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Distance from:
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Hospet is a city in Bellary District in northern Karnataka, India. Its tourist importance lies in its proximity to Hampi, the site of the medieval Vijayanagar Empire, situated about 13 kms away. The Tungabhadra Dam here harnesses the sweet waters of the Tungabhadra River. At the base of the dam is a garden styled along Japanese lines. The Tungabhadra Dam is here and was built in the twentieth century. It was the entrance gate to the city of Vijayanagar for all travellers coming from Goa and West Coast. A recent phenomenon in this region has been the boom of the iron-ore mining business. Due to great international demands for iron-ore, particularly from China, there has been a lot of excessive mining in this region. To an extent, the Tungabhadra Dam as well as the ruins of Hampi are now endangered by this development.
The world famous Hampi is also just 12 km from Hosapete. It is also known as 'Steel City' this is because of the presence of many iron and steel industries in this belt.
From Hospet you may opt for any of the daylong sight seeing tours of Hampi and the Tungabhadra Dam by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation. Regular buses also ply between Hospet and the Tungabhadra, which are at a distance of fifteen kilometers from each other. The terrific dam across the Tungabhadra River is 590 meters in length, 49 meters in height with an enormous storage capacity. Hampi is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River flows and it is believed that the Goddess Hampi (Parvati) attained Lord Shiva here during the rein of Scindias.
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History of Hospet city
Hospet, the site where the great Vijaya Nagara Kingdom was situated. Between the 14th and 17th centuries, the Vijayanagara Empire dominated southern India and is known chiefly for its extreme strength and wealth, which were expressed magnificently in its distinctive, complex, highly symbolic art and architecture. The empire’s capital was the economically flourishing riverside ‘city of victory’ – Vijayanagara City itself – and people travelled from far and wide to admire it.Hospet in Karnataka is an ideal haven for those who want to visit the architectural remains of the temples of Vijayanagar Empire. On all sides of Hospet,one can see large hills made of granite boulders.
It once covered around 540 square kilometres of land but today it lies in ruins, only a fraction of its former size, next to the village of Hampi. As first glance, it seems that time has washed away its colour and glory and left it barren and empty, but closer inspection reveals a wealth of temples, burial grounds, rock carvings, monuments, water-courses, a palace and many houses, all enclosed within a huge city wall.
The Virupaksha temple dominates this field of archaeological treasures, its ten-level entrance tower still standing tall above the column-lined walkway that draws the visitors from a massive Nandi bull sculpture towards the peaceful, shadowy centre.
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Geography and Climate of Hospet city
Hospet is located at 15.27° N 76.4° E. It has an average elevation of 480 metres or 1574 feet. The ideal time to travel to Hospet is September to February.
As of 2001 India census, Hospet had a population of 163,284. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Hosapete has an average literacy rate of 65%, higher than the national average of 59.5% male literacy is 72%, and female literacy is 57%. In Hosapete, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.
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Economy of Hospet city
The major occupation of this district is agriculture and 75% total labour force is dependent on agriculture for its livelihood. The important crops grown are cotton, jowar, groundnut, rice, sunflower and cereals.
It has both metallic and non-metallic minerals. The metallic minerals include iron ore, manganese ore, redoxide, gold, copper and lead. The non-metallic minerals include andalusite, asbestos, corundum, clay, dolomite, limestone, limekankan, moulding sand, quartz, soap stone, granite and red ochre.
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Flora and Fauna of Hospet city
Apart from the aninals like Sloth Bears, Leopards, Hyena, Jackals, Wild Boars, Porcupine, Pangolins, Star Tortoise, Monitor Lizard, Mongoose, Pea Fowls, Partridges, Painted Spur Hen, Quails etc. About 90 species of birds, and 27 species of butterflies have also been identified. There are innumerable wild fruit-bearing trees and bushes like kavale orcarissa carandas, jane or grewia teliafolia, ulupi or Grewia salvitidia, nerale or Eugenea jambolana, bore or zyziphus jujuba, etc found here. These trees and bushes yield fruits one after the other. Also, the authorities have started raising orchards of custard apple, Singapore cherry, mango, banana, maize, etc within the area. Bears are fond of termites and honey, which are also available in plenty here. There are waterholes too, for quenching the thirst of the wildlife.
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