Pampa Sarovar in Sanskrit means Lotus pond. It is located in Anegundi. Pampa Sarovar is surrounded by hilly rocks and on one side are the shrines of Shabari, Ram, Shiva, Vikaylakshmi, Hanuman, Pampa devi, Nandi etc. The temple is located on the body of a hill and if you climb further you will see rock caves. If you carry torch light, you will be able to explore it properly. I explored little bit with my LED torch light.

It is said that Lord Ram accepted help from shabari and on Shabari’s advice he went to meet Sugreeva, Bali’s brother, who was the king of Kishkinda (the then monkey kingdom).

Looks like the temple has been renovated. But this kind of historical places need special care for renovation and not just ordinary masonry work. They have whitewashed, plastered and placed granite slabs. In the process many detailed works on stones are lost.

The Pampa sarovar is true to its name as the pond is full with lotus plants. It was almost entirely covered with lotus plants. The color of Lotus is mainly white Lotus. In fact I did not see any other color.

How to reach there: Public transport is almost non existent here. So you either have to hire a two wheeler from Hampi, ride to river Tungabhadra – cross the river on a ferry and start your tour in Anegundi. Or you can hire a local auto who at first will ask for exorbitant price. Negotiate hard. A full day tour of Anegundi showing all the important places should not cost more that Rs 300 – 350.

For more detailed information on Pampa Sarovar, visit Priya’s blog.

Ranganathswany Temple is the most important temple in Anegundi as it was patronized by the Anegundi kings. The temple is located strategically at the center of the town. Here the main deity is Lord Vishnu who reclines on a serpent called Adisesha. The temple also houses goddess Lakshmi and Bhoodevi (mother earth). At the entrance of the temple we can see a brass tower which is typical of south Indian temples.

In front of the temple on the other side of the road is a wooden chariot which is used for procession of Lord Ranganatha during Ranganatha festival in April every year.

The first thing we saw in Anegundi after crossing Tungabhadra river is Huchhappaya Matt. It is a few minutes walk from the river bank. From the circle, one need to take the right hand road.  Here a sage named Huchchappaiah mediated here and hence the name. The temple has ornamental carved pillars from black granite stones.  The green surrounding of the temple gives a very peaceful feelings.

Though apart from that nothing much to see here, we sat for sometime enjoying wind breeze and doing some nice photo session.

For more pictures on Hampi and Anegundi visit: Travelingbeats Photo Gallery.

The Vittala temple in Hampi, represents the highest form of Vijaynagara style of art and architecture. Vittala is the Krishna aspect of Lord Vishnu. The temple is located at the bank of Tungabhadra river. There are two ways to reach Vittala temple:

1. Little before the Monolithic bull take a left turn for the riverside path and keep walking besides Tungabhadra river to reach Vittala temple. We took this route. It is very adventurous and probably one of the best walk trails. On the way you will also see various temples and structures.

2. Through Kamalapur. If anyone is unable to walk then one to reach Vittala temple via Kamalapur. The vehicles will stop at a parking lot and from here battery operated vehicles ferry the passengers. One way per person cost is Rs 10. To reach the parking lot Auto, bus and private vehicles are available.

It is one of the largest temples of that period, built under the patronage of Devaraya II (1422 – 46 AD). Substantial portion of the present structure were added during the reign of Krishnadevaraya (1509 – 1529 AD). The hundred pillared mantapa (pavilion) to the south west of the main temple and the eastern and northern gateways carved with deceptions of Vishnu and his other forms are attributed to Krishnadevaraya and his queens.

The temple is built on a sculpted ornate plinth. The composite pillars of the sabha mantapa (congregation hall) are massive, hewn out of a single granite blocks, which are designed as clusters of slender pillars. Some of these when tapped gently, produces musical notes. to the northern bay of the sabha mantapa is the Narashima mantapa where a pillar has a sculpture of a Yogavarada Narashima and various other forms.

