Crossing the Tungabhadra River from Hampi to visit the Pampa Sarovar and Anegundi
If you are visiting the World Heritage Site in Hampi to explore the magnificent ruins of the ancient temples and other historical sites in the area, make sure you also visit the Pampa Sarovar and the nearby historical site of Anegundi.
The Pampa Sarovar is a sacred site for the Hindus of India. However, it has more than religious significance associated with it. Any lover of history would be fascinated by what the Pampa Sarovar has to offer.
The Pampa Sarovar is one of the five sacred lakes or Panch-Sarovar, according to Hindu theology. The others are the Pushkar Sarovar, Bindu Sarovar, Narayan Sarovar, and the Mansarovar. Several legends and historical accounts related to the site exist.
Where Is The Pampa Sarovar Located?
The sacred Pampa Sarovar and its mischievous visitor
If you are visiting Anegundi from Hampi, you will find the Pampa Sarovar on the way. It lies in a valley hidden by the hills around it. It is in the Koppal district of the Karnataka state of India. The famous Hanuman temple is about a kilometer away.
Pampa Sarovar In Hindu Mythology
The Pampa Sarovar finds mention the sacred Hindu text of the Shrimad Bhagavata Purana as well as in other religious texts of Hinduism. It is believed that the lake is the site where an avatar of Goddess Parvati named Pampa performed penance to exhibit her devotion to Lord Shiva. The lake is also intertwined with the story of Lord Rama, the protagonist of the Hindu epic Ramayana.
Pampa Sarovar And The Ramayana
The Pampa Sarovar is closely linked to the life story of Lord Rama who was a king and a warrior and is now worshipped as a God by the Hindus. It is said that while searching for his wife, Sita, who was kidnapped by an evil king named Ravana, Rama came across an old lady named Shabari near the Pampa Sarovar who aided him in the search process. It is said that Shabari admired Rama for a long time and was an ardent devotee of Rama. She lived in the ashram of Matanga Rishi and was his disciple. It is said that before the Rishi died, he told Shabari that her wish of meeting Rama would certainly come true some day during her lifetime. His words came true when years later, an old and frail Shabari met Lord Rama on his way to save his wife from evil Ravana’s kingdom. Shabari is said to have lived in the Matanga Rishi’s ashrama near the Pampa Sarovar. She fed Rama and his brother Laxmana and they touched her feet in reverence. She also informed them about Hanuman and Sugriva who later became one of the biggest aids in Rama’s mission of rescuing Sita. It is said that Rama bathed in the Pampa Lake thus blessing the waters forever with his glorious touch.
Pampa Sarovar And The Vijayanagar Kings
Devotees at the temple facing the Pampa Sarovar
The legends and tales associated with the Pampa Sarovar led to many kings of ancient India visiting the site to take a bath. According to accounts, many members of the Vijayanagara royal household including the rulers themselves would visit the lake and the temples on its banks to seek blessings prior to important events like a battle. Thus, the subjects of such kingdoms also highly regarded the Pampa Sarovar as a divine location associated with great and divine power.
Things To See And Do At The Pampa Sarovar
Temple facing Pampa Sarovar
The Pampa Sarovar is located amidst picturesque settings where it is surrounded by a hilly and rocky landscape and patches of green cultivated lands. The banks of the lake host many temples visited by devotees throughout the year. The lake is filled with lotuses at the right time of the year that enhances its beauty even more.
A Laxmi temple and a Shiva temple face the pond while a Ganesh shrine also exists under a mango tree next to the Pampa Sarovar. These temples and the shrine offer the visitor a unique insight into the Hindu way of worship.
Overall, a visit to the Pampa Sarovar is an enriching experience with lots of opportunities for great photography.
All photographs by: Mr. Arijit Nag
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