Bellary District, Karnataka

Location: Bellary district is located in the central – eastern part of the Indian state of Karnataka. It shares border with Koppal district in the west, Raichur district in the north, Anantapur District and Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh in the east and Chitradurga District and Davanagere District in the south.

District Headquarter: Bellary

Distance: Around 301 km from Bangalore, 74 km from Hampi

Journey time: Around 5 -6 hrs by bus, 6.5 hrs by train from Bangalore. Around 1 hr by flight.

How to reach there: By KSRTC bus, private bus, train and flight.

Route: Bangalore – Tumkur – Hiriyur – Bellary

Where to stay:

1. Hotel Pola Paradise
New Trunk Road
Bellary
Ph: 08392 242101‎

2. Hotel Bala Regency
Main Road,
Parvathi Nagar

3. Ashoka Comforts
Court Road, Bellary

4. Vijayshree Heritage Village
(Hospet – Hampi Highway)
V R Bhurat Nagari, Malpangudi,
Hampi Road, Hampi, Karnataka 583239
Ph: 08394 225 890‎
Mobile – 09980521001‎
Fax – 08394 225894‎
Website: http://www.vijayshreeheritagevillage.com/

5. Hotel Pawan
Anantapur road,
Bellary

6. Bagicha Hotel
Moka Road, Gandhi Nagar
Bellary

7. Hotel Mayura Vijayanagar
T. B. Dam via Hospet,
Bellary Dist.. – 583 225
Tel : 08394 – 39270
Fax :08394 – 28537

8. Mayura Hotel
KSRTC Bus Stand,
Double Road, Bellary,
Ph: +(91) (8392) 272650/272652~58

Where to eat:: You can eat at restaurants of the above hotels or local eateries.

Language spoken: Kannada, Telugu, Hindi and English is understood in Urban areas.

Legend says Bellary derived its name from the word “Balla” means a measuring cup. Merchant travelers installed balla Shiva linga and worshiped it. Now the Balleshwara or Malleshwara temple can be found in the fort area. Another myth says Lord Indra killed a demon Balla. (Balla – ari means enemy of Balla in Sanskrit).

Earlier Bellary was ruled by Chalukyas, Gangas and a number of inscription have been found in this regard. Other rulers include Mauryas, Satavahanas, the Pallavas, the Kadambas, the Badami Chalukyas, the Rashtrakutas, the Kalyani Chalukyas, the Southern Kalachuryas, the Sevuna Yadavas, the Hoysalas, deccan sultanates, the marathas and finally Birtish. Bellary was a large district and was part of the Madras presidency. During re-organization of states Bellary was bifurcated on linguistic lines between Andhra Pradesh and karnataka.

What to see:

1. Ballari Gudda: World’s second largest monolithic hill. There are few other hills – Kumbara Gudda, Kaate Gudda etc.

2. Bellary Fort: Bellary fort is located on top of Ballari Gudda or fort hill. Hanumappa Nayaka, feaudetory of Vijayanagara rules built this fort. It was renovated by Hyder Ali using the service of a French Engineer, after taking possession of the Fort from the Nayaka family in 1769. Unfortunately, the engineer is hanged as he overlooked the fact that the nearby hill – Kumbara Gudda is taller than Ballari Gudda on which the fort is located. The fort is divided into two section – the upper fort and the lower fort.

The fort now has a few temples, church, government offices etc.

3. Old colonial style buildings in Bellary

4. Bellary centrail Jail: It is said to be the strongest jail in the state of Karnataka.

5. Hampi: The most famous destination in the Bellary district is Hampi. Check all the details from my earlier post on Hampi with pictures.