About Hosur:
Hosur, also known as
Little England, for its climatic conditions, has a history of more than
2000 Years. Hosur, is known on these days, not only for its climatic
condition, but for the thousands of industries located here. Hosur is
at the height of about 900 meters above sea level. The average
temperature during summer is 25° to 35° C and during Winter it is 13° to 25° C. Month
of March and April used to be hot and rainy season starts in the
month of May and lasts up to December. Rain during the month
of May is mostly due to summer. June and July used to witness
high speed winds along with rain.
Other than climate, Hosur is very special for the languages
spoken. The population is identified as Local and Settled.
'Local' means, people who
live in Hosur even before industrialization and 'Settled' means people
who got settled in Hosur after 1970s. 70% of the Locals have
Telugu as their mother tongue, while 99% of the Settled have Tamil
as their mother tongue. Other than Telugu and Tamil, the next
widely spoken language is Kannada.
Hosur History: 
This is the image of Hosur during British rule
- Photo courtesy - British Library
British Sepoys are seen
- resting near the temple. This was photographed (later
colored) during 1791
AD. by Cornwallis himself.
Photographed (later colored) by Thomas Daniell during
1804 AD
who accompanied Lord Cornwallis and depicts Hosur
Photographed by HosurOnline on 1st May 2010 after the car festival
Hosur comes under Krishnagiri District. Krishnam
in north Indian language means black and Giri in north Indian
language means hill (Granite hills). Hosur and its surroundings are very rich in
Granite. The other reason for the name 'Krishnagiri' may be
that - the hill in the town Krishnagiri looks so similar to the
rocky hill of Gingee, where one of the hill is named as Krishangiri
and the fort built by Cholas during 13th centuary on that hill was
later used as the ruling throne by foreign rulers like Marathas,
Nayaks, Marathas and Mughals who also ruled this part of the
country. Aurangazeb leased Gingee to 'Swarup Singh' one of the
Bundela (a Rajput race which ruled central India) Chieftain and
even today we can see a hamlet of Rajputs at Venkatesh Puram near
Bagalur (10 kms from Hosur), whom might have migrated along with
Swarup Singh or his son De Singh (Desing-gu Raja).
During Sangam age, Hosur was called as 'Murasu Naadu'.
Stone art found in boulders shows that the area of Hosur was
cultured even during the stone age. The area was also called
as Thagadoor during ancient Tamil Sangam age and also as Athiyamaan
Naadu as Hosur was under the rule of Athiyamaan, the king who gave 'Karu-Nellikkaai'
to prolong the life of Tamil poet Av-vai-yaar. During ancient
Tamil sangam age, Hosur, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Mysore, Bangalore
and Salem was ruled by Tamil kings and was very much a part of Tamil
Nadu.
A small temple was built for 'Kaali-kaambaal - Kaamadeswarar' on the Hill
(now, can be seen while climbing to the hill top) at Hosur by a
Bundela named Batta Kur-rappa Nayaka who got settled
at Bagalur. Either he should belong to the family of Swarup Sing
who ruled Gingee or might have come along with Tippu Sultan as
Bundelas are know for fighting Mugals and at the same time few of
them joining hands with Muslim invaders and get the right to rule
countries encroached by them. Till today
the festival for the temple coincides with the north Indian festival Holy, while
most of the people of this area do not know what Holy means! The tower of the temple also does not
resemble to that of
Tamil temple architecture and adds an evidence to the claim of being built
by north Indian. The temple is considered to be built during the
year 1200 AD and hence establishment of modern Hosur can be considered from
that year i.e. 1207 AD.
Chandira Choodeswarar Temple located on the 250ft high hill top, was
built by the Hoysala dynasty king, Thirupuvanamalla Barvatharaja
Anthiyazhvar, during the year 1218 AD to 1296 AD. The temple was
renovated by Azhakiya Perumal Aathimoolam. He also belonged to Hoysala
Dynasty.
It was Hoysala King Ramanatha (Rama Nayakkan) who had his head quarters at Veppanapalli,
built the lake 'Ramanayakkan Eari' to store water for irrigation
purposes and till today the lake is called by his name. Ramanatha
was the king who developed Hosur and a small market was setup near the
present day's Gandhi Statue area.
Photo
image of Ramanayakkan Eari. Photographed by ASP on 20th May
2010
After Ramanathan, his son Vishwanathan took the throne but he was
toppled by his cousin Palla-raayan III. Pallaraaya III,
established his kingdom up to Kerala's Cannanoor. The rule of Hoysala
dynasty came to an end after Pallaraaya III died during the war with
Maaravarman Sundarapandyan of Madurai's Pandian dynasty. Pallaraaya's son married the sister of King Harihara, who established
Vijayanagar kingdom.
