Domed Gateway, Hampi

During my previous trip to Hampi i.e. in 2017 we discovered Bhimans Hebbagilu which is a major gateway of Hampi on its southeastern side. Later I learnt about other gateways such as the domed gateway, Talarighatta Hebbagilu, Huvina Bagilu, and Sringarada Hebbagilu. Of these I had passed through Talarighatta gateway several times while going to Vijaya Vittala Devastana. There are minor gateways and probably major ones to be discovered.

December 9, 2024
This tour was with Sridhar, my friend from Bhogasandra. It was his first visit here. We drove from Dharwad and our tour started with Agasi the western gateway and Vatika Kuparama the octagonal stepped well. Then we went to the grand temple Pattabhirama Devastana on the outskirts of Kamalapur. Then we moved on to Lokapavani the stepped tank. Five minutes walk from the tank is the domed gateway.

By the looks of the arch and dome, it is Indo Saracenic architecture.  It's an impressive structure. The white & ochre Naama markings on the walls indicate the presence of an active temple inside.

This structure reminds me of gateways are Bidar and Hyderabad.

A board planted nearby describes it as follows:

The Domed Gateway is located in the northeast near the Pattabhirarna Temple. It is around 18 metres high. designed in Indo-Islamic style of architecture. This is one of the main entrances to the city of Vijayanagara. This gateway provided access to the city of Vijayanagara from the east and the north. The square entrance has four massive arches. The semi-circular arches span from the center of the dome to the edge of its apex. The arches are decorated with lime mortar ornamentation. The arch has a square band on the upper portion. Above the square band is a semi-circular section, above which is a half-spherical dome. The Domed Gateway has spaces for guard houses adjoining it on either side of its entrance from the east. The walls of the Domed Gateway are massive and have bas-relief decorations of a fish, a snake and an elephant.

An Anjaneya Temple was constructed within this structure. It has a six-foot tall bas-relief sculpture of Anjaneya in the garbhagriha. During the Vijayanagara period, if one were traveling into the city from the east, they would first pass through the Penukonda Gateway, then through the Domed Gateway, and finally through Bhima's gateway.

Penukonda gateway is about 2.6 km by road. If a bird flew between the two gateways it would be just 500 meters.

Yes, there's an active Hanuman temple inside. Most gateways built by Hindu rulers will have a temple dedicated to Hanuman. And like most large gateways, this too has a bent path. This design slows down movement incase of any attempt to barge through the passage.

Sridhar's already inside the temple admiring the six feet tall image of Hanuman.

It's a simple semi open temple. The four pillars are clearly Vijayanagara design. It's quite possible that the deity might have been consecrated by Vyasaraja, the Madhwa philosopher who had great influence in Krishnadevaraya's court.

The passage widens into a spacious yard. On the eastern wall is a shrine dedicated to Shivalinga. The platform here indicates that a temple or a pillared hall was planned here. For some reason the shelter construction never happened. Close to the southern wall is a Yagna Kunda, a sacred pit where offerings were made to fire god Agni. There's one such pit at Bhima's gateway too.

Going towards the gateway's other end which lead into the fortified city of Hampi. Presently it's a dead end because of a reservoir embankment's presence.

The platforms flanking the passage would've been used as a toll office. Probably people transporting  goods for trade had to pay taxes here.

On the walls are several interesting images such as elephants, fishes, tortoises and reptiles. Such images can be found on most temple walls of Vijayanagara period.

Done with the tour of the domed gateway, we head out and stop for one last shot.

From here we head out in search of another ancient temple and find it amidst sugarcane fields. Unfortunately the temple gates were locked shut. We did check if there was any other way of entering but no such luck. Then we went in search of another temple called Kallara Gudi which translated to thieves temple. This is a present day name for it, probably thieves used this place as a hideout since it's located away from settlements. I feel this temple situated off Kamalapur-Daroji road is Kallara Gudi.

The side road in front of the temple goes into farm lands. I spoke to a couple of guys at the temple, they did not even know what this temple was called. 

About 800 meters from here is Penukonda gateway and I was unaware of it. To our bad luck no other local person was present around here. So close and we missed an important monument. Well, that would be for the next Hampi trip.

