Neeharikareddyiasacademy at 14:30, 10 December 2025

2025-12-10T14:30:02Z

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{{Lead too short|date=March 2015}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2015}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Gajendragada
| other_name = Gajendragad
| settlement_type = Town and Taluk
| image_skyline = Gajendragad Kalkaleshwara temple 3.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Kalakaleshwara Temple at Gajendragad.
| nickname = Gada
| pushpin_map = India Karnataka#India3
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Karnataka, India
| coordinates = {{coord|15.73|N|75.98|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Taluks of Karnataka|Taluk]]
| subdivision_type4 = [[List of Constituencies of the Lok Sabha|Lok Sabha Constituency]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Karnataka]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Gadag district|Gadag]]
| subdivision_name3 = Gajendragad
| subdivision_name4 = [[Haveri]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for = Hill Station
| government_type = Municipal Council
| governing_body = Gajendragad Town Municipal Council
| leader_name1 = Kalakappa Bandi
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 =
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 643
| population_total = 32359
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank =
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = 
| postal_code = 582114
| registration_plate = KA 26
| website = {{URL|gajendragadatown.mrc.gov.in}}
| footnotes =
| demographics1_info1 = [[Kannada]]
| official_name = Gajendragada
}}

'''Gajendragad''' (also called '''Gajendragada''') is a Town Municipal Council city in [[Gadag district]], Karnataka, India, with population of 32,359 as of 2011 Census data.<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/19/Gajendragarh.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Gajendragad]. Fallingrain.com. Retrieved on 2011-11-25.</ref> It has an average elevation of 643 metres (2109 feet). It is about 55 kilometers from the district headquarters [[Gadag district|Gadag]], 110 kilometers from [[Hubli]], 200 kilometers from [[Belgaum]], and 450 kilometers from state capital [[Bangalore]]. The name Gajendragad is a combination of Elephant and a fort. Local people generally call it as ''Gada''. Gajendragad is a pilgrimage destination due to its ''Kalakaleshwara temple''.

[[File:Gajendragad Fort photo 2.jpg|thumb|left|200px| Gajendragad Fort]]

==History==
[[File:Gajendragad Fort photo 3.jpg|thumb|right|200px| Gajendragad Fort]]
[[File:Gajendragad Fort side view.JPG|thumb|right|200px| Gajendragad Fort]]
Gajendragad is surrounded by the historical places associated with [[Badami Chalukyas]] and [[Western Chalukya]] and the places are [[Badami]], [[Aihole]], [[Pattadakal]], [[Mahakuta]], [[Banashankari]], [[Sudi, India|Sudi]], [[Mahadeva Temple, Itagi|Mahadeva Temple at Itagi]] and [[Kudalasangama]]. Rastrakuta Monuments at [[Kuknur]]. The Gajendragad fort and town were built and renewed by [[Shivaji]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/pdf/gazeetter_reprint/Konkan/history_of_the_bombay_karnatak/haidar_ali_ad_1759.pdf
|title=MUSALMA'N AND MARA'THA PERIOD. Bombay Gazetteer, Maráthás and Nizám against Tipu
|access-date=2008-11-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url= http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/A2A/records.aspx?cat=059-r2_2&cid=-1&Gsm=2008-06-18#-1
|title=Crown Representative's Records – Indian States Residencies
|access-date=2008-11-14}}</ref>

===Ghorpade===

The founder of the [[Ghorpade]] family was Valabhasinh Cholaraj Ghorpade and then the descended Bahirjirao Ghorpade.

The Royal families of Kapsi and Gajendragad<ref>{{cite web
|url= http://www.rajaofmudhol.com/history/Bird's%20eyeview.htm
|title=Raja of Mudhol, A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW
|access-date=2008-11-14}}</ref> owe their origin to Vallabhasinha and the Chiefs of Sondur are descended from the third son of Cholraj.

===Treaty of Gajendragad===
{{see also|Maratha-Mysore War}}
After the Second Mysore War, [[Tippu Sultan]] had to engage in an armed conflict (during 1786–87) with the [[Marathas]] and the [[Nizam]]. The war concluded
with the treaty of Gajendragad. Tipu Sultan ceded Badami to the Marathas.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

