Kanakatte

Kanakatte is a village located in Arasikere taluk, Hassan district, Karnataka, India.

Etymology

Katte means a tank bund in Kannada Language and the name of the village is related to the big tank built in this village.

History

Kanakatte has a long recorded history, as demonstrated by the 15 epigraphs found in the village.[1] Its earliest documented history can be traced to an inscription found at Arakere, a village in Arasikere taluk.[1] It was earlier called Kalikatte,[1][2]"Kanakatti","Kanakanakaatte" etc. It was also mentioned in several inscriptions belonging to Hoysala dynasties and was also called as "Vijayanarasimha pura" after setting up an Agrahara during 13th Century CE.[1] The name of this village, Kalikatti figures prominently in various inscriptions of Hoysalas, a strong regional power of South India.[2]

Kanakatte was also a headquarters of Singarasa, a local chieftain ruling at Arasikere, who shifted his headquarters from Arasikere to this place during 1132 CE.[1]

An inscription of 1189 CE describes the villages as prosperous with rice fields, areca palms, water filled tanks and full of temples.[1]

The tank of Kanakatte is very large compared to contemporary tanks of the area. The tank has a large history and inscriptions belonging to historic period mention this tank as well as its sluices.[1]

Temples

Kanakatte has several historic temples, which are poorly maintained. The temples of this village have a long history, as several inscriptions belonging to 10th century CE to 12th century CE mention them. A local chieftain named Singarasa constructed a temple of Singeshwara (named after himself) during 1130 CE and donated lands to a Kalamukha priest to maintain Shiva temple. He also installed a linga in this village and named the temple as Bettadakalideva.[1] Temples are also located on the banks of big tank and on a small island inside the tank.

Activity

This is a predominantly dry area and crops with low water requirements are grown. Main economic activity of Kanakatte is agriculture. Ragi, jowar and coconut are main crops.

Civic facilities

Kanakatte has a primary health centre run by the Government of Karnataka. Primary and high schools as well as a private college are established. A bank, police station and post office are located in the Hobli centre.

Transportation

Kanakatte is connected by an all-weather road to Arasikere, Chitradurga, Bangalore, Hassan and other areas

References

1. Singh, Upinder (2008). A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century. New Delhi: Pearson Education India. p. 593. ISBN 9788131711200. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
2. Ray, Niharranjan; B D, Chattopadhyaya; Chakravarthi, Ranabir; Mani, V R (2000). A Source book of Indian Civilization. Hyderabad: Orient Blackswan. p. 637. ISBN 9788125018711. Retrieved 8 August 2012.

13°31′N 76°19′E