Hampi, a World Heritage Site. The second day of our trip and the second of May too. We were looking forward to this, got ready around 8.30 in the morning and had breakfast in the hotel's restaurant. Hampi is about 12 Kms from Hospet, as we started drawing close, we could see stone structures here and there, and that made us wanna see hampi more. We saw an old temple and stopped to see it. On the way, we also saw a stone chariot of the Vijaynagar time. And then the rocky Hampi landscape started becoming visible. It was too pretty, it seems the rocks are kept on each other randomly. There are so many canals made by the empire at that time..which are still in use, like the Thurtha Dam, it is so surprising. And this shows they had technology, to build such a well developed canal system all through the city.
Hampi, also called as the 'City of Victory', the imperial city of Vijaynagar Empire South India's largest, wealthiest and most powerful kingdom. There are two ways of starting the journey in to the ruined city, we took the left way, which starts from the river bank and Virupaksha temple. The river bank and the view is breathtaking, ruined structures for bathing are there in large numbers and these are still used by the people. And then we reached the Virupaksha temple, the starting point, is also the only major temple which is still in active worship. Many stories are associated with this this temple, like the goddess Pampa married Shiva and some of the ceiling paintings of the temple show the marriage ceremony. And this region is also associated with Ramayana, as here Rama and Lakhmana arrived to find Sita, after Ravana abducted her.
Coming back to Virupaksha Temple, the 100 columed hall and smaller gopura was made by Krishadevaraya, during his coronation in 1510. The temple complex also has structures of the Rashtrakuta period (9th century) and Hoysala period (13th century). The Manmatha tank near the complex, is a beautiful sight and also the the famous hampi bazaar of those times, still has structures dotted all along the street (a sight to see). Next comes the Hemkuta hills, from pre and early Vijaynagara empire. The temples here are built on sloping granite, indeed another breathtaking sight.
Then there are two massive statues of Ganesha, one is called Sasivekalu (mustard-seed) Ganesha and the Kadlekalu (gram) Ganesha. Along the road ahead, lies the Krishna temple, another major temple and the vast market place and tank opposite to it. And the monolith statue of Lord Narsimha, lies on the right ahead of the road; and a monolith shivlinga (3 meters tall) stands in water (amazing) as a canal passes thru this temple.
Then there are two massive statues of Ganesha, one is called Sasivekalu (mustard-seed) Ganesha and the Kadlekalu (gram) Ganesha. Along the road ahead, lies the Krishna temple, another major temple and the vast market place and tank opposite to it. And the monolith statue of Lord Narsimha, lies on the right ahead of the road; and a monolith shivlinga (3 meters tall) stands in water (amazing) as a canal passes thru this temple.