History

Chamarajanagar was earlier known as Arikottara. Chamaraja Wodeyar, the Wodeyar king of Mysooru was born here and hence this place was renamed after him. The Vijaya Parsvanath Basadi, a holy Jain shrine was constructed by Punisadandanayaka, the commander of the Hoysala king Gangaraja in the year 1117 A.D.

Geography

Being the southernmost district of Karnataka, Chamarajanagara district borders the state of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Specifically, it borders Mysooru district of Karnataka to the west and north, Mandya and Bengalooru districts of Karnataka to the north-east, Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu to the east, Salem and Erode districts of Tamil Nadu to the south-east, Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu to the south and Wayanad district of Kerala to the south-west.
Most of the district lies in the leeward region of the Nilgiris and consists of mainly semi-arid rain-dependent flatlands along with forested hills.

Demographics

Having a large percentage of forest cover, the district also has a high population of forest-dwelling tribals; prominent among them are the Soligas, Yeravas, Jenu Kurubas and Betta Kurubas. These tribals have their own dialect and their total population is said to be around 82000. The literacy level of Chamarajanagara district is 51%.

Tourist places

Chamarajanagar is also known as the 'Granite City'. There are many tourist spots to visit around the city. These are:

• Chamarajeshwara temple
• B R Hills (Biligiri Rangana Betta)
• Haralukote Anjaneya & Janardhanaswamy Temple is about 5 km from Chamarajanagar
• Bannari Amman Temple Bannari is about 60 km from Chamrajnagar
• K.Gudi (Jungle Lodge)
• MM Hills (Male Mahadeshwara Betta)
• Bandipura (Wild life Sanctuary)
• Talkad (Piligrimage centre)
• Somanathpur (Historical place)
• Shivanasamudra (Shivanasamudra Falls)
• Karivaradarayana Hills
• Himavadh Gopal Swamy Betta (Misty hilltop Temple with full of FOG)
• water reservoirs,Chikkahole and Suvarnavathi just 15 km from Chamarajanar.
• Boodhipadaga, Veerappan was jailed here.
• Sri Kshetra Kanakagiri, Jain Pilgrim Centre 
• Parsvanatha Jain Basadi, A.D 1117, located at heart of the City.

Transport

Road

From the state capital Bangalore, the State Highway 17 can be used to reach Chamarajanagar via Mysore, Chamarajanagar is at a distance of 61 km from Mysore. The distance from Bangalore to Chamarajanagar is about 185 km. The Bangalore-Kanakapura-Kollegal-Chamarajanagar road can also be used with the distance being the same.

Rail

Chamarajanagar-Nanjangud railway line was opened to service on 27 August 1926. Chamarajanagar has a new railway station since the railway track was upgraded to broad gauge from one metre gauge in November 2008. The project to construct a new railway line from Chamarajanagar to Satyamangalam, Gobichettipalayam, Erode is progressing slowly. It will reduce the distance between Bangalore and Chamarajanagar and other cities of Tamil Nadu. The proposal to extend the railway line further to Mettupalayam in Tamil Nadu has not yet received environmental clearance.
On the day of the new BG line inauguration, a local committee at Chamarajanagar presented a memorandum to the then Minister for Railways for State, Dr. Velu to take up the construction work between Chamarajanagar and Mettupalayam directly, and also to take up the construction work of the Bangalore—Mettupalayam railway line via Satyamangalam. They have conveyed the importance of connecting Satyamangalam with Gobichettipalayam and Erode. This proposal will bring the eastern as well as the western coastal regions closer to the northern region via Chamarajanagar.
Since Feb 2010, the Tirupati Express (213) has been extended to Chamarajanagar station and is the only long route train from Chamarajanagar.
In 2010, the railway budget proposed to conduct a survey for the newline between Chamarajanagar and Krishnagiri. This line will connect Chennai and Mysore directly; that means: through Chennai-Krishnagiri-Chamarajanagar-Mysore instead of the busy Chennai-Bangalore-Mysore route.
The 2011 railway budget proposed to conduct a survey for a newline between Tumkur and Chamarajanagar.

Railway Station

Chamarajanagar Railway Station is the 'Southern Most' rail point of Karnataka.Station code is CMNR.

Air

The nearest airport is MysoreMandakalli which is 52 km. The International airports are Bangalore located 236 km and Coimbatore located 134 km

Photo Gallery:


View of Chamarajanagar






















B.R.Hills

Courtesy: Wikipedia