During late 13th and early 14th century AD
Hosur was under the rule of Kolar. Stone scriptures says that the
king
was called as 'Azahgiya Perumaal Aththi-mallan Kaaruvaan-arachan'.
He brought the Bagalur landlords under his control. He established
the villages Aththi-palli, Aththi-mugam, Aththi-chandiram and
Aththi-naththam and all the names relate to his name and even today it
is called by his name.
From Pandians, Hosur came under the rule of Vijayanagar and then went
into the control of Hyder Ali. After Hyder Ali, Hosur came under
the rule of Tippu Sultan and a mosque was built by Sultan in Hosur and
the mosque is located in Ram Nagar area.
Mosque built by Tippu Sultan
During Sultan's rule, the
Hill Top temple was renovated and maintained well and documents speak
about the same. The renovation work was carried out by a British
architect
named 'Hamilton' whom Sultan captured during a war with British force.
As per the agreement made at Mangalore between British's East India
Company and Sultan, towns of Hosur, Denkanikottai and Krishnagiri came
under the rule of East India Company. Mr. Cornwallis took charge for
ruling this part of the country. Cornwallis appointed Captain
Kaspy as the collector for Hosur. Bret took charge from Kaspy and
as per the wish of Bret's wife, Bret constructed a fort which
looked similar to that of London's 'Kenilworth Fort' at a cost
less than Rs 10,000/-. Bret was dismissed
for constructing this Fort as Mr. Cornwallis felt that Bret has
mishandled/misused the company's money for constructing the fort. The fort was
located near the present day Kottai Mariyamman temple. The name 'Kottai'
speaks about the Fort and there are very few remains of the fort
today. It is said that few selfish people of Hosur, after independence,
looted the bricks/stones/pillars of the fort and made it to disappear. Even
during 1980s a small swimming pool opposite the Maariyamman temple had been witnessed by people who settled at Hosur during that period.
This photo image of Kenilworth Fort,
constructed by Bret in Ram Nagar area of Hosur was taken
during 1880 by Photographer Henry Dixon - Photo Courtesy:
Archaeological Survey of India Collections: India Office Series
(volume 21, 'a' numbers)
This photo image of Kenilworth Fort was taken during early 1980s
but the date and exact year is not known
Even during 18th centaury AD, it was Denkanikottai, Bagalur and
Soolagiri considered to be towns and for Madurai - Mysore war, movement
of forces were in the route via Javalagiri and Denkanikottai and there
was no symptom of further developments in Hosur area.
During British rule, Salem collector Walton
Elliot Lockhart, made Hosur
the head quarters for Salem district. Present day Sub-collector's
office at Hosur opposite Ramanayakkan Eari was then the district
collector's office.
Hosur Sub
Collector Office - Photographed by
HosurOnline on 29th June 2010 by A
Soosai Prakash. The stone with
date is provided in the photograph
separately. The cattle farm at Hosur was established in the year 1824 as Army
Remount Depot, by British for rearing and breeding Horses. This farm
was handed over to the Agricultural Department of Govt. of Madras on 1st
September 1924 as a Cattle Breeding Station. The Farm was
subsequently taken over by the Madras Civil Veterinary Department on 1st
April 1938 with the object to maintaining the purity of the Indian Milk
Breeds of Cattle and to conduct basic research on animal breeding and
the Farm was redesigned as Livestock research station. The farm
was renamed as District Livestock farm subsequent to the reorganization
of Livestock Research station on 1st January 1970. During recent
years, the cattle farm is being moved to Namakkal in a very slow phase
and soon the land may fall in the hands of Real Estate brokers! as
already the most expensive trees like Sandal wood and Silver oak are
being looted in day light.
Photo Image of Cattle Farm. Photographed by Mr Sivaraman of
JPSR Enterprises during the
year 2000
During 1980s industrialization began with the help of SIPCOT and Hosur
became Industrial Town. It was Mr. Karunanidhi - Chief Minister of
Tamil Nadu along with Rajaji and C. Subramanian (then finance
minister for India), who took lots of
efforts to establish industries at Hosur. After that basic development started taking
place. While urbanization and industrialization began by The
People of soil in rest of Tamil Nadu, it is the Tamil Nadu
government which took efforts for the development of Hosur.
Hosur is today well connected by road (NH 7), by Railway (direct trains
to Delhi, Mumbai, Coimbatore etc.,), by sea (Seaport located just 340
Kms away) and by air (airport is 35 KMs).
