PAMPASAROVAR CAVES

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

The so-called Pampasarovar Caves (note 2) named after Pampa (note 1), which were shown to me on 1st March 2004 on the shores of the water reservoir, are neither -caves- nor any -cave- in the speleological sense of the word but a man-made structure (erected temple) used for religious purposes (note 3). The sacred site contains a statue of Durga (note 4) mentioned in a note (note 5) commenting part of a sentence in the medieval Portuguese manuscript of PAES (1522) describing Bisnaga (the city of Vijayanagar). SITUATION: In a quiet, well-watered valley about 2 km along the road west of Anegundi. APPROACH: To reach the site, one may walk from Hampi Bazaar along the path along the right (southern) bank of Tungabhadra river, take a coracle ride to the opposite bank near the ancient bridge (in ruins, unfinished?) and follow the road to Anegundi up to to where a small road to the right forks off at some dukans (note 6) and a signboard (saying Pampa Sarovara among lots of Kannada letters) nearN15°21'25.5”: E76°28'31.6” (WGS84). After about 350 m, the –>Pampasarovar Shelter (on the left-hand side) is passed and the road skirts the hill, swings to the left past a lively creek and ends at the temple precincts characterised by a square, man-made water reservoir (at least 50 by 50 m wide) in a good state of repair.The so-called Pampasarovar Caves (note 2) named after Pampa (note 1), which were shown to me on 1st March 2004 on the shores of the water reservoir, are neither -caves- nor any -cave- in the speleological sense of the word but a man-made structure (erected temple) used for religious purposes (note 3). The sacred site contains a statue of Durga (note 4) mentioned in a note (note 5) commenting part of a sentence in the medieval Portuguese manuscript of PAES (1522) describing Bisnaga (the city of Vijayanagar). SITUATION: In a quiet, well-watered valley about 2 km along the road west of Anegundi. APPROACH: To reach the site, one may walk from Hampi Bazaar along the path along the right (southern) bank of Tungabhadra river, take a coracle ride to the opposite bank near the ancient bridge (in ruins, unfinished?) and follow the road to Anegundi up to to where a small road to the right forks off at some dukans (note 6) and a signboard (saying Pampa Sarovara among lots of Kannada letters) nearThe so-called Pampasarovar Caves (note 2) named after Pampa (note 1), which were shown to me on 1st March 2004 on the shores of the water reservoir, are neither -caves- nor any -cave- in the speleological sense of the word but a man-made structure (erected temple) used for religious purposes (note 3). The sacred site contains a statue of Durga (note 4) mentioned in a note (note 5) commenting part of a sentence in the medieval Portuguese manuscript of PAES (1522) describing Bisnaga (the city of Vijayanagar). SITUATION: In a quiet, well-watered valley about 2 km along the road west of Anegundi. APPROACH: To reach the site, one may walk from Hampi Bazaar along the path along the right (southern) bank of Tungabhadra river, take a coracle ride to the opposite bank near the ancient bridge (in ruins, unfinished?) and follow the road to Anegundi up to to where a small road to the right forks off at some dukans (note 6) and a signboard (saying Pampa Sarovara among lots of Kannada letters) nearN15°21'25.5”: E76°28'31.6” (WGS84). After about 350 m, the –>Pampasarovar Shelter (on the left-hand side) is passed and the road skirts the hill, swings to the left past a lively creek and ends at the temple precincts characterised by a square, man-made water reservoir (at least 50 by 50 m wide) in a good state of repair.