| Anegundi Excursion 30 January 2008 |
On our last day in the Hampi area we walked downstream (east) near the river to the
extensive Sule Bazaar. Its wide avenue and adjacent structures closely resemble Hampi
Bazaar's main road, except that Sule Bazaar is without residents and the former shops are
vacant. At the south end of Sule Bazaar's wide avenue is the Achyutaraya Temple, whose
location and construction is comparable to that of Hampi Bazaar's Virupaksha Temple.
extensive Sule Bazaar. Its wide avenue and adjacent structures closely resemble Hampi
Bazaar's main road, except that Sule Bazaar is without residents and the former shops are
vacant. At the south end of Sule Bazaar's wide avenue is the Achyutaraya Temple, whose
location and construction is comparable to that of Hampi Bazaar's Virupaksha Temple.
After examining Sule Bazaar we went to the magnificent Vittala Temple which we had
visited before. After passing the Vittala Temple we cam to a "T" junction, where we
turned left toward the river and arrived at an incomplete bridge sand an adjacent coracle
landing.
visited before. After passing the Vittala Temple we cam to a "T" junction, where we
turned left toward the river and arrived at an incomplete bridge sand an adjacent coracle
landing.
Two views of the bridge to Anegundi, built several years ago but not completed. After our visit we
learned that although the local people were eager to have the bridge, UNESCO feared that bridge heavy
bridge traffic would endanger the delicate archaeological area and threatened to withdraw the area's
World Heritage status if the bridge were completed. We understand that a compromise has been
reached and that the bridge will be completed, subject to traffic limitations.
learned that although the local people were eager to have the bridge, UNESCO feared that bridge heavy
bridge traffic would endanger the delicate archaeological area and threatened to withdraw the area's
World Heritage status if the bridge were completed. We understand that a compromise has been
reached and that the bridge will be completed, subject to traffic limitations.
While the coracle was being loaded we noted a frail old woman pleading with the coracle
operator while she prayed and cried. It seemed to us that the woman was destitute and had
a serious problem to pay the Rs. 10 (US$0.25) fare. Virginia felt very compassionate , so
after we disembarked on the Anegundi side she quietly handed the woman a small
contribution, which she accepted with an extreme display of thanks.
operator while she prayed and cried. It seemed to us that the woman was destitute and had
a serious problem to pay the Rs. 10 (US$0.25) fare. Virginia felt very compassionate , so
after we disembarked on the Anegundi side she quietly handed the woman a small
contribution, which she accepted with an extreme display of thanks.
Coracle passenger praying, crying, pleading.
The village of Anegundi is about a ten minute walk from the river. At the street intersection
in the center of the village there was a large wooden cart which appeared to be a float for a
ceremonial parade.
Then we came to a large yellow religious building which seemed like a seminary or monastery.
Next we came to a small museum-like building in which women were working to create and sell
handmade products such as handbags, shawls, garments, etc. This is a program operated by
the Kishkinda Trust --- www.thekishkindatrust.org . We had a pleasant lunch in the adjacent
open-air restaurant.
in the center of the village there was a large wooden cart which appeared to be a float for a
ceremonial parade.
Then we came to a large yellow religious building which seemed like a seminary or monastery.
Next we came to a small museum-like building in which women were working to create and sell
handmade products such as handbags, shawls, garments, etc. This is a program operated by
the Kishkinda Trust --- www.thekishkindatrust.org . We had a pleasant lunch in the adjacent
open-air restaurant.
This looks like a float used in
ceremonial processions.
ceremonial processions.
The largest building in Anegundi
appears to be a seminary or
monastery.
appears to be a seminary or
monastery.
Women making
handicrafts for sale.
handicrafts for sale.
While in Anegundi we also visited a contemporary Hindu temple with interesting murals. Two
of them are shown below.
of them are shown below.
Unfortunately in Anegundi we did not meet anyone who seemed to know enough English to
explain to us what we were seeing.
explain to us what we were seeing.
After our Anegundi visit we walked
back to the river and took the
coracle back to the other side. In
addition to pedestrians, the coracle
this time also carried three
motorcycles. An advantage of the
coracle design is that motorcycles
can be loaded and unloaded without
requiring a ramp. An edge of the
coracle is pressed down and the
motorcycles can then be simply
rolled on or off.
back to the river and took the
coracle back to the other side. In
addition to pedestrians, the coracle
this time also carried three
motorcycles. An advantage of the
coracle design is that motorcycles
can be loaded and unloaded without
requiring a ramp. An edge of the
coracle is pressed down and the
motorcycles can then be simply
rolled on or off.
Shortly after landing from the coracle we came across a cheery road repair crew with whom
we had some fun taking photos. After we got home we Virginia airmailed copies of the two
photos shown below.
we had some fun taking photos. After we got home we Virginia airmailed copies of the two
photos shown below.
Road repair crew taking a photo break.
Shy young ladies.
One of our surprises on this last day in the Hampi area was to suddenly, in the middle of
nowhere, to hear drumming and singing. A few minutes later, around the bend of the trail
came a dozen or so very lively white-clad Hare Krishnas singing and chanting while waving
their arms in time with the music.
nowhere, to hear drumming and singing. A few minutes later, around the bend of the trail
came a dozen or so very lively white-clad Hare Krishnas singing and chanting while waving
their arms in time with the music.