Hampi is a northern Karnataka village in India which is world famous as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hampi was one of the largest and richest city in the world during its prime time and was the imperial capital of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century. Predating the city of Vijayanagara, Hampi continues to be an important religious centre, housing the Virupaksha Temple and several other monuments belonging to the old city. The empire boasted a massive army comprising close to a million men. In around 1500 AD Vijaynagar had about 500,000 inhabitants making it the second largest city in the world after Peking-Beijing and almost thrice the size of Paris. Hampi ruins are spread out over an area of 26km. Hampi hosts the Hampi Utsav every year around first week of November. It is a visual delight as all the monuments/ruins are lit at night and it is a cultural extravaganza of dance and music. There are many sites of interest in and around Hampi. The must-visits are Virupaksha Temple, Hampi Bazaar, Monolith Bull, Lakshmi Narasimha temple, Hemakuta Hill temples, Big Shivlinga, Vithala Temple (the famous Stone Chariot is located here), Hazara Rama Temple, Royal Enclosures, Queen’s Bath, Zanana Enclosure, Elephant Stables, Achyut Raya temple, Statue of Lakshmi Narasimha, etc.
‘Hampi’ is the anglicized version of the Kannada name ‘Hampe’ for a place that stands on the banks of the river Tungabhadra as a hauntingly striking testimony to the extravagance for which the Vijayanagara dominion, of which Hampi was the capital, was famed between the 14th and 16th Centuries. Hampi, the UNESCO World Heritage Sites is located near Hospet town in the Karnataka state is charismatic even in its ruined state, attracting thousands of visitors every year. Vast stretches of boulder-strewn hills make the backdrop of Hampi unique. Dotted around the hills and valleys are 500 plus monuments. For the photographer, Hampi has many elements of interest. Undulating rocky terrain interspersed with crumbling ruins of a once glorious empire, banana plantations and paddy fields enriched by the Tungabadra river flowing in close proximity, and easily accessible hillocks that provide excellent views of the landscape all make Hampi a great destination.
Hampi, Karnataka is a world famous UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You can see the pictures from Hampi here:
Hampi Gallery or as a slide-show.
Hampi, Karnataka is a world famous UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This is the largest Linga in Hampi. Located next to the Lakshmi Narasimha statue the Linga is housed inside a chamber with an opening in the front. A close look on this icon can reveal three eyes (depicting the three eyes of Shiva) carved on it. Legend has it that this was commissioned by a peasant woman and hence the name (Badva means poor in local tongue).
Lakshmi Narasimha statue is the largest statue in Hampi. Narasimha is sitting on the coil of a giant seven-headed snake called Sesha. The heads of the snake acts as the hood above his headwhile he sits in a cross-legged Yoga position with a belt supporting the knees.
Kadalekalu Ganesha – giant statue of Ganesha was carved out of a huge boulder at the northeastern slope of the Hemakuta hill. A sanctum is built around the statue. The pillared hall in front of this sanctum is as charming as this giant statue itself. The open hall constructed by unusually slender and tall pillars. Each of them is highly ornate with mythical themes.
Virupaksha temple is the oldest and the principal temple in Hampi. This Lord Shiva temple is easily one of the oldest functioning temple in India and is located on the south bank of the river Tungabadra. You access the temples main entrance tower through the chariot street. This east facing giant tower (Gopura) leads you the first courtyard of the temple complex.
Virupaksha temple is the oldest and the principal temple in Hampi. This Lord Shiva temple is easily one of the oldest functioning temple in India. This east facing giant tower (Gopura) leads you the first courtyard.
Zenana enclosure was a secluded area reserved for the royal women. This walled harem houses many interesting highlights. The major attraction is the Lotus Mahal located at the southeast corner. Hampi, Karnataka is a world famous UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Vittala Temple is the most extravagant architectural showpiece of Hampi. The temple is built in the form of a sprawling campus with compound wall and gateway towers. There are many halls, pavilions and temples located inside this campus.
Vittala Temple is the most extravagant architectural showpiece of Hampi with delicate carvings and columns.
Vittala Temple is the most extravagant architectural showpiece of Hampi. The temple is built in the form of a sprawling campus with compound wall and gateway towers. There are many halls, pavilions and temples located inside this campus.
Vittala Temple complex is the most extravagant architectural showpiece of Hampi.
Panoramic view of Hampi. Hampi, Karnataka is a world famous UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hampi which is located near Hospet town in the Karnataka state is charismatic even in its current ruined state. Hampi attracts thousands of visitors every year to its vast stretches of boulder-strewn hills dotted with 500 plus monuments. Among the ruins are beautiful temples, palaces, remains of aquatic structures, ancient market streets, royal pavilions, bastions, royal platforms, and treasury buildings.
‘Hampi traditionally known as Pampa-kshetra, Kishkindha-kshetra or Bhaskara-kshetra is derived from the name, Pampa, which is the old name of the Tungabhadra River on whose southern banks of the city is built. Over the years, it has also been referred to as Vijayanagara and Virupakshapura (from Virupaksha, the patron deity of the Vijayanagara rulers). The city of Vijayanagara was originally encompassed by seven lines of fortifications. These fortifications had a large number of bastions and gateways. The seventh & the innermost fortification enclosed the main city and is the best preserved. The extant monuments of Vijayanagara or Hampi can be divided into Religious, Civil & Military buildings The Jain temples on Hemakuta hill, the two Devi shrines & some other structures in the Virupaksha temple complex predate the Vijayanagara Empire. The earliest amongst them, the Shiva shrines with their stepped pyramidalvimanas or superstructures, date to the early Chalukyan period around ninth-tenth century AD.
To visit Hampi, we drove from Mumbai and went onwards to Virajpet, and back:
You can see the rest of the pictures from Hampi at the Hampi Gallery or as a slide-show.
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