THEN
- All of us know the beauty of Hampi in Karnataka, and the temple ruins that
adorn the city. Did you know that the land around Hampi, in ancient times, was
also the 'vaanara' kingdom (or the land of the monkeys of Ramayana)? Known as
Kishkindha, this area was ruled by the king Vaali.
Rama,
in search of Sita, arrives at Kishkindha. He meets Hanuman at the Rishyamukh
Parvat (the ashram of Matanga Maharshi), and decides to help kill Vaali, after
which Vaali's brother Sugreeva is throned as the king of the region. Sugreeva
also decides to help Rama in his quest and gives Rama the army of monkeys for
his upcoming battle against Ravana.
NOW
– This kingdom is identified to be the regions around the Tungabhadra river
(then known as Pampa Sarovar) near Hampi in present day Bellary district.
Anjandri
hill, believed to be the birthplace of Hanuman, is located at a distance of
about 5km from Hampi in Karnataka. At the top of the hill is a Hanuman temple
where devotees gather for celebrating Hanuman Jayanti and other related
celebrations, and this hill has become a well-known pilgrimage location. The
entire white-washed structure of Hanuman temple has a roof with pyramid structure
and a small red dome atop.
