Kempe Gowda belonged to all communities: Minister

A grand procession is taken out in Mysuru on Saturday to mark Kempe Gowda Jayanti. | Photo credit: MA Sriram

Bengaluru founder Kempe Gowda did not belong to any community, claimed Chamaraja assembly constituency MLA K. Harish Gowda, describing him as a “visionary and humanist” who built lakes and distinct settlements or pets for various professional groups.

Inaugurating the 517th Jayanti Kempegowda celebrations organized by the Mysuru district administration in collaboration with the Kempe Gowda Jayanthi Celebration Committee in the city on Saturday, Mr. Gowda said that Kempe Gowda faithfully implemented Basavanna’s principle of “egalitarian coexistence” in his administration and earned equal recognition for all communities.

He said Kempe Gowda deserves credit for leading all communities together and turning the region into a “garden of peace” for all faiths.

A big parade

Expressing happiness over the grandeur of the procession held earlier on the day of Kempe Gowda Jayanti celebrations in Mysuru, Mr. Gowda said the procession was also disciplined and well-coordinated.

Flower-decked chariots carrying statues of Kempe Gowda and the late seer Adichunchanagiri Balagangadharanatha Swami were part of the procession which was flagged off from Kote Anjaneyaswamy near the north gate of the Mysuru Palace in the presence of the head of the Mysuru Mutt Someshwaranatha Swami.

Paintings depicting the history of the Vokkaliga community, apart from several cultural ensembles, were also part of the procession that passed through the main arteries of the city before reaching Kalamandira.

Someshwaranatha Swami, said Kempe Gowda foresaw the growth of Bengaluru and built four watchtowers in the four directions of the City. “His vision of Bengaluru one day expanding beyond these borders has become a reality,” he noted.

Speaking on the occasion, History Lecturer at Kuvempunagar Government Pre-University College, Kuvempunagar, Mysuru H. Vasuboregowda said that Kempe Gowda was not only a warrior but also an excellent urban planner and a ruler dedicated to public welfare.

“He laid the foundations of what has become a world-renowned city today,” he said.

To promote trade and commerce, he established separate localities for various occupational groups, traces of which continue to exist in areas like Chikkapete, Doddapete, Akkipete, Balepete and Taragupete, he said.

So that the people of the city never face water shortage, Kempe Gowda built hundreds of lakes including Dharmambudhi Lake, Kempambudhi Lake and Ulsoor Lake.

Mr. Vasuboregowda further noted that Kempe Gowda did not only focus on urban development but also opposed superstitious and inhumane social practices. He abolished the cruel custom known as ‘Bandi Devara’, whereby women’s fingers were amputated, and thus became a social reformer.

More than 400 students and more than 36 achievers from various fields were felicitated during the programme.

Published – 27 Jun 2026 19:24 IST