ANEGONDI

Anegondi (Anegondi)(ಆನೆಗೊಂದಿ) is a small town, in the Gangavathi talluk of Koppala district. This is located at a distance of about ten kilometers from Hospet of Hampi fame towards the left bank of Tungabhadra River (North banks). The name Anegondi is attributed to the fact that kings of Vijayanagar had the elephant contingent of their army at this place. This place was also known as Hastinavati, Kunjarakona and Kishkinda at different points of time in history and mythology. Arabian travelers have referred to Anegondi as ‘nAgunDim’ and Pais the traveler from Portugal calls it ‘sEnagondim’. This is in a rocky region and acts as a natural fortress providing protection from enemies. Consequently, it was chosen as their capital city by kings belonging to different dynasties. This place has played a crucial role both before and after the formation of the Vijayanagar dynasty. Kampilaraya and Kumara Rama confronted Mallikafar a commander of Allauddin Khilji at this place. Later on it was a part of Vijayanagar Kingdom . It was ruled by the kings of Araveedu dynasty after the fall of Vijayanagara. Srirangaraya of Anegondi is deemed to have built the fortress and the temple at Srirangapattana in the 15^th century. It was ruled by the Shahi dynasty of Bijapur, Mughals and Marathas during the 16^th and 17^th centuries. It was invaded by Tipu Sultan in 1777A.D. and later came under the British rule. They handed it over to the kings of Anegondi who were in charge of it till 1949.

Anegondi houses nine Vrundavanas of Madhva seers and they are called Nava Brindavanas. There are many places of tourist attraction in Anegondi such as Pampa sarovar, (pampA sarOvara) Sheshashayee temple, Vaali Bhandara, Anjaneyadri, (The hill top Hanuman temple) Gagana Mahal, Ranganatha temple, Rishymuka hill, Chandramouleshvara temple near the ruined bridge, Jaina basadi and an old palace. The ruins of Anegondi fort are scattered around. The wall paintings of Huchchappaiah Math are worth seeing.

Reference:

Anegondi; Architectural Ethnography of a Royal Village by Tobert, Natalie (Illustrated by Reed, Graham) 2000, pp. 241

About the book: This innovative multidisciplanary study, which draws on anthropology, architecture and ethno-archaeology, focuses on the inhabitants and dwellings of a royal village in central Karnataka, only a short distance away form the ruins of Vijayanagara. With more than one hundred annotated drawings this volume presents a detailed survey of over fifty houses, ranging from simple one-roomed dwellings to elaborate mansions inhabited by the descendants of the ruling houses of Anegondi.

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