On the banks of Pampa!! Part 1- Anegundi

India, is a land of wonders. There are various places across the Country, linked through with Mythological events and some which are  linked with Historical events. However, there are few places in the country, which are linked with both Mythology and History, seperated by a very thin line, in form of the river One of such places, is in the arid region of Karnataka in the heart of the Deccan Plateau. The Hampi- Kishkintha Region !!!

 

Deccan plateau, forming part of the Leeward side of the Western Ghats, is one of the driest region of Karnataka. However, it has a gift for its water needs, in form of the river Tungabhadra. Tunga & Bhadra are rain fed rivers, having their origin in the Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka in the Western ghats, merge together as Tungabhadra in Shimoga district before proceeding northwards catering to the Davangere , Koppal and Raichur Districts of Karnataka, before merging with the river Krishna in Andhra enroute to the Bay of Bengal. This river, was known by the name of Pampa in the early days, and as a modified form, was also called as Hampa.

 

It was on the banks of this famous river , that one of the major empires of the South was formed, having its roots in early 13^th Century and extending till the arrival of the Europeans in the 17^th Century when it slowly vanished, giving its control to the Sultanate  . The City, formed on the banks of this river , was the “City of Victory “ established by the brothers Harra and Bukka , who named it as Vijayanagar. The complete city of Vijayanagar, which later became the Capital of the Vijayanagar empires, which extended over 4 dynasties , retaining their hold on complete south, was a flourishing, fortified Town till the time it was captured and annexed by the  Sultanate power .

 

 

Across the river Tungabhadra on the opposite bank , was another kingdom , which is  found in one of the Epics of our Country, “The Ramayana”. This was the capital of the “Vaanara Rajya” ruled by Vaali and later handed over to Sugriva.   The boulders and rocks formation which form the ecology of the region , has been explained in the epic as to where the King Vaali, his Brother Sugreeva, Prince Angada and Minister Hanuman had their kingdom of Kishkintha , while Shri Rama and Lakshmana went in search of missing Sita devi,the wife of Shri Rama , who was abducted by Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. The place is currently referred as Anegundi

 

 

 

PART 1- Mythology

Finding a mention in the epic Ramayana, the region of Aanegundi is much older then the Hampi counterpart on the opposite bank of the river. Aanegundi forms a crux of the Deccan plateau, formed millions of years ago through the deposits of the volcanic eruptions that happened in the Western Ghats. The rocks in Anegundi are believed to be one of the oldest formations in the country

The  Anegundi side of the river is believed to be the place visited by Lord Rama and Lakshmana during his search of Sita Devi, and his meeting with the Vaanara Kings  Sugreeva and Minister Hanuman. The following are some of the important places of this region

1. Anjanaadri Hill

Anjana Devi ,was the wife of Kesari, one of the ministers in the ministry of Vaanara Rajya. Anjana devi underwent penance at the top of this hill towards Lord Shiva, asking for a boon of a Valliant son. Anjana Devi’s prayers were answered by Lord Shiva, through the help of Vaayu, the Wind God, and a son was born to Anjana Devi at the top of the Anjanadri hill, who was named as Hanuman , also known as Anjeneya or the son of Anjana.  It is believed that the Anjanadri Hill was the place where Lord Hanuman was born.

 

 

There is a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman on this hill, along with a statue of Anjana Devi holding an infant Hanuman in her arms. The hill overlooks the Tungabhadra river and the Virupaksha Temple on the other bank of Tungabhadra in the Vijayanagar empire. The Temple can be accessed through a flight of 500 odd steps, and is also a point of sunrise view in this region .

