Ruins - The remains of a building or a city that is destroyed to the core, the dictionary says. So, it is of no use for any activity furthermore. But, the meaning turns exactly opposite when it comes to Hampi. Located on the banks of Tungabhadra river in Ballari district, Hampi is the austere, grandiose site which was the last capital of the last great Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagar between the 14th and the 16th centuries. Inscribed as the world heritage site by the UNESCO in 1986, this mighty kingdom bought suddenly to its knees by a confederation of Muslim emperors (Deccan Sultans) in 1565. They looted and ransacked the city for almost 6 months and the many extravagant temples carved from the huge piles of gargantuan boulders were led to mass destruction.
Though Hampi holds some prominent stories, the most sacred of them is that the place is also known as Kishkinda Kshetra. The Kishkinda episode of the Hindu epic Ramayana was based here. It is believed that it is the birthplace of Hanuman, the faithful devotee of Lord Rama. Hampi reached its pinnacle during the reign of Krishna Deva Raya of the Tuluva dynasty who ruled between 1509 to 1529. It reached great heights under the progressive and international trading practices, art and architecture also flourished around the city. Deserves at least 3 full days to explore the region, the visit can be started as per anyone’s convenience. The most famous part of the site is the Vittala temple complex. Apart from the famous Vittala (incarnation of Lord Vishnu) temple, the complex also includes halls, pavilions and many other temples most notably the colossal stone chariot.
It has become iconic with the site and is presently used as a symbol by Karnataka Tourism. Built in the 15th century, the remains of the Vittalapura township that once existed around the complex are visible here. A colonnaded street stretches 750 metres to the East from Virupaksha temple, Virupaksha Bazaar was a buzzing marketplace. Pilgrims and travellers would throng this place to get exotic wares. Persian and Portuguese travellers were fond of jewels and clothes that were sold here. Currently, this area houses several shops and residences of poor villagers. A nursery school for the village children here is among the oldest nursery schools of the world. Arranged on the slant of the Hemakuta slope, the Kadalekalu Ganesha temple is an ideal case of the Vijayanagar style of design. As the paunch of the statue looks like a Bengal gram (Kadalekalu in Kannada), the statue is named according to it.
Within the Ganesha sanctuary, a full perspective of the Hampi Bazaar and Matanga slope is visible. Virupaksha temple, also called ‘Pampavathi temple’ located in Hampi Bazaar is one of the earliest monuments of Hampi. Lord Virupaksha was the patron deity of the Vijayanagara rulers. This temple has three entrance towers. Evidence indicates the temple underwent expansion works during the Hoysala and Chalukya period. It continued to remain as the central place of worship of the area. Hazara Rama temple was built in the 15th century by king Devaraya II. This small but beautiful temple once served as the private temple of the royal household of the Vijaynagar empire. Hazara Rama literally means “a thousand Rama”, the temple carries the story of Ramayana and the relics found here is one of the most extensive ones found in India.
The Archaeological Museum shows a heavenly gathering of figures and show-stoppers made by British officers. The display here shows arms, ordnance, copper plate awards, metal objects of religious utility, metal plates, coins etc utilized amid the Vijayanagara era. The Ugra Narasimha statue depicts a furious and fierce articulation of the Lord Narasimha with Goddess Laxmi sitting on his lap. Ugra Narasimha (Lakshmi Narasimha) statue is a picture of Lord Narasimha (half man and half lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu) portrayed with huge swelling eyes and an expansive chest. Lord Narasimha sitting on the curls of a seven headed serpent, watched by lions on all sides. This brutal nature of the statue will surely leave the visitors to take a step back for a moment. Beside this statue is the largest monolithic Linga in Hampi measuring 3 feet, dedicated to Lord Shiva with three eyes etched in it.
A water channel linked to the sanctum of the Linga always remains submerged in water. Matanga Hill is at the centre of town where one can get a bird’s eye view of the entire place. The place is also to view the spectacular sunset. Elephant stables are the least dilapidated structure which was once the stable for elephants used by royalty. There are 11 domed chambers which are tall and inter-connected giving it a grand appearance. In the middle is an ornate hall that was used for ceremonial gatherings. Situated within the fortifications, Queen’s bath was meant for the recreation of kings and queens, especially for the latter. There are balconies projecting towards a central pool. To reduce the heat, this pavilion was cooled by a surrounding water channel fed by an aqueduct. Lotus Mahal is a two-storied symmetric structure located in the Zanana Enclosure. The mahal stands as one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture.
The base depicts Hindu foundation of Vijayanagara style while the upper pyramidal towers illustrate Islamic architecture. Stepped water tanks are always a site to enjoy and the square shaped tank here has multiple steps arranged in a striking geometry. It infers the scientific knowledge of the planners of Vijayanagara. It was a part of an extensive hydraulic system to supply the water, collected from a channel, to the royal enclosure. Probably the capital of Vijayanagara would not have been at this location, if there had not been the Tungabhadra river here. This river was the primary water source for the Vijayanagara kingdom and still the lifeline for the crores of people along its banks. A coracle (traditional boat) ride in this river is an activity to do and enjoy its majesty at the closest. Of course the details about Hampi are not done with this and can not be completed in words though!. Doing the South India tour remains incomplete without visiting Hampi, a literal honour to Hampi one can give the least.