Belagavi, formerly known as Belgaum, is a city nestled in the western region of Karnataka sharing its borders with Maharashtra and Goa states. Steeped in history and culture, Belagavi holds a special place in the hearts of its residents and visitors alike. From its rich historical heritage to its vibrant cultural tapestry, Belagavi offers a unique blend of tradition, modernity, and natural beauty.
The fourth-largest city, Belagavi, is the second-largest exporter of the state with a total GDP of INR 159.65 billion.
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Historical Significance:
Belagavi has a rich historical heritage, with evidence of its existence dating back to the 12th century. It has been ruled by various dynasties, including the Silahars, the Rashtrakutas, Rattas, Chalukyas, Yadavas, the Bahamanis, the Marathas and the British. In 1924 the Congress session was held at Belagavi where Mahatma Gandhi was the president.
Military Importance:
The city has been strategically important due to its location and natural geo-location. It has a significant military presence, with the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Center (MLIRC) Commando training center, CRPF COBRA center, ITBP center, the Indian Air Force station and Airmen Training Center being one of the oldest air bases in India.
Health Care:
Many Hospitals like KLE’s Dr.Prabhakar Kore Hospital(Biggest), Arihant Hospital, Lake View Hospital, Venugram Hospital, Centra Care Hospital etc with state-of-the-art machinery and world-renowned doctors performing surgeries and medication using the latest technologies. Facilities like cancer treatment and surgeries, organ transplants, open heart surgeries, etc. are available here.
Education Hub:
Belagavi is home to several educational institutions, including medical, engineering, and management colleges. The KLE University, VTU, and RCU, are among the prominent universities in the city along with many Engineering and Autonomous colleges for Arts, Law, MBA, BBA, Engineering, Nursing, Homeopathy and Ayurvedic medicine. It is also home to several renowned schools like the Jesuit schools St. Paul’s and St. Joseph’s, Methodist Schools like the very old Beynon Smith, St. Xavier’s, St. Mary’s, etc. and several national brands like Podar, Indus Altum, Jain Heritage and Birla.
Tourist Attractions:
Belagavi boasts several tourist attractions, including historical monuments like the Belagavi Fort, which dates back to the 12th century. Other notable attractions include the Kamal Basadi built in 1284, the historic Kapileshwar Temple and the Gokak Falls, a picturesque waterfall near the city. It has several popular temples like Vaijnath temple, Halasi Narasimha temple, Shahapur temples, etc.
Shoppers Paradise:
The city of Belagavi due to its diverse and metro culture attracts one and all, be it from other districts or the state of Goa or Maharashtra. The Shahpuri Sarees made in Pure silk and Polyester are best sellers made locally. Brass and cast iron ware of Belagavi and silverware are famous all over the country. Several national brands like Westside, Global Desi, Pantaloons, Zudio, Trends, etc. have opened multiple outlets here.
Cultural Diversity:
The city is known for its cultural diversity, with influences from Kannada, Marathi, and Konkani cultures. This diversity is reflected in its festivals, cuisine, and traditions. Noted authors include Smt Indira Sant, Manohar Malgaonkar, Anant Manohar, Madhuri Shanbhag, Dr. Jinadatta Desai, etc.
Food:
With its very unique traditional flavors blended with the urban flavour, one can find all the cuisines here from Jollad Roti to Tambda Pandhra Rassa, be it the Biryani which has its unique taste due to the use of Local Belagavi Basmati rice to the unforgetful Kunda, Mande (or Mandige) and the Alipaak of course.
Cool climate:
A yearlong cool climate is the hallmark of Belagavi with temperatures crossing the 35-degree mark only in peak summers. That ensures tasty vegetables and fruit, grains, and sugarcane.
Industry- Foundry:
Belagavi is enriched with maximum resources for industrial development. The city is popular for its foundry cluster products- largely automobile spare parts- as well as its weaving sector. Aequs SEZ (INFRA) Aequs Infra provides world-class infrastructure and agile industrialization for manufacturing, engineering, and IT/BT companies.
Agro hub:
Belagavi is known for its tasty Peas (Barik Vatana), small slender dark green cucumbers, fragrant Belagavi Basmati and Lagaan rice, and loads of fresh vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, gourds, melons, lentils and grains. It is also popular for its rich milk on green grass and fodder.
Art scene:
Belagavi has been popular for its patronage of art and films. Right from the days of the School of Culture, Vangamay Charcha Mandal, Varerkar Natya Sangha to Kannada Sahitya Bhavan and Gandharv Rang mandir, it has patronized plays and drama. Its theatres have seen several decades of glory, with today multiplexes like INOX, and Carnival Cinemas taking the place of pride.
Brief & comprehensive as it could get and to the point. Those of yesteryears will remember so many things: pristine areas like Camp, Fort and Race Course; the jaggery units around Balekundri where school children were taken to for a “picnic” after a visit to the Sambra Airport; the unique culture that arose out of a harmonious balance between the various communities including Parsis and Anglo-Indians among the other well-known ones; many who came from Maharashtra & Goa for education and mixed with the local population and influenced the cuisine and ceremonies; the shopkeepers who got their ware for sale from Bombay and sold only the best; the many “hotels” (restaurants) & khanavalis serving filling “Rice Plates” easy on the pockets of students; the circuses and the exhibitions; the roadside used booksellers where one could once in a while find great titles; tongas at the CBT and Railway station! Walking around in the varous gallis to get what was special to each of them & cycling around were a pleasure. The City Buses were few as were two-wheelers and four-wheelers. People walked all the way cheerfully, say, from Bogarves to Laxmi Tek/Malmaruti/Military Mahadev/ Shahpur/Tilakwadi. The Court Compound was not the chaos it is today. As was said of London, one could be tired of Belgaum only if one was tired of life itself! Belgaum must’ve made a record for the number of schools it had with several of them exclusively for girls to encourage them to come out and study and making them in course of time the smartest in the three States of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa!
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