Anegundi

Anegundi is a village in Gangavathi taluk, Koppal district in the Indian state of Karnataka. [ [http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/22/stories/2006032201370200.htm The Hindu - Anegundi bracing itself to charm tourists] ] It is part of the Hampi World Heritage Site. Here, the river Aghanashini, one of the main rivers of North Kanara district joins other two small rivers.

Anegundi, older than Hampi, is 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 Navabrindavan are the major attractions. Nimvapuram, a nearby village, has a mount of ash believed to be the cremated remains of monkey king Bali.

Anegundi, believed to be the monkey kingdom of Kishkinda in the epic of Ramayana, is at a distance of 5 km from the historical site of Hampi. Anjanadri hill, the birth place of monkey-god Hanuman, and the mountain Rishimuka are the other places near Anegundi associated with Ramayana.

Anegundi is best visited along with Hampi.

Tourist attraction

* Gagan palace

* Anegundi Fort Entrance Gate

* Pampa Sarovara Laxmi Temple (Lake)

* srikrishnadevarayalu samadi

King srikrishnadevarayalu was well known Pandit (master) in sixty four various vidya's (studies) and these 64 pillars are located on his samadi.

* 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's Temple

* Shri Lord Gavi Ranganath's Temple

* Anegundi Garuda Sthambha

* Huchchaiappana Mutt

Synthetic Hand Work has been done by Handicrafts on single rock in Huchchaiappana Mutt Nandi Pillar in Huchchaiappana Mutt. whole Ramayana described by making statues on side walls

* Chintamani Lord Shiva Temple

* Newly under construction Bridge of Anegundi connecting Hampi

Anegundi turning into world class tourist spot [cite web
url=http://international.zeenews.com/inner1.asp?aid=196462&sid=bus
title=Anegundi turning into world class tourist spot
publisher=
accessdate=2008-08-11]

Anegundi, part of the world heritage site, Hampi, is being developed into a world class tourist spot by engaging the localites to sensitise them to their cultural wealth and provide them a means of livelihood.

The picturesque village, located on the northern side bank of River Tungabhadra, was said to be the legendary Kishkinda, 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.

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 Kishkinda to build capacity in the villagers to maintain business incubators.

The main activities taken up engaging the localites were improving the village surroundings through landscaping, developing parks and gardens, putting up fence 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 its ancient look. The villagers were 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 artforms had also been revived to entertain the visitors.

Existing tanks in the village had been redesigned to store clean drinking water and proper drainage facilities developed to keep the surroundings clean and hygienic.

References

Anegundi village is situated in gangavathi Taluk, Koppal Dist, Karnataka

External links

* [http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/12/04/stories/2004120402790100.htm The Hindu - Royal ruins, smoking sadhus]