As I was writing my blog post on Badami, it reminded me of my experience in Hampi, a decade back. When I looked at the blog posts I had written for Hampi, I realized that the most impactful place I visited on that trip was not mentioned anywhere. This is natural because I had always been very hesitant to talk about my spiritual experiences. And this Anjaneya Hill, birthplace of Hanumanji was definitely a powerful experience which I would be hesitant to talk about at that time. Now, however, I am quite forthcoming to share my experiences. Thus, this blog post on Anjaneya hill, most likely Hanuman’s birthplace in Anegundi, Hampi.

Hanumanji’s Birthplace Controversy

As usual in India, there are couple of other places claiming to be Hanumanji’s birthplace. One is Anjanadri near Nashik-Trimbakeshwar. Second is Tirumala hills. And there will surely be other contenders as well. (Read more about the controversy here)

How do we know which one is real.

Well, I can offer two perspectives,

• Often these terms like “birthplace” or “marriage place” and such are proverbial. Many places may be given such a title due to their powerful energies.

It is like calling great yogis as ‘Shiva’ or ‘Hanuman’. These yogis are considered the live presence of the deity. Thus, birthplaces of such yogis may be then coined as birthplace of that deity. Or maybe it is a place such great yogis got the powerful darshan on these deities – thus again the space may be venerated by calling it ‘birthplace of the deity’.

So, what this means, is that these are powerful places with a footprint of that particular deity in some way, not necessarily the actual birthplace.

• The region in Anegundi in Hampi is known to have the ruins of Kishkindha. Thus, it is very much likely that certain spaces would have a strong Hanumanji footprint.

Thus, whether or not the exact birthplace – this hill and temple will have a powerful presence of the deity. Thus, for any devotee it is a great pilgrimage!

My experience of this temple tells a tale of both these realities. Read on.

Ramayana Reading 108 Times at Temple on Anjaneya Hill, Anegundi

When I visited this temple, almost a decade back, I had climbed up the many stairs with a bit of effort. After reaching the top, I had some water and felt energized due to the winds. Hanuman is the Son of the Wind God.

I entered the temple, expecting a normalish visit. However, there were two pujari types reading some scriptural tome (large book). They kept muttering and turning the pages. I don’t care much about such ongoings except that…..

With every single page, I felt an explosion of spiritual energy. It was very, very powerful. One of most powerful spiritual energy centers I had felt.

I don’t know if it was the temple space which was by itself the bomb. Or was the pujari and his reading a bomb? Or both? Whatever it was… I left quickly… because I was getting freaked by the powerful energies.

As I stepped out, there was another pujari sitting there. I didn’t say anything to him, but of his own accord he explained to me that they were reading the Ramayana 108 times inside. And I simply nodded, I was almost dazed with the power. I wondered if he could see my state of bewilderment. Anyway, I walked out of the temple. As that has been often my response when faced with un-anticipated powerful situations of this sort.

I am not so interested in claiming this as the birthplace of Hanuman. But 100% it is a powerful Hanuman center. And a great pilgrimage for all.

And since then, over the decade that has passed, we have also had the Ayodhya consecration. And I have come to understand that Hanumanji is a very alive deity in today’s times. Myriad stories are heard of people experiencing him in different ways. Especially, with the Ayodhya consecration his might seems to be only getting stronger.

Jai Hanuman!