Roads towards Hosur - Just save the image to view enlarged
Read
Complete article on Hosur history here - as per TN Govt. Gazette
Hosur Tourism
Next to Anchetty there is a village called Dhabbaguli which is located near Urigam
- 55kms from Hosur (Hosur - Denkanikottai - Urigam - Dhabbaguli).
At Dhabbaguli, there is a temple and only at this village point
River Cauvery enters in to Tamil Nadu. Dhabbaguli is in a reserved
forest area with dense trees and bamboos. Reaching Dhabbaguli
is possible only by trekking or by private vehicles. Vehicles
can enter the reserved forest area only with prior permission from
forest officials at Hosur, else will put you into trouble in the
hands of them. Here, you can spot wild animals and birds. Very
calm and serene locality.
Anchetty Reserved Forest - River Cauvery is seen
in the middle of valleys. Photographer Alex. Photographed on
August 2009
Reaching Hogenakal via Hosur - Denkanikottai is
also a thrilling experience.
A stay at Bettamugilaalam (the highest peak in
Krishnagiri Taluk) Forest Bungalow having camp fire at night is a
real enjoyment.
Visiting Thally and participating in Adeetha
Ashram's mind development program will be a very nice experience
(Stay and participate in 3 to 7 days program)
Picnics can be arranged to Kelavarapalli dam which
has a children's park, can kill a day. Visiting Hill temple
and visiting Pach-chai kulam area, visiting another hill temple dedicated
for Lord Venkata-ramaswamy will make a day.
Swimming pools are available at Well Fit Health
Club (located near SIPCOT Phase II), Renaissance Grand Hotel, Jain
Farms, Hotel Sivaranjani, Infrag Farm House (located near
Kelamangalam)
Boating is available at Perandapally Village - can
be reached by taking a road opp. Bimetal Bearing on NH 7.
Business:
The salubrious climate makes Hosur to hold number two
position in cut rose export in all over India. The climate makes suitable for
cultivation of all vegetables round the year. Daily, tons of
vegetables are sent to other parts of the state and the country.
Vegetables are also being exported. Hosur is well know for Roses, Color Capsicums, Varieties of
flowers, Tomatoes, Cali-Flower, Cabbage etc, Other than the
regular Uzhavar Sandhai which concentrates on retail sales; Hosur has a
special Uzhavar Sandhai (Farmer's Market) which deals only with
whole-sale business and is supported by Coimbatore Agriculture
University.
A farmer working in his farm growing Beetroot
Cabbage is grown in large quantities at Hosur - Cabbage farm view
Cattle rearing is the primary occupation for Villagers in
surrounding Hosur
Hosur is number two
town in Tamil Nadu state in terms of commercial tax revenue.
Hosur, the town located just 40 KMs from Bangalore central, and
borders Bangalore is always an envy to the neighbor.
Manufacturing industries include
Ashok Leyland manufacturing heavy trucks, TVS Motor Company making Three
Wheelers and Two wheelers, Titan Watches & Titan Jewelry - TATA
group of companies and etc. Manufacturing facilities
of Hindustan Motors, Caterpillar, Luk-India, Exide batteries,
Gabriel Shock Observers etc., are located. Other industries related
to Granite and marble, pharmaceuticals, Tissue culture labs,
Floriculture, Sericulture etc., have lots of presence here.
1000s of ancillary units supporting the major industries can be
seen spread all over the town - almost in nook and corner of the
town.
Real estate investment in Hosur is always a profit even
during recessions. Insecure feeling caused by Kannada racists,
among other communities and genocide witnessed in Bangalore during
1990s have made Hosur the right choice of investment destination for
Tamils and other communities living and earning in Bangalore.
Most of IT company employees from Tamil Nadu invest in Hosur. Real
estate related crime including murder is on rise as of December
2009.
Internet service
providers are available in plenty. As lazy BSNL provides poor
service to its telephone and broadband using clients, most of the
large users migrate to Tata, Reliance, SunNet (does not belong to
Sun Networks of Maran Bros),
Wi5, NetCom etc., Airtel provides wired internet broadband in
SIPCOT 1 area.
Car showrooms are available for Chevrolet, Honda, Hyundai, Tata
and Maruthi and they are located on NH 7 towards Krishnagiri from Hosur.
Two wheeler (motor bike) showrooms for Hero Honda, Honda, Hero, Enfield, Yamaha, TVS, Bajaj
and Suzuki are located on NH7 towards Krishnagiri from Hosur.
Shopping:
Retail stores are thriving in our markets, and already
Nilgiries has its store here. Pallavi Stores at Bagalur road
and Kingson Supermarket opp. Railway Station, gives pleasurable shopping experience and helps in saving money
while shopping.
