Ankusha Giri Sri Thimmarayaswamy Temple, Krishnagiri

Address

Ankusha Giri Sri Thimmarayaswamy Temple, Ankushagiri, Avalnatham, Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu 635121

Diety

Thimmarayaswamy

Introduction

‘Ankushagiri’ situated close to Shoolagiri of Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu. Sri Thimmaraya Swamy’ temple located at the top of this hill, a place where two big temples were seen in a ruined state. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort owing to the presence of Shaiva dwarapalas. There was a structure, probably a temple in complete shambles. It must have been a really grand structure and was built close to a water pond. There are many water ponds here on the plateau which served as life lines for the army stationed here, found ruins of another temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his forms.

Puranic Significance

This fort was built by King Ankusha Raya after whom the place is named. King Ankusha Raya was the successor of King Jagadeva Raya of Channapatna. Being a weak king, Ankusha Raya started to lose control over the area expanded by king Jagadeva Raya. He was defeated by Masti Palegar (chieftain of Masti) Chokka Gauda. Later when the town of Masti was captured by Maratha king Venkoji (half-brother of Shivaji Maharaja), Chokka Gauda shifted to Ankushagiri, making it their capital. The Marathas then became successful in capturing Ankushagiri, although a few years later it was recaptured by Chokka Gauda with the help of the Magadi Nadaprabhus. After four months of siege in 1766-1767, Ankushagiri fell into the hands of Hyder Ali and the Palegar ruling Ankushagiri escaped to Chittoor (Andhra Pradesh) which was under the Marathas. However, Ankushagiri was returned to the Masti Palegars (then called Ankushagiri Palegars) after a peace treaty between Hyder Ali and the Peshwa. Later the Palegars joined hands with the British under Colonel Smith. On Colonel Smith’s withdrawal, Hyder re-attacked this place and captured it. In 1799 after Tippu’s death, this place came under the British rule and was added to the state of Madras. Meanwhile, the inhabitants of Ankushagiri migrated to the village of Bastala-palli, otherwise known as Ankushagiri Kottur (new town).