Halasuru
Encyclopedia
Halasuru formerly known as Ulsoor, is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city of Bangalore
. It is located in east Bangalore, and begins roughly near the eastern terminus of MG Road. It is renowned for its numerous temples and rather narrow streets.
(1513–1569), the founder of Bangalore, by the Vijayanagar emperors. The Ulsoor Lake was built by his successor, Kempe Gowda II, and is the only surviving tank built by the Gowda kings in Bangalore. The first British
military station was set up in Halasuru in 1807.
There used to be a jackfruit orchard near the Ulsoor Lake, and the Kannada name for jackfruit being ‘Halasina Hannu’ (Kannada: ಹಲಸಿನ ಹಣ್ಣು), the area came to be known as Halasuru. During the British rule, the name was anglicised to 'Ulsoor', but in 2004, the neighbourhood was officially renamed 'Halasuru'.
, built by the Hoysalas between the 12th and 13th centuries CE
. It was renovated and beautified by the Kempe Gowda I and II in the 16th century and is a mixture of Hoysala, Chola and Vijayanagara
architecture.
The Subramanya Temple, which is more than 800 years old, is also a prominent temple .
s in Bangalore
, is located on the eastern side of the city. It derives its name from the name of the locality it is situated, namely, Ulsoor, close to M G Road, Bangalore. It is spread over 50 ha (123.6 acre)) and has several island
s. Even though the lake is dated to Kempegowdas’ time, the present lake was created by Sir Lewin Bentham Bowring
, the then Commissioner of Bangalore.
The lake was subject to several types of pollution threats.
, oxygen
, nutrients and the type of aquatic plants that grow in the lake. During the study, it was noted that the lake which has catchment area of 1.5 square kilometre is fed by three drains at different locations; the first drain is from the Madras Engineering Group (MEG)
Centre (of the Army), the second drain is from Jeevanahalli and the third drain is from Doddigunta and traverses through Kattariyamma garden, Godhandappa garden, Munivenkattappa garden, Muthamma garden and New Corporation colony and all these areas are within 1 km (0.621372736649807 mi) from the lake and inhabited by slums dwellers.
The study showed that the daytime DO was very high; varying between 0.2 and 4.5 mg/L. The saprobic nature of the lake water was confirmed by the P/R ratio which was less than one. Eutrophication
of the lake was confirmed by further studies which indicated phosphate
, nitrogen
and chlorophyll
levels to be high; with Blue green algae
(which is toxic and utilises DO in the night) called the microcystis was noted from surface to bottom of the lake. This affected the aquatic plants and fish (only a few fish species remained). Further studies established the presence of high concentrations of zinc
and the metal content in water samples, concentration of Zn
, Cd
, Cr
, Pb
and Cu
content was found to be very high in sludge
samples with depth sludge recorded as about 1.55 m (5.1 ft).
These studies confirmed the need for urgent restoration and remedial actions in the form of:
It is reported that cleanliness drive has breathed new life to the lake.
.
MG Road, arguably the most well-known road in Bangalore, is a short walk from Halasuru.
Rail stations that will be located in Halasuru:
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
. It is located in east Bangalore, and begins roughly near the eastern terminus of MG Road. It is renowned for its numerous temples and rather narrow streets.
History and Name
The village of Halasuru is said to have been gifted to Kempe Gowda IKempe Gowda I
Kempe Gowda is also called Kempe Gowda, Kempe Gowda I or Bengalooru Kempe Gowda. He showed remarkable qualities of leadership from his childhood. He had the burning desire to extend his Kingdom to provide a just rule over it and to work for the preservation of Hindu Dharma...
(1513–1569), the founder of Bangalore, by the Vijayanagar emperors. The Ulsoor Lake was built by his successor, Kempe Gowda II, and is the only surviving tank built by the Gowda kings in Bangalore. The first British
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
military station was set up in Halasuru in 1807.
There used to be a jackfruit orchard near the Ulsoor Lake, and the Kannada name for jackfruit being ‘Halasina Hannu’ (Kannada: ಹಲಸಿನ ಹಣ್ಣು), the area came to be known as Halasuru. During the British rule, the name was anglicised to 'Ulsoor', but in 2004, the neighbourhood was officially renamed 'Halasuru'.
Temples
There are several old temples in Halasuru, which are scattered throughout the area. The oldest temple is the Halasuru Someshwara TempleHalasuru Someshwara Temple
Halasuru Someshwara Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Someshwara built by the Hoysalas between the 12th and 13th centuries CE in Halasuru, Bangalore. It was renovated and beautified by the Kempe Gowda I and II in the 16th century and is a mixture of Hoysala, Chola and Vijayanagara...
