Anantashayana near Sahasralinga, Hampi

To say that Hampi is a Nature's maze, a maze of rock formations. In this maze are hidden countless sculptures. During the peak of Vijayanagara Samrajya, Hampi was one of the most wealthiest cities on our planet. The empire and it's subjects prospered under the able administration of Vijayanagara kings. It is said that jewelry & gems were sold in open markets like vegetables & grains. Besides economic growth Hampi was also a cultural center, all types of artists were under the patronage of state and private citizens. One can say that sculptors were among the foremost going by the sheer number of sculptures at Hampi. Well, it's not just Hampi. Temples, shelters and water-tanks were constructed across the kingdom, especially between Hampi and Tirumala hills. To name a few, the ruins at Penukonda, Gummanayakana Kote, Cuddapah, etc. go back to Vijayanagara times.

Between Feb 1996 and Feb 2025, I've visited Hampi & Anegundi seven or eight times. Only after four visits a map of the monuments started forming in my mind. Now I'm more or less familiar with the locations and routes snaking through the ruins. Yet, I haven't seen all the monuments. With every visit I've been discovering new spots. I have to mention about an accidental discovery of a prehistoric painting in a cavern near Chakra Thirta.

Feb 29th. Deepak and I were determined to reach the Sahasralinga that morning which we did. We also discovered a shrine hidden amongst the boulders next to the waters of Tungabhadra. The effort of clambering over rocks was a lot and we needed a break. We climbed up to a mantapa which gave a wonderful view of the boulders and river. To our left, down below was the relief image Vishnu lying on Adisesa the serpent. The image is approximately six feet wide and four feet high. Flanking Anatashayana are Hanuman and Garuda. 

People coming to see Sahasralinga also come to see Ananatashayana. To the upper left of the image is a plant. Right next to that plant is one Sahasralinga and, a few feet away is the other Sahasralinga. In the background are Kodandarama Gudi, Mantapa and Yantrodharaka Hanuman Gudi.

A closer look at Anantashayana. It seems people of Vijayanagara had great love and devotion for Vishnu, particularly his sleeping form. There are several images of Anantashayana in Hampi, for example the one near Kodandarama Gudi. Also one of the largest temples of Hampi is dedicated to Anatashayana which is located between Kamalapur and Hosapete.

That's the mantapa where we rested.

Besides the mantap is another ruined domed structure which was a temple a long time ago. Besides the domed structure is a relief sculpture of Lakshmi-Narasimha, the form where Lakshmi is seen accompanying Vishnu's fourth avatar Narasimha.

This is a miniature of the huge Lakshmi-Narasimha Murthy near Sri Krishna Devastana.

After resting at the mantapa we trek in the river's direction and head towards the cave with prehistoric painting.

.........