Ṛṣyamūka (Rishyamuka) is a sacred parvata (mountain). It is located on the south bank of the Pampā (Pampa) lake. the hermitage of Maharṣi Matanga  was situated on the mountain Ṛṣyamūka (Rishyamuka). Pursued by Vālī (Vali), Sugrīva (Sugriva) along with his four followers, took shelter in a cave of this mountain. After killing the Asura Dundubhi, Vālī lifted the corpse with great force and threw it away. Some drops of blood dripping from the corpse of Dundubhi, fell in the hermitage of Sage Matanga. In rage, Manga cursed Vālī — if he comes to his hermitage, and within a yojana (a measuring unit of spatial distance) of the place, he will die. Fearing this curse, Vālī could not come to this mountain. Kavandha asked Rāmacandra (Ramachandra) to go to this very mountain, to meet Sugrīva. After meeting Sugrīva, Rāmacandra and Lakṣmaṇa (Lakshmana)spent a long time in Ṛṣyamūka parvata. In Rāmāyaṇa (Ramayana), a description of Ṛṣyamūka parvata can be found —

The mountain Ṛṣyamūka was covered with beautiful trees. Its colour was saffron, due to the presence of saffron-coloured metals in its soil. Elephants in herds, and different types of deer roamed about the mountain, from one corner to another. There was also a big lake in the mountain.

Scholars hold different opinions regarding the modern or present location of Ṛṣyamūka parvata. Many think that the mountain range belonging to Raichur Doab (the region between two rivers), situated in the triangular plot of land on the basin of the river Kṛṣṇā (Krishna)flowing across Andhrapradesh and Karnatak,  is the mountain Ṛṣyamūka of the older times. Again, according to some scholars , the mountain range that stands eight miles away from the river Anagā (Anaga) flowing near Tungabhadrā (Tungabhadra), is the ancient mountain Ṛṣyamūka. From this mountain range, the river Pampā is issued out, and it gets assimilated in Tungabhadrā .