the state of Karnataka, India and belongs to its semi-arid drought-prone region. It lies between 77° 21' to 78° 35' east longitude and 20° 46' to 130° 58' north latitude, extending over an area of 8,225 km². Kolar district is located in the southern region of the State and happens to be the eastern-most district of the Karnataka State. The district is bounded by the districts of Bangalore Rural and Tumkur on the west; on the north, by Anantapur District, on the east by Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh and on the south by Krishnagiri and Vellore of Tamil Nadu.

The district, at its greatest length, reaches about 135 km from north to south with almost the same distance from east to west. It occupies the table land of Mysore, bordering the eastern ghats. The general plateau surface is interrupted by a number of hills and peaks of varying heights, particularly in the north. The principal chain of mountains is the Nandidurga range which runs north from Nandi towards Penukonda and Dharmavaram of Andhra Pradesh. The rivers of the district, are small and seasonal. Palar, Uttara Pinakini and Dakshina Pinakini are the important rivers which originate in the elevated regions in the district.

History

Formerly, Kolar was known variously as Kolahala, Kuvalala and Kolala. Kolar was called Kolahalapura during the Middle Ages, but later came to be known as Kolar. Kolahahapura in Kannada meant "violent city", as it was the battlefield for the warring kingdoms of Chalukyas in the north and Cholas to the south. It was the capital of the Gangas till 4th century AD when they shifted the capital to Talakad in Mysore. In 1004 A.D., the Cholas annexed Kolar till 1116 A.D,. Vishnuvardhana (1108-1142AD) freed Gangavadi from the Cholas, and in commemoration of his victory, built the celebrated Vijayanarayana Temple (Chennakesava Temple) at Belur. Temples, Masjids & Eidgah The major and important temples in the town are Kolaramma Temple and Someshwara Temple. Someswara Temple is a fine example of Vijayanagara style while the Kolaramma temple is of Dravida vimana Style built in Ganga Tradition (11 century-A.D).

the major and important Masjid in the town is MASJID-E-SHAHI (Masjid Nawab Fateh Ali Khan) was build in the year 1729.

People and Culture

As a district on the cross-roads of the three states, Kolar is home to many communities and represents a mini-India. The primary languages spoken here are Kannada and Tamil. Other languages spoken are Telugu and Urdu.

Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) is a town in Kolar district which was once the primary gold mines in the country. Set up by the British, this town which is close to the border of Andhra Pradesh and has a Tamil and Anglo-Indian Population. Tamils were employed by the British and brought to KGF to work in the mines.

Festivals

• Karaga
• Theppothsava
• Dyavara

Places of interest

• Mulbagal - Narasimha Tirtha - Sripadaraja Mutt of Sripadaraj Swamiji, a Madhwa Saint's Brindavan. The disciples of this Mutt are spread all over India. Dargah of Hazrath Baba Haider Wali Suharwardi (Rah'matullah Alayh) whose Urs (annual festival) is grandly celebrated every year.
• Guttahalli
• Kotilingeshwara
• Nandi Hills
• Antara Gange
• Markandeya Hill
• Kolaramma Temple and Someshwara Temple
• Kurudumale
• Avani
• Therhalli
• Budikote
• Bethamangala
• Bytarayappana Betta
• Kolar Gold Fields
• Kaiwara
• Vidhurashwatha
• Bangarpet
• Ronur Sri Lakshmi Venkataramana Swamy Temple
• Ronur is a Hobli place located in Srinivasapura Taluk. There is a big and beautiful Sri Lakshmi Venkataramana Swamy Temple, constructed hundreds of years ago. The Sthala Purana says that Lord Lakshmi Venkataramana Swamy was installed by Arjuna when they were in Aranya Vasa. The Raja Gopuram was constructed more than 100 years ago by Gollapalli Kesarla Ramaiah Setty's family. Every day poojas are performed. In Chaitra masa, a Bramhotsava takes place. Thousands of people witness the Rathothsva. Ronur is famous for Mangos. S Rajendran then chief justice of India belongs Ronur.

• Ankathatti - A Model Village having a 4 feet high Uthsava Murthy as a pride possession, it is known for silk and milk production.
• BYRAKUR, Mulbagal Taluk, Kolar district
• MANDIKAL,,Mulbagal Taluk