Ramanagara
Ramanagara is a town and municipal council in the Indian state of Karnataka, serving as the headquarters of Bengaluru South district (formerly Ramanagara district until May 2025).[1] Located about 50 kilometers southwest of Bengaluru along the Bengaluru-Mysore National Highway, it spans an area of 14.53 square kilometers and had a population of 95,167 according to the 2011 census.[2] Renowned as the "Silk City," Ramanagara is a major center for sericulture, hosting Asia's largest silk cocoon market with a daily capacity of 50 tonnes, and it supplies raw materials for the famous Mysore silk sarees.[1] The town's dramatic rocky hills, including the iconic Sholay shooting locations that depicted the fictional village of Ramgarh in the 1975 Bollywood blockbuster Sholay, make it a popular destination for adventure sports like rock climbing and trekking.[3] Historically, the area was known as Shamserabad during the era of Tipu Sultan in the 18th century and later renamed Closepet after British officer Sir Barry Close (1756–1813) in the 19th century, before being officially changed to Ramanagara in the mid-20th century under local leader Kengal Hanumanthayya.[1] The district encompassing Ramanagara was carved out of Bengaluru Rural district on August 23, 2007, covering 3,516 square kilometers with a total population of 1,082,636 as per the 2011 census, and an average elevation of 623 meters above sea level.[1] Geographically, it features a semi-arid climate with an annual rainfall of about 932 mm, characterized by granite outcrops from the Lower Proterozoic era and notable sites like Savanadurga, Asia's largest monolith hill at 1,226 meters.[1] Economically, Ramanagara thrives on silk production, traditional Channapatna wooden toys, and granite quarrying, while the nearby Bidadi Industrial Area hosts major industries including Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Coca-Cola, and a planned 1,400 MW gas-based power plant, contributing to regional employment and growth.[1] The town's literacy rate stood at 79.92% in 2011, with a population density of around 6,550 persons per square kilometer in the urban area.[4] Tourism plays a vital role, drawing visitors to attractions such as Ramadevara Betta (a hill shrine linked to the Ramayana), Chunchi Falls, Thippagondanahalli Reservoir, and Revanasiddeshwara Hill, alongside adventure activities that position it as a "Mecca of Rock Climbers."[5] The 2025 renaming of the district to Bengaluru South was controversial, with opposition from political figures citing concerns over local identity.[6] Accessibility is strong, with rail and road connections to Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport (about 85 km away) and Mysore.[1]Etymology and History
Etymology
The name Ramanagara derives from the Sanskrit words "Rama" and "nagara," translating to "Rama's town," rooted in local legends from the Ramayana epic associating the area with Lord Rama's exile (vanavasa). According to tradition, Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, is believed to have resided in the region's hills, particularly around Ramagiri or Ramadevara Betta, during their forest wanderings, lending the town its mythological significance.[7][8] During the rule of Tipu Sultan (1782–1799), the town was known as Shamsherabad or alternatively Ramserpuram, names reflecting Islamic influences prevalent in the Mysore Kingdom at the time.[9] This nomenclature shifted following the fall of Srirangapatna in 1799. In 1800, under British colonial administration, the town was renamed Closepet in honor of Sir Barry Close (1756–1813), a prominent East India Company officer who played a key role in the Anglo-Mysore Wars and subsequent treaties. The name Closepet persists in geological contexts, referring to the ancient Closepet Granites formation in the area.[10][11] Post-independence, during the tenure of Kengal Hanumanthaiah as Chief Minister (1952–1956), the town was officially renamed Ramanagara to revive its cultural and mythological heritage tied to the Ramayana. This change symbolized a return to indigenous naming conventions after colonial rule.[9][12]Historical Development
Ramanagara's historical roots are intertwined with ancient Hindu epics, particularly the Ramayana. Local traditions associate the region with Lord Rama's forest exile, believing it formed part of his route through southern India; the Rama Temple near the town is revered as a site where Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana rested during their journey.[13] In the medieval period, the area came under the influence of the Hoysala Empire from the 10th to 14th centuries, followed by the Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th to 16th centuries, during which local chieftains administered the territory amid the broader Kannadiga kingdoms' expansions.[14] Structures reflecting Vijayanagara architectural legacy in the region highlight this era's influence. By the 18th century, the region was incorporated into the Mysore Kingdom under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, who renamed the town Shamsherabad and fortified hilltop structures, including strengthening a local fort into an arms and ammunition storehouse in 1791 ahead of the Third Anglo-Mysore War.[15] The British colonial era began in 1799 after Tipu Sultan's defeat at Srirangapatna, integrating the area into the Madras Presidency; the town was renamed Closepet in honor of Sir Barry Close (1756–1813), a British East India Company general who served in the Mysore campaigns.[12] This period saw administrative consolidation under British rule until India's independence in 1947. Post-independence, the region became part of Mysore State, formed on November 1, 1956, via the States Reorganisation Act, which unified Kannada-speaking areas; the state was renamed Karnataka in 1973.[14] Administrative evolution continued with Ramanagara's elevation to district status on August 23, 2007, through bifurcation from Bangalore Rural District, incorporating Ramanagara, Channapatna, Kanakapura, and Magadi taluks to improve governance and regional development. This district was renamed Bengaluru South on May 23, 2025.[10][16] This change marked a significant step in decentralizing administration in southern Karnataka.Geography and Geology
