Apart from the main UNESCO Sites in Hampi, there was one very important site that I wanted to see – Onake Kindi in Anagundi. Remember my posts on Alampadi, Settavarai and Kilvalai? Remember those stunning pre-historic rock arts? Yup. Onake Kindi is also a pre-historic rock art site. I was very doubtful if my guide Mr.Rajesh would know where this place was and he was very sure that he knew!!!
We set off to Anegundi one fine early morning and our guide parked our vehicle on the road with cultivation happening on either side. Then Ramesh took us through the fields and he started climbing the rocks & boulders beyond it. Yup, that’s pretty much our way to reach the dwelling of the prehistoric man. After climbing the boulders and going across it to reach the other side of it, there was a barren land surrounded on all sides with boulders!!!
Walking a bit on this barren land finally I saw a cave like structure to the right and there it was, in its front, on the face of the rock, was this indent to keep the rain water from falling on it (an indigenous age-old technique which we already saw here) and loads of drawings below it! These are estimated to belong to Bronze Age i.e. about 15000 yrs old!
There were several, several bulls, some humans and a few birds depicted in this main section. Atop this main section of bulls on the horizontal pane was this extremely unusual graffiti. It’s a circular design. Inside it is another circle, which is separated into 2 sections and inside one of it, is a human!!! Reminds of anything. Here’s a clue! Check out those Megalithic Burials in Pudukottai. Circularly placed stones, central section divided into 2? Yup, indeed, what’s depicted is a burial and that’s very very unusual when it comes to pre-historic rock art! Just below this main section, when I laid down in the cave, atop me, on the ceiling was this huuuuge cobra (no, not a real one, a rock art it was)!!!!
Mostly it was red and white in some places. Some of the humans were shown inside squares – houses? Some were shown holding shields & knives – warriors? To the right of this main section is the depiction of community dancing. Behind this was a procession scene with a man atop a bull, followed by more men, followed by more bulls!!!
Opposite to this cave, was another dwelling, another cave. Here were more bulls, more humans on bulls and humans holding bow & arrow!!!
Further ahead of this, was another tiny cave filled with several motifs on the ceiling – some symbolisms, similar symbolisms inside squares, several stick figures of humans etc.
I was more than happy to see this!!!
You may remember that I already declared in this blog, that I love to see megalithic burials and pre-historic sites. It gives me a strange sense of belonging. The truth is, they people who lived here would have been my great great great great grandfathers & grandmothers!!!
My complete (all posts of) Hampi Travelogue: Zenana Enclosure, Hazara Rama Temple, Royal Enclosure, Achyuta Raya & Varaha Temples, Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple, Monolith Sculptures, Riverside ruins, Malyavanta Hills & other temples, Anegundi Pre-Historic Rock Art, Discoveries & Musings
From Bangalore: 370km via NH48 & NH50
From Hyderabad: 344km via NH44
From Goa: 313km via NH67
From Pattadakkal (another UNESCO site): 126km via NH50
From Orange County Resort: 23km
These sites are not covered in the regular guided group tours by Orange County Resort or in the regular packages of KSTDC Certified guides.
However the guides know of this place and can accompany on special request.
Dedicated to Venkat
Wonderful pics.Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteYou must have been in heaven in there. I wish they would include these sites and images in our history books instead of instructing random prehistoric western facts
ReplyDeleteOne fascinating thought of visiting historic sites is we get to picture out how people lived back then. I had fun looking at your pictures. I wish I'd be able to visit that too.
ReplyDeleteThe pre historic rock is stunning. I have visited something similar to this in Madhya Pradesh and there our guide told us that some of the art pointed to a species that looked like human beings but not completely. They are still trying to understand what those figures meant. It is really fascinating to see Anegundi :)
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I had never heard of it before. I have not seen that many pre historic rocks/places but I am always interested to find out more and got curios... Would love to know what people intended to say by these figures.
ReplyDeleteExploring pre-historic rock art sites and trying to interpret what one sees in those drawings must be such a wonderful experience. What if there was an app to translate all that...
