It is 6 a.m. and Anjanadri Betta is stirring to life.
Vendors open shops, invite devotees to buy fruits, flowers, and garlands to adorn the temple idol at the top of the hill. Wearing saffron robes, hundreds of barefoot devotees slowly begin climbing the narrow steps, unmindful of the cold and strong breeze. Atop the hill, in the sanctum sanctorum, a priest performs aarati and chants mantras to the presiding deity Hanuman, as sandalwood incense sticks spread fragrance and oil lamps glow bright.
The Hanuman temple.| Photo Credit:K BHAGYA PRAKASH Serene scene This is the early morning scene at Anjanadri Betta (hill). There is no hustle-bustle at the foot of the hill or at the top, but the flow of people is unrelenting and prayers continue all day till closing time at 8 p.
m.. Devotees from different parts of India line up for darshan of Hanuman and his mother Anjana Devi in the same temple.
With the increased flow of pilgrims and law and order issues in 2018, The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Karnataka government took over the administration of the temple in 2018. Top of Anjanadri Hills near Anegundi at Gangavati Taluk in Koppal district of Karnataka.| Photo Credit:K BHAGYA PRAKASH Chanting “Jai Hanuman” and “Jai Shri Ram”, devotees trek close to 600 steps to reach the temple site.
Handrails are provided at some locations for climbing steps without much difficulty. Steps up to the temple are for most part easy and at some places shade has be.