Latest news with #NadaprabhuKempegowda
Hans India
14 hours ago
- General
- Hans India
Bengaluru celebrates Bandi Devara fest with gusto
Bengaluru: The city witnessed vibrant celebrations during the historic Bengaluru Bandi Devara Utsava, held as part of the birth anniversary of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, founder of Bengaluru. The three-day festival, marked by traditional fervour and large public participation, brought a slice of rural heritage into the urban heart of the city. On the second day, a grand procession of over 20 elaborately decorated bullock carts — representing the farming communities of Bengaluru and its surrounding areas — wound its way through iconic city routes, including Hudson Circle, Cubbon Park, the High Court, and Gopal Gowda Circle, before concluding at the Kempegowda statue near Vidhana Soudha. Each cart carried idols of Kempegowda's ancestors, Kempannaswamy and Sri Veeranna Swamy, which were ritually worshipped before the march. Nearly 2,000 people joined the procession, showcasing the region's cultural pride. The festivities began with floral tributes at the Kempegowda statue within the BBMP premises, led by Paramapoojya Jagadguru Sri Sri Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji of the Adichunchanagiri Mahasansthana Mutt, who also inaugurated the day's celebrations. Addressing the gathering, Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji observed, 'This festival was once confined to villages. Seeing it revived and embraced in the city is deeply satisfying. Let us uphold and grow this tradition in the years to come.' Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who participated in the celebrations, commended the farming community for their spirited involvement. 'It is a matter of pride that Bengaluru, a city founded by Kempegowda, is preserving its cultural roots. The government has earmarked ₹100 crore for the construction of Kempegowda Bhavana, and plans are underway to open libraries in his name,' he announced. The event concluded with the distribution of sweets to attendees. Prominent attendees included Mahalakshmipuram MLA Gopalaiah, senior IRS officer and Utsava Committee Honorary President Jayaram Rayapur, Committee President Talakadu Chikkarangegowda, Secretary M. Amaresh, Vice President Nagaraj (Retd. SP), and several cultural and academic figures including Dr. B.S. Puttaswamy, Divya Rangenahalli, Prof. Jayaprakash Gowda, and members of the First Circle Organisation.
News18
a day ago
- General
- News18
Redditors Reflect On Bengaluru's Decline On Kempegowda Jayanti: ‘Please Forgive Us Gowdre'
Last Updated: The Bengaluru residents apologised to Kempegowda, the man credited with envisioning and building the original layout of the Karnataka capital, over the city's current condition As Bengaluru marked Kempegowda Jayanti today, June 27 — the birth anniversary of its founder Nadaprabhu Kempegowda — a section of the city's residents took to Reddit to express regret over the city's current state. They apologised to Kempegowda, the man credited with envisioning and building the original layout of the Karnataka capital, for the current condition of the place. The discussion, which took place on the subreddit r/Bengaluru, was sparked by a widely shared post that read: 'Happy birthday Gowdre, please forgive us for the current state of Bengaluru." Kempegowda, a 16th-century chieftain under the Vijayanagara Empire, is known for laying the foundation of modern Bengaluru. He is credited with building a network of lakes and erecting the city's original boundary towers, known today as the four Kempegowda towers. One Redditor remarked on the founder's foresight: 'Kempegowda founded Bengaluru and envisioned a city with interconnected lakes, which prevented flooding and helped keep the city cool during summers." However, many users lamented that the city Kempegowda envisioned has been lost to overdevelopment, traffic congestion, and environmental degradation. One long-time resident commented: 'As someone born and brought up in Bengaluru, I hate what the city has become. Others may like it, but for us locals, it's changed beyond recognition. There was a time when traffic was minimal, the weather was lovely — and we didn't even talk about it much, it was just normal. The city had people from different linguistic backgrounds even before the IT boom, but it wasn't this frustrating." The post went on to warn of the consequences of unchecked urban expansion, 'If Bengaluru keeps expanding to the outskirts places like Ramanagara, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Dabaspet, and Magadi, what will be left of its core identity? I fear the population density will choke every part of the city." The discussion also included participation from newcomers to the city, some of whom were unaware of Kempegowda's role in Bengaluru's history. One asked: 'New to Bangalore and trying to dive into Kannada history — who is this?" In response, other users offered brief historical summaries, emphasising Kempegowda's contributions to Bengaluru's urban planning and infrastructure. First Published: June 27, 2025, 19:04 IST
India Gazette
a day ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
K'taka: DK Shivakumar pays tribute to Kempegowda, plans memorial on birth anniversary
