Anegundi

Anegundi previously called Kishkindha is a village in the Gangavathi taluk, Koppal district in the Indian state of Karnataka,[2] It is older than Hampi situated on the northern bank of Tungabhadra River, Huchappayana matha temple (with black-stone pillars and dance sculptures), Pampa Sarovar, Aramane (a ruined palace), Ranganatha temple, Kamal Mahal, and Nava Brindavana are the major attractions Nimvapuram, a nearby village, has a mount 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 locals 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.

Anegundi

Anegondi

Kishkindha
Village
Nickname(s): 
Kishkindha Nagar
Anegundi
Location in Karnataka, India
Anegundi
Anegundi (India)
Coordinates: 15.3527°N 76.4919°E / 15.3527; 76.4919
Country India
StateKarnataka
DistrictKoppal District
Elevation
568 m (1,864 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total3,733
Languages
 • OfficialKannada
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Sex ratio1740:1757[1] ♂/♀

Mythology
Main articles: Kishkindha, Pampa Sarovar, Ramayana, Vanara, Sugriva, and Hanuman
Brooklyn Museum - Vali and Sugriva Fighting Folio from the Dispersed Shangri Ramayana

Anegundi, believed to be the monkey kingdom of Kishkindha (Kishkinta means in local language a forest where the monkeys lived) in the epic of Ramayana, is at a distance of 5 km from the historical site of Hampi. Anjanadri hill, the birthplace of monkey-god Hanuman, and the mountain Rishimuka are the other places near Anegundi associated with Ramayana. It is said to have one of the oldest plateaus on the planet, estimated to be 3,000 million years old. So, only local story-tellers refer to Anegundi as the maternal home of Bhoodevi (Mother Earth).

The village, located on the northern side bank of River Tungabhadra, was said to be the legendary Kishkindha, a kingdom of the monkey Prince Sugriva and the cradle place of the historic Krishnadevaraya dynasty of the glorious Vijayanagar empire and falls in the core zone of Hampi.

History
Main articles: Vijayanagara Empire and Battle of Talikota
Pampa Sarovar at 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 at 'Onke Kindi'. 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 older 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 HireBenekal, 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.[3] 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 of megalithic 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.

Rock Art at Onake Kindi, near Anegundi, Karnataka 4

Ancient kingdom

Anegundi the ancient town 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 Sarovar 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

Anegundi 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. Now this place is well-known tourism place.

Vijayanagara period

Early 14th century, elephant enclosure in Kannada known as Anegundi, named because of elephant contingent of Vijayanagar army.[4] The first capital of Vijayanagar 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 mentioned by Dominoes 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 a Fort with many gates; there is a Durga temple and the Fort entrance, there are also tombs laying scattered around. There is a Ganesha cave temple. Vijayanagar kings used to pray before every battle at the Durga temple, then they used to visit Pampa Sarovar and Shri Lakshmi temple.[5] Royal descendants of Vijayanagar Empire are still exist in Anegundi.

Tourist attractions

Anegundi turning into world class tourist spot[6]

Kishkindha Old Bridge at Anegundi
Anjaneya Parvat the hill, birthplace of Hanuman near Pampa
  • Pampa Sarovar Laxmi Temple
  • 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
    Hanuman temple at the top of the Anjaneya Parvat
  • Chintamani Lord Shiva Temple
  • Kishkindha Old Bridge
  • Anjaneya Parvat
  • Anjanadari Betta: Birthplace of Lord 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.
  • Virupapur Gaddi is an island across the river from Hampi.

Rural tourism scheme

Realising that to appreciate and be involved in conserving ancient lineage and historic surroundings, the villagers of Anegundi must be self-sufficient with sustainable economic support, the Union government under its rural tourism scheme, formed a trust named Kishkindha to build capacity in the villagers to maintain business incubators.

The main activities taken up engaging the locals, were improving the village surroundings through landscaping, developing parks and gardens, putting up fences and constructing compound walls, laying roads within the panchayat limits, fixing street lights, managing solid waste and sewerage, procuring equipment required for water sports and adventure sports, introducing eco-friendly modes of transport for moving within the tourism zone and setting up reception centres.

To meet contemporary needs of tourists, traditional houses in the village were converted into guest houses without disturbing their ancient looks. The villagers are earning a handsome amount by renting out these houses to the tourists.

They have also set up a craft shop offering a range of items made locally using banana fibre, an Internet cafe to help visitors keep in touch with the outer world and a restaurant to treat their taste buds. Local art forms have also been revived to entertain the visitors.

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See also

References
  1. "View Population". Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India.
  2. The Hindu - Anegundi bracing itself to charm tourists
  3. "Where time has stopped". Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  4. "Anegundi: Of history and mysticism". Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  5. Sharath, Lakshmi (1 October 2010). "Gateway to the past". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  6. "Anegundi turning into world class tourist spot". Retrieved 11 August 2008.
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