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Parshvanatha Jinalaya, Hampi

Dec 9th 2024. We reached Anantasayana Gudi village around 9 AM. A decade ago I'd seen the humongous temple once dedicated to sleeping Vishnu, now an inactive temple. We stopped so that Sridhar could see it. Then we moved on towards Kamalapur where we visited Pattabhirama Devastana, Lokapavani, the domed gateway and the museum. Then we checked into KSTDC lodge at Kamalapur, lunched and rested for a while. We resumed the tour around 3-30 pm. We spent almost an hour at Zenana enclosure and elephant stables. I'd wanted to explore the ruins beyond the stables and this was the right time.

About 150 meters from the stables are ruins of two temple, the one on the right hand side is Parshvanatha Jinalaya.

A tourism board planted close by describes the temple as follows:

ಪಾರ್ಶ್ವನಾಥ ಜಿನಾಲಯವು ಪಾನ್ ಸುಪಾರಿ ಬಜಾರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಕಂಡುಬರುವ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ದೇವಾಲಯವಾಗಿದೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿನ ಕ್ರಿ.ಶ. ೧೪೨೭ರ ಶಾಸನವು ಪ್ರೌಢದೇವರಾಯನು ಕ್ರಮುಕಪರ್ಣಾಪಣ ಬೀದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾರ್ಶ್ವನಾಥ ಚೈತ್ಯಾಲಯವನ್ನು ಕಲ್ಲಿನಿಂದ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿದನೆಂದು ಹೇಳಿದೆ. ಇದನ್ನು ಜೈನ ಪಂಥದ ೨೩ನೇ ತೀರ್ಥಂಕರನಾದ ಪಾರ್ಶ್ವನಾಥನಿಗೆ ಸಮರ್ಪಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಎರಡನೇ ದೇವರಾಯ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿದ ಉತ್ತರಾಭಿಮುಖದ ಈ ಜೈನ ದೇವಾಲಯವನ್ನು ಈಗಿನ ಸ್ವರೂಪಕ್ಕೆ ನವೀಕರಿಸಿದ್ದು ಕೃಷ್ಣದೇವರಾಯ. ನೆಲಮಟ್ಟದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಪಾರ್ಶ್ವನಾಥ ಜಿನಾಲಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಗರ್ಭಗೃಹ, ಅರ್ಧ ಮಂಟಪ, ನವರಂಗ, ಸಭಾಮಂಟಪ, ಸಭಾಮಂಟಪದಲ್ಲಿ 'ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಗರ್ಭಗೃಹವಿದೆ. ಗರ್ಭಗೃಹದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಿಂಹಮುಖ ಪೀಠವಿದ್ದು ಶಿಲ್ಪವಿರುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಲಲಾಟದಲ್ಲಿ ತೀರ್ಥಂಕರನನ್ನು ಕಡೆದಿರುವರು. ನವರಂಗ ತಲಾ ನಾಲ್ಕು ಬಹುಮುಖಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕಡೆದ ದಪ್ಪನೆಯ ಕಂಬಗಳಿವೆ. ನವರಂಗದ ಎರಡೂ ಕಡೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಇಪ್ಪತ್ತೆರಡು ತೀರ್ಥಂಕರರನ್ನು ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಾಪಿಸಿದ್ದ ಪೀಠಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾತ್ರ ಕಾಣುತ್ತೇವೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿನ ಸಭಾಮಂಟಪದ ಪ್ರವೇಶದ್ವಾರದ ಇಕ್ಕೆಲಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಆನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಕಡೆದಿರುವುದು ವಿಶೇಷ. ಈಶಾನ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಪೂಜಾ ಕಾರ್ಯಗಳಿಗೆಂದೇ ತೆಗೆಸಲಾದ ಬಾವಿಯನ್ನು ಕಾಣಬಹುದು. ಈ ದೇವಾಲಯ ಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆಸಿದ ಉತ್ಪನನಗಳಿಂದ ಅನೇಕ ತೀರ್ಥಂಕರರ ಕೆತ್ತನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಹೊರತೆಗೆಯಲಾಗಿದೆ ಮತ್ತು ಅವುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಲವನ್ನು ರಾಣಿಯರ ಅಂತಃಪುರದ ಖಜಾನೆ ಕಟ್ಟಡದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಶಿಲ್ಪಕಲಾ ಗ್ಯಾಲರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶನಕ್ಕೆ ಇಡಲಾಗಿದೆ.

