OverView of Lagadamane

 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.