Nadaprabhu Kempegowda’s Legacy Honoured on Kempegowda Jayanti

Nadaprabhu Hiriya Kempegowda, the founder of Bengaluru, is remembered for his contributions to city planning, water management, and cultural development. His birth anniversary, Kempegowda Jayanti, is officially observed by the Government of Karnataka every year on 27 June, recognising his enduring influence on the city’s growth and identity.

Key Details:

• Nadaprabhu Hiriya Kempegowda (1510–1569) founded Bengaluru in 1537 during the Vijayanagara Empire.

• He is credited with designing a fortified town featuring planned commercial markets known as Petes, including Chickpet and Doddapet.

• To support the city’s development, he commissioned numerous water tanks and lakes, including Kempambudhi Lake and Ulsoor Lake, contributing to Bengaluru’s historic water management system.

• Kempegowda established four boundary watchtowers to mark the planned limits of Bengaluru. These landmarks remain at:

Lalbagh

• Mekhri Circle

• Ulsoor

• Kempambudhi

• He also supported literature and the arts and is credited with authoring the Telugu play Ganga-Gouri Sallapamu.

Modern Legacy

Kempegowda’s legacy continues through several prominent public landmarks and institutions, including:

• Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Devanahalli.

• The 108-foot Statue of Prosperity located within the airport premises.

• Kempegowda Bus Station (Majestic), one of Bengaluru’s primary public transport hubs.

• Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Metro Station, a major interchange station in the Namma Metro network.