Belgaum (Kannada ISO: Bēḷagāma, IPA: [beːɭɐɡaːmɐ]; also Belgaon and officially known as Belagavi) is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka located in its northern part along the Western Ghats. It is the administrative headquarters of the eponymous Belagavi division and Belagavi district. The Government of Karnataka has proposed making Belgaum the second capital of Karnataka alongside Bangalore, hence a second state administrative building Suvarna Vidhana Soudha was inaugurated on 11 October 2012.Belgaum has been selected in first phase out of 20 cities, as one of the hundred Indian cities to be developed as a smart city under India's flagship Smart Cities Mission.
The old stone fort, built in 12th century AD by the local Ratta rulers, is an important spot, though hardly anything of the original structure remains. One can view the splendid Kamal Basti (Jain temple), within the fort's premises. The Fort premises also hosts the Sri Ramakrishna Mission Ashram. This fort was renovated and built on by successive rulers who ruled Belgaum from time to time. Belgaum's Watchtower and Sunset Point should not be missed if one wants to savor the scenic beauty surrounding this small town.
Belgaum is famous for its temples and the religious-minded traveler could find a number of temples here, the main ones being Kamal Basti (in Belgaum Fort) Kapileshwar temple, Shani temple and the Maruti Temple.
The Masjid-Sata mosque, which dates back to the 16th century AD, the Mahadeva temple with its beautiful gardens, the St. Mary's Church of England, St. Xavier's Church, Catholic Cathedral and St. Anthony's Church, all lie within the lush green environs of the Cantonment.
The cuisine has a mixed flavour of central (Marathi)and north Indian flavours. This would be the place to try Chats and other Maharashtrian delicacies in Karnataka. Solkadi, a drink made from Kokam fruits, is also a Goan import goes well with fish. Belgaum's famous sweet, Kunda, is available in all major sweet shops.
Belgaum got its name from Venugrama, meaning "bamboo village". It is the district HQ. The most ancient place in the district is Halsi; and this, once the capital of a dynasty of nine Kadamba kings. In 1776 the country was overrun by Hyder Ali of Mysore, but was retaken by the Peshwa with British assistance. In 1818 it was handed over to the British East India Company, and made district of Sangli state.
Belgaum has been the focal point of a border dispute between the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra. Both states claim Belgaum on linguistic grounds. Traditionally, most people spoke Kannada but the majority in the big cities spoke Marathi, which has resulted in regional tensions.
As of 2022, Belgaum and environs are claimed by Maharashtra and they are under the administration of the Government of Karnataka. We treat Belgaum as a part of Karnataka here, which does not represent a political endorsement of the claims made by either side of the dispute.