, built by the Hoysalas between the 12th and 13th centuries CE
Common Era
Common Era ,abbreviated as CE, is an alternative designation for the calendar era originally introduced by Dionysius Exiguus in the 6th century, traditionally identified with Anno Domini .Dates before the year 1 CE are indicated by the usage of BCE, short for Before the Common Era Common Era...
. It was renovated and beautified by the Kempe Gowda I and II in the 16th century and is a mixture of Hoysala, Chola and Vijayanagara
Vijayanagara
Vijayanagara is in Bellary District, northern Karnataka. It is the name of the now-ruined capital city "which was regarded as the second Rome" that surrounds modern-day Hampi, of the historic Vijayanagara empire which extended over the southern part of India....
architecture.
The Subramanya Temple, which is more than 800 years old, is also a prominent temple .
Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha
The largest Sikh shrine in Bangalore, the Sri Guru Singh Sabha, is situated on the banks of the Ulsoor Lake. The sprawling white building on the edges of the lake, is indeed a well known place on the City’s landscape. Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurudwara at Ulsoor was built in 1943 by A G Russell and was inaugurated in 1945. “While the Jollys and the Sahani families were the main forces behind the construction of the Gurudwara, all the community members and the Kohli and Chandoks families financed it under the leadership of Ahulwalia. It was only later in 1975, that the first floor of the Gurudwara was built. The monument is known for its splendid structure - it has added to the beauty of the area and Kensington Road where it is situated, which is also popularly known as Gurudwara Road. Being the biggest Gurudwara in City, a huge gathering of Sikhs come here on Wednesdays for prayer and the ‘langar’ on Sundays. All the devotees are offered free meals on Sundays, in what is known as the ‘Langar Sewa’. Around 500 people visit the Gurudwara on Sunday mornings, while more than 1,000 people visit in the afternoons and have their meal.Halasuru lake
Halasuru Lake , one of the biggest lakeLake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
s in Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
, is located on the eastern side of the city. It derives its name from the name of the locality it is situated, namely, Ulsoor, close to M G Road, Bangalore. It is spread over 50 ha (123.6 acre)) and has several island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
s. Even though the lake is dated to Kempegowdas’ time, the present lake was created by Sir Lewin Bentham Bowring
Lewin Bentham Bowring
Lewin Bentham Bowring was a British civil servant in India who served as commissioner of Mysore between 1862 and 1870. He was also an author and man of letters.- Family :...
, the then Commissioner of Bangalore.
The lake was subject to several types of pollution threats.
Water quality
The health of the lake eco-system was, therefore, monitored at six monitoring points on the lake for light, temperatureTemperature
Temperature is a physical property of matter that quantitatively expresses the common notions of hot and cold. Objects of low temperature are cold, while various degrees of higher temperatures are referred to as warm or hot...
, oxygen
Oxygen
Oxygen is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by the symbol O. Its name derives from the Greek roots ὀξύς and -γενής , because at the time of naming, it was mistakenly thought that all acids required oxygen in their composition...
, nutrients and the type of aquatic plants that grow in the lake. During the study, it was noted that the lake which has catchment area of 1.5 square kilometre is fed by three drains at different locations; the first drain is from the Madras Engineering Group (MEG)
Madras Engineer Group
Madras Engineer Group are a regiment of the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army. The Madras Sappers draw their origin from the erstwhile Madras Presidency army of the British Raj. This regiment has its HQ in Bangalore...
Centre (of the Army), the second drain is from Jeevanahalli and the third drain is from Doddigunta and traverses through Kattariyamma garden, Godhandappa garden, Munivenkattappa garden, Muthamma garden and New Corporation colony and all these areas are within 1 km (0.621372736649807 mi) from the lake and inhabited by slums dwellers.
The study showed that the daytime DO was very high; varying between 0.2 and 4.5 mg/L. The saprobic nature of the lake water was confirmed by the P/R ratio which was less than one. Eutrophication
Eutrophication
Eutrophication or more precisely hypertrophication, is the movement of a body of water′s trophic status in the direction of increasing plant biomass, by the addition of artificial or natural substances, such as nitrates and phosphates, through fertilizers or sewage, to an aquatic system...
of the lake was confirmed by further studies which indicated phosphate
Phosphate
A phosphate, an inorganic chemical, is a salt of phosphoric acid. In organic chemistry, a phosphate, or organophosphate, is an ester of phosphoric acid. Organic phosphates are important in biochemistry and biogeochemistry or ecology. Inorganic phosphates are mined to obtain phosphorus for use in...
