Anegundi (Anegondi): Is a village in Gangavati Taluk, Koppal District in the Indian state of Karnataka. it is older than Hampi situated on the northern bank of Tungabhadra River. Huchappayana matha temple (with black-stone pillars and dance sculptures), Pampa Sarovara, Aramane (a ruined palace), Ranganatha temple, Kamal Mahal, and Nava Brindavana are the major attractions. Nimvapuram, a nearby village, has amount of ash believed to be the cremated remains of monkey king Vaali. Anegundi is best visited along with Hampi, it is part of the World Heritage Site, Hampi, being developed into a world class tourism spot by engaging the localites to sensitise them to their cultural wealth and provide them a means of livelihood. Existing tanks in the village have been redesigned to store clean drinking water and proper drainage facilities developed to keep the surroundings clean and hygienic. The Kishkinda Trust is working on tourism development in Anegundi
Pre-historic:
Neolithic history is represented in this region by Mourya Mane, a several-thousand-year-old Stone Age Colony. Several Neolithic dwellings still bear paintings that are clear and intact even to this day. This is the rare human settlement where we will find traces of Microlithic, Megalithic and Neolithic age of human life at one same spot. Anegundi area is much more than the Vijayanagar empire, and as is old as the planet. As per geologists the Anegundi area is about four billion years old. Till date, this village is a living heritage site in its true sense. The nearest Pre-historic sites are Hirebenakal, Chikkarampur, Mallapur, Venkatapur and Anjanahalli. Pre-historic rock shelters and paintings are found in Tungabhadra River valley.
Rock art:
At Anegundi there is prehistoric settlement called Onake Kindi. The boulders with rock art, a rock with some red and white markings had figures of human and bull. on another boulder there is a circular diagram like sun and moon and with some symbolism. Actually the rock painting are belonged to Iron Age, date back to 1500 BC and the faded circular painting a very rare depiction of a megalithic style of burial, also includes a human body in the middle surrounded by a stone circle and burial goods. The site ofmegalithic dolmens located up in the hills locals call it as Mourya Mane (morya means short in local language), about five to seven feet high sheet rocks forms four walls and another rock sheet used as roof (Neolithic period), it is about 10 km away from Anegundi, the Neolithic dwellings in the Elu gudda hill range, from Benegal to Indaragi gudda. About 1.5 km from Anegundi, there are rock shelters and paintings, paintings found in the hill ranges called locally as Elu gudda Salu.
Ancient kingdom:
Anegundi the ancient town the mythical Kishkindha of Ramayana, a lively settlement has mahals and monuments (Gagan Mahal), there are forts and palaces, ruined temples, lush green padi fields.
Ramayana connection:
Pampa Sarovara related to Shiva and Parvati featured in Ramayana, Sabari a devotee of Rama met here, the legends of Ramayana including Hanuman, Sugriva all are pervading around Anegundi. The pilgrims consider Pampa Sarovara a holy place.
Pre Vijayanagara period:
Aneguni in Kannada means Elephant Gorge, it is older than Hampi, in fact the mother kingdom (cradle city of Vijayanagara). Anegundi history dates back to 3rd BC century was under Ashoka Empire. Anegundi was ruled by various dynasties like Shatavahanas, Kadambas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Delhi Sultanate, Vijayanagara Empire and Bahamanis.
Anegundi the ancient town the mythical Kishkindha of Ramayana, a lively settlement has mahals and monuments (Gagan Mahal), there are forts and palaces, ruined temples, lush green padi fields.
Ramayana connection:
Pampa Sarovara related to Shiva and Parvati featured in Ramayana, Sabari a devotee of Rama met here, the legends of Ramayana including Hanuman, Sugriva all are pervading around Anegundi. The pilgrims consider Pampa Sarovara a holy place.
Pre Vijayanagara period:
Aneguni in Kannada means Elephant Gorge, it is older than Hampi, in fact the mother kingdom (cradle city of Vijayanagara). Anegundi history dates back to 3rd BC century was under Ashoka Empire. Anegundi was ruled by various dynasties like Shatavahanas, Kadambas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Delhi Sultanate, Vijayanagara Empire and Bahamanis.
Vijayanagara period:
Early 14th century, elephant enclosure in Kannada known as Anegundi, named because of elephant contingent of Vijayanagara army. The first capital of Vijayanagara Empire and capital of several other dynasties. In 1334, Deva Raya the Chief Minister of Anegundi became ruler of Anegundi. When Delhi Sultans invaded Warangal, Harihara and Bukka escaped and came to Anegundi, later founded the Vijayanagar Empire at Hampi. The Tallarighatta gate(Talwar Ghatta) (erstwhile toll gate) is the entrance to Anegundi from Hampi side, the collapsed modern day bridge under construction between Hampi and Anegundi across the Tungabhadra River. Crossing the river in a coracle (boat) which is circular basket shaped made of cane, bamboo and wrapped in a plastic sheet. Coracle was used to ferry people in the Vijayanagar time also, it is metioned byDominoes Paes the Portuguese traveller in the 16th century, there is mention of carrying about twenty persons and horses and oxen to cross the river.
