Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated in some parts of India today.
Anegundi is a village in Gangavathi taluk, Koppal district, Karnataka. It lies across the Tungabhadra River, around 5 km from Hampi. Anegundi is believed to be over 5,000 years old and is thought to be the ancient monkey kingdom of Kishkinda, as mentioned in the Ramayana. It is also believed to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman.
(However, some records suggest that Hanuman was born near Nashik, at Anjaneri.)
Lord Hanuman is said to be an incarnation of Rudra (a form of Lord Shiva).
According to legend, when Ravana tried to enter Mount Kailash, Lord Shiva’s abode, he was stopped by Nandi, Shiva’s gatekeeper. Ravana mocked Nandi by calling him a monkey. In response, Nandi cursed Ravana, saying that monkeys would be the cause of his downfall. To uphold Nandi’s words, Lord Shiva incarnated as Hanuman. Hanuman’s father is Vayu, the wind God.
The name “Anegundi” in Kannada means “Elephant Pit”, as this area was once used to house the elephants of the Vijayanagara kings. It lies across from the ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire’s capital.
Anegundi is even older than Hampi and is located in the region once known as Kishkinda, ruled by the monkey king Sugriva in the Ramayana. Anjanadri Hill near Anegundi is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. The temple dedicated to Hanuman is on top of this hill, which can be reached by climbing 572 steps.
Earlier, Anegundi was known as Kishkinda. This peaceful village was believed to be the setting for key events in the Ramayana. This is where Lord Rama and Lakshmana met Sugriva and Hanuman. It’s also where Rama killed Vali and began his mission to rescue Sita from Ravana.
Several spots in and around Anegundi are linked to events from the Ramayana. There is a cave known as Vali’s Cave, where Vali is said to have fought a demon named Mayavi. Another sacred spot is the beautiful Pampa Sarovara lake, surrounded by hills, where Sugriva first saw Rama and Lakshmana during their search for Sita. Anjanadri Hill, where the Hanuman temple stands, is believed to be Hanuman’s birthplace. There’s also an old fort, known locally as Vali’s Fort, though it likely dates back to the Vijayanagara period.