Parshvanatha Jinalaya is an important temple found in the Paan Supari Bazaar, The 1426 CE. inscription records that Proudadevaraya constructed this Temple from stone found on the Kramuka Parnapana Street. The temple is dedicated to the 23 Tirthankara Farshvanatha, of the Jain sect. This Jain Temple, constructed by Devaraya I and was renovated by Krishnadevaraya. It is at the same level as the road and consists of a garbhagriha, an Ardhamantapa, a Navaranga and a Sabhamantapa. The Sabhamantapa also has a Garbhagnha with a pedestal that has the face of a lion carved on it. On the lintel of its doorway. there is a sculpture of a Tirthankara. There are four, strong, multi-sided pillars in the Navaranga, on either side of which there are twenty-two pedestals of the Tirthankaras. The entrance of the Sabhamantapa has carvings of elephants instead of the usual Dwarapalakas For rituals, a tank is constructed towards the northeast of the temple. Numerous excavated Tirtharikara sculptures are now placed in the gallery of the Treasury building of the Zenana Enclosure.

The description says that this Jinalaya is situated in Paan Supari Bazar but actually it's not because the actual location is about 490 meters away. Having said that the description matches except that it does not mention two inscriptions here. Wondering if it was relocated in the recent times. Anyway, let's take a look. The sculpture of a Tirthankara on the lintel (see inset) confirms this as a Jinalaya.

The construction of the temple seems very much like Vijayanagara. It is said that the kingdom was not only tolerant to all sects of Hindu fold but also to Abrahamic faiths. So here we have evidence of Shaiva, Vaishnava and Jaina temples side by side.

As we step into the temple, we see the Navaranga Manatapa and the doorway of the Antharala (vestibule).

We get a glimpse of the sanctum, there's only a pedestal, no deity. The columns and beams are bereft of decorative sculpture.

Back at the Mukhamanatapa (verandah) are two inscription blocks, on either sides of the doorway. The letters are of same size, lines are straight and precisely spaced. I for one can't write a line clearly with pen and paper. The ancient people wrote so neatly on stone.

While I took pictures, Mr. Bidare had stretched out comfortably on the Sukhanasi. I feel he was eagerly awaiting sunset to call it a day. But no, we still had a couple more places to see, two more kilometers to walk.

About 90 meters from this Jinalaya is Vishnu temple and further ahead is Sringarada Hebbagilu. In between are two more ruined temple structures. One of them is a compact structure with richly decorated columns. 

I stepped into the ruins wary of the precariously balanced columns and walls. All the columns of this temple are grand. It's sad to see the condition.. Hoping ASI takes up restoration work of this little temple.

We continue our trek towards Sringarda Hebbagilu which literally means decorated gateway.

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Cave temple and tourist bungalow ruins

This rock-cut shrine is part of the wide cluster behind the queen's bath house, the cluster which includes Chandrashekara Devastana, Saraswati Devastana and Octagonal water pavilion. It's a couple of minute's walk from Saraswati Devastana which sits atop an outcrop. While there are boards calling it 'cave temple' it is marked as 'Rathi temple' on Google Maps.

While most rock-cut shrines are at ground level or above it, this one is below the ground level. Looks like the builders excavated to reach the sandstone rock's base and built retaining walls to keep dirt in place.