During 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, Anegundi was ruled by Bijapur Sultans, Moghuls, Marathas and Tipu Sultan. According to 1824 treaty with the British and Hyderabad Nizam, the king of Vijayanagar who was ruled from Hampi lost his kingdom, provided a monthly pension of Rs 300, forced to leave Hampi and make Anegundi as official residence, Rani Lalkumari Bai last descendant who received monthly pension.
Anegundi Fort:
Anegundi has Fort with many gates, there is a Durga temple and has the Fort entrance, there are tombs laying scattered around. There is a Ganesha cave temple.Vijayanagar kings they use to pray before every battle at Durga temple, then they visit Pampa Sarovara and Shri Lakxmi temple. Royal descendants of \Vijayanagara Empire are still exist in Anegundi.
Tourist attraction:
Anegundi the ancient town the mythical Kishkindha of Ramayana, a lively settlement has mahals and monuments (Gagan Mahal), there are forts and palaces, ruined temples, lush green padi fields.
Ramayana connection:
Pampa Sarovara related to Shiva and Parvati featured in Ramayana, Sabari a devotee of Rama met here, the legends of Ramayana including Hanuman, Sugriva all are pervading around Anegundi. The pilgrims consider Pampa Sarovara a holy place.
Pre Vijayanagara period:
Aneguni in Kannada means Elephant Gorge, it is older than Hampi, in fact the mother kingdom (cradle city of Vijayanagara). Anegundi history dates back to 3rd BC century was under Ashoka Empire. Anegundi was ruled by various dynasties like Shatavahanas, Kadambas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Delhi Sultanate, Vijayanagara Empire and Bahamanis.
Vijayanagara period:
Early 14th century, elephant enclosure in Kannada known as Anegundi, named because of elephant contingent of Vijayanagara army. The first capital of Vijayanagara Empire and capital of several other dynasties. In 1334, Deva Raya the Chief Minister of Anegundi became ruler of Anegundi. When Delhi Sultans invaded Warangal, Harihara and Bukka escaped and came to Anegundi, later founded the Vijayanagar Empire at Hampi. The Tallarighatta gate(Talwar Ghatta) (erstwhile toll gate) is the entrance to Anegundi from Hampi side, the collapsed modern day bridge under construction between Hampi and Anegundi across the Tungabhadra River. Crossing the river in a coracle (boat) which is circular basket shaped made of cane, bamboo and wrapped in a plastic sheet. Coracle was used to ferry people in the Vijayanagar time also, it is metioned byDominoes Paes the Portuguese traveller in the 16th century, there is mention of carrying about twenty persons and horses and oxen to cross the river.
During 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, Anegundi was ruled by Bijapur Sultans, Moghuls, Marathas and Tipu Sultan. According to 1824 treaty with the British and Hyderabad Nizam, the king of Vijayanagar who was ruled from Hampi lost his kingdom, provided a monthly pension of Rs 300, forced to leave Hampi and make Anegundi as official residence, Rani Lalkumari Bai last descendant who received monthly pension.
Anegundi Fort:
Anegundi has Fort with many gates, there is a Durga temple and has the Fort entrance, there are tombs laying scattered around. There is a Ganesha cave temple.Vijayanagar kings they use to pray before every battle at Durga temple, then they visit Pampa Sarovara and Shri Lakxmi temple. Royal descendants of Vijayanagara Empire are still exist in Anegundi.
Tourist attraction:
Anegundi turning into world class tourist spot
Gagan Palace (Gagan Mahal): It was built in the 16th century, for the women of royalty to watch the market square during festivals.
Anegundi Fort
· Srikrishnadevaraya samadhi: King Srikrishnadevaraya was proficient in sixty four various kalas (64 arts) and these 64 pillars are located on his samadhi.
· Seven Headed Snake
· Nava Brindavana (Nine Brindavana)
· Anegundi North Main Entrance Gate
· Chintamani Main Entrance Gate
· Anegundi South Side Entrance Gate
· Anegundi Lord Ranganatha Temple
· Ganesh Temple : Wood work has been done on rock by handicraft Jain Temple
· Lord Gavi Ranganath Temple
· Anegundi Garuda Sthambha
· Huchchaiappana Mutt : Synthetic Hand Work has been done by handicrafts on a single rock in the Huchchaiappana Mutt
· Nandi Pillar in Huchchaiappana Mutt. The entire Ramayana epic has been depicted with statues on the side walls
· Chintamani Lord Shiva Temple
· Kishkindha Old Bridge
· Anjaneya Parvat
· Anjunadari : Birthplace of Hanuman is near to Anegundi.
· Tara parvath : the rock climbers spot, it was the domain of Tara the wife of Vali (king of Kishkinda) and there is Veerabhadra swamy temple.