Koppal is a fairly new district of Karnataka which has been carved out of Raichur district. It is surrounded by Raichur in the east, Gadag in the West, Bagalkot in the north, Ballari in the south.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi also covers some areas of Koppal district including Anegundi, which is home to the mythical kingdom of Kishkinda of Ramayana fame.
In the past Koppal was referred to as ‘Kopana Nagara’. Koppal has been part of many kingdoms including Mauryas, Shathavahanas, Gangas, Nizams, Hoysalas and Chalukya Dynasties. Anegundi of Gangavathi Taluk was the earliest capital of the great Vijayanagara Empire. The old palace and fort still exist here and is the location for the annual “Anegundi Utsava”.
Traditionally farming has been the main occupation in this district. Geographically, Koppal is a stretch of rocky terrain on one side and acres of dry land on the other wherein agricultural crops like Jowar, Ground-nuts, Pomegranates, Grapes, Figs etc are grown. It is also a big centre for paddy cultivation and export and hosts around 100 rice mills mainly centred in Gangavati and Karatagi talukas. Hence, called the “Rice Bowl of Karnataka”. This Place is also one of the best seed production centres in the state. Several national seed companies have seed production centres for flowers, fruits, vegetables and pulses here.
Koppal is also known for its unique wooden Kinhal Toys which has a Geographical Indications (GI) tag. Phalguna annual fair in Kanakagiri and Anegundi Utsava are two popular celebrations in Koppal district.

Heritage Sites
Koppal Fort: Regarded as being one of the strongest forts of the country, it is a major tourist attraction in Koppal. Although there is no clarity on who built this fort, it was acquired by Tipu Sultan in around 1786. He rebuilt and strengthened the fort with the help of French engineers. In 1790, the British forces with the help of Nizams took over the fort.
Palkigundu Ashoka Inscription: 3 kms from Koppal city, 2300 years old inscriptions on two giant boulders with a flat rock on top, resembling a palanquin.
Anegundi: Just across the Tungabhadra River is the fortress town Anegundi, pre-dating Vijayanagara and the city’s 14th century headquarters. More ancient than Hampi, Anegundi lies in the mythical kingdom of Kishkinda, ruled by monkey king Sugriva (from the Epic Ramayana). The Anjaneya Hill is, believed to be the birthplace of the monkey god Hanuman, can be easily spotted from Anegundi, thanks to the temple at the hilltop and a white trail of steps zigzagging all the way to the top. Anegundi and its tranquil surroundings are dotted with forgotten temples and fortifications. The dilapidated Huchappayana Matha Temple, near the river, is worth a visit for its black stone lathe-turned pillars and fine panels of dancers. The other places of tourist interest are the sacred Pampa Sarovara, Chintamani Temple and the Ranganatha Temple.
Pampa Sarovar: Pampa Sarovar is a beautiful lake that is located in Anegundi that lies to the south of the Tungabhadra River. It is one of the five sacred sarovars (holy lakes) in India. In Hindu mythology, Pampa Sarovar is regarded as the place where Goddess Pampa (a form of Goddess Parvati), performed penance to show her devotion to Lord Shiva. It is famous for its religious significance and is revered by the Hindus.
Sanapur Lake: Sanapur Lake is a little-known attraction around Hampi. It’s a beautiful lake formed by an irrigation reservoir and is thus a great excursion point near Hampi. The surrounding scenery with boulder hills all around makes this lake even more scenic. The drive to the lake is also mesmerizing as it winds through paddy and banana plantations. Enjoy a coracle ride here to make the trip more fun.