A board close to the temple describes the cave temple in two lines. Then it describes the ruins of a guest house next to the cave temple:

ಗುಹಾಂತರ ದೇವಾಲಯವು ಮಹಾನವಮಿ ದಿಬ್ಬದ ಪೂರ್ವಕ್ಕೆ, ಅಷ್ಟಭುಜ ಸ್ನಾನಗೃಹದ ಉತ್ತರಕ್ಕೆ ಸಮೀಪದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಂಡುಬರುತ್ತದೆ. ಉತ್ತರಾಭಿಮುಖವಾಗಿರುವ ಈ ಗುಹಾಲಯವು ನೆಲಮಟ್ಟದಿಂದ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಕೆಳಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರ್ಮಿತವಾಗಿದೆ. ಇದು ಹಂಪಿಯಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಏಕೈಕ ಗುಹಾಂತರ ದೇವಾಲಯವಾಗಿದೆ. ಈ ದೇವಾಲಯದ ಮುಂದಿನ ಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಉತ್ಪನನ ನಡೆಸಿ ಆಡಳಿತ ಕಛೇರಿ, ದರ್ಬಾರ್ ಹಾಲ್, ವಾಸಗೃಹ ಮತ್ತು ಒಂದು ಭೋಜನ ಶಾಲೆಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಪೂರ್ವಾಭಿಮುಖವಾಗಿ ಸರಣಿ ಶೌಚಾಲಯಗಳು ಬೆಳಕಿಗೆ ಬಂದಿವೆ. ದರ್ಬಾರ್ ಹಾಲ್ನ ಈಶಾನ್ಯ ಮೂಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು ಪ್ರವೇಶ ಮಹಾದ್ವಾರವಿದ್ದು, ಹೊರಗೆ ಒಂದು ಕುದುರೆ ಲಾಯವಿದೆ. ಈ ಕಟ್ಟಡಗಳ ಸಮೂಹವು ವಿದೇಶಿ ಬರಹಗಳನ್ವಯ ಪ್ರವಾಸಿ ಅತಿಥಿಗೃಹ ಆಗಿರುವ ಸಾಧ್ಯತೆ ಇದ್ದು, ಸನೀಹದಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಎರಡು ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಮಹಾದ್ವಾರಗಳಾದ ಶೃಂಗಾರದ ಹೆಬ್ಬಾಗಿಲು ಮತ್ತು ಸೋಮವಾರದ ಬಾಗಿಲುಗಳು ಕಂಡುಬರುತ್ತವೆ.

ಅರಮನೆಗಳು ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಪ್ರದೇಶಗಳಲ್ಲಿದ್ದರೂ, ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠರ ಅರಮನೆ ಆವರಣ ಮತ್ತು ಟಂಕಸಾಲೆಯ ಆವರಣದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಅರಮನೆಗಳು ಮುಖ್ಯವಾಗಿದ್ದು, ಅವುಗಳ ರಚನಾ ಶೈಲಿಯು ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಅರಮನೆಗಳ ರಚನಾ ಶೈಲಿಯನ್ನು ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಸುತ್ತವೆ. ಈ ಕಟ್ಟಡ ಸಮುಚ್ಚಯದಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಜರ ವಂಶಸ್ಥರು, ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠರು ಅಥವಾ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಅತಿಥಿಗಳು ವಾಸಮಾಡಿರಬಹುದೆಂದು ಅವುಗಳ ವಿಸ್ತಾರತೆ ಮತ್ತು ರಚನಾ ಶೈಲಿಯನ್ನು ಆಧರಿಸಿ ತರ್ಕಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ.

The Cave Temple is found to the east of Mahanavami Dibba, near the Octagonal Bath. This north-facing temple is slightly below the ground level and is the only cave temple in Hampi. In the front area of this temple, during the archaeological excavation a complex of structures consisting, an administrative block, a durbar hall, a royal residence and a Bhojana shala with series of toilets facing east. It has an entrance at durbar hall through a north-eastern entrance which also has a horse stables. Near by there are the two entrances of Sringarada Hebbagilu and Somavarada Bagilu. this could be the guest house for dignitaries visiting the great city as explained by foreign chronicles.

Though there are palaces in the entire region of Hampi, the palaces found in Noblemen's Quarters and Mint Area are prominent. Its architecture style resembles that of the other palaces. Based on the architectural style and its large proportions, it is believed to be the living quarters of the noblemen, royal family and their guests.

The north facing rock-cut temple has just two chambers. The outer doorway and walls are devoid of any decorative sculptures. However the sculptors have provided a wide overhang to prevent rainwater entry.

