Bengaluru: Anjanadri Betta of Kishkinde in Koppal District is all set to develop into an international pilgrim centre. Karnataka’s Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai allocated a fund of Rs 100 crores in the current year’s budget. The provision of Rs 100 crores in the budget is merely a formality and follows up the measure as the decision to do so was taken in July last year.
Birthplace of Bhagwan Anjaneya: For ages, Anjanadri Betta of Kishkinde in Koppal District believed to be the birthplace of Hanuman ji. The same has also been mentioned in textbooks, sacred texts and the epic. However, on April 21, 2021, on the occasion of Sri Ram Navami, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) proclaimed “mythological, epigraphic and geographic evidence” to claim that Tirumala is the birthplace of Hanuman ji.
The TTD constituted an eight-member committee to substantiate its newfound claim, never made earlier. This committee comprised Sanskrit and Vedic scholars and even a scientist from the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in December 2020 to produce “irrefutable evidence” on the purported Hanuman Janmabhoomi! Likewise, there are also theories propagating the birthplace of Hanuman ji being found in Maharashtra and Jharkhand as well.
Karnataka goes ahead with a bang: Despite such claims and counters claims Karnataka government doesn’t seem too worried or perturbed over the matter. On the other hand, it has gone all out in a big way to develop the Anjanadri hills to showcase it to the whole world.
Sixty acres to be acquired: The State Government’s mega plan to develop Anjanadri into a major pilgrimage centre began last year. In fact, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has held several rounds of meetings with the concerned at multiple places. Around sixty acres around the hillock are set to be acquired for the purpose, while 58 acres need to be bought from the local villagers.
Road infrastructure in the first stage: Development of connecting roads to Anjanadri and alternative routes are being proposed to be developed in the first stage. Also, guidelines are already in place to widen the state away from the national highway to Gangavati, the nearest business town known for trading Paddy and Rice. A detailed project report (DPR) is also being readied for providing basic facilities like parking lots and a rest house.
Ropeway on the cards: A 430 meters long Ropeway is also being planned, and instructions have been issued to complete the tender process within two months. The Ropeway has been envisaged in order to meet the demands of senior citizens who may find it difficult to climb the steps to reach the temple.
