Anegundi or Anegondi is a fascinating mixture of geology, history, and heritage.
Anegundi is a beautiful place surrounded by hills on the three sides and by the river Tungabhadra on the other side. Geologically, the Anegundi region is known to be one of the oldest plateaus on earth. There is a plateau that is claimed to be among the oldest plateaus of the planet earth dated 3000 million years ago due to which the city is also referred as the home of mother earth by the natives. Traces of Neolithic history, microlithic history, and megalithic history can be found near Anegundi.
Anegundi was the first capital of Vijayanagara empire. Anegundi means “elephant enclosure” in Kannada. This place was used for bathing the elephants of Vijayanagara Empire, hence the name.
Anegundi was called Kishkindha, the kingdom of monkeys. It is home to Anjanadri hills, the birth place of Lord Hanuman.
Apart from the forts, palaces, and ruins, Anegundi is famous for Nava Brindavana (Navavrundhaavana or Navabrindavan). Nava Brindavana, located on an island in the Tungabhadra River near Anegundi, is one of the holiest spots for Madhwas as it contains the Brindavanas (final resting place) of nine Madhwa saints, who belong to the Sri Uttaradi Math. The nine saints are:
- Shri Padmanabha Teertha, direct disciple of Jagadguru Shri Madhvacharya
- Shri Kavindra Teertha
- Shri Vagisha Teertha
- Shri Raghuvarya Teertha
- Shri Vyasaraja Teertha
- Shri Sudhindra Teertha, Guru of Mantralaya Shri Raghavendra Teertha
- Shri Srinivaasa Teertha
- Shri Rama Teertha
- Shri Govinda Vodeyaru
The Brindavana of Vyasa Tirtha is at the center while the Brindavana of other eight saints are in a rough circle.
While we waited for our boat ride to Nava Brindavana, we spotted an intriguing structure partially submerged by the waters of the Tungabhadra. It is the 64 pillared mantapa. The mantapa is an open air mantapa. The 64 pillars are said to represent 64 arts including dance, music, which were patronized by the rulers of the Vijayanagara empire.
Reaching Anegundi:
- When on a trip to Hampi, you can take a theppa (coracle) or boat ride across the river Tungabhadra from Hampi (near Talarighatta gate) to Nava Brindavana.
- Take a theppa or boat ride across Tungabhadra from Anegundi to Nava Brindavana.
- Take a theppa or boat ride across Tungabhadra from Gangavathi to Nava Brindavana.
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