This is the north facing sanctum. Inside you can see the pedestal which is devoid of deity. There's a touch of decor around the doorframe, and on ceiling is divided into three sections just like rock-cut shrines at Badami and Aihole. I feel this was a Jaina Basadi or a shelter used by Jaina monks.

Due to its simplicity there's nothing much to see. We step out and check the yard in front. On the left is a platform, probably a natural rock with a leveled surface. 

We walk towards the guest house ruins. The neighboring rock formation is granite on which steps have been carved. On the top is a structure made of granite blocks and mortar. I'm not sure about the purpose of that structure, if it was a shelter or a water tank. Anyhow, at the base of the rock is a smaller structure which is a chamber connected to underground water canals. Hampi being an advanced city of it's time had a huge population and there was a need for fresh water, not just residents but also for visitors, animals like horses, cattle, camels and elephants. Hence the city has a network of water tanks, paviliosn and canals.

We found more such chambers and water tanks.

A glimpse of the palace ruins from ground level in dim light. I wanted to explore the ruins but fading light and thorny shrubs dissuaded me. Perhaps the exploration is for another day.

As we walk towards the octagonal water pavilion, I noticed ruins of a gateway. Again the path towards it was filled with thorny plants so dropped the idea of reaching it and decided to head back to my car and then go towards Bhojana Shala.

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Agasi and Kuparama Vatika, Hospete-Hampi road

Hampi being a wealthy capital of Vijayanagara kingdom surely had satellite towns around it. Malapanagudi has been identified as one of the prosperous places. The village has two gateways, one on the eastern end and other at the western end. During my first visit here in 1996, I remember these gateways weren't isolated, meaning they were part of Hosapete-Hampi road, traffic used to pass through these gateways. Sometime between then and few years ago, the gateways were marked protected monuments and isolated.

A board has been posted at the eastern gateway with below description:

ಈ ಅಗಸಿ ಅಥವಾ ದ್ವಾರ ಬಾಗಿಲು ಹೊಸಪೇಟೆ-ಹಂಪಿ ರಸ್ತೆಯಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಮಲಪನಗುಡಿ ಗ್ರಾಮದಲ್ಲಿದೆ. ಗ್ರಾಮವು ಐತಿಹಾಸಿಕ ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧತೆಯನ್ನು ಪಡೆದ ಗ್ರಾಮವಾಗಿದೆ. ಈ ಗ್ರಾಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಮುಖವಾಗಿ ಮಲ್ಲಿಕಾರ್ಜುನ ದೇವಾಲಯ ಹಾಗೂ ಊರಿನ ಸರಹದ್ದಿನಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಸೂಳೆಬಾವಿ ಅಥವಾ ಕೂಪರಾಮ ಬಾವಿ ಮತ್ತು ದ್ವಾರಬಾಗಿಲುಗಳು ಪ್ರವಾಸಿಗರ ಆಕರ್ಷಣೀಯ ಕೇಂದ್ರಗಳಾಗಿವೆ.
ಪ್ರಸ್ತುತದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಲಪನಗುಡಿ ಗ್ರಾಮವು ಚಿಕ್ಕ ಹಳ್ಳಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದರೂ, ವಿಜಯನಗರ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಇದು ಬಹು ಮುಖ್ಯ ಪಾತ್ರವಹಿಸಿತ್ತೆನ್ನಲಾಗಿದೆ.
ಈ ದ್ವಾರ ಬಾಗಿಲು ಪಶ್ಚಿಮದಿಂದ ಬರುವ ವ್ಯಾಪಾರಿಗಳು ಹಾಗೂ ಯಾತ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಗಳಿಗೆ ವಿಜಯನಗರ ಪಟ್ಟಣ ಪ್ರವೇಶಿಸುವ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಹೆಬ್ಬಾಗಿಲಾಗಿ ಪರಿಗಣಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟಿತ್ತು ಎಂಬ ಅಭಿಪ್ರಾಯಗಳಿವೆ. ಅಂಥ ಬೃಹತ್ ದ್ವಾರವನ್ನು ಇಂದಿಗೂ ಕಾಣುತ್ತೇವೆ. ಮಲ್ಲಿಕಾರ್ಜುನ ಗುಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಕ್ರಿ.ಶ.೧೪೧೨ರ ಕಾಲಾವಧಿಗೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದ ಶಾಸನವು ರಾಜಧಾನಿ ಪಟ್ಟಣಕ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರವೇಶ ಪಡೆಯುವ ಈ ದಾರಿಯನ್ನು ಮಹಾಪಥ (ಹೆದ್ದಾರಿ) ಎಂದು ಉಲ್ಲೇಖಿಸಿದೆ. ದ್ವಾರದ ಸಮೀಪದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರಂತರವಾಗಿ ಬರುವ ಅಗಣಿತ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆಯ ಜನಮಾನ್ಯರಿಗೂ ಮತ್ತು ವ್ಯಾಪಾರಿಗಳಿಗೂ ಅರವಟಿಗೆ ಅನುಕೂಲಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಮಾಳಿಗೆ ಕೂಪರಾಮನ ಬಾವಿಯನ್ನು ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿರುವ ಬಗೆಗೆ ದೀರ್ಘವಾಗಿರುವ ವಿವರಗಳು ದಾಖಲಾಗಿದ್ದುಂಟು. ಇದೇ ರೀತಿಯ ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ದ್ವಾರಬಾಗಿಲು ಗ್ರಾಮದ ಪೂರ್ವಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿದೆ.

