Anegondi in Hampi

The Vijayanagar Kingdom had its beginnings in Anegondi, and as the Empire expanded, the capital shifted to the southern bank of the river to Hampi. The coracles ferry tourists from Hampi to Anegondi.

Anegondi was guarded by a fort, the walls of which are now in ruins. The gateways to the fort, however, are intact. A hill-top shrine dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the Anjeyanadri, the Pampa Sarovar with a sacred tank, ruins of the Gagan Mahal palace, a stone bridge and an adjacent Chandramouliswara temple and Ranganath Temple are places of interest in Anegondi. Caves dating back to prehistoric times have also been discovered

Bukka’s Aquaduct: Now in total disrepair, the once impressive structure is now a series of columns made of rectangular pieces of rock..

Hachappa Mantappa: This two-storied pillared pavilion has been restored to its former glory. The structure belongs to the Hoysala dynasty that preceded the Vijayanagar Empire, and has finer carvings on the walls and pillars than the other monuments.

Chandramouliswara Temple: Located on Rishimukh Island, the temple can be approached more conveniently by the coracle ferry. The stone bridge that connected the island to the south bank now stands in ruins. The approach to the temple is partly affected by the sandy deposits on the island which are disturbing the ancient structures too.

The temple’s intricate carvings, heavy doors and engraved pillars imply that it was an important shrine during the Vijayanagar rule, and is presently undergoing a restoration process.

The Pampa Sarovar: This is a sacred tank enclosed on three sides by large boulders and covered by lotus leaves. Lord Shiva and Parvathi are still worshipped here in the nearby shrine. A mechanized musical instrument combining a drum, metal plates and bells placed in the heart of the temple courtyard still plays the accompanying music during prayer time. A large statue of Lord Ganesha under the shade of a mango tree forms part of the Pampa Sarovar Complex.

Anjaneya Hill: Named after Lord Hanuman (also known as Anjaneya), and understood to be his birthplace, the temple lies in the heart of Anegondi. The climb up the curvaceous flight of steps takes about 45 minutes and offers a stupendous view of the valley below. The image of Hanuman is engraved in the rock wall of the sanctum. A smaller shrine holds the figures of Ram and Sita. The temple is a functional one, and tourists can request the in-house priest for a rendition of the Ramayana.