Malyavanta Hill, Hampi

In this article, we would talk about the Malyavanta Hill in Hampi, its mythological connection, Raghunatha Temple on the Hill, Shivalingas, Nandi (carved over the hill) and the Talarigatta Gate.

Malyavanta hill and Ramayana

The unending wait for Monsoon to be over

Even after Bali-Vadha and the coronation of Sugriva in Kishkindha, search for Devi-Sita could not be started immediately because of the onset of the monsoon.

It is believed that during this period, Rama and Lakshmana, stayed on Malyavanta hill, waiting in anguish, for the end of the Monsoon. It was exasperating for them to pass even a single day, but they had to wait.

However, even when Monsoon was over, they realized that in celebrations and festivities, Sugriva forgot to send the search parties.

The fury of Angry young man – Lakshmana

It made Lakshmana furious and in this state of mind, he went to meet Sugriva and pulled the strings of his bow; It created a thunderous sound. Sugriva came running. Lakshmana reminded him of his promise and threatened him that the path of yamaloka on which Bali was sent is still open.

Sugriva’s realization of mistake

Sugriva understood the anguish, realized his mistake, and sent the search-parties immediately with clear instructions that none of them will return till they have authentic information about Devi Sita’s whereabouts.

While the search parties were leaving, Lord Rama called Hanuman and trusted him with his marriage ring so in case of a need he can convince Devi Sita that he is Lord Rama’s messenger.

The Success of the search mission

It was only on this auspicious hill, Lord Hanuman, shared with Lord Rama the news of his accomplished mission of not only meeting Devi Sita, but also acting as an ambassador of Lord Rama and warning Lankesh Ravana either to free Devi Sita or face consequences of Shree-Ram’s onslaught.

As expected, Ravana did not listen to his advice and put fire on his tail. Lord Hanuman used his burning tail as mashal and burnt down a section of Lanka. It was a warning to Ravana about what was in store for him.

The Road to Raghunatha Temple on the Malyavanta Hill, Hampi

From Clarks Inn hotel in Kamalapur Village, where we are staying, the road to main monuments goes towards one direction and the Malyavanta hill lies towards the other.

We board an auto, the plan is to visit the Raghunatha temple on the Malyavanta Hill and then visit the Vitthala temple. Raghunatha temple is three km from here, situated on the isolated Malyavanta Hill.

The road to the temple is curvy and narrow; a mammoth tree at the entrance is enhancing the beauty of the place.

Interiors of Raghunatha Temple on the Malyavanta Hill, Hampi

Raghunatha temple is east facing. It has high-walled enclosure and two gopurams ; one is towards east from which we entered inside the temple complex and the other is towards the south. Inside the enclosure, it consists of a sanctum, a porch, a large pillared pavilion and a large pillared hall.

Backside of Raghunatha Temple on the Malyavanta Hill, Hampi

A marriage ceremony is taking place inside the temple, so we delay entering inside the temple; instead we move around the temple. Towards the back-side of the temple is a way to move further up on the hill.

Here Shivalingas and Nandis are chiseled on the hill surface. In between the two set of these carvings is a cleft. It is believed that this fissure was created by Lakshmana’s arrow which he shot to get potable water from the ground.

A small Shiva temple on the backside of Raghunatha Temple, the Malyavanta Hill, Hampi

There is a cave temple here; washed in white and constructed over an egg shaped boulder. This temple enshrines Shivalinga. It is beautifully conceived with a perfect blend of man and nature’s effort. The boulder also provide shade to devotees and picknickers as sun become fierce.

The Boulders and nature-created artifacts on the Malyavanta Hill, Hampi

The top of the hill flattens up here, presenting 360 degree panoramic views of the surroundings.

On one side of the hill, are the plains of Hampi and on the others are hills, with nature working over them as master craftsman, having marvelously carved and precariously kept boulders.

From here, ancient gateways, and many other ancient structures on distant hills are visible. I believe that this is the beauty of Hampi, there are so many ancient structures that to explore them and understand their significance and utility is like solving a jigsaw puzzle.

Youngsters on the top are using their energy in climbing up the boulders and getting themselves photographed in all these moments of triumph. Tanmay and Rachit too try their hand on a boulder, trying to move it. The pleasant breeze is nourishing all of us. Sunrise and sunsets from here would definitely be stunning.

The carvings inside Raghunatha Temple, Malyavanta Hill, Hampi

After spending some quiet time here, we return and visit the temple. Inside the temple are the idols of Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Devi Sita along with Hanuman carved kneeling in front. All these idols are carved on a single boulder.

The pillars of the temple are tall and slender. Each face of the pillar is divided in three carved panels.

There are usual carvings of Musicians, episode from the lives of ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. One of the panel has a carving of two fishes floating in opposite directions, it is difficult to make out if there was any specific meaning attached to it. The temple top has Vallabhi-style crown over it.

Also on the wall can be seen the traders carrying over the horses with them. It shows how much trade of the horses took place in the empire and how much significance it was given.

The steps to enter inside the temple carry over Yali like mythical animal balustrade.

Talarigatta Gate, Hampi

After visiting the temple, we board the auto again to move towards the Vitthala Temple. On the way we stop near an ancient two-story gateway – Talarigatta (Toll gate).

It is believed that Toll was collected at this gate and it carried over its ancient name. During the time of Vijayanagar rayas the whole city of Hampi was fortified and the only way to enter the city was through these gateways.

The city is surrounded by hills and boulders, and wherever it hit the ground level, the Vijayanagar empire built strong wall in a manner that for all practical purposes the hill remained closed for any unwarranted entry and the only way to enter the city was through its gates.

More about Talarigatta Gate, Hampi

These gateways were build even more solidly than the fort-wall and this is the reason that several of them have survived even though most of the fortification wall has collapsed and disappeared. This gate is also known as “Aresankara Devara Bagilu”.

It is strategically located towards North and North-east of Hampi. The remains of the brick and plaster turret above this gateway is built in the Indo-Saracenic style, while the lower portion is constructed of stone in the usual Hindu manner.

The Architecture style of the Talarigatta Gate, Hampi

In general, the architectural style of these gateways follow a structural pattern. The entrance of this gates is roofed with a flat-slab over which an upper chamber is constructed with a provision for Guards pavilion. The guards on the first floor of the gates kept an eye on far and wide.

Large wooden doors with spikes, once abutted tall door frames. There were small passageway towards the side of the door. Most of these gateways have shrines of protector deity. In case of this gate, the protector deity is of Lord Hanuman, whose shrine is in front of the gate.

The Life around Talarigatta Gate, Hampi

We walk up to the top and look around; We can see the road winding among the farms with ancient monuments scattered all around, with buzzing local life.

Click Here to join me on offbeat Kampa-Bhupa Path in Hampi

Click hear to read about the lesser known and visited Saraswati and Chandrasekhar Temple in Hampi

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