Rao Bahadhur Dharmapravartha Gubbi Thotadappa

Rao Bahadhur Dharmapravartha Gubbi Thotadappa
Personal details
Born	1838 Gubbi, Tumkur, Kingdom of Mysore (now in Karnataka)
Died	1910 Bangalore
Nationality	Indian
Spouse(s)	Gowramma
Occupation	Doner, RBDGTC Trust Founder
Profession	Business man

Rao Bahadur "Dharmapravartha" Gubbi Thotadappa (Kannada:ರಾವ್ ಬಹದ್ದೂರ್ ಧರ್ಮಪ್ರವರ್ತ ಗುಬ್ಬಿ ತೋಟದಪ್ಪ),(1838-1910)(place:Gubbi), was an Indian businessman and philanthropist. He founded a free lodging place for tourists from across the nation called "Thotadappa Chathra". He was honoured with the title "Dharmapravartha" by the Maharaja of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV and "Rao Bahadur" by the British government.

Thotadappa was born in 1838 in a Lingayat family of Gubbi. His family moved to Bangalore in the later years where he started his business in Mamulpet.

Having no children of his own, Thotadappa decided to use all his property to the benefit of tourists and students. He founded a trust called Rao Bahadur Dharmapravartha Gubbi Thotadappa Charities (RBDGTC). In 1897, the trust bought a piece of land near Bangalore City Railway Station and, on 11 Feb 1903, Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV officially opened the Dharmachathra (for visiting tourists) and Free Hostel (for students). During his last days he donated all his property to RBDGTC trust and appointed K. P. Puttanna Chetty as first president of that trust. The trust continues its work today. This hostel facility was extended to all over Karnataka. In the year 2005, the hostel was reconstructed. For its centenary the trust built Bell Hotel at Kempegowda Bus Station as a source of income. The lodging facility offers accommodation at a nominal rate and is open to all, irrespective of their religion. Use of the hostel, however, is exclusive to students belonging to the Veerashaiva community. To date the hostel has not received Government grants. The trust awards scholarships for merit to Lingayat students every year.

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