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Lagadamane is a small village situated in the midst of Western Ghats
surrounded by a rich flora and fauna. This is at a distance of 20 KMs from
Thirthahalli (nearest town and taluk head quarters) by road and at a distance
of 70 KMs from Shivamogga(district head quarter). The aerial distance from
Arabian Sea is about 60 KM. The village falls under the limit of Shankarapura
grama of Aralasurali gram panchayath. The Korankote gudda in Lagadamane is the highest
hill in the vicinity with the hill top at a height of about 2457feet from the
sea level. Evergreen forests, hills, areca nut gardens, scattered big tiled
houses and moderate, clean and healthy weather are the attractions of the
village. Navigating through the lone four bend curve road to Lagadamane is a
good driving experience. Lagadamane gets its early showers in May and monsoon
in the first week of June. The rainy season stretches up to end of October, June-September
being the period of heavy down pour. Average yearly rainfall is 300 cms.
Agriculture which is the main occupation depends on the rainfall. Areca
nut, beetle nut, paddy, banana, pepper, cardamom, coffee and few spices are the
chief crops grown in the village which are the main source of income to
inhabitants. Even though the original inhabitants of the village
is not clearly known, LN Shankaranarayana Bhatta who lived nonagenarian { 98 years } said two main families normally called as Lagadamane family, headed by late
Mahadev Bhatta and Patel family, headed by late Timappayya (father of
Seshagiriappa) have inhabited the village from the 18th century. Primarily Lagadamane preserves pristine and shrine environment conducive for mind conditioning. As a result Lagadamane witnessed as a source of knowledge and achievements. It has been a focal point of many initiaves; education, health care, co-operative movement, banking etc etc. Thereby, Lagadamane has produced many achievers academically, culturally and socially. No historical evidence or records are
available for forming of the name Lagadamane. It is said that the name Lagadamane takes after Layadamane meaning steed house in local language
since horses from Bidanur samstana used to be brought here for grazing.
Owing to the villages hilly
terrain, subsequently laga meaning tumbling in Kannada language
was inserted in place of the original laya. Hence the name became Lagadamane.
Since it is very difficult to reach the village with ordinary means, people
jovially call Lagadamane as Bara lagadamane meaning house which cannot
be reached. Korenkote gudda, Lakshminarayana Devastana,
Vasappana Honda, Basaribyana, Kaapikanu are few land marks of the Lagadamane
village. The village falls under two catchment areas i.e. Tunga and Sharavathi.
The rain water that falls on western side of the village, joins River Tunga and
flows towards east thereon ultimately reaching Bay of Bengal, whereas the rain
water that falls on eastern side joins River Sharavati, flows towards west and
ultimately joins Arabian sea. The village had the rare opportunity of starting a
school earlier than most of its Indian counter-parts that is before 1910.
Lakshmanaiah was its first
teacher. Prominent people like Naga Bhatta, Shiranali Manja Bhatta, Kada
Bhatta, Shankaranarayana [Kadu] Jois, Shankaranarayana Bhatta etc studied in
this school. Lagadamane is surrounded by small villages like
Moodugudde, Balagadde, Dudlemane, Eechalasara, Achedida, Nerale, Kogile,
Guddetota, Umimane, Limbesara which have maintained continuous relationships
with Lagadamane families. Some of the events associated with Lagadamane are;
Opening of Aralasurali Hospital : 16-2-1953, Veterinary Hospital: 27-3-1962,
Corporation Bank; 24-12-1971, Electricity connection : 22-10-1965.
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