Hampi

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Hampi Temple

Hampi Overview

Hampi the site of the capital of Vijayanagara (1336), 10 km. from Hospet in Bellary dt. was an ancient city and Buddhist remains of the early Christian era are found here. Known as Pampakshetra, because of Pampadevi temple, is on the banks of Tungabhadra. On the Hemakuta Hill behind the famous Virupaksha temple of Chalukyan times, there is a Badami Chalukya temple. Poet Harihara in Kannada has praised God Virupaksha during the 12th Century. This, rocky hilly area with Anegundi to the north of the river is identified as Kishkindha of Ramayana times. Virupaksha temple was provided with a long Kalyana Mantapa which is a pillared pavilion with complex artistic monolithic pillars by Krishnadevaraya (1509-1529) in commemoration of his victory against Bijapur and the Gajapatis. Its entrance tower called Bhistappayyana Gopura became the model for all Vijayanagara Gopuras built all over South India, called as Rayagopuras. Also called as an Open-Air Museum, Hampi has the Krishnaswamy temple, Hazara Ramaswamy Temple, Achutaraya Temple housing Ranganatha, Kodandaramaswamy temple, Vithalaswamy temple, Irugappa's Basti (called Ganigitti Jinalaya (1385), Uddhana Virabhadra temple, monolithic Lakshmi Narasimha (29 Feet tall installed by Krishnadevaraya in 1529), huge Badavi Linga, Kamala Mahal, Elephants' stable, Mahanavami Dibba, monolithic Ganeshas called as Kadalekalu and Sasivekalu Ganesha and a large number of other temples and monuments. Recent excavations have brought to light many palace foundations, a fine stepped tank with polished stone Royal enclosure, several Noblemen quarters and some Jaina bastis and some Buddhists plaques. The 'Moorish quarter' has a mosque. The foreign visitors to the capital during the 15th and 16th centuries have called it bigger than Rome. They are stunned by the grandeur of its Dasara Festival and the trade of the town. People from the East and the West were seen there. The City was destroyed and deserted in 1565, but its remains continued to be intact, though in ruined condition, spread over more than 25 square km. area. Kamalapura has an ASI Site Museum. The Kannada University is also functioning from a new campus nearby, named as "Vidyaranya". Hampi is included in the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Tourist attractions of Hampi

Naga Decoration

Important sites at and near Hampi:

• Achyutaraya Temple/Tiruvengalanatha Temple
• Akka Tangi Gudda
• Anegondi
• Anjeyanadri Hill
• Aqueducts and Canals
• Archaeological Museum at Kamalapura
• Badava Linga
• The Kings' balance
• The Underground Temple
• Tungabhadra River
• Uddana Veerabhadra temple
• Ugra Narasimha
• Virupaksha Temple
• Vittala temple
• Yeduru Basavanna
• Yentrodharaka Anjaneya temple
• enana enclosure
• Virupapurg
• Madhavan Palace with above 10,00,000 pillars

The City has been given limited connectivity to preserve the character with no scarcity in electricity, good GSM network coverages and amenities, it is becoming a popular tourist destination as on Oct 2007

Vittala Temple in Hampi:

Vittal Temple

This temple complex dedicated to Vittala, a form of the Hindu god Vishnu is an architectural highlight of Hampi.

This temple campus contains many halls and shrines. The halls are noted for its extraordinary pillars with the animated carvings on it. A set of pillars, known as 'musical pillars,' resonates when tapped. A huge stone chariot complete with wheels carved out of stone stands in front of the main temple. The environment of this temple is packed with numerous smaller but ornate temples and a wide chariot street of the temple.

Virupaksha Temple in Hampi:

This temple dedicated to the Hindu god of destruction is located at a riverbank. Virupaksha temple is believed to be one of the oldest active temples (from 7th century AD) in India. This is a place equally sought-after by the tourists and the pilgrims. The temple complex consists of the god’s sanctum, pillared halls and a series of giant entrance towers. This is one of the fine places to witness the Hindu religious functions in close proximity.

