From atop the Matanga Hill at daybreak, Hampi is every inch the capital city of a golden empire. Though what lies before are but the bones of an enchantress, who once had the whole world in her sway, Hampi is far from what one would call ruins. Once visited by the Portuguese, Arabs, Persians and Orientals, the capital city of Vijayanagara, has only grown in popularity across the centuries. And no surprise that! Every bend in the road is punctuated by a 14th century, if not older, temple; perched on nearly every hillock is a four-pillared canopy-like monument and its entire horizon, pixilated by huge gestalt-ish boulders. The regal 9-storey tall gopura of the Virupaksha Temple, where Siva is believed to have married Parvati, watches over the city like a specially-appointed god – its memory of magnificence and grandeur forever etched in stone.
Hampi gives an impression of preserving itself for the past to resume. The wedding ceremony of Shiva and Parvati is celebrated every year at the Virupaksha Temple, as it has been for centuries. The long bazaar avenues stand in expectant silence, as if waiting for that kind of commerce to resume, where diamonds and precious stones were used as currency. In the evenings, like a zillion dusks before, the dying rays of the sun turn the entire VijayaVittala Temple to gold; a sight which is as much a wonder as the temple’s 56 musical pillars that produce the sounds of 56 different musical instruments. The Royal Enclosure waits in readiness for its sandalwood halls to be returned, the massive elephant stables, the Lotus Mahal – shaped like a lotus blossoming in the sun, the Hazararama Palace temple with intricate stories carved over its every side and the MahanavmiDibba or the Victory Platform still majestic and proud await to fall back into routine. The sheer detail of the carvings and the number of sculptures speak of a race of artisans that weren’t quite done in their business of outdoing each other in craftsmanship. Monolithic structures carved out of a single rock-the imposing Lakshmi Narasimha, the majestic Stone Chariot, the massive Ganesha statues, the Badavilinga are proof of the brilliance that was once envied. Cross the Tungabadra River over to the ancient capital of Anegundi and there are leisurely roads to traverse, myths to chase and boulders to scale and dive off, into the waiting arms of the Sanapur Lake.
Hampi has challenged time, survived the centuries and lived to tell the tale. And, they say, if you listen carefully enough, you might learn a thing or two on how to do the same.
Hampi was the capital city of the powerful South Indian VijayanagarEmpire.FoundedbyHarihara and Bukka in 1336,it fell to the Muslim rulers of the Deccan in 1565,after the disastrous battle of Talikota,and subsequently lapsed into decline and abandonment.The once proud city of victory is now a city of desolation.However the ruins of these historic monuments have withstood the ravages of man and time and still evoke memories of the grandeur of a bygone era.
Set in an awesome boulder-stren landscape along the banks of the Tungabhadra River,,12 kms away from the sleepy town of Hospet in Bellary District of Karnataka,Hampi was the capital of the mighty VijayanagarEmpire.There were opulent palaces,marveloustemples,massivefortfications,baths,markets,aquaducts,pavilions,stables for royal elephants,and elegantly carved pillars. A visit to Hampi is a sojourn into the past.The best way to experience this World Heritage site is to take leisure stroll through the eloquent ruins.Most of the important structures and ruins are located in two areas,which are generally referred to as the Royal Centre and Sacred Centre.The Royal Centre in the south west part of the site contains structures that seem to have been palaces,baths,pavilions,royal stables and temples for ceremonial use.The Sacred Centre is situated on the northern edge of the city along the banks of the holy Tungabhadra river.The ruins of Hampi are extensive and fascinating to absorb your attention for several days.
King's Palace
This is the largest enclosure,including two major platforms,an underground chamber which must have served as a treasury or private audience hall,severalplatforms,double fortification walls and several other architectural elements.
MahanavamiDibba
This is the place where the kings once sat on gem-studded golden thrones and watched processions pass by.The platform sports densely carved bands of horses,soldiers and depictions of various aspects of courtly life.
Queen's Bath
This structure has a very plain exterior but the interior is stunningly ornate with graceful arched corridors,projecting balconies and lotus –shaped fountains that used to spout perfumed water for the ladies of the court.
Lotus Mahal
This visually appealing structure has two levels,with open pavilions at the bottom and balconies above.An elegant example of the fusion of the Hindu and Islamic styles of architecture,theMahal derives its name from its beautiful,geometrically-arranged cusped arches that resemble the petals of a flower opening to the sun.
Elephant Stables
Am imposing edifice with arches entrances and many domes that once housed the magnificent state elephants.
Pushkarni
The stepped water tank excavated in the mid 1980s,was origianally a part of the palace compex.Almost lyrical in its beauty,the tank is a iered structure crafted from rectangular pieces of granite
Hazara Rama Temple
This was a royal temple reserved for ceremonial use.The entire temple is embellished with bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the epic Ramayana.The walls of the enclosure are richly carved with friezes depicting processions of horses,elephants,dancing girls and soldiers attired in splendid weaponry.Inside,the four exquisitely sculptured granite pillars add to the beauty of the ArthaMandapa.
Vijaya Vittala Temple
This temple is Hampi’s crowning glory with a magnificent stone chariot standing in the temple courtyard.Equally impressive is the large rangamantapa with 56 musical pillars that resound with musical chimes when struck.A temple that is also a musical instrument!Strike the pillars that hold up the roof of the temple and musical note emanates from each.The carefully carved pillars are not only a visual delight,but literally capable of making music,as each pillar vibrates to the sa,ri,ga,ma…..of the Indian Classical musical scale.This is a magical demonstration of the Vijayanagara artisans’ mastery over the stone carving as well as of the science of acoustics.
Virupaksha Temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Pampadevi,this is the only temple is still used for worship here.Parts of the temple pre-date the VijayanagaraEmpire.The temple with its nine-storied gopura,towers above the other structures in Hampi.The ceiling of the rangamantapa is beautifully painted with scenes from the epics and puranas.
Lakshminarasimha
Theawesomw 6.7 Meter high monolith depicting the man lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu is seated on a seven-hooded serpant.
Badavilinga
Located next to the Lakshminarasimhastatue, it is a 3 Meter high monolithic Linga and its base stands permanently in water flows around it.
Ganesha Images
Two Ganesha images can be seen on the slopes of the HemakutaHill.One of them is enclosed in a temple with unusually tall pillars while the other is in an open hall.
Anegundi
Just across the Tungabhadra River is the fortress town of Anegundi,pre-dating Vijayanagara and the city’s 14th century headquarters.More ancient than Hampi,Anegudi lies in the mythical kingdom of Kishkinda,ruled by monkey-king Sugriva of Ramayana fame.Anjanadri hill near Anegundi,is believed to be the birth place of the monkey-god,Hanuman.Anegundi and and its tranquil environs are dotted with forgotten temples and fortifications.The dilapidated HuchappayanaMathatemple,near to the river,is work seeing for its black stone lathe-turned pillars and fine panels of dancers.Anegundi also been selected under the Rural Tourism Project of Ministry of Tourism,Govt Of India which aims at the socio-economic and cultural enhancement of the local people through heritage conservation of the place.It will also help the local people earn their livelihood by promoting tourism in this region.
Sanganakallu
TheSanganakallu-Kupgal cluster of archeological sites is Asia’s oldest known village settlement.This cluster is known as the “Sanganakallu-Kupgal Archeological Heritage Area”,due to the remarkable concentration of archeological sites here.The area appears to have been important during the Neolithic period,when settlement was focused on the granitic hills themselves.
