. This reconstructed pavilion would be your first major stop once you have crossed over to Anegondi from the Talarigata ferry point.
The short but panting climb from the ferry point brings you to a fork. The right branch heads straight into the Anegondi village square located about a kilometer northeast. The rather straight looking left road bypasses the Anegondi village and intersects a main road at about a kilometer away.
. Take this bypass path if you are straight heading to places like the hilltop Hanuman Temple or Pampa Sarovar.
The road first mentioned (the right branch) passes along the Hachappa Mantapa. Take this path and about 100 meters forward, you can see this on your right tucked in a banana and coconut plantation. The highlight is a two storied pavilion made with sculptured pillars.
Hachappa Mantapa.
. Tall circular pillars made using some kind of lathe is of pre Vijayanagara origin. The bases of these pillars are decorated with tiny but delicate carvings of gods and goddesses. This is the typical architectural style of the Hoysalas, the empire that preceded the Vijayanagara kingdom.
Hachappa Mantapa. Most of the pillars in the front row are pre Vijayanagara.
. Though in ruined state, the carvings are finer and minute than you’ve seen in the typical Vijayanagara architecture.
The pavilion is peculiar for is its atrium like opening in the middle. The parapet around the atrium is decorated with an array of carved panels, mostly depicting court scenes and life of the time. The ceiling spots some traces of paintings. The pavilion is without any wall and array of stone artifacts recovered from the river are also on display.
There is no entrance fee. You may stop by for a few minutes before proceeding north into the village centre of Anegondi.
