Thirthahalli

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Thirthahalli
skyline = Thunga_river.jpg
skyline_caption = Bridge across the river Tunga at Thirthahalli
type = town| latd = 13.7 | longd = 75.23
locator_position = right | state_name = Karnataka
district = Shimoga
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 591
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 14,806| population_density =
area_magnitude= km²
area_total =
area_telephone= 08181
postal_code= 577 432
vehicle_code_range = KA-14
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Thirthahalli(Kannada:ತೀರ್ಥಹಳ್ಳಿ) is a panchayat town located in the Shimoga District of the state of Karnataka, India. It lies on the bank of the river Tunga and is also the headquarters of the Thirthahalli Taluk of Shimoga district.

Getting there

By road

Thirthahalli is at a distance of about 62 km. from the district headquarters, Shimoga. From Shimoga, one has to take the National Highway NH-13 (Thirthahalli road) to reach Thirthahalli. From Bangalore, one has to take the National Highway NH-206 to reach Shimoga and then take the above mentioned route. The total distance from Bangalore to Thirthahalli is around 330 km. From Mangalore, one can take NH-13 to reach Thirthahalli. The distance from Mangalore to Thirthahalli is around 146 km.from UDUPI number of mini buses are there. From Udupi railway station 86 km to Thirthahalli.

By rail

The nearest railway station is in Shimoga. Numerous trains run from Bangalore and Mysore to Shimoga.

By air

The nearest airport is in Mangalore International Airport.

Etymology

According to a Hindu legend, the sage Parashurama using an axe, chopped off his mother Renuka's head on the orders of his father, the great sage Jamadagni. Later, Parashurama tried to wash the blood stains off the axe by dipping it in various rivers. Despite his best efforts, a sesame-sized blood stain remained on his axe. It was washed away only when he dipped his axe in the Tunga river near Thirthahalli. This place is now called as "Parashurama Thirtha" (or "RamaThirtha") and is the origin of the name Thirthahalli (halli means "village" in the native Kannada language). Near "RamaThirtha", there is a stone mantapa called "Rama Mantapa". This legend has made Thirthahalli a holy place for Hindus with a belief that a dip in the river Tunga here will cure one of all sins.

History

Another legend related to the times of Ramayana, indicates that Maricha, a relative of the Lanka king Ravana came in the disguise of a golden deer to enchant Sita, the wife of Rama. When Sita requested Rama to get her the deer, Rama followed the deer and killed it. This incident is supposed to have happened near a place called "Mrugavadhe" in Thirthahalli Taluk. Mrugavadhe means "Killing of an animal" in the local Kannada language

Thirthahalli has a rich archaelogical history with Neolithic sites uncovered in "Kunda Hill" near Agumbe and portholed burial chambers found at "Arehalli" near Thirthahalli.

A small fort was constructed at Kavaledurga, near Thirthahalli at around 9th century AD. The king of Belagutti, Cheluvarangappa strengthened this fort in the 14th century. Venkatappa Nayaka, a Keladi king, acquired this fort and constructed seven battlements to protect this fort in the 16th century. Hyder Ali conquered this fort in the 18th century and later the fort came under the rule of Tipu Sultan.

Geography

Tirthahalli is located at coord|13.7|N|75.23|E|. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/19/Tirthahalli.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Tirthahalli] ] It has an average elevation of 591 metres (1938 feet).it is located in the midst of dense forests of the western ghats.

Places to see

Tunga bridge

This town has a unique bridge built across the Tunga River which connects Thirthahalli on one side to a place called "Kuruvalli" on the other side. Now, Kuruvalli has become an extension of Thirthahalli.

Sri Rameshwara Temple

"Sri Rameshwara Temple" is the main Hindu temple of Thirthahalli. This temple is made of stone and is on the banks of the river Tunga. It is near the place "Parashurama Thirtha" which is discussed in the above section. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple has a Lingam which is said to have been installed by Sage Parashurama himself. The day when Parashurama cleansed his axe to remove the sesame-sized blood stain; is supposed to be the New Moon Day of Margashira month in the Hindu calendar. That particular day is termed as "Yellu Amavasya" day ("Yellu" meaning sesame and "Amavasya" meaning New Moon day) and every year on this day a festival termed as "Yellu Amavasya Jatre" is held in Thirthahalli.

