Talarigatta Hebbagilu

The ancient capital of Vijayanagara empire Hampae was a fortified city. The wealthy city had several tiers of fortification. Naturally a fortified city would have a number of gateways within and on the perimeter. There are at least six gateways namely the Domed gateway, Bhimana Hebbagilu, Talarighatta Hebbagilu, Talwarghatta gateway, Sringarada Hebbagilu, Huvina Bagilu and Penukonda Hebbagilu. Also, there's Kadae Bagilu (the last gateway) situated across Tungabhadra, close to Anegundi entrance. There could be many more gateways on the outer walls yet to be discovered.

These gateways not only regulated traffic inflow into the city but also worked as toll gates. They were tax collection points for incoming and outgoing merchandise. Each of the gateways are unique in their physical forms and their names have been derived out of their forms or location or information from inscriptions.

The very first gateway I'd seen was Talarigatta Hebbagilu. In fact I've passed through it several times while going to Vittala temple complex. It is named so because it is situated on the road to Talarigatta the river crossing from the right bank to the left bank. At the river crossing itself is another gateway named Talwarghatta gateway on the opposite bank. The two names Talarighatta and Talwarghatta sound close enough. Probably the former is a corrupt form of the latter.

A board planted at the site describes the monument as follows:

ತಾಳಾರಿಘಟ್ಟ ಬಾಗಿಲು
ಶಾಸನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅರೆಶಂಖರಬಾವಿ ಬಾಗಿಲು ಎಂದು ಉಲ್ಲೇಖಿತಗೊಂಡಿರುವ ಈ ದ್ವಾರವು ವಿಜಯನಗರ ಪಟ್ಟಣದ ಈಶಾನ್ಯಕ್ಕಿದ್ದು ತುಂಗಭದ್ರಾ ನದಿಯ ತೀರದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ತಾಳಾರಿಘಟ್ಟಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗುವ ಮುಖ್ಯದ್ವಾರವಾಗಿದೆ. ಕಿರಿದಾದ ಈ ದ್ವಾರವು ಇಕ್ಕೆಲಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಜಧಾನಿಯನ್ನು ಸುತ್ತುವರೆದಿರುವ ಕೋಟೆಗೋಡೆಯನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿದೆ. ಈ ದ್ವಾರವು ಎರಡು ಅಂತಸ್ತುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣಗೊಂಡಿದ್ದು ಮೇಲಿನ ಅಂತಸ್ತಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾವಲುಗಾರರಿಗೆ ಒಂದು ಸಣ್ಣ ಮಂಟಪವನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿದೆ. ಈ ಮಂಟಪವನ್ನು ಗಾರೆಯಿಂದ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿದ ಕಮಾನುಗಳಿಂದ ಅಲಂಕರಿಸಲಾಗಿವೆ. ದ್ವಾರದ ಉತ್ತರ ಮತ್ತು ದಕ್ಷಿಣಕ್ಕೆ ಮಂದಿರಗಳಿದ್ದು ಉತ್ತರಕ್ಕೆ ವೀರಾಂಜನೇಯ ಮೂರ್ತಿಯಿದೆ.

Talarigatta Gate
Known as 'Aresankara Devara Bagilu' as per inscription, this gateway is strategically located to the north, north-east of Vijayanagara city leading to the river from known as 'Talarigatta' (toll collection point). The gate way, which is narrow, is built in to the fortification wall which enclosed the capital city. This is two storied structure with a provision for guard pavilion in the first storey, the latter having beautifully cut-pilaster decoration. On the southern and northern side of this gateway are shrine and there is a sculpture of Veeranjaneya on the northern side.

Tourists must make time to see these gateways closely since they are important landmarks. Who knows how many skirmishes had occurred at these sites. Who knows how many soldiers were martyred protecting Hampae? Who knows how many betrayals were prevented at these sites.

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