 

2. Vaali Gufaa

 

Vaali Gufaa, is a small boulder cave, situated atop a hillock in Anegundi . It is believed to be the cave, or the palace from where Vaali ruled his territory, and after his death, by Sugreeva.  This cave, is accessible through a slightly inclined hillock and a walk through a area preserved for medicinal herbs found around in this region. This place is also known as Anegundi Fort, and remains of a Fort can be seen before entering the Vaali cave

 

3. Pampa Sarovara

Pampa Sarovara is a small pond , located about a kilometer from Anjanadri Hill. This pond is supposed to have been fed by the waters of the Tungabhadra. Rishi Matanga Ashram is believed to be on the banks of this Sarovara, where Sabari, disciple of Rishi Matanga spent her days waiting for Shri Rama

 

 

Sabari, a disciple of Rishi Matanga and devotee of Shri Rama, tidied her Aashram everyday, cleared the pathway of all growth and plucked fruits and waited everyday, in anticipation of Shri Rama . To ensure that the fruits were all of not sour, she tasted a bit of the fruit every time to ensure only the best ones are served to Shri Rama. She was completely worried, as she had attained old age, and wished to seek Shri Rama blessings before her end nears

 

During the search of Sita Devi, who was abducted by Ravana, Shri Rama and Lakshmana  wandered through the forest, when he met the injured Jatayu, the King of the birds (Eagle). The injured Jatayu gives them  the information of Sita Devi having been taken to Lanka and requests Shri Ram to take help of Sugreeva and team in conquest. Jatayu guides them to Pampa Sarova Ashrama of Rishi Matanga, who can guide them to meet Sugreeva.

 

As Shri Rama & Lakshmana approach Rishi Matanga Ashram, they are received by Sabari, who treats them with devotion. Shri Rama is impressed by the devotion of Sabari and enjoys the fruits served by Sabari . Sabari in turn, guides them the path to the hill where Sugreeva was present, hiding in a cave after being exiled by Vaali . Lord Rama, in turn, helps Sabari in attaining Moksha.

 

There are 2 caves in a boulder in this place , one where Sabari is believed to have been in meditation and other where Rishi Matanga was in meditation. These caves are accessible through a short but steep flight of stairs and overlook the Pampa Sarovara.

 

4.Malyavantha Raghunatha Temple

 This Temple, developed during the Vijayanagar Empire, is not exactly in current Anegundi region, but is right opposite to the Anjanadri hill and close to the Hampi Koppal Main road. This Temple, is believed to be the place, where Shri Rama and Lakshamana stayed at Kishkindha.

 

In the course of searching Sita Devi, Shri Rama helps Sugreeva regain the kingdom from Vaali, who had sent Sugreeva in exile after a misunderstanding, but had abducted his wife. Shri Rama helped Sugreeva in defeating Vaali, resulting in his death, and handed his Kingdom to Sugreeva and made Angada as crown Prince. Sugreeva, in return agreed to help in finding Sita devi in Lanka and instructed his army men to be sent to all the 4 corners.

 

While Shri Hanuman was sent in-charge of the Southern region expedition, Shri Rama hands over his ring to Hanuman, to show it as a mark of identification when he is able to find Sita. It is believed it was at this Temple where the ring was given to Hanuman

 

This Temple, has been carved out of the boulders in this region, and some portion of the boulders have been left unfinished. The enterance is allowed only through one Gopuram, as the other gopuram is in dipliated condition. Behind this temple,is a series of Shiva Linga and Nandis carved on boulders.

5.Daroji sloth bear sanctuary

During the course of Ramayana , in the ministry of Vaali, was the aged and wise minister of Jambavan, a sloth bear, who with his wisdom, assists Shri Rama in search for Sita devi and also during the course of the final war with Shri Rama. A sloth bear sanctuary is present about 30kms from Kishkindha , indicating the presence of the bears in this region

 

6.Shri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Anegundi

 

One of the ancient temples located in Anegundi side, this temple is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha, reclining on the Aadishesha snake  and is one of the famous temples in this region.

 

As these regions bound on the Northern side of the river, facing the southern side, on the banks of river Tungabhadra and directly seen from the Anjanadri hills, is the temple of Shri Virupaksha. This Temple, which was built during the 7^th century, saw major developments during the Vijayanagar Temple. This Temple also formed the epicenter along with the empire of the Vijayanagar was established, the last major empire in the South before the advent of the Europeans , the same which we can see in the succeeding Part linked here

https://south-india-splendour.travel.blog/2020/06/24/on-the-banks-of-pampa-part-ii-vijayanagar/

Thanks for reading !!!