Interesting Facts about Karnataka

This article is all about historical, geographical, social, religious, cultural, amazing, rare, unknown interesting facts about Karnataka.

Quick Basic Facts about Karnataka

• Capital – Bangalore
• Official Language – Kannada
• Area – 1,91,791 Sq Km
• Area Rank – 7th
• Population – 6,11,30,704
• Population Rank – 8th
• Population Density – 320 /Sq Km
• Sex Ratio – 973 females per 1000 male
• Literacy Rate – 75.6 %
• No. of Districts -30
• Assembly and Council seat – 224 + 75 (Bicameral)
• Lok Sabha seats – 28
• Rajya Sabha seats – 12
• Created on – 1 Nov, 1956
• First Chief Minister – K Chengalaraya Reddy
• First Governor – Jayachamrajendra Wadiyar
• Highest peak – Mullayyanagiri (in western ghat)

State Symbols of Karnataka

• State Tree – Sandalwood
• State Flower – Lotus
• State Animal – Asian Elephant
• State Bird – Indian Roller
• State Dance – Yakhsgan
• State Language – Kannada
• State Emblem – Gandaberunda (two headed mythological bird)

Historical Facts about Karnataka

• Karnataka was created on 1 Nov 1956 with the name Mysore state. On 1 Nov 1973 the name was changed to Karnataka.
• Vijaynagar was a great Hindu empire of South India at the present location of Karnataka. This kingdom was defeated by Deccan Sultanates in the Battle of Talikota in 1565.
• The ruins of Hampi reminds the glorious past of Vijaynagar empire.
• To check the British expansion towards Mysore state, Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan fought four significant Anglo-Mysore wars. After the death of Tipu Sultan in 4th and last Anglo Mysore war, Mysore state was annexxed to British territory in 1799.
• Kittur Queen Chenamma revolted against British in 1811 as a resentment towards Doctrine of Lapse. 

Geographic Facts about Karnataka

• Karnataka borders with 6 states – Goa in west, Maharashtra in north, Telangana in northeast, Andhra Pradesh in east, Tamil Nadu in southeast and Kerala in southwest.
• The two important river system are i) Krisna and tributaries, ii) Cauvery and tributaries. Both these rivers flow out of Karnataka eastwards to Bay of Bengal. Tungbhadra and Kabini are other important rivers.
• The name Karnataka is derived from Karunadu means “lofty land”.
• Important Mountains of Karnataka – Western Ghats, Chitradurga Hills, Biligiri Rangan Hills, Nandi Hills, Badami Hills, Gokak Hills
• Mullayyanagiri (in western ghat) is the Highest peak of Karnataka with an altitude of 1930 m.

• Gersoppa (Jog Falls) is world famous and is the second highest plunge waterfall of India. Tallest plunge waterfall of India is Nohkalikai Falls (335 mt) in Meghalaya.
• The natural park of Banipur Wildlife sanctuary is 80 km from Mysore.
• Uttara Kannada is the largest district of Karnataka by area. Bengaluru urban district is largest by population.

Social and Cultural Facts about Karnataka

• Sravanbelagola, which is famous for 18 meter high monolithic statue of Gomateswara is important Jain pilgrimage centre.
• Gol Gumbaz of Bizapur has the second largest pre-modern dome just after Byzantine Hagia Sophia.
• “Goloka” is a unique project launched by a charity organisation in Ramchandrapur Math of Shimoga district. This project is aimed to protect and develop different Indian breed cows. About 500 breeds of cows presently can be found in this ashram. This project also consists of Gomutra (cow urine) therapy center to develop a medicine called akra for treating ailments such as cancer.
• Yakshagana is a Popular dance form in  coastal districts of Karnataka.

• Mysore palace is the second most visited tourist destination of India just after Taj Mahal. It was built by Krishnarajendra Wadiyar IV in 1912.
• Literacy rate of Karnataka is 75.6 % which is just above national average of 74.04 %. Karnataka stands at 16th rank among Indian states in terms of literacy.
• The Carnatic and Hindustani style of classical music have deep roots in Karnataka. Purandara Das is considered as Father of Carnatic Music while Bhimsen Joshi, Gangubai Hangal, Mallikarjun Mansur are the popular exponents of Hindustani music.
• Main festivals are – Mysore Dussera, Karaga, Ugadi and Diwali.

Economic Facts about Karnataka

• Karnataka accounts for 59 % of total Coffey production and 47 % of ragi production.
• The state accounts for 85 % of raw silk produced in the country.
• Its sandal soap and sandal oil are renowned in world market.
• Mineral Resources of Karnataka – Iron Ore, Copper, Chromite, magnesite, corundum, garnet, limestone.
• Main industries of Karnataka – Aircraft, Electronics, Software, telecom equipment, alloy steel, machine tools, watches, porcelain etc
• Main agricultural products – rice, jowar, bajra, ragi, maize, ground nut, sunflower, mulberry, coconut etc.
• New Mangalore port is the main all weather seaport. Besides this 10 minor ports are also there.
• There are five working civilian commercial airports in Karnataka. These airports are located in Bangalore, Mangalore, Belgaum, Hubli-Dharwad and Mysore. Bangalore and Mangalore also have international airports along with domestic one.
• HAL airport, Jakkur airport and Yelahanka air force station of Bangalore are military airbases.

Famous Persons from Karnataka

• K V Puttappa – who is also popularly known by his pen name Kuvempu is considered as one of the greatest poet of Kannada literature.
• H D Devegowda – who has served as Chief Minister of Karnataka and Prime Minister of India belongs to Hassan district of Karnataka.
• Jagdish Shettar, Veerappa Moili, S M Krishna and George Fernandes are the famous politician who are related to Karnataka.
• Bhimsen Joshi – is a popular Khayal singer was born in the then Dharwad (present Gadag district) of Karnataka.
• Gundappa Vishwnath, Syed Kirmani, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Rahul Dravid are the famous cricketers who belong to Karnataka.
• Prakash Padukone and Ashwini Ponappa are famous Badminton players and both were born in Bengaluru.
• Shakuntala Devi – who is also called as Human Computer is also known for her skills in Mathematics, Puzzles and Astrology was born in Bengaluru.
• Girish Karnad – who was born in Matheran in Maharashtra is known for his contribution in Kannada literature and theatre.