This gateway, at the Malapanagudi village on the Hospet-Hampi road, is of historical significance. The Mallikarjuna Temple, the Sulebavi / Kuparama Well and entrance gateways are the main attractions of this village.
Though today Malapanagudi presents itself as a small village, it played a very important role during the Vijayanagara period. This impressive gateway, on the west, provided vital access to Vijayanagara. Travelers and merchants entered the kingdom through this gate which can still be seen. Inscriptions dating back to 1412 CE in the Mallikarjuna temple liken the passage through this gate to a highway. They also state that a tank was constructed near this massive gate. It is evident that an impressive amount of infrastructure was built to accommodate and to provide comfort to the large number of travelers and merchants to Vijayanagara This impressive tank, the Sulebavi / Kuparama well is one such example. On the east side of the village there is a similar gateway.

Across the road is another monumental well which is octagonal in plan and has steps descending into it. This was made for traveler's convenience. Vijayanagara kings made sure travelers had sufficient resting places which had shelters, fresh water wells and trees. I remember seeing such shelters and wells even in a far flung place in Cuddapah district. Since Krishnadevaraya was closely connected to Tirumala, the administration that time had constructed mantapas and wells on Hampi-Thirumala route.

A board planted close to the describes the well as follows:

ಇದು ವಿಜಯನಗರ ಕಾಲದ ಪುರಾತನ ಬಾವಿಯಾಗಿದೆ. ಹೊಸಪೇಟೆ-ಹಂಪಿ ರಸ್ತೆಯಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಮಲಪನಗುಡಿ ಗ್ರಾಮವು ಐತಿಹಾಸಿಕ ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧತೆಯನ್ನು ಪಡೆದ ಗ್ರಾಮವಾಗಿದೆ. ಈ ಗ್ರಾಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಮುಖವಾಗಿ ಮಲ್ಲಿಕಾರ್ಜುನ ಗುಡಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಊರಿನ ಸರಹದ್ದಿನಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಸೊಳೆಬಾವಿ ಅಥವಾ ಕೂಪರಾಮ ಬಾವಿಯು ಪ್ರವಾಸಿಗರ ಆಕರ್ಷಣೀಯ ಕೇಂದ್ರಗಳಾಗಿವೆ.
ಈ ಬಾವಿಯ ಪ್ರಾಚೀನತೆಗೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದಂತೆ ಹೇಳುವುದಾದರೆ ಕ್ರಿ.ಶ. ೧೪೧೨ರ ಕಾಲಾವಧಿಗೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದ ಶಾಸನವು ಕೆಲವು ಮಹತ್ವ ಸಂಗತಿಗಳನ್ನು ವಿವರಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಸಂಗಮ ವಂಶದ ದೇವರಾಯನ ಆಳ್ವಿಕೆ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಬುಳ್ಳನಾಯಕರ ಮಗ ಹೆಗ್ಗಡೆ ಸೋವಂಣ (ಸೋವಿದೇವ) ಬಿಸಿಲುಹಳ್ಳಿ ಕಣಿವೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಬುಡುವಲಿಯ ಕಣಿವೆ ಕೂಡುವ ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅರವಟಿಗೆಯನ್ನು ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿ ಮಾಳಿಗೆ ಬಾವಿಯನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿಸಿ ಆ ಅರವಟಿಗೆ ಯಾವಾಗಲೂ ಇರುವಂತೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಬಾವಿ ಶಿಥಿಲವಾದರೆ ಜೀರ್ಣೋದ್ದಾರ ಮಾಡಲು ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣರಿಗೆ ಕೆಲವು ದತ್ತಿಗಳನ್ನು ನೀಡಿರುವ ಕುರಿತ ಮಾಹಿತಿಗಳು de ಶಾಸನದಲ್ಲಿ ದಾಖಲಾಗಿರುವುದುಂಟು.
