Hanumagiri Betta, also called Annamma betta is a Hindu pilgrim centre in the city of Bengaluru (Bangalore), Karnataka, India and is situated in the Uttarahalli and Arehalli hill ranges near Banashankari.It is best known for the deity of lord Hanuman, which sits on top of the hill.
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In the records of Government of Karnataka, this hillock is known as Hanumagiri Betta and there are no government or historical records to show that Hanumagiri Betta was also known as Annamma Betta.
Legend
The folklore legend of Annamma dates back to Tipu Sultan’s age. Four Anglo-Mysore Wars were waged against him by the British those days. Annamma a village youth was grazing her cattle at the foot of this hill, had fallen prey to the strolling soldiers and in the bid of escape she climbed the hill. Later to safeguard her modesty she fell down from the hill. Repenting on this the soldiers have buried Annamma and erected a cross on the grave.
Village deity
Thus Annamma became a village deity and people from all walks began adoring her. People, especially women, light candles on her grave, offer bangles, flowers and incense sticks and ask for strength to overcome evil. Those who are getting married will place their marriage invitation on the cemetery and pray for good marital life.
Act of Penance
During Lent the Catholic Christians from Begur, Mailasandra, Hommadevanahalli, Doresanipalya, Kalena Agrahara, Chikka Kammanahalli, Mariapura, Shivajinagar, Cubbonpet, Hosaguddadahalli, Chamarajpet used to walk to Annamma Betta by foot and observing stations of the cross till the tip of the hill.
Popular Fair
By around 1950s Rev.Fr.Briand, the parish priest of St. Joseph’s Church, erected a huge steel cross on the hill top and called for all the faithful to come to ‘’’Annamma Betta’’’ on the 5th Sunday of the Lent for a mass and way of the cross. That day onwards the 5th Sunday of the Lent every year the Annamma betta swells with huge gathering of folk and it will be a big fair. One can see people of all faiths offer prayers and tributes to Annamma at the grave and climb the hill to reach out to the Cross and kiss it. Catholic Christians perform the way of the Cross along the 14 stations marked en-route.
Diversity
In the recent developments some groups have renamed this hill as ‘Hanuma Giri’, but it is popularly being called as Annamma Betta (betta = hill) or Shilube gudda or Yesu betta. On the surface of the hill two temples have come up, one in the name of Hanuma and the other Arkeshwara. At the foot of the hill we can see a small chapel in the name of Saint Anthony and the Annamma Betta Retreat Centre. Thus Annamma Betta is enjoying the culture of unity in diversity.