The stone chariot at the entrance, a reproduction of the processional wooden chariot is perhaps the most stunning achievement, typical of the Vijaynagara period. It houses an image of the Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. The ornate Kalyana Mantapa (marriage hall), Utsava mantava (festival hall), and devi shrines completes the ensembles of the temple complex.

Outside the temple, to the east is a huge bazaar measuring 945 meters in length and 40 meters in width leading to a sacred tank called Lokapavani.

Entrance to Vittala temple is paid. Entrance fee per person is Rs 10 (Indian) and $5 foreigners. Entrance fee below age of 15 years is free. There is no fee for still photography but for videography fee is Rs 25.

Timings: 8.30 am to 5.30 pm

It is advisable to visit here in the first hours of the day so that you can see it peacefully and take good photographs. Once the crowd builds up, it is very difficult to take photographs. Also, may be we can skip visiting on Sunday.

To view the complete set of pictures visit, Travelingbeats Photo Gallery.

The King’s balance is located near the Courtesans’ street and it is found on the way to Vittala temple in Hampi. The balance is a special one as it is about 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide. The balance is made up of granite rock and it was probably built by the Krishna Devaraya of the Vijaynagar empire. It has nice ornamental work and three small gopuras (towers) on the top. On one side of the pillar there is a image of the king with his consorts.

It is said that the king used to weigh himself against gold, silver and precious gems during special occasions and were distributed to the needy and Brahmins.

Achutaraya temple is a hidden jewel in Hampi. It is located in a valley created by Gandhamadana hill and Mantunga hill. It is secluded from the main Hampi area by these huge stone boulder hills. Achutaraya temple was built during the reign of King Achuta Deva Raya (1530-1542) of Vijaynagar empire by one of the officers of his court. Hence, this temple is known by the name of Achutaraya temple and is dedicated to Lord Thiruvengalanatha (Vishnu).

We reached the temple by climbing the steps besides monolithic bull which is opposite to Virupaksha temple. Once we went past to the other side of the hill, we were amazed to the sight of Achutaraya temple and surroundings. There is another way by taking Kumpa Bhupa path (Tungabhadra riverside path) and after reaching Kodanda Rama temple or King’s balance take a right turn. There are signboards through out the way. The temple has three entrances and it consists of garbagriha, sukanasi, an Antarala, a rangamantapa and a spacious mahamantapa. Within the complex to the south west of the main temple is the devi shrine.

The temple complex is enclosed with two prakaras (enclosures). The outer prakara has one mahadwara (main door), most imposing on the north. The inner side of the prakaras are a series of mantapas with pillars in the facade. From the front of the northern main door runs the Achutarayapete with a series of pillared mantapas on both sides. This is also know as Courtesans’ street.

At the backyard of Achutaraya temple, one can sit quietly in the shade of pillared mantapas, enjoying the cool breeze and peace of mind. This temple is typically less crowded. I saw a little bit of restoration work has been done on the main shrine.

The statue of Nandi is located on the other end of Virupaksha temple. The monolithic bull is housed in a two story twin building on a elevated platform. It located at the backdrop of rocky hill which gives an amazing view. The giant Nandi statue is probably one of the largest found in India. In front of the monolithic bull there is a elevated platform with roof which might have been used for addressing people during those days.

In between monolithic bull and Virupaksha temple, the Hampi baazar was located during the days of Vijaynagar empire. The steps besides monolithic bull takes you to the Acutaraya temple on the other side of the hill. We got an amazing view of Virupakhsa temple and surroundings after climbing the steps. One can also go to Vitthala temple from here. Another way on the right hand side takes you to the top of Mathunga hill.

Another thing I noticed is the monkeys here. They are not the typical ones (Rhesus monkey) found in and around Bangalore. They are the grey langurs (Hanuman) and sport a black face, hand, feet and tail hair.