, nitrogen
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is a chemical element that has the symbol N, atomic number of 7 and atomic mass 14.00674 u. Elemental nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and mostly inert diatomic gas at standard conditions, constituting 78.08% by volume of Earth's atmosphere...
and chlorophyll
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in almost all plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Its name is derived from the Greek words χλωρος, chloros and φύλλον, phyllon . Chlorophyll is an extremely important biomolecule, critical in photosynthesis, which allows plants to obtain energy from light...
levels to be high; with Blue green algae
Algae
Algae are a large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms, such as the giant kelps that grow to 65 meters in length. They are photosynthetic like plants, and "simple" because their tissues are not organized into the many...
(which is toxic and utilises DO in the night) called the microcystis was noted from surface to bottom of the lake. This affected the aquatic plants and fish (only a few fish species remained). Further studies established the presence of high concentrations of zinc
Zinc
Zinc , or spelter , is a metallic chemical element; it has the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is the first element in group 12 of the periodic table. Zinc is, in some respects, chemically similar to magnesium, because its ion is of similar size and its only common oxidation state is +2...
and the metal content in water samples, concentration of Zn
Zinc
Zinc , or spelter , is a metallic chemical element; it has the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is the first element in group 12 of the periodic table. Zinc is, in some respects, chemically similar to magnesium, because its ion is of similar size and its only common oxidation state is +2...
, Cd
Cadmium
Cadmium is a chemical element with the symbol Cd and atomic number 48. This soft, bluish-white metal is chemically similar to the two other stable metals in group 12, zinc and mercury. Similar to zinc, it prefers oxidation state +2 in most of its compounds and similar to mercury it shows a low...
, Cr
Chromium
Chromium is a chemical element which has the symbol Cr and atomic number 24. It is the first element in Group 6. It is a steely-gray, lustrous, hard metal that takes a high polish and has a high melting point. It is also odorless, tasteless, and malleable...
, Pb
Lead
Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
and Cu
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
content was found to be very high in sludge
Sludge
Sludge refers to the residual, semi-solid material left from industrial wastewater, or sewage treatment processes. It can also refer to the settled suspension obtained from conventional drinking water treatment, and numerous other industrial processes...
samples with depth sludge recorded as about 1.55 m (5.1 ft).
These studies confirmed the need for urgent restoration and remedial actions in the form of:
- Desilting of the lake is to eliminate contaminants
- Stop all encroachments of the lake with suitable fencing
- Only storm water should be allowed into the lake
- Army units should discontinue effluents from cattle house wash, cowdung wash and army mess wash and consider installation of a biogas plant.
- Plastic bags to be prevented from draining into the lake
- Sewage/manholes at identified locations to be closed.
- Drain water from slum around the lake to be treated before draining into the lake. Preferably, connect the slum storm water and wastewater drain to the nearby Cox town sewage drain as it is close to the slums
- Prohibit submergence of idols during the festival season
- Cultivate and harvest fishes and aquatic plants to deplete the nitrogen and phosphate content
Restoration works
Restoration works, listed below, have resulted in improvements in the lake environment.- Aeration of wastewater that is lead into the lake
- Park and swimming pool improved
- Desilting of the lake bed and thus increasing depth and the capacity of the lake
- Installation of silt traps at the mouth of the storm water inlets
- Diversion of underground sewages lines from the eastern part of the City through 900 mm pipes bypassing the lake
- Restoration of Aquatic life by introduction of fish species natural to the lake and induction of suitable water plants
- Chain–link fencing to prevent people dumping garbage into the lake
- Boat training facility of Madras Engineering Group (MEG) improved
- Access to public from 9 am to 6 pm with holiday on Wednesday
It is reported that cleanliness drive has breathed new life to the lake.
Other Attractions
Some of the main thoroughfares in Ulsoor are CMH Road, Cambridge Road, Halasuru Road and Old Madras Road. CMH Road has several fashion outlets and supermarkets and is the main shopping area for the residents of Halasuru and the neighbouring IndiranagarIndiranagar
Indiranagar is a suburb of Bangalore. The blue collar population of the city resides alongside the State's politicians, sports persons, celebrities and according to many surveys, Indiranagar is the costliest place to live in Bangalore. It is a very high value area, with steep real estate prices...
.
MG Road, arguably the most well-known road in Bangalore, is a short walk from Halasuru.
Bangalore Metro Rail
There are two proposed Bangalore MetroBangalore Metro
Namma Metro , also known as Bangalore Metro , is a mass-transit rail system for the city of Bangalore, Karnataka, India. The agency responsible for its implementation is the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd . The first stretch between Baiyyappanahalli to M.G. Road was inaugurated on October...
Rail stations that will be located in Halasuru:
- Ulsoor (Located on Old Madras Road, at the end closer to MG Road)
- CMH Road