Tippu Sultan would release Kalopant and return Adoni, Kittur, and Nargund to their previous rulers. Badami would be ceded to the Marathas. Tippu Sultan would also pay an annual tribute of 12 lakhs per year to the Marathas. In return, Tippu Sultan would get all the places that they had captured in the war, including Gajendragarh and Dharwar. Tipu would also be addressed by the Marathas by an honorary title of "Nabob Tipu Sultan Futteh Ally Khan".<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hasan|first=Mohibbul|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hkbJ6xA1_jEC&pg=PA105|title=History of Tipu Sultan|date=2005|publisher=Aakar Books|isbn=978-81-87879-57-2|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Sen|first=Sailendra Nath|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y-kanqrtVhYC&pg=PA59|title=Anglo-Maratha Relations, 1785-96|date=1994|publisher=Popular Prakashan|isbn=978-81-7154-789-0|language=en}}</ref>

==Tourism==
[[File:Gajendragad Fort Entrance.JPG|thumb|right|200px| Gajendragad Fort]]

;Kalakaleshwara temple:
The pilgrim Kalakaleshwara temple, is a huge mountain with the temple carved into it. This is a weekend destination which could be wound up in a day's time. One can see many windmills lined on the hill opposite the hill on which the temple is located.

;Sudi:
Mallikarjuna Temple, Twin Towered Temple, Ishwara in a stone made shelter and Naga Kunda are prime attractions of [[Sudi, India|Sudi]].

;Itagi Bhimambika:
The temple of [[Itagi Bhimambika|Bhimambika]], about 13 km from Gajendragad

;Banashankari:
It is known for temple of [[Banashankari Amma Temple|Banashankari]], and Annual car festival.

;Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal and Mahakuta:
* [[Badami]]
* [[Aihole]]
* [[Pattadakal]]
* [[Mahakuta]]

[[Mahakuta]] is the source of an important [[Badami]] [[Chalukya]] inscription called [[Mahakuta Pillar]] inscription.

;Kuknur:
MahaMaya temple, Navalinga Temples at [[Kuknur]].

;Kudalasangama:
At [[Kudalasangama]] the rivers Krishna and Malaprabha merge (sangama) here, This place is closely associated with the 12th-century poet and social reformer [[Basavanna]]. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Sangameswara, worshipped in the form of a linga. The temple is an ancient monument built in the [[Chalukya]] style architecture. This place is well developed as one of the great tourism place.

==Kalakaleshwara temple==
[[File:Gajendragad Kalkaleshwara infront of temple nature 1.jpg|thumb|left|200px| Nature in front of Kalkaleshwara Temple, Gajendragad, [[Karnataka]]]]

A little known pilgrim of [[North Karnataka]]. Gajendragad is a Town Municipal Council lying amidst hills, in one of which is encapsulated Kalakaleshwara temple of Lord Shiva (known as Dakshina Kashi), who is worshipped in the form of Kalakaleshwara. There are some large steps that lead you up to the temple. It is a traditional temple with Udbhava Linga. There we can find God Veerabhadra temple also in the same premises. But one would definitely be amazed at the story in which the significance of the destination lies. Just outside the temple exit is a small square water reservoir called AntharaGange. It is an evergreen water resource that constantly falls along the roots of Peepal tree into the pond all throughout the year. It is said to be flowing even in the peaks of summer season and has an unknown root.

===Mythology===

More amazing is the story attached to this destination that has taken a few lives too. These were the daring people who wanted to try to learn more about a miracle that happens on the previous night of [[Ugadi]], New Year of [[Kannadigas]]. The pandit/pujari of the temple prepares a solution of [[limestone]], and keeps it ready for application along with a brush, inside the temple. The next morning, the jobs done. But the temple is painted on its own and this happens without fail every year. A hookah that is also kept along with it seems to be used when seen the next morning.

==MMTC's wind farm==

Minerals & Metals Trading Corporation (MMTC) Limited under the ministry of commerce and industry. MMTC's Gajendragad plant started in 2007, the plant has delivered electricity power of over 102 million units to Hubli Electricity Supply Company (HESCOM) Limited.<ref>{{cite web
|url= http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_mmtc-to-expand-wind-energy-project-in-karnataka_1552915
|title=MMTC to expand wind energy project in Karnataka
|publisher=Hemanth CS Bangalore DNA
|access-date=2011-06-09}}</ref> The plant generate a total capacity of 15 MW of power, with 25 wind energy generators, can each generate 600 KV.