Royal Enclosure in Hampi:

The seat of the erstwhile kings, this is a fortified campus. Royal enclosure is a sprawling area with the ruins of many stately structures. For example the Mahanavami Platform from where the king used to watch the annual parade of imperial majesty and military might. The area is packed with numerous palace bases, underground temple, aquatic structures and the likes.

Riverside trek Path of Hampi:

This is the path that connects the ancient Hampi Bazaar to the Vittala temple. Numerous shrines, carved artifacts, ruins of ancient structures are scattered all around along this path. For example the 1008 and 1008 Siva lings carved in a matrix like pattern on a sheet of boulder at the river shore.

Hemakuta Hill Temples of Hampi:

This hill is basically an expanse of rocky sheets with interesting undulations. A large number of pre Vijayanagara (the empire) temples of note are located in this hilltop. The highlights are the sets of triple chambered temples with its pyramid like granite roofs. This is an important mythological site in the local folklore. That explains the density of such temples on this hill.

Kadalekalu Ganesha of Hampi:

This is a giant statue of the elephant headed Hindu god Ganesha. According to Hindu Mythology, Ganesha is the god who is responsible for removing obstructions! This 4.6 meters (14 feet) tall sculpture id carved in situ on the slops of the Hemakuta Hill. The tall slender granite pillars with many mythological themes carved decorated the front hall of this shrine. Kadalekalu means gram seed in local language. The shape of this statue was the reason for this witty name for a god’s statue.

Sasivekalu Ganesha of Hampi:

This again is a giant statue of Ganesha located inside an open pavilion. The potbelly of the god is in the shape of mustard seed and hence the name (Sasivekalu means of mustard seed in the local language). This four handed god is a fine example of the Vijayanagara’s artistic skills.

Krishna Temple of Hampi:

This temple is dedicated to lord Krishna, one of the ten incarnations of lord Vishnu. In Hindu mythology Krishna is known for his romantic encounters and political shrewdness! This temple was actually dedicated to the lord in his infant (crawling) form. The complex consists of the main shrine, shrines of the goddesses, the chariot/market street and the temple tank. The main hall spots a series of pillars carved with mythical rampant creatures

Lakshmi Narasimha in Hampi:

This giant monolithic statue of the man-lion god is the largest icon in Hampi. Narasimha which is one of the ten avatars (incarnation) of lord Vishnu is depicted in a cross-legged seated position. It’s believed that the original image contained his consort Lakshmi sitting on his lap. This image was destroyed during the enemy invasion. Currently only a hand of the goddess resting on his waist can be seen.

Queen’s bath:

This structure belongs to the royal area of the capital. Probably used by the courtly ladies or the king himself, this looks like an indoor aquatic complex. A large veranda with protruding balconies all around faces the central pool. This is one of the typical example of the Indo-Islamic hybrid architecture.

Lotus Mahal:

This ornate structure was probably used by the military chief as his office or the queens of the palace as a pleasure pavilion. The pavilion spots Islamic architecture style arches and the roofs and base typical of Hindu temples.

Hazara Rama Temple:

This was a private temple of the king. The temple is special with its exceptionally carved outer walls, an unusual feature in other Vijayanagara temples. The story of Ramayana (the Hindu epic) is impressively carved on all around the shrine walls like a comics strips on stone. The inner shrine contains four polished pillars with detailed carvings of godly themes.

Elephant Stables:

That was the shelter for the royal elephants. This long structure is made of a series of chambers with domical roofs. Each chamber is big enough to accommodate two elephants. The central hall with an elaborated tower probably was used by the ceremonial band troop.

Pattabhirama Temple:

This is a sprawling temple campus dedicated to lord Rama. The pillared halls are of special note. Tall mythical beats carved in the shape of a series of pillars.