Karnataka Spotlight Archives

Karnataka SpotLight - Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore
The majestic looking Vidhan Soudha located in Bangalore is a marvel of neo-Dravidian architecture and one of the most imposing building not only in Bangalore but also in India. It houses the State Legislature, and is the largest Secretariat in India. Kengal Hanumanthaiah, Chief Minister of the then Mysore State between 1951-1956 was responsible for the concept, the structure and the setting of this magnificent building. The building project was started in 1952 and was completed in four years. Five thousand labourers, 1500 chisellers, masons and wood carvers were employed to bring the building to its present form. Built entirely from Bangalore granite in the Dravidian style, it has floral motifs on stone carvings drawn from the celebrated temple craft of South India.

Click here to get more information about Vidhana Soudha

 

Karnataka SpotLight - Jog Falls, Shivamoga  
Jog Falls (ಜೋಗ ಜಲಪಾತ ) is created by the Sharavathi River falling from a height of 253 meters (829 ft). It  is the highest waterfall in India. The waterfalls is  located in Shivamoga district in Karnataka state, these segmented falls are a major tourist attraction. It is also called by other names like Gerusoppe falls, Gersoppa Falls and Jogada Gundi. River Sharavathi splits up into four different tracks which are named in accordance with their perceived trajectories. Going from left to right respectively in the picture, the names and the reasons for naming are:
  • Raja (King): Named so because of its apparently 'dignified' and 'serene' fall.
  • Roarer: This stream appears out of a mass of rocks, making a tremendous amount of noise.
  • Rocket: Consists of a large volume of water streaming out of a small opening at a very high speed.
  • Rani (Queen), also called Lady: The stream has a winding, twisting trajectory, said to resemble the movements of a female dancer.

Associated with the waterfall is the nearby Linganamakki dam across river Sharavathi river, and the hydro-electirc power station that it serves. The power station has been operational since 1949, and is, at 1200 MW capacity, one of the largest hydro-electric stations in India and a significant source of electric power for Karnataka. The volume of the waterfalls varies and Before the onset of monsoon, when there is not much water in the Linganmakki dam, the "mighty" Jog Falls are nearly unrecognizable. Instead of the roar and the spray and the massive flow of water, there are only a pair of thin streams of water trickling down the cliff.