Situated approximately 50 kilometers from Bengaluru, Ramanagara is a town that seamlessly blends cultural heritage, economic significance, and cinematic history.

Asia's Largest Cocoon Market

Ramanagara is renowned for housing Asia's largest cocoon market. The Government Cocoon Market spans over two acres and facilitates the sale of about 40,000 to 50,000 kilograms of cocoons daily. This bustling marketplace is central to India's silk industry, with thousands of families engaged in sericulture—raising silkworms and cultivating mulberry bushes. The process is meticulous: silkworms feed on mulberry leaves, form cocoons, and these cocoons are then harvested to produce silk strands. Approximately six to seven kilograms of cocoons yield one kilogram of raw silk, which is subsequently dyed and woven into textiles. Despite challenges like fluctuating market prices and competition from imported silk, the community's resilience ensures the industry's continuity. Initiatives focusing on infrastructure development and market enhancements aim to bolster this traditional trade. 

Cinematic Legacy: The 'Sholay' Connection

Beyond its silk trade, Ramanagara holds a special place in Indian cinema. The town's rugged granite hills, particularly Ramadevarabetta, served as the backdrop for the 1975 Bollywood classic "Sholay." Director Ramesh Sippy selected this terrain to depict the fictional village of Ramgarh. The film crew invested over two years constructing sets and even a road to facilitate filming. Post-release, "Sholay" achieved monumental success, running in theaters for five consecutive years. Today, the legacy endures: locals refer to Ramadevarabetta as "Sholay Betta," and murals depicting scenes from the film adorn the Ramanagara railway station, celebrating its cinematic heritage.