ವಿಜಯನಗರ ಕಾಲದ ಪ್ರಾಚೀನ ರಸ್ತೆಯ ಪಕ್ಕದಲ್ಲೇ ಇರುವ ಈ ಬಾವಿಯನ್ನು ರಸ್ತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹಾದುಹೋಗುವ ಪ್ರಯಾಣಿಕರ ದಾಹ ತಣಿಸುವ ಉದ್ದೇಶದಿಂದ ನಿರ್ಮಿಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಈ ಬಾವಿಗೆ ಇಳಿಯಲು ಮೆಟ್ಟಿಲುಗಳಿದ್ದು, ಕಟ್ಟಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಎರಡು ಹಂತದ ವೃತ್ತಾಕಾರದ ಮೊಗಸಾಲೆಗಳಿವೆ. ಮಧ್ಯದ ಹಂತದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದಾಡುವಂತೆ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಬಾವಿಗೆ ಇಂಡೊ-ಇಸ್ಲಾಮಿಕ್ ಶೈಲಿಯ ಕಮಾನು ಆಕಾರದ ಬಾಗಿಲುಗಳಿವೆ. ಈ ಬಾವಿಗೆ ಹಳೆಯ ರಸ್ತೆಯ ಕಡೆ ಮತ್ತು ಮಂಟಪದ ದಿಕ್ಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರವೇಶದ್ವಾರಗಳಿವೆ.

This ancient well of the Vijayanagara period is located in the Malapanagudi village. It has historical significance and is on the Hospet-Hampi road. and Sulebavi well (or Mallikarjuna temple and Kuparamabavi well) are at the outskirts of the village and are a tourist attraction.
The inscription of 1412 C.E. mentions the significance of this well. During the rule of Devaraya of the Sangama Dynasty, Heggode Sovana, son of Bullanayaka constructed small tanks halfway through Bisiluhalli peak and Buduvali peak. He also made donations to the Brahmanas to maintain these tanks.
This tank which is adjacent to the ancient road of Vijayanagara has been constructed to quench the thirst of travelers. There are steps to get into the well and there are two levels of circular corridors in the structure. The middle level has been constructed with a walkable path. The well has Indo-Islamic style arched entrances which face the old road and the mantapa.

The lintel beam has an inscription in Kannada script.

Builders of those times had built water related structures in octagonal shape. I wonder why. Three other structures which are octagonal are the two water pavilions and Queen's bath house in the ruins of Hampi. Another similar well is Pari Bowli situated between Bidar and Astur.

The well also had projecting platform so that one could draw water using rope and pots.

Sridhar and I had arrived here from Dharwad. This stop was a nice way to start Hampi tour. From here we move towards Kamalapur with an objective to visit Pattabhirama Devastana & Pushkarni,  the Domed gateway and two other monuments situated in the farm lands near Kamalapur.

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