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Hampi |
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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 onceproud 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
boulderstrewn landscape along the banks of the Tungabhadra
river 12km 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,” marvelled a 15th century Persian ambassador.
There were opulent palaces, marvellous temples, massive
fortifications, baths, markets, aquaducts, pavilions,
stables for royal elephants, and elegantly carved pillars.
This was a city whose merchants offered diamonds, pearls,
fine silks, brocades, horses, and, according to |
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one Portuguese
visitor, “every sort of thing on earth.” A
visit to Hampi is a sojourn into thr 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.
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King's Palace |
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| 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. |
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Mahanavami Dibba |
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| 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. |
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Queen's Bath |
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| 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. |
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Lotus Mahal |
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| 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. |
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Elephant Stables |
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| An imposing edifice
with arched entrances and many domes that once housed
the magnificent state elephants. |
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Pushkarni |
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| 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. |
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Hazara Rama Temple |
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| This was a royal
temple reserved for ceremonial use. The entire temple
is embellished with bass 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, four exquisitely sculpted granite pillars add
to the beauty of the ardha mantapa. |
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Vithala Temple |
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| 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. |
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Virupaksha Temple |
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| Dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Pampadevi, this is the only temple that is still used for worship. Parts of the temple predatethe Vijayanagar empire. The temple, with its nine-storied gopuram, towers above the other structures at Hampi. The ceiling of the ranga mantapa is beautifully painted with scenes from the epics and Puranas. |
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Lakshminarasimha |
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| The awesome 6.7m
high monolith depicting the man-lion form of Vishnu is
seated on a seven-hooded serpent. |
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Badavilinga |
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| Located next to
the Lakshminarasimha statue, it is 3m high and stands
permanently in water that flows through an ancient channel.
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Ganesha Images |
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| 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. monkey
king Sugriva of Ramayana fame. 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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How
to reach there |
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District:
Bellary |
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Hospet
– 13km
Bangalore – 365km This represents a 8 ½
hour overnight journey from Bangalore. |
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Hospet – 13km |
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Dabolim (Goa) – 300km |
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STD
Code: 08394 |
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Where
to stay |
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Hotel
Malligi
No.
6/143, J N Road, Hospet,
Bellary – 583 201
Tel: 08394 228101 (16 lines)
Fax: 08394 227038
Email: malligihome@hotmail.com
Web site: www.hotelmalligi.com
Tariff Range: Rs. 900/- to Rs. 2250/- |
Hotel
Pola Paradise
No.
92/A,
New Tank Bund Road,
Bellary – 583 104
Tel: 08392-42101, 42302 - 04
Fax: 08392-42321
Email: hotelpola@hotmail.com
Tariff Range: Rs. 400/- to Rs. 2200/-
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Shanbhag
Towers International
Shanbhag
Circle,
College Road, Hospet,
Bellary – 583 201
Tel: 08394-425910
Fax: 08394-425919
Email: shanbhagtowers@yahoo.com
Tariff Range: Rs. 400/- to Rs. 1200/-
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Hotel Karthik
Boarding and
Lodging
4th
Ward, S P Road, Hospet,
Bellary – 583 201
Tel: 08394-426643, 429838, 420038
Fax: 08394-420028
Tariff Range: Rs. 350/- to Rs. 1000/-
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Kishkinda
Heritage Resort
Near
Broken Stone Bridge Cross,
Sanapur, Gangavathi Taluk,
Koppal – 583 231
Tel: 0853-367734, 35
Fax: 0853-367635
Email: kishkindavillage@usa.net
Web site: www.kishkindaheritage.com
Tariff Range: Rs. 550/- to Rs. 900/-
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Hotel
Priyadarshini
No.
5/45 A, Station Road, Hospet,
Bellary – 583 201
Tel: 08394-428838, 428096,
428139, 427313
Fax: 08394-424709
Email: priyainhampi@india.com
Web site: www.priyainnhampi.com
Tariff Range: Rs. 140/- to Rs. 900/-
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Ashoka Comforts
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