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 27 (ANI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday marked the birth anniversary of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda by garlanding his statue and reaffirming the state government's commitment to preserving the legacy of the city's founding father. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah was also present. Addressing the gathering, Shivakumar announced plans for a grand memorial, stating, 'This is a very special occasion. We have allotted five acres through the Kempegowda Development Authority. We ourselves established this authority.' Nadaprabhu Kempegowda was a chieftain under the Vijayanagara Empire in early-modern India. He added, 'We ourselves began the celebration of the Jayanthi (birth anniversary). We are the ones who gave the land. We are now laying the foundation stone with the intention of constructing a grand building for it.' He further noted that earlier in the day, he, along with Ministers Krishna Byre Gowda, Muniyappa, and others, offered floral tributes near Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport. Regarding Minister Rajnath Singh's statement about a 'revolution in the government' after September, he said, 'I am not aware of this matter. I will speak to him and let you know afterwards. In any case, you should ask him directly.' Meanwhile, speaking to the media at the Vidhana Soudha on Friday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, 'Kempegowda is an efficient and far-sighted administrator. He is the builder of modern Bangalore. Today, Kempegowda's 516th birth anniversary is being celebrated in collaboration with the government, Kempegowda Development Authority and BBMP. During 2013-18, our government discussed with Nirmala Nanda Swamiji and found out the date of birth, and since then, the government has been continuously celebrating Kempegowda Jayanti. If Bangalore is recognised internationally today, it was Kempegowda who laid the foundation for it.' He added, 'The government has done the work of commemorating him. Kempegowda, who built towers in four parts of Bangalore, understood what Bangalore should be like and built many towns, including Nagaratpet, Chikkapet, and Balepet, during his administration based on his profession.' The Chief Minister said that his administration is a model for all of us. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
'Please forgive us, Gowdre': Redditors discuss current state of Bengaluru on Kempegowda Jayanti
As Bengaluru marked the birth anniversary of its visionary founder, Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, netizens took to Reddit to reflect on the city's transformation, from a laid-back garden town to a bustling tech metropolis. The occasion, Kempegowda Jayanti, became more than a commemoration; it sparked a candid conversation about what the city has gained, lost, and continues to grapple with. Nadaprabhu Kempegowda's Jayanti is celebrated on June 27(ANI/ PIB) Also Read - 'Non-veg eaters need not apply': Chennai man's rental post triggers debate on landlords' biases Often celebrated as the man who laid the foundation of modern Bengaluru, Kempegowda was praised in several posts for his foresight in urban planning. One user explained to newcomers, 'Kempegowda founded Bengaluru and envisioned a city with interconnected lakes, which prevented flooding and helped keep the city cool during summers.' But alongside admiration, there was a deep sense of nostalgia and regret. One of the most emotional posts read: 'Happy birthday Gowdre, please forgive us for the current state of Bengaluru.' The line struck a chord with many, opening the floodgates to a heartfelt discussion on how the city's rapid expansion has left long-time residents feeling alienated. Also Read - Bengaluru entrepreneur says he's often mistaken for a north Indian due to skin colour, Hindi: 'When I speak in Kannada…' A local user shared: 'As someone born and brought up in Bengaluru, I hate what the city has become. Others may like it, but for us locals, it's changed beyond recognition. There was a time when traffic was minimal, the weather was lovely — and we didn't even talk about it much, it was just normal. The city had people from different linguistic backgrounds even before the IT boom, but it wasn't this frustrating.' He went on to add a sobering concern about the city's future: 'If Bengaluru keeps expanding to the outskirts places like Ramanagara, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Dabaspet, and Magadi, what will be left of its core identity? I fear the population density will choke every part of the city.' Others chimed in with similar sentiments, recalling a Bengaluru of tree-lined roads, slower days, and a more cohesive cultural fabric, something they feel is being diluted in today's startup-driven, traffic-jammed urban sprawl. Interestingly, the post also attracted newcomers to the city who admitted they weren't familiar with Kempegowda and his legacy. 'New to Bangalore and trying to dive into Kannada history — who is this?' one asked. The thread soon turned into a mini history lesson, with users detailing how Kempegowda established the city's early layout, built lakes, and erected towers to demarcate the city's boundaries — markers that still exist today.