=== Environmental issues ===

[[File:Gajendragad nature 1.jpg|thumb|right|200px| Windmills in front of Kalkaleshwara Temple, Gajendragad, [[Karnataka]]]]

Windmills set up to generate wind energy, are posing a threat to the very existence of rare hyenas and wolves at Gajendragad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wildlifewatch.in/news/219|title=Windmills blowing away wolves and hyenas|access-date=2008-11-14|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329095216/http://www.wildlifewatch.in/news/219|archive-date=2008-03-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wolfsongalaska.org/Wolves_South_Asia_disappearing.html|title=Endangered hyenas and wolves rapidly disappearing from Gajendragad|access-date=2008-11-14|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511234646/http://www.wolfsongalaska.org/Wolves_South_Asia_disappearing.html|archive-date=2008-05-11}}</ref> Earlier Gajendragad was recognized as a safe haven for highly endangered species like the Indian ''grey [[wolf]]'' and striped ''[[hyenas]]'', but wind farming and windmills with huge noisy fans and human traffic to maintain these machines have driven away these species from their habitat.

== Notable people ==
*''Raghavendra Acharya'' - scholar in [[Vedanta]], Vyakarana (Grammar), Nyaya (Law), Mimamsa and Alankar, lived in Gajendragad<ref>{{cite web
|url= http://gajendragadkar.info/
|title=Gajendra-Gad-Kar School, Raghavendra Acharya
|access-date=2012-12-30}}</ref>
* [[P. B. Gajendragadkar|Prahlad Balacharya Gajendragadkar]] - served as the [[Chief Justice of India]] from 1964 to 1966, was native to Gajendragada.

==Demographics==
As of 2011 India [[census]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/803076-gajendragarh-karnataka.html |title=Population Census}}</ref> Gajendragad is a Town Municipal Council city in district of Gadag, Karnataka. The Gajendragad city is divided into 23 wards for which elections are held every 5 years. The Gajendragad Town Municipal Council has population of 32,359 of which 16,198 are males while 16,161 are females as per report released by Census India 2011.

The population of children aged 0–6 is 4418 which is 13.65% of total population of Gajendragad (TMC). In Gajendragad Town Municipal Council, the female sex ratio is 998 against state average of 973. Moreover, the child sex ratio in Gajendragad is around 921 compared to Karnataka state average of 948. The literacy rate of Gajendragad city is 79.49% higher than the state average of 75.36%. In Gajendragad, male literacy is around 89.33% while the female literacy rate is 69.74%.

Gajendragad Town Municipal Council has total administration over 6,235 houses to which it supplies basic amenities like water and sewerage. It is also authorize to build roads within Town Municipal Council limits and impose taxes on properties coming under its jurisdiction.

==Gajendragad 2022 - 2023 Population==
Current estimated population of Gajendragad Town Municipal Council in 2023 is approximately 44,000. The schedule census of 2021 for Gajendragad city is postponed due to covid. We believe new population census for Gajendragad city will be conducted in 2023 and same will be updated once its done. The current data for Gajendragad town are estimated only but all 2011 figures are accurate.

==See also==

* [[Ghorpade]]
* [[Sandur (princely state)]]
* [[Mudhol State]]
* [[Gooty]]
* [[North Karnataka]]
* [[Tourism in North Karnataka]]
* [[Badami]], [[Pattadakal]], [[Aihole]], [[Mahakuta]]
* [[Kuknur]]
* [[Mahadeva Temple (Itagi)]]
* [[Sudi, India|Sudi]]
* [[Gadag District]]
* [[Mudhol Hound]]

==Gallery==




{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="border-color:transparent; width:100%; margin:0; text-align:center; margin:auto;"
|-
! <div style="font-size:120%; color:black; background:#ffc569; vertical-align:top;">Photo Gallery </div>
|-
|style="text-align: center; width: 100%; " |
<gallery perrow="5" widths="135px" heights="115px">
File:Gajendragad Fort near view.JPG|Gajendragad Fort
File:Fort at Gajendragad.JPG|Gajendragad Fort
File:Gajendragad Fort photo 1.jpg|Gajendragad Fort
File:Gajendragad Hill 4.jpg|Gajendragad Hill
File:Incomplete Nandi at Gajendragad.jpg| Incomplete Nandi at Gajendragad near Kalkaleshwara temple
File:Black-footed_Gray_Langur_at_Gajendragad.jpg|Black-footed Gray Langur at Gajendragad
File:Gajendragad_Car_festival_Kalakaleshwara_01.jpg|Chariot festival at Kalakaleshwara Gajendragad
</gallery>
|}



==References==
{{commons category}}
{{reflist}}

{{Forts in Karnataka}}

{{Forts in India}}

{{Hindu temples in Karnataka}}

{{Gadag}}

[[Category:Forts in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Shiva temples in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Gadag district]]
[[Category:Cliff dwellings]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Gadag district]]

Gajendragad - Revision history

Neeharikareddyiasacademy at 14:30, 10 December 2025