Matanga Hill, which commands a spectacular attention, is the most talked hill in Hampi, Bellary district of Karnataka state. The peak of the hill gives a splendid panoramic view of the erstwhile capital city of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire including the Virupaksha temple, Tungabhadra River and ruins of Achyutaraya Temple among others. The hill has many myths and legends associated with it, adding to its allure.
Matanga Hill is one of the important locations mentioned in the Hindu mythology, Ramayana. The place was the hermitage of Sage Mathanga. According to a legend, Monkey prince Vali killed a buffalo demon called Dundhuvi and threw the corpse on to the sacred Matanga hill. Angry at this act, sage Matanga cursed Vali that he could never venture on to this hill. Later Dundhuvi’s son Mayavi fought with Vali to avenge his father’s death. Vali chased him into a cave; and asked his brother Sugreeva to stand guard outside.
After a while thinking that Vali was killed in the fight, Sugreeva closed the cave. Finally Vali emerged from the cave and chased Sugreeva out of the monkey kingdom. Sugriva along with his warrior general Hanuman, took refuge at the Matanga hill, as Vali could not climb this hill. Later Lord Rama killed Vali and crowned Sugriva as the king of the monkeys.
Though this myth is generally associated with the Vaishnava cult, the ancient temple located at the hilltop is that of Veerabhadra, a cult deity associated with Lord Shiva lineage.
The north part of the hill ends at the southern banks of the Tungabhadra River where the Kodanda Ram temple is located.
Source:
http://www.mygola.com/matanga-hill-p43408
http://www.trabol.com/s/c/india/karnataka/hampi/hangouts/40/matanga-hill/
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