Bhadravati, Karnataka

Bhadravati derives its name from the Bhadra River which flows through the city. It was earlier known as Benkipura, which in English means "city of fire",[2] and earlier Benki Pattana'. At some point in history, it was probably also known as Venkipura ('venki' means 'turn' in Sanksrit),[4] as it is situated at the place where Bhadra river takes a 90 degree turn to the west, and then to the east. Hoysalas ruled the city. The Goddess "Haladammadevi & Antaragattammadevi" have guarded the city since past time. The sacred temples are still present in the city.[2]

In 1413, Yerelakka nayaka (ಎರೆಲಕ್ಕನಾಯಕ) who was ruling the two cities called Dumma and Banuru (ದುಮ್ಮ, ಬಾಣೂರು), built two more cities, after clearing some of the wild forest, and named them, Narasimha Pura and Lakshmipura. Subsequently, these two cities became Benkipura or Venkipura and then Bhadravathi, as it is situated on the banks of Bhadra river.[5]

Iron ore from the hill station of Kemmannugundi and water from the Bhadra River helped the establishment of an iron mill in 1918 Known as Mysore Iron and Steel Limited (MISL). Bhadravathi's reputation as an industrial town was further enhanced with the establishment of a paper manufacturing firm, the Mysore Paper Mills Limited in 1936.

Based on the 2011 Indian census, Bhadravati has a population of 160,392, of which males constitute 51% and females 49%. Bhadravati has an average literacy rate of 86.36%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 91.39% of the males and 81.46% of the females literate.[6] 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.[7] Kannada is the main language spoken in this city.

Bhadravati has two major factories that take up a large part of the city:[8] The Mysore Iron Works, which is now known as Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant factory, started by Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar along with his Diwan Sir M. Visvesvarayya, and the Mysore Paper Mills factory.

Bhadravati lies in the border of two Malnad districts Shimoga and Chickmagalur. Major Tourist attractions around the city include;

1. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple : The temple built in 13th century in Hoysala architecture situated in the heart of the city.

2. Bhadra Dam : Bhadra Dam is situated across Bhadra river which is20 km from the city.

3. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary : BWS is a protected area and a tiger reserve as part of Project Tiger, located 23 km south of Bhadravathi

4. Gondi : Gondi is situated at the foothills of western ghats, Check dam is the major tourist attraction of the place.

5. Kenchammanna Gudda and Gangur : situated amidst the western ghats, which is a major tourist attraction in monsoon.

Vishveshwarayya Iron & Steel Plant Ground is located in Bhadravati. The stadium was built in 1960 and can hold 25,000 spectators. The ground has played host to Ranji Trophy cricket matches on two occasions for home team Karnataka.[14]

Sports:

• Gundappa Viswanath, cricketer of the Indian cricket team in the 1970s

Entertainment:

• Bharathi Vishnuvardhan, actress
• Doddanna, actor in Kannada film industry, worked at Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Limited
• S. Narayan, actor and movie director in Kannada film industry
• Asha Bhat, model, actress, beauty pageant and winner of Miss Supranational 2014, organized in Poland
• B. Ajaneesh Loknath, film score composer, singer, music director in Kannada film industry

Technology:

• Bannihatti Parameshwarappa Dakshayani, deputy project manager for the Mars Orbiter Mission at Indian Space Research Organisation Satellite Centre.

• Kiran Mysore, India-Japan cross-border Venture capitalist and Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 Awardee.[15]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bhadravathi, Karnataka.

• Official site of Bhadravati City Municipal Council
• Official site of The Mysore Paper Mills Limited
• https://vtu.irins.org/profile/111390