GOKAK CITY:
Gokak city has its own history. Nature did its best for Gokak. It has been kind to this place with the ranges of hills on one side and the vast black soil on the other. The river Ghataprabha rushes forth in a majestic manner on the north side of the city. Before she passes through Gokak city, she dashes down through a height of 167 ft, to form a famous Gokak Falls. The water of this river has been harnessed thereby hydroelectric power is generated to run the well-known Gokak Mills. Historically speaking, the hydel project installed by the Britishers way back in 1883 has been the first of its kind in whole of Asia. The hanging bridge across the river adds to the deamy charm of the beautiful picture painted by Mother Nature. Another dancing river Markandaya joins river Ghataprabha to form “Holy Sangam” on north-west side of the Gokak city. The river Markandeya, near village Godachinmalaki, dashes down through 43 ft step wise hill plates to form another beautiful Godachinmalaki Falls.
Hidkal Dam and Dhupdal Barrage are constructed across river Ghataprabha to facilitate agriculture in this area. The area of Dhupdal barrage later attracted beautiful birds thus forming Ghataprabha Bird Sanctuary. Nearly, twenty types of birds visit this sanctuary during different seasons of the year.
Gokak is famous for unique sweet “Kardant” relished and enjoyed by many across India and World. Handicraft organizations in this city prepare artificial fruits from light weight coral wood and paint them nearly mimic natural ones. These fruit boxes are traditional gift items and decorate the show cases of many in this region.
Gokak Taluka is the birth place of eminent persons like Padma Bhushan Wrangler Dr. D.C. Pavate, Shri B.B. Mamadapur founder member of K.L.E Society, Shri. S.N. Angadi, Prof. Patravali, the first registrar of Karnatak University Dr. Dharmatti and some others. Gokak is the mother land of famous literary luminaries like Dr. K.G. Kundanagar, Shri. Krishnamurthy Puranik, Shri. Betageri Krishnasharma, Dr. S.C. Nandimath, Dr. Chandrashekhar Kambar, Shri Raghavendra Patil, Dr. N. N. Sannakki and others.
GOKAK EDUCATION SOCIETY:
The Gokak Education Society was established in 1965 by Shri Siddaram Swamiji of Savalgimath, Shri Shivanand Swamiji of Arabhavimath, Shri Pavadeppa Swamiji of Mardimath and philanthropic pepole like late Shri D.R. Jadhav, Shri B.S. Munavalli, Shri S.R. Patil, Dr. A.R. Kadkol, Dr. B.C. Ajari and Dr. C.P. Pattanshetti of Gokak, for the noble cause of disseminating knowledge. It started its educational venture with J.S.S. Arts, Science and Commerce College and has grown into a multifaceted organisation imparting quality education in this region.
Gokak Education Society has been growing with quality and social commitment under the dynamic and dedicated leadership of our Chairmen and Directors. It is now running Kannada and English medium Schools, P.U. Colleges Degree College, P.G. Courses (Chemistry, Economics, Physics and Commerce) and B.Ed. College. Community Radio Centre.
OUR COLLEGE:
J.S.S. Arts, Science & Commerce College, a pioneer educational institution affiliated to the Rani Channamma University, Belagavi. It has a beautiful campus of 32 acres on the slopes of Mallikarjun Hill, very close to Basaveshwar circle. It is a multifaculty college with nearly 1200 students, running undergraduate programmes in Arts, Science and Commerce and also Post Graduate programmes in Chemistry, Physics, Economics and Commerce. The college has well equipped science laboratories, E- Library, computer laboratory and gymnasium. It has 18 departments supported by 60 well qualified, committed teachers, among them 28 are Ph.D. holders and 07 with M.Phil. degree. The college has produced many University ranks and blues. Our college staff is actively involved in research and popularising Science through Wrangler D.C. Pavate Science Centre. Alumni of our college have occupied key positions in all fields. We feel proud to state that our alumni Smt. Bharathi M. Hollikeri and Shri Prashant Mastiholi have passed IAS Examination thereby enhanced the academic credibity and prestige of the institution.