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.

Hampi " The Lotus Mahal "

Lotus Mahal, also known as Kamal Mahal or Chitrangini Mahal is situated in the Zenana Enclosure of the monuments. It is a ticketed monument and a single ticket would let you into the Zenana Enclosure covering several monuments including Elephant Stables. The term Zenana refers to the Women and Zenana Enclosure in general would refer to the Queens’ enclosure along with the servants’ quarters around and private temples. Lotus Mahal is a two storied very symmetric structure exhibiting a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture. The base of the structure depicts a Hindu foundation of stone just like in the temples, typical of Vijayanagara Architecture while the upper superstructure is Islamic in architecture with pyramidal towers instead of regular dome shapes, giving it a Lotus-like look, originating in the name. Also, this is one of the very few buildings that have the plaster intact though it is defaced at several places due to wear and tear, especially; the dampness on the walls is very visible. The exemplary carvings on the pillar arches including those of birds and delicate art work can be very mesmerizing, especially with the Makara Torana on top of these arches that can still be seen on some of them.

The entire monument is surrounded by a fortifying wall which is rectangular in plan. The four corners of the fortifications have watch towers that would have been used to keep an eye on the intruders into the Womens’ chambers. While it was a very popular practice to have Eunuchs hold guards at Queens’ Palaces in the North India, especially during Moghul rule, the existence of such a practice has not come to light in the Vijayanagara kingdom and era. 

Time was 5:00 Pm and the entire group is rushing to see the sunset from cliff top, since it was misty evening closure. Sunset shoot was not so good. By the time we reached the rooms it was 7:30 Pm

Girish Just Stated a Place as “Mango Tree” - It good hotel where the Evening Ambience & food is good. The Hotel is on the Banks of the River Tungabhadra. It was 3rd Day of the full moon day. We just started walking inside where I could see little torch lights stating This way to go to Hotel --- The Moons reflection Just falls on the Rocks of River Tungabhadra and reflects back to the Table where we are sitting with Candle Light. 

Hampi " Mauthanga Hill " - Golden Rays That Surpass the Temple.

By this Rime