News18
2 days ago
- Business
- News18
'Statue Of Prosperity' Stands Tall, But Kempegowda Theme Park Project Yet To Get Off The Ground
The Rs 22-crore component of the Rs 84-crore project in Bengaluru has stalled, and blame is being traded between the BJP and Congress The 108-foot Statue of Prosperity dedicated to Nadaprabhu Kempegowda stands tall near the Kempegowda International Airport. But nearly three years after its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022, the theme park surrounding the statue remains incomplete. The Rs 22-crore component of the Rs 84-crore project has stalled, and blame is being traded. The BJP government, which conceptualised and swiftly executed the statue's construction within seven months, has accused the Congress-led state government of delaying the project. BJP leaders claim that although funds were allocated to develop the theme park, they remain unused due to political motives. Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, who holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio and is a Vokkaliga leader himself, dismissed the allegation. 'The BJP government erected the statue but didn't pay contractors once the work was completed. I don't want to dwell on that now. Our focus is on developing Bengaluru," he said. The statue, also called Pragatiya Pratime or the Statue of Prosperity, was sculpted by Padma Bhushan awardee Ram V Sutar, known for the Statue of Unity. It is made of 98 tonnes of bronze and 120 tonnes of steel. According to the World Book of Records, it is the tallest bronze statue of a city founder in the world. The idea for the statue was first proposed by former chief minister BS Yediyurappa after the BJP came to power and was implemented within months. As part of the tribute, mruthike (sacred soil) was collected from over 22,000 locations across Karnataka. Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, a chieftain under the Vijayanagara Empire who founded Bengaluru in 1537, is widely revered, especially by the Vokkaligas, Karnataka's second-largest and politically significant community. However, the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Foundation insists that the celebrations around him must emphasise inclusivity. 'Kempegowda may have been a Vokkaliga, but he built Bengaluru for everyone, including Telugu- and Tamil-speaking communities. He belongs to the whole city and represents development for all, not just one community. That's the perception we're trying to change," said Ashok KM Gowda of the foundation. 'They don't want to complete what was started by the BJP. The Congress fears that if they do, the people will know it was the BJP that deserves the credit." While the Congress government faces criticism for delays in completing the park, it has lined up elaborate celebrations to mark Kempegowda Jayanthi on June 27. The BBMP will organise a floral tribute at the statue near Kempegowda International Airport, followed by events at the BBMP office and the Vidhana Soudha. A symbolic lamp procession will be held from four historic city points—Lalbagh, Mehkri Circle, Kempambudhi Lake, and Ulsoor—converging at Sumanahalli Circle, where a new five-acre headquarters of the Kempegowda Heritage Authority will be constructed. Similar events are planned at historical sites in Magadi, Devanahalli, and Kunigal—all linked to Kempegowda's legacy. The Congress government said that the new Kempegowda Bhavan in Sumanahalli will reflect Bengaluru's rich cultural heritage. Meanwhile, questions linger over the stalled theme park—a key component of the original vision—that still lies in limbo. Former deputy CM and BJP leader Ashwath Narayan told News18 that while it is fine to celebrate Kempegowda, setting up the Kempegowda Development Authority, he also asked the Congress to complete the work that was pending around the Kempegowda statue. 'We welcome the work that is being done to commemorate Kempegowda, but at least have the courtesy to complete the work that was pending at the Kempegowda airport area. There is money earmarked; there are funds. Why not release it and finish it? They fear that the credit will go to the BJP, but Kempegowda was a ruler who embraced all," Narayan told News18. The statue's inauguration, held just ahead of the 2023 assembly elections, was also seen as a political move aimed at boosting BJP support in the Vokkaliga heartland of southern Karnataka, particularly after the party's 2019 KR Pete bypoll win in Mandya. But the election results didn't go as expected. And now, with the theme park unfinished, the spotlight is back on the incomplete legacy project, with politics once again at its centre. Location : Bengaluru, India, India First Published: June 27, 2025, 06:30 IST News politics 'Statue Of Prosperity' Stands Tall, But Kempegowda Theme Park Project Yet To Get Off The Ground
