Hampi - Entry into Ancient Paradise

Hampi – Why this place is famous for?

The first historical settlements in Hampi date back to 1 CE.Hampi formed one of the core areas of the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1336 to 1565, when it was finally laid siege to by the Deccan Muslim confederacy. Hampi was chosen because of its strategic location, bounded by the torrential Tungabhadra River on one side and surrounded by defensible hills on the other three sides.

Hampi is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra river. It is 353 km from bangalore and 74 km away from Bellary. Hosapete (Hospet), 13 km away, is the nearest railway head. Mantralayam, which is also on the banks of Tunghabhadra, in AP is some 150 km away.The principal industries of the village are agriculture, the support of the Virupaksha temple and some other local holy places in the vicinity, and tourism. The annual Vijayanagar Festival is organized by the Government of Karnataka in November.

We reached Hampi at 8:00 Am as we are already delayed. The group got together and introduced our self. The 1st foot steep closer to the Temple is Massive view the Temple Arch. One Side the Snake charmers blends it tune to get the Snake out.. It also magnetic effects in pulling us in to Virupaksha Temple past..   

Virupaksha Temple : At present, the main temple consists of a sanctum, three ante chambers, a pillared hall and an open pillared hall. A pillared cloister, entrance gateways, courtyards, smaller shrines and other structures surround the temple.The nine-tiered eastern gateway, which is the largest at 50 meters, is well-proportioned and incorporates some earlier structures. It has a brick superstructure and a stone base. It gives access to the outer court containing many sub-shrines.The smaller eastern gateway leads to the inner court with its numerous smaller shrines. A narrow channel of the Tungabhadra River flows along the temple's terrace and then descends to the temple-kitchen and out through the outer court.Krishnadevaraya, one of the famous kings of the Vijayanagara Empire was a major patron of this temple. The most ornate of all structures in the temple, the central pillared hall is believed to be his addition to this temple. So is the gateway tower giving access to the inner courtyard of the temple. Inscriptions on a stone plaque installed next to the pillared hall explain his contribution to the temple. It is recorded that Krishna Devaraya commissioned this hall in 1510 AD.

Virupaksha Temple is the main center of pilgrimage at Hampi and has been considered the most sacred sanctuary over the centuries. It is also called as the Pampapathi temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known here as Virupaksha, as the consort of the local goddess Pampa who is associated with the Tungabhadra River. The temple has a 160-foot (49 m) high tower at its entrance. Apart from Shiva, the temple complex also contains shrines of the Hindu goddesses Bhuvaneshwari and Pampa.

Someone Just pinched to feel that “I Just came back to the Present” The time Nicked – 10:30 Am and we saw thr other place . Hemakutta Group Hills, Krishna Bazaar & Pushkarni, Badavilinga  Temple, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple. Every ones stomach started ringing bells and the group was Hungry. By the time we completed Lunch and started again to visit other place .. coming up Elephant Staple , Loitus Mahal.