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure trove! Must visit soon. Those drawings on rocks are simply fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThis site looks super interesting, I am sure most people that are into history would totally feel like in heaven here! Love it!
ReplyDeleteSuch a truly wonderful part of the world. Certainly, anywhere I go that has petrographs and other forms of cave art, I am always very keen to see them as, really I can think of few more humbling things than seeing ancient humanity's first attempt at artistic expression. The birth of the human soul, if you will
ReplyDeleteI went to Hampi about 7 years ago but the more I read your post the more I realize I missed. I must take you as my guide when I visit Hampi to ensure I see everything next time! The history is amazing and when you relate it to you, your great, great, great, great grandparents, that puts things in perspective!
ReplyDeleteIt's really fascinating with rock art. I didn't know that bulls were so important for humans back in the history.
ReplyDeleteWow, I really love visiting UNESCO heritage asa it bring me back to the genuine memory of the past. I like those rocks with a unique letter written on it. The caverns are as well very stunning at their own innate beauty. Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to see the prehistoric art. Also glad your guide was able to find it! It's very cool that you saw a depiction of a burial. What a special experience!
ReplyDeleteWow! Rock art! this is just so fascinating! I love pre historic sites too and this is just something I'd love to explore.
ReplyDeleteP.S: another Hampi post! *sigh* :/
I love visiting prehistoric sites like these! Visiting those caves must have been quite an experience. From what I can see in the photos, it sure looks incredible. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis art is absolutely gorgeous! I love all the symbolism in it.
ReplyDeleteThe amount of detail is really incredible. I have added it as a place I really need to visit!
DeleteWow! Visiting a historical place and to be able to connect to it must have been a wonderful experience. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteWow! This rock is a hidden gem. 15,000 years old sounds so interesting! I like exploring these kind of places enriched in history, particularly the pre-historic sites. I have not been to Anegundi and this gives me a perfect excuse to go there.
ReplyDeleteWow. These rock cavings look totally awesome. I hope to get to this area and check these out in the future. Love the photos.
ReplyDeleteAnegundi looks like a very special place to visit. I have never heard about it before. Pre historic rock art looks very cool. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis is fascinating - I witness similar paintings in Lesotho, South Africa. It was a unique experience. I wish I could see the people who painted it and their way of life. Just to go back in time for one day :)
ReplyDeleteWow this is so fascinating! I love visiting prehistoric sites. I find it so hard to imagine people going about their lives in those times and I always wonder what it would have been like. Being in the sites can help a little. It looks like a beautiful place to visit!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing seeing the prehistoric rock art. You can really see a lot on the evolution of the place and the arts.
ReplyDeleteI love watching documentaries and I've seen stories like these. It is very interesting learning about our world's pre-historic life.
ReplyDeleteFascinating to see these authentic cave drawings for real on outer rocks! I may not be able to go there myself, and I am thankful to just see your photos.
ReplyDeleteI love reading about places I've never heard of before. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAo this is in India? Am I right?
ReplyDeleteWe also have almost the same here in the Philippines and can be gound in Angono Rizal but tourist can not touch the boulders anymore
Were these art created by using a rock to scrap against a rock? I thought I recall learning about this during school days through Physical Geography~ The art could almost pass off as someone scribbling the works when they were visiting~
ReplyDeleteThis site looks so beautiful! The photos are so interesting and I've always been really into art like this one
ReplyDeleteI have not seen anything like this before. The writings on these rocks have stories. It would be nice to know the meanings of these symbols and characters.
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful post! I haven't visited Anegundi yet and I am eager to visit after reading your post. It reminds of a pre-historic rock in Uttarakhand which displays similar symbols and writing, though mostly in ruins.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love checking out these kinds of historic sights. There is just something about old writing on rocks that make me so interested in learning why they are there, or what they mean.
ReplyDeleteI did go to Anegudi but missed on these drawings. Lucky you for having spotted it. This is where you need a good guide :(
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