Thread by @vschanna

When Kempegowda presented blue print for constructing Bengaluru city to the Vijayanagara King, impressed with the vision & planning, the king not only approved it, but also gave 50000 gold coins(varahas), & six nearby areas of Bengaluru to be included under the new city.

Kempegowda had studied 8 years in a Gurukula, in Hesaraghatta before taking the reigns of Yelahanka ruled by his ancestors for decades. Vijayanagar Kings advised Kempegowda to ensure the new city of Bengaluru will be a commercial & dharmic Centre & self sufficient in water rqmnt.

Bhoomi Puja of Bengaluru was done in an area between Domluru & Yelahanka. Havana & Yagna was Conducted by the Gurukula teachers where Kempegowda had studied. Massive Smoke and Vedaghosha had filled the air due to Vedic rituals.

East-West line became Chikkapete(retail market), North-South line became Doddapete (wholesale market-current avenue road). Akki,Ragi,Arale & taragu petes for grocery market, ganigara pete for oil, unparalleled pete for salt, kumbara pete for pottery, Tigalara petefor flower biz..

Contd ...Nagarth pete for gold/silver biz, Bale petefor bangles and chain came up. Dharmambudhi lake(busstand), Kempambudhi lake, Halsuru lake & Yedeyuru lake were constructed for mobilising water for drinking & washing.

Picture of yedeyuru lake.

For Irrigation requirement Kempegowda constructed Sampangi lake(Current cricket stadium).

Having studied in Gurukula & being a totally dharmic king, Kempegowda constructed Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple, Basavanagudi’s Big bull -Nandi temple, Doddapete’s Anjaneya temple.

Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple, in Gavipura, continues to amaze people with the extraordinary knowledge of astronomy and temple architecture it synthesises to ensure Sun rays fall on the murthy of Lord Shiva on Makarasankranti every year.

For protection Kempegowda constructed forts all round Bengaluru. Mahadwaras(main entrances) for these forts were constructed at Yelahanka, Halasuru, Kengeri, & Anekal.

Important aspect of Bengaluru, was the design, implementation & interlinking of Raja Kaluves (king canals which exist even today). When a lake was filled with rain water, extra water was fed into other lakes through these King canals, and finally to outside the city.

By the quirk of fate, Kempegowda who founded Bengaluru, was arrested and imprisoned at anegondi on charges of treason. The complaints to the Vijayanagar king was given by Channapttana local chieftain. ...At this time Vijayanagara Kingdom was getting weakened with rebellion.

To protect Bengaluru from evil enemies, Kempegowda’s sons constructed watch towers at Lalbagh, Halsuru, Sadashivanagara, and chamarajapete. It is believed Dharmaraya temples lies at equidistant from these watch towers.

Every evening from atop an elevated boulder, bugle sound(KahaLe) was blown to indicate all is well in the city. If the the bugle sound was heard at other times, it indicated threat to the city. This place is today’s bugle rock in Basavanagudi.

King Aliya Ramaraya released Kempegowda from the prison after five years, realising Kempegowda was innocent. ...Kempegowda returned to Bengaluru on a triumphant note with people giving him a a rousing welcome reception. His popularity had in fact increased after his arrest.

Kempegowda was made to sit on a silver swing(vuyyale) & milk abhisheka was performed on him as part of his welcome. The place where this welcome was given to Kempegowda, was called VuyyaLe Kavalu, which in due course has become Vyali Kaval, thanks to Tamil people residing there.

Kempegowda who was an outstanding visionary, planner, dharmic leader, and a people’s leader whom every Bengalurian must thank, accidentally died in 1569, near Magadi while returning from Kunigal.

The content is from a Whatsapp forward. Seems one Wing commander Sudarshan has authored it in Kannada. Full credits to him and a big 🙏🙏🙏

Correction ...Uppara pete for salt biz.