Location and Climate
Ramanagara is situated approximately 50 kilometers southwest of Bengaluru, serving as the headquarters of Bengaluru South district (formerly Ramanagara district) within the Bangalore division of Karnataka.[17][18] The town lies at geographic coordinates of 12°43′N 77°17′E and has an average elevation of 747 meters above sea level.[19] The topography of Ramanagara features hilly terrain characteristic of the Deccan Plateau, with rocky uplands, plateaus, and flat-topped hills rising to around 900 meters in some areas.[20] The region is encircled by seven prominent hills—Shivaramagiri, Yatirajagiri, Somagiri, Krishnagiri, Revanasiddeshwara Betta, Sidilakallu Betta, and Jala Siddeshwara Betta—which contribute to its undulating landscape and make it a notable area for outdoor activities.[21] The Ramanagara taluk covers an administrative area of approximately 625 square kilometers.[12] Ramanagara experiences a tropical savanna climate, marked by distinct wet and dry seasons influenced by the southwest monsoon.[22] The average annual rainfall ranges from 800 to 900 millimeters, with the majority occurring during the monsoon period from June to September; for instance, the Ramanagara taluk records an average of 920.9 millimeters based on 1990–2014 data.[23] Temperatures typically vary between 20°C and 35°C throughout the year, with maximums reaching up to 34°C in April and May and minimums dropping to around 16°C during cooler months.[12]Geological Features
Ramanagara's geological landscape is dominated by the Closepet Granite, a significant intrusive formation that characterizes the region's rocky terrain. This granite belt, part of the larger Dharwar Craton in southern India, extends approximately 50 km from Ramanagara southward toward the Closepet area, forming a prominent feature amid the Peninsular Shield. The Closepet Granite is dated to the late Archaean era, with emplacement occurring between 2520 and 2510 million years ago, marking it as one of the ancient crustal components in the region.[24][18] The primary rock type consists of coarse-grained, potassium-rich granite outcrops, intruded into older Peninsular Gneiss complexes and influenced by nearby charnockite formations, which add to the area's metamorphic diversity. These granites resulted from syntectonic magmatic activity during the late Archaean, involving partial melting of the lower crust and mantle interactions under high-temperature conditions, leading to the uplift and exposure of resistant rock masses over billions of years. The resulting geology features rugged, weathered granite domes and inselbergs, contributing to the district's distinctive undulating topography with isolated hills.[25][26] This geological heritage earns Ramanagara the nickname "Rock City" due to its numerous granite hillocks and massive boulders, which create a dramatic skyline of over 100 such formations ideal for rock climbing and bouldering. Prominent examples include Ramadevara Betta, a monolithic hill rising to 1,164 meters above sea level that exemplifies the durable granite structures.[27] The fractured and jointed nature of these outcrops fosters microhabitats, supporting unique biodiversity hotspots with specialized flora and fauna adapted to the rocky substrates, such as endemic lichens and scrub vegetation.[3][9][28]Demographics
Population Statistics
According to the 2011 Census of India, the town of Ramanagara had a total population of 95,167, comprising 48,224 males and 46,943 females.[4] This marked a decadal growth of 19.95% from the 2001 Census figure of 79,365, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of approximately 1.84%.[4] The population density stood at about 6,549 persons per square kilometer, based on the town's municipal area of 14.53 square kilometers.[2] The age distribution indicated a relatively youthful demographic, with children under 6 years accounting for 12.25% of the population, or 11,657 individuals (5,927 males and 5,730 females).[4] The sex ratio was 973 females per 1,000 males, slightly below the state average, while the child sex ratio (for ages 0-6) was 967 females per 1,000 males.[29] Literacy rates in the town reflected urban advantages, with an overall rate of 79.92%, including 83.08% for males and 76.68% for females; this compared favorably to rural areas in the region, where literacy was lower due to limited access to education.[4] In the broader context of Bengaluru South district (formerly known as Ramanagara district until May 2025), the 2011 Census recorded a total population of 1,082,636 (548,008 males and 534,628 females), with a decadal growth rate of 5.05% from 2001 and a density of 308 persons per square kilometer across 3,516 square kilometers.[30] The district's sex ratio was 976 females per 1,000 males, and children under 6 years comprised 9.96% of the population (107,841 individuals).[30] Overall literacy was 69.22%, with males at 76.76% and females at 61.50%, highlighting a notable urban-rural divide where urban literacy exceeded 80% in key areas like the town.[30] Projections based on census trends estimate the district's population at approximately 1,140,000 as of 2025, reflecting continued modest growth influenced by migration and economic factors.[31]| Key Demographic Indicators (2011 Census) | Ramanagara Town | Bengaluru South District (formerly Ramanagara District) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 95,167 | 1,082,636 |
| Decadal Growth Rate (2001-2011) | 19.95% | 5.05% |
| Population Density (per sq km) | 6,549 | 308 |
| Sex Ratio (females per 1,000 males) | 973 | 976 |
| Child Population (0-6 years, %) | 12.25% | 9.96% |
| Literacy Rate (overall) | 79.92% | 69.22% |