For pooja related items shopping can be done
on MG Road - Taluk Office Road intersection.
For pooja
flowers, bit of Taluk Office road between MG road
and Netaji road is the right place.
For fancy flowers, visit
Indira Nagar, which is just opp. Bus stand
For Tamil -
Sidha - Ayurvedha medicine, bit of Taluk Office road between MG road
and Netaji road is the right place.
Textile showrooms are present in plenty at MG
Road and Netaji Road. For branded cloth for men visit Old
Bangalore Road. For readymade school/industry uniforms - go to Geetha
Textiles (you can save money while shopping here) located in MG Road and for
uniform cloths go to Bhavani
Textiles (Bombay Dyeing showroom) - opp Ramar Koil.
For under-garments, lingerie,
Lungies etc go to Chandrasekara Textiles, adj. to SKPD Hall in MG
Road.
Branded home appliances can be bought
in Old Bangalore Road and MG Road. For budget home appliances,
Taluk office road is the paradise. Lots of electrical shops are
present here.
Most of the Jewelry shops are concentrated at
MG Road. Tanishq and GR Thangamalligai also have their
showrooms in this town.
For fancy jewelry, try shops near Ramar Koil and Bose Bazaar area.
For foot wears, MG Road, Old
Bangalore Road and Netaji road are the best choice.
For
shamiyana, chairs and cooking utilities rental, Netaji road is the
place.
For charcoal, lime stone etc Netaji Road is the place.
For buying paints and related items, visit Periathambi Chettiar
showroom or Senthil Hardwares.
Fruits can be bought at Municipal shopping
complex located near Gandhi statue.
Vegetables are sold in
Uzhavar Sandhai (7am to 12 noon), located near Taluk Office.
For bulk purchase, go to Bathalapalli Vegetable Market. For quick shopping of vegetables, go to Netaji Road.
Sea Fish
is sold near Gandhi Statue and near Balaji Cine Theater. For
Lake/Dam fish walk to NH7 - Krishnagiri Road, near the side of the
bridge, Poultry is sold in Anna Nagar. Mutton is sold in Anna
Nagar - Bismilla Mutton Stall is good and safe.
Agriculture
equipments, seeds and fertilizers are sold in Rayakottai road.
Automobile spares are available in NH 7. Most of the four
wheeler workshops are located on NH 7 towards Krishnagiri from Hosur
Bus Stand.
Batteries for invertors and Automobile are
available near the bridge on NH 7 towards Bangalore - Battery House
is a good choice.
Plenty of
budget hotels and restaurants are located near Bus Stand area.
Double check for the quality of the guest rooms before checking in,
as very few black sheep are busy engaging in illegal brothel and may put you
in police hands. To book rooms in bulk, try at Hotel
Victoria, on NH 7 and Hotel Sreenivas on Bagalur Road.
Community halls are available at HIA in SIPCOT Phase I, ALMDC near
Mookandapalli, Sivaranjani Hotel, Hotel Rennaissance, Janani
Restaurant near BSNL Town exchange, Aarthi Garden Restaurant in
Bagalur Road etc.,
Reputed Kalyana Mandapams in Hosur are Sreenivasa Mahal in
Sivaranjani Hotel complex, Meera Mahal in Railway Station Road, KAP
Kalyana Mandapam near Boys High School.
Many exhibitions and events to promote
businesses are arranged by HIA and HOSTIA - both associations for
industries.
Almost 12,000 dailies are sold in Hosur a day. Dinakaran
(6000 copies as on 26.05.2010), Dinathanthi and The Hindu (2700
copies as on 26.05.2010) contribute the sales a lot.
Mobile phone industry is booming in Hosur. All the mobile phone
service providers have their own dealer network and tower network.
For computer accessories - walk-in-to Sun Systems
in Tank Street. For branded PCs, laptops go to TCS or Swastik
Systems or MSK Infotech or Flake Agencies.
Eat Outs:
For Vegetarian budget restaurants, go to Gowri Shankar
Hotel in Old Bangalore Road. If you look for better care, then
walk into Sangeeth Sagar Restaurant. For luxury go to
Renaissance Grand or Sivaranjani.
For Non-Veg, you have
Janani Restaurant, National, Kings, Andhra Style (Previously called
as Nandini). For homely feel visit Chettinad Restaurant near
Vijay Nursing Home.
For evening eat outs, go to
Amirtham Chats or Raam Fast Food near Gandhi Statue.
For
buying sweets, Agarwal, Aryabavan, Aryaas, Kannaiya Bakery
and Salom are good. Salom is located on Railway station
road. For Bakery items you have Bake - Land, opp TVS Nagar on
Thalli Road.
