After checking out the Pre-Historic Rock Art at Anegundi, we headed to Malyavanta Hill and on the way, I spotted something! Do you spot it??? Well, lets go closer...
At a particular spot, to my right, behind a patch of agricultural land on a barren surface of rock, I spotted something! I asked to stop the vehicle and walked to that. And that's what I saw...
A panel of shallow relief sculpture depicting a scene from Ramayana - monkeys lifting stones to build the dam!!! It was out of nowhere and after coming back I tried to figure out what it was and couldn't find any details.
Before setting off to Malyavanta Hill from Anegundi, we headed to Pampa Sarovar, where there is a modern Shiva Temple whose mandapa was built in the Vijaya Nagara period. Just out of the Sanctum Sactorum to the right is a small relief sculpture of a seated Thirthankara.
According to a book of ASI of 1970, there's supposed to be a series of standing Thirthankaras similar to Kazhugumalai in Ajjunahalli. Though I tried to roam about the whole place to figure out where it was, unfortunately I couldn't find. Unfortunately the priest of the temple, lost his temper too when I enquired him about the Jain connection, which he vehemently rejected!!! I couldn't find any Ajjunahalli as well! Probably, the standing Thirthankaras are also somewhere like the Ramayana panel, hidden in full view (do I sound like Robert Langdon?)!!!
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
To Get There:
From Bangalore: 343km via NH48 & NH50
From Hyderabad: 373km via NH44
From Goa: 316km via NH67
From Pattadakkal (another UNESCO site): 135km via NH50
From Orange County Resort: 9km
Map of all important sites: hampi.in
The exact spot of the Ramayana panel: The stretch in 15.362023, 76.499074
Map of all important sites: hampi.in
The exact spot of the Ramayana panel: The stretch in 15.362023, 76.499074
These sites are covered in The Vittala Tral organized as a guided tour by Orange County Resort.
Each trail costs Rs.1000/- per head as a group.
If you want it exclusive just for you it costs Rs.4000/- for 2 trails (+ Rs.1000/- incl vehicle).
If you want a guide for yourself for the whole day it costs Rs.8000/-
Dedicated to Venkat
Interesting!
ReplyDeleteWhat at an adventure. I like how your appetite for adventure for you drop by the moment you see something interesting to check it which is truly awesome. I haven't heard about this place yet, this will surely be kept in mind. Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThe art on the rocks seems fascinating. Did you talk to the lady you met? One of the great experiences we can get from travelling to different places is meeting different people.
ReplyDelete❀ Grace ❀
That seems like a fun experience 🙂
ReplyDeleteLooks like Hampi is an amazing place to visit ! I guess one of the best India's kept secrets ! Never heard of it before
DeleteThe engraving are just amazing. India surprises with all its artwork and engravings
ReplyDeleteHampi has been on my bucketlist for the longest time and I still haven't made it there. Hope to get there this winter! The carvings are so intricate ... I can't wait to see the famous chariot!
ReplyDeleteGreat post and I must say, you did a great job of capturing Hampi in your photos. And you're right, that old lady is extremely adorable as are those monkeys! Humbling to think how much history has occurred at a place like this and it seems Hampi is really starting to explode as a tourist destination
ReplyDeleteOne of my most regrettable things in India was not visiting the south. I hear Karnataka is absolutely stunning, with their statues and all. I will definitely keep your post in mind for later. Hopefully when I go, no priest will yell at me :(
ReplyDeleteI've never seen any reliefs in person, I always wondered if they are as clear as depicted in photos and documentaries. Thank you for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteLove this! I love visiting temples and LOVE the photo of the woman! I am so kicking myself for not jumping over there when I was living in Thailand. Looks like the culture is still so strong and authentic there!
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of that carving on the rock. So detailed. So much history!
ReplyDeleteAnother great post. I love the way you explore every little part of the world and you also capture it beautifully! I'm surprised those animals stayed still for you to be able to snap a picture of them!! WOuld love to visit here someday.
ReplyDeleteThirthankaras in Hampi is a surprise! Had not heard of this before. Lucky that you managed to capture some animals & birds! I'm unlucky most of the time.
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! There is so much to discover in this place. I would also love to explore this kind of interesting and unique destination. Great job on catching the sculpture on the rocks!
ReplyDeleteOh I do love these posts of yours when you're off temple exploring. Though in this post my favourite is the teeny tiny monkey. I wish I had your animal photography skills.
ReplyDeleteGoing to an ancient site that survived to the present is really a metaphysical experience. It connects you to the past. History comes alive!
ReplyDeleteOMG! You do sound like Robert Langdon!I laughed a bit on reading about the angry priest. He surely takes religion seriously after all that's his bread and butter. When did you visit Hampi is it in the winter months?
ReplyDeleteThe rock cravings are so beautiful and tells a lot of story from the past. You are so lucky to visit this place.
ReplyDeleteSo nice to see random sculptures / engraving that tells the story of the place. It's really gives you a glimpse of the history of the place.
ReplyDeleteI've seen so many wonderful posts on India recently - clearly that's a sign that I need to visit, right? Sounds like such an interesting place and very rich in history. How long were you in India for and where was your absolute favourite place (I know, tough question)?
ReplyDeleteLove the photo you took of that lady close to Pampa Sorovar. Incredible place we can't wait to plan to get to and discover!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to India yet, but I will take note to visit the South when I do go! The temples look absolutely beautiful and so rich in history. Although I'm not too clear why the priest was yelling at you?
ReplyDeleteThis was a nice finish to your Hampi series! I really liked that hidden carving of the monkeys you found. But more than that, I loved the photo of the little hidden owl! He is so cute that I want to pinch his owl cheeks. Hampi sounds like a wonderful place to visit!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great adventure! I remember being in India, and your pictures bring back a lot of memories :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know how many of your Hampi posts I've read now altogether, but I'm kind of sad they've ended as you've made me really really really want to visit! Next time I'm in India it'll definitely be top of the list - all of your photos, descriptions and little surprises along the way make it sound like any adventurer's dream destination.
ReplyDeleteThe rock formations are incredible. I wonder how they got stack together so perfectly. The carved monkeys must have a mysterious meaning. I like that you are so eager to discover these things. You are like a archaeologist.
ReplyDeleteKarnataka looks beautiful and really cool prehistoric carvings in the rock. Also pretty amazing how you were able to photograph so many animals, where as I am almost never able to get good shots of animals!
ReplyDeleteThe engraving on the rocks are incredible. Great observation! I also love the photos you managed to capture of animals. Adorable!
ReplyDeleteHey that's an wonderful sighting. I have visited the major monuments of Hampi but I wish I had spotted something like this. Also I think the rock formations in that region are naturally photogenic...
ReplyDeleteThis is so interesting and Amazing! I think it's important to not just visit the place but learn more about the background of that particular place. If you're a historical junkie then This will really amaze you.:)
ReplyDeletewow! You got those minute details about the Ramayana and that Goddess statue inside is so gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI love the photos of the animals! They're adorable. Also, I'm happy you grabbed some closeups of the marking on the rocks, very cool stuff. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe portrait of the lady in a meditative trance is so intriguing. Love her jewellery. India is a treasure trove of historic beauties and you discover it so beautifully! The inscriptions look so good. The rock formations are beyond gorgeous :)
ReplyDeleteYou live in a country that is rich with history, culture a and fantastic places to visit. Im glad to live vicariously through your travels.
ReplyDelete