Bengaluru Marks Nadaprabhu Kempegowda’s 517th Birth Anniversary with Citywide Celebrations

Bengaluru celebrated the 517th birth anniversary of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda with a series of commemorative events, including floral tributes, the inauguration of the S.M. Krishna Expressway, a large-scale tree plantation drive, the unveiling of the Wall of Gratitude, and the presentation of the Kempegowda International Awards.

Key Details:

• Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar paid floral tributes at the 108-foot bronze statue of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda near Kempegowda International Airport, Devanahalli.

• The Chief Minister also visited the Kempegowda Theme Park and participated in commemorative events organized by the Yelahanka Okkaligara Sangha.

• A concessionary Karnataka Housing Board (KHB) site was announced for the Okkaligara Sangha during the celebrations.

• Floral tributes were also offered at the equestrian statue of Kempegowda in front of Vidhana Soudha.

• The Wall of Gratitude, developed by the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA), was inaugurated to honour farmers and local residents who voluntarily contributed land for the construction of the S.M. Krishna Expressway (Bengaluru–Mysuru Corridor).

• The S.M. Krishna Expressway was officially inaugurated following a *10K Run and 5K Walkathon that attracted thousands of participants*.

• Ceremonial “Pura Jyothis” carried from four directions of Bengaluru were received by the Chief Minister and placed before a replica of Kempegowda’s fort at Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout, Challaghatta.

• Around 15 lakh saplings were planted within 12 hours by approximately 50,000–60,000 volunteers, creating a record-setting plantation drive.

• Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar personally planted a native Basavana Paada sapling as part of the campaign.

• The plantation initiative, organized by BDA, covered nearly 250 acres using the Miyawaki urban forest model with native tree species.

• Kempegowda International Awards were presented to:

University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK

• Urban water conservation expert Engineer S. Vishwanath

• Former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid (received in absentia through official representation)