Karnataka

Shri Raghunandana Teertharu

Ramachandracharya was the name of Raghunandanatheertha in his poorvashrama. There are sufficient grounds to presume that he was in Vijanagar kingdom only. After taking sanyasa from jithamitra, he was named Raghunandanatheertha. Raghunandana who knew about the extraordinary powers of his guru and paramaguru and the great tradition of Mahasamsthana deemed it a great fortune to have got sanyasashrama. But he was deeply worried about not being able to worship Sri Moolarama, the idol which the very Lord himself had worshipped. He did not know what to do about this. Himself, a name sake of Lord Rama, Raghunandanatheertha resolved to have it restored somehow. He had learnt what kind of adroitness was exhibited by Naraharitheertha, one of those in the vanguard of tradition, in getting the idols.

He had heard what kind of confidence his paramaguru Vibudhendratheertha enjoyed from his guru. Such being the case, he was pained at the idols being unavailable. He felt that his guru too must have felt sad for not worshipping the idols. He was convinced of the impossibility of recovering the idols through legitimate means from those who were so shorn of compunction unabashed in their tenacity to usurpedly sow the seeds of separate tradition. He felt that it was not unfair to recover the idols by means of pranks. While they had taken them into their possession by unfair means, he determined to get them back through similar means only. He discussed this decision with his confidants.

One Chandra Bhatta of them belonging to ‘Ashwe’ Bada family of Athreyasa gothra assured to carry out this great task. Getting permission from the swamiji and being blessed with Mantrakshate, he went to the other Mutt where he gained proximity to be personally serving the swamiji of that Mutt. Thus he stayed there for a long time. Thereafter on the night of Ekadashi of Karthika Shuddha in Anandanama Samvatsara, as the idols of Sri MoolaSeethaRama had been kept in the open unlocked, Chandra Bhatta took possession of the idol of Moolarama and left Bankapura village, the camp of the swamiji of other Mutt. From there he came to Penugonda where Raghunandantheertha had camped and handed over the idol to him. He pleaded that he could not bring the idol of Goddess Seetha. Deriving consolation from the fact that the consort Goddess Ramadevi who is in eternal union with the Lord resides in Rama’s heart, the swamiji worshipped the idol of Moolarama in all gaiety and piety. Heaving a sigh of relief about repossessing the idol of Moolarama, “This is the day of great fulfilment and relief for me”; was how the swamiji’s voice reverberated with immense happiness. Greatly honouring Bada Chandra Bhatta besides munificently rewarding him with pecuniary largesse1, the swamiji set off towards south instructing his disciples to give Chandra Bhatta a respectable position in the Mutt. Touring for a brief period, the swamiji reached Pampakshetra (Hampi), the capital of Vijayanagar and reached his eternal abode near Chakratheertha there. The fame of Raghunandanatheertha whose deeds, the ardent followers of the Mutt must always remember, reached the acme of immortality.

ಹಣತೆ ಹಚ್ಚುತ್ತೇನೆ ನಾನೂ ಈ ಕತ್ತಲನ್ನು ಗೆದ್ದು ನಿಲ್ಲುತ್ತೇನೆಂಬ ಜಿದ್ದಿನಿಂದಲ್ಲ
ಲೆಕ್ಕವೇ ಇರದ ದೀಪಾವಳಿಯ ಹಡಗುಗಳೇ ಇದರಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಳುಗಿ
ಕರಗಿರುವಾಗ ನಾನು ಹಚ್ಚುವ ಹಣತೆ ಶಾಶ್ವತವೆಂಬ ಭ್ರಾಂತಿ ನನಗಿಲ್ಲ..

Pampa Sarovar is a sacred pond for the Hindus. This is believed as one among a few Sarovars (sacred ponds) mentioned in Hindu epics and scriptures.
The pond and the shrine are located in a secluded valley hidden by boulder hills at the three sides. The pond, rectangular in shape, is usually filled edge-to-edge by floating lotus.

The whitewashed shrine is located right next to the pond. This is a functioning temple and the idols worshiped are of Lord Shiva & his consort Parvathi (Pampa).

This shrine is much ancient than many of the temples in Hampi.

A vividly painted musical instrument placed in the temple courtyard is interesting.

The instrument at a time plays a drum, metal plates and a couple of bells attached to it. The whole thing is driven by a motor attached the mechanisms. These were the temple musical instruments originally played by the temple musicians. Now this machine plays it all together during the prayer time (typically early morning & in the evening).

A bit north in the line is the temple kitchen.

Just opposite to it under a mango tree is a circular platform built around it. tall Vinayaka (the elephant headed god) statue painted in florescent vermilion.

Pampa Sarovar is located near the Anjaneya Hill where the hilltop Hanuman temple is located in Anegondi area.
From the foothill of the Anjaneya Hill located about a kilometer north on the main road you can spot a rightward departing path.

This unpaved path leads towards Pampa Sarovar tracing the ridge of the rocky hill. You can club the visit to this place with other sites in Anegondi like the Anjaneya Hill (Ajenayadri), Hachappa Mantapa or the Bukka’s Aquaduct .

Cover this as part of the Route 5 suggested in the Hampi Itineary

In the local language Chakratirtha means ‘the sacred water body that swirls’ . Located close to the Kodanda Rama Temple, this spot is considered the holiest bathing spot in Tungabhadra River. Local legend has it that at some special occasions the swirl in the river forms into the images of Rama, Sita and Laxmana. You can see a large number (esp. during the auspicious days) of pilgrims take a dip in the spot before visiting the temple. Along the bank of the river, slightly up on the hillside is a long open pavilion. This was built as a shelter to the pilgrims who thronged the area ever since this temple came into being.
Chakratirtha seen from Kodanda Rama Temple. The floating weeds highlight the circular pattern of the water current.

Chakratirtha seen from Kodanda Rama Temple. The floating weeds highlight the circular pattern of the water current.

This is the valley point of two hills - the Matunga

south and the Rishyamukha Hill in the north. At this area the river gets narrower changes its direction along the valley. This can make the current swift and may not be noticeable from the surface. Do not venture into swimming at this point. If lucky enough, you can see the swirl pattern if the river has washed down the weeds into the Chakrathirta from upstream.

The flat sheet of rock at the riverbank facing the Kodandarama Temple is filled with many carvings of religious significance. For example, Shiva Lingas, footprints carved in a circular pattern, images of worshipers in praying posture etc. ( See also Gods of Hampi )

Also this is one of the spots where you can hire a Coracle to cross the river or for a side trip. On the flat rocky riverbank you can spot a number of Coracles kept for drying under sunlight.

You pass through this area during your Riverside trek from the end of Hampi Bazaar towards Vittala Temple along the Riverside Ruins .

Kodandarama Temple

This river facing shrine looks humble but religiously significant. According to the local myths, this is the place where Rama killed Vali and crowned Sugreeva. The name Kodandarama means crowned Rama, in local dialect

The sacred bathing spot in front is one of the holiest spots for the pilgrims to Hampi (see Chakratirtha). You can see long ancient pavilions next to this temple that have been used by the pilgrims as a rest place for many centuries.

Like mentioned earlier this is more known for it’s religious importance than for the architectural peculiarity. Three very tall statues of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are enclosed in the sanctum. The idols are sort of deep bas-relief carved on a huge boulder at the hillside. The sanctum and the pillared pavilion are added arround it at a later stage . During peak monsoon season the river-water rises and sometimes reaches up to the temple courtyard.