Heritage Hampi was the capital city of the powerful South Indian Vijayanagar Empire. Founded by Harihara and Bukka in 1336, it fell to the Muslim rulers of North India 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 historical monuments have stood the ravages of man and time and still evoke memories of the grandeur of a bygone era.
Set amidst an awesome boulder strewn landscape along the banks of the Tungabhadra River 12 km away from the sleepy town of Hospet in Bellary district, Hampi was the magnificent capital of the mighty Vijayanagar kingdom. “The city is such that the pupil of the eye has never seen a place like it, and the ear of intelligence has never been informed that there existed anything to equal it in the world,” marveled a 15th century Persian ambassador. There were opulent palaces, marvelous temples, massive fortifications, baths, markets, aqueducts, pavilions, stables for royal elephants, and elegantly carved pillars. This was a city whose merchants had on offer diamonds, pearls, fine silks, brocades, horses, and, according to one Portuguese visitor, “every sort of thing on earth.” A visit to Hampi is a sojourn into the past. The best way to experience this World Heritage Site is to take a leisurely 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 the Sacred Centre. The Royal Centre in the southwest 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 enough to absorb your attention for several days. There is always something new to discover in Hampi. If you are in a hurry, a day or two will suffice to see all the important structures. Photography and archaeology buffs should plan on staying a little longer.
Places of interest:
The King's Palace
This is the largest enclosure, including two major platform structures, an underground chamber which must have served as a treasury or private audience hall, several other platforms, double fortification walls, and several other interesting architectural elements.
Mahanavami Dibba
Equally impressive is the massive Mahanavami Dibba, 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 the 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 Muslim styles of architecture, the Mahal derives its name from its beautiful, geometrically-arranged cusped arches that resemble the petals of a flower opening to the sun.
Elephant Stables
The magnificent state elephants were once housed in this imposing edifice with arched entrances and numerous domes.
Pushkarni
The stepped water tank, excavated in the mid-1980s, was originally a part of the palace complex. Almost lyrical in its beauty, the tank is a tiered 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 bass relief’s 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, four exquisitely sculpted granite pillars add to the beauty of the Ardha Mantapa.
Vithala Temple
The Vithala Temple is Hampi’s crowning glory, with a magnificent stone chariot standing in the temple courtyard. Equally impressive is the large ranga mantapa with 56 musical pillars that resound with musical chimes when struck.
Virupaksha Temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Pampadevi, this is the only temple that is still in active worship. Parts of the temple pre-date the Vijayanagar Empire. The temple, with its nine-storied gopuram towers over the other structures at Hampi. The ceiling of the ranga mantapa is beautifully painted with scenes from the epics and Puranas.
Lakshminarasimha
The awesome 6.7m high monolith depicting the man-lion form of Vishnu is seated on a seven-hooded serpent.
Badavilinga
Located next to the Lakshminarasimha statue is this stands 3 m high and stands permanently in water that flows through an ancient channel.
Ganesha Images
Two Ganesha images (Sasuvekalu and Kadalekalu) can be seen on the slopes of the Hemakuta Hill. One of them is enclosed in a temple with unusually tall pillars, while the other is in an open hall. The monkey king Sugriva of Ramayana fame is believed to have sought refuge here. Anjanadri Hill, near Anegundi, is believed to be the birthplace of the monkey-god Hanuman. Anegundi and its tranquil environs are dotted with forgotten temples and fortifications. The dilapidated Huchappayana Matha Temple, near the river, is worth a peek for its black stone lathe-turned pillars and fine panels of dancers. The other places of tourist interest are the sacred Pampa Sarovara, Aramane (a ruined palace,) and the Ranganatha Temple.
Set amidst an awesome boulder strewn landscape along the banks of the Tungabhadra River 12 km away from the sleepy town of Hospet in Bellary district, Hampi was the magnificent capital of the mighty Vijayanagar kingdom. “The city is such that the pupil of the eye has never seen a place like it, and the ear of intelligence has never been informed that there existed anything to equal it in the world,” marveled a 15th century Persian ambassador. There were opulent palaces, marvelous temples, massive fortifications, baths, markets, aqueducts, pavilions, stables for royal elephants, and elegantly carved pillars. This was a city whose merchants had on offer diamonds, pearls, fine silks, brocades, horses, and, according to one Portuguese visitor, “every sort of thing on earth.” A visit to Hampi is a sojourn into the past. The best way to experience this World Heritage Site is to take a leisurely 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 the Sacred Centre. The Royal Centre in the southwest 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 enough to absorb your attention for several days. There is always something new to discover in Hampi. If you are in a hurry, a day or two will suffice to see all the important structures. Photography and archaeology buffs should plan on staying a little longer.
Places of interest:
The King's Palace
This is the largest enclosure, including two major platform structures, an underground chamber which must have served as a treasury or private audience hall, several other platforms, double fortification walls, and several other interesting architectural elements.
Mahanavami Dibba
Equally impressive is the massive Mahanavami Dibba, 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 the 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 Muslim styles of architecture, the Mahal derives its name from its beautiful, geometrically-arranged cusped arches that resemble the petals of a flower opening to the sun.
Elephant Stables
The magnificent state elephants were once housed in this imposing edifice with arched entrances and numerous domes.
Pushkarni
The stepped water tank, excavated in the mid-1980s, was originally a part of the palace complex. Almost lyrical in its beauty, the tank is a tiered 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 bass relief’s 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, four exquisitely sculpted granite pillars add to the beauty of the Ardha Mantapa.
Vithala Temple
The Vithala Temple is Hampi’s crowning glory, with a magnificent stone chariot standing in the temple courtyard. Equally impressive is the large ranga mantapa with 56 musical pillars that resound with musical chimes when struck.
Virupaksha Temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Pampadevi, this is the only temple that is still in active worship. Parts of the temple pre-date the Vijayanagar Empire. The temple, with its nine-storied gopuram towers over the other structures at Hampi. The ceiling of the ranga mantapa is beautifully painted with scenes from the epics and Puranas.
Lakshminarasimha
The awesome 6.7m high monolith depicting the man-lion form of Vishnu is seated on a seven-hooded serpent.
Badavilinga
Located next to the Lakshminarasimha statue is this stands 3 m high and stands permanently in water that flows through an ancient channel.
Ganesha Images
Two Ganesha images (Sasuvekalu and Kadalekalu) can be seen on the slopes of the Hemakuta Hill. One of them is enclosed in a temple with unusually tall pillars, while the other is in an open hall. The monkey king Sugriva of Ramayana fame is believed to have sought refuge here. Anjanadri Hill, near Anegundi, is believed to be the birthplace of the monkey-god Hanuman. Anegundi and its tranquil environs are dotted with forgotten temples and fortifications. The dilapidated Huchappayana Matha Temple, near the river, is worth a peek for its black stone lathe-turned pillars and fine panels of dancers. The other places of tourist interest are the sacred Pampa Sarovara, Aramane (a ruined palace,) and the Ranganatha Temple.
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