Tungabhadra is one of the prominent rivers in the Indian state of Karnataka. Tungabhadra is formed out of the amalgamation of two rivers named Tunga and Bhadra. River Tunga and River Bhadra both originates from the Gangamoola-Aroli-Gangrikal hill range in Kudremukh National park of Western Ghats. Tunga flows through Sringeri, Thirthahalli and Shimoga town of Karnataka and joins river Bhadra at Koodli. Bhadra takes a different course through Horanadu, Bhadravathi etc untill they merge at Koodli near Shimoga.

From here the combined river is known as Tungabhadra. It continued its journey towards east until it joins river Krishna at Gondimalla, near Alampur in Mahaboobnagar District of Andhra Pradesh.

It is said that river Tungabhadra water is very sweet. I have not tested it but I can tell for sure that it is very clean and soothing cold.

In Hampi you can see Tungabhadra river meandering through rock stone by taking a left at Hampi Bazar. There are a few riverside restaurants which offers great view but little costly. 1 omelet costs Rs 50.

I would suggest that while visiting Vittala temple, you go by walk. It takes around 30 minutes by walk from Hampi Bazaar. The catch is you will be walking on the banks of the river, hiking rocks, country side view and watch many historical things on the way. I can tell you from my experience that it is one of the best trail I have walked on.

You will also see river Tungabhadra while visiting Anegundi. Here you will have to cross the river on boat as the old bridge is broken.

Fare: Rs 10 per person, Rs 25 per two wheeler

To view all the pictures visit, Travelingbeats Photo Gallery.

The royal enclosure is the nucleus of the capital city (Hampi) of Vijaynagar empire. It is the largest extent enclosures in the ancient city occupying an area of 59,000 sq km protected by lofty double walls. The enclosure had housed as many as 43 buildings.

The enclosure has three entrances, two on the north and one on the west. The northern entrance which is located to the east of Audience Hall was the main entrance with well guarded massive doorways arranged in zig zag plan. The other northern entrance with flight of steps near Mahanavami Dibba platform had a doorway with exquisitely carved monolithic temple type door flaps. The Western entrance leads to a passage the Hazararama temple on the north.

Entering the enclosure through the northern main entrance, there is a neatly plastered open courtyard and a pillared hall leading to a well decorated hall. To the south of this hall is the underground secret council chamber. The southwest of the secret chamber was the king’s residence with as many as 9 chambers including a pooja room. To the west and northwest of the residence were many structures. It is interesting to note that a flight of steps used to lead from a chamber to the first floor of the king’s audience hall.

To the east of the palace complex is the sacred area including a large open courtyard with well plastered floor, accommodating at the center a homa kunda and a tank. The two structures with decorative plinth on the south of the sacred area were the residences of Queens.

The long rectangular pillared halls in a row arranged in units of two and separately by a wide avenue on the south of the palace complex were probably the residences of people working in the palace complex. Water was brought to the enclosure from an external source through a main aqueduct running in the middle and feeds 23 small and big tanks in the enclosure.

The so called public bath located in the south eastern corner is the largest tank in the enclosure. However, the most ornamental among the tanks is the stepped tank located north of the public bath. Every ornamental member of this tank bears a mason mark indicating the exact location of the member in the construction. There is another “T” shaped tank in front of Mahanavami Dibba platform. There is also a well in the enclosure.

Stepped tank built in the 15th century is a beautiful ornate tank in the royal enclosure, Hampi. The tank is around 22 square meter in area and 7 meters in depth. There are 5 tiers, each comprising few steps which are symmetrically laid. The area is smaller at the bottom of the tank. The water for the tank is sourced from river Tungabhadra through stone ducts engineered those days. The stepped tank looks like an early work prefabrication at one place and then assembled at the destination. We could see aqueducts around the tank. Stepping in to the tank is prohibited.

This tank was also used for public bath. There are lawn gardens besides the tank. The stepped tank was excavated recently. Which means a lot of Hampi may be still waiting to be unearthed.