Even though the festivities last for more than five days, three days are very important for the common public. On the day of "Yellu Amavasya", the "Utsava Moorthi" (main idol) of Lord Sri Rameshwara is taken to the river and holy "Abhishekam" (consecration) is carried out on the idol in the "Parashurama Thirtha". After this, the devotees take a holy dip at this place.

On the second day, the decorated temple chariot is pulled along the main street of Thirthahalli. This street; called as "Car Street" is a narrow street having a width of approximately 30 feet. The big chariot of the temple which occupies almost the whole width of the street, is pulled by devotees and the chariot even climbs a steep gradient on this road.

On the third day, the "Utsava Moorthi" is taken on a "Teppa"(raft) on river Tunga to the river bank at "Kuruvalli" and brought back. This celeberation is called "Teppotsava" (raft-festival). On this day, a lot of colourful crackers are lit and also the river banks, Tunga Bridge and "Rama Mantap" are decorated with lights.

This festival normally falls on last half of December or the first half of January. This festival attracts thousands of people from other cities.

Anandagiri and Siddeshwara Gudda

Two hills adorn Thirthahalli town. First one is Anandagiri Gudda and the second one is Siddeshwara Gudda. "Anandagiri Gudda" is located on Shimoga Road and "Siddeshwara Gudda" is located on Agumbe Road. Both are reachable by walk from the town. One can climb "Anandagiri Gudda" during any time of the year. Its height may be around 200 to 300 feet (60 to 90 m). There is large mantapa with a big doom on this hill. One can relax on this mantapa and can enjoy scenic beauty. "Tunga College" is on the base of this hill. For climbing "Siddeshwara Hill", the preferred months are October and November. This hill is also about 200 feet in height. From the top of this hill, one will be able to see the other big hills of Shimoga District such as Kodachadri and Kundadri.

Kuppalli

Located at a distance of 18 km from Thirthahalli, Kuppalli is the native place of the great Kananda poet and playwright Kuvempu. "Kavishaila" and "Kavimane" are two historical places to see in Kuppalli.

Agumbe

Agumbe is a small town in Thirthahalli Taluk famous for being the location where the television serial Malgudi Days (based on a novel of the same name by the famous writer, R K Narayan) was shot. This town also attracts tourists who come to see a beautiful sunset over the valleys of the Western Ghats. On a clear day, the Arabian Sea can be seen from here.

Chibbalagudde

Famous temple of "Sri Siddi Vinayaka and Matsyadhama" which has lot of fishes at Tunga River. Chibbalagudde, is 10 KM apart from Thirthahalli, and is also near to Kuppalli.

People Associated with Thirthahalli

Thirthahalli has a unique record that two persons who are natives of this Taluk are the recipients of the top most literary award of India, the Jnanapith Award. They are Kuvempu and U R Ananthamurthy.

Other noted persons associated with Thirthahalli are
* Sri Shanthaveri Gopala Gowda, Leader of socialist movement, a great politician, very famous for "Kagodu Satyagraha"
* Sri Kadidal Manjappa, Chief Minister of Karnataka
* Sri Nagaraja Rao H S, Freedom Fighter from Humchadakatte
* Sri. T S Ramachandra Rao (popularly known as TSR): Former editor of Prajavani, a well known Kannada newspaper
* Smt. M. K. Indira: A popular novelist of Kannada.
* Sri. S V Parameshwara Bhatta: A popular Kannada writer.
* Justice. M Rama Jois: A popular judge; he was the former governor of the Jharkhand state of India and also has been the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Courts.
* Sri. Girish Kasaravalli: A well known Kannada film director with four Golden Lotus awards against his name.
* Sri. Poornachandra Tejaswi: Son of Kuvempu and a well known Kannada writer himself.
* Smt K V Lalithamma Sportsperson
* sri guruprasad k k
* Sri Anthony D'souza(Mankikuppe) was a [AYURVEDIC] doctor in the early 1900's. Social Service was his forte, gave medicines free of cost.
* Sri Ramanna Gowda from Devangi,was born in 1870. Frist person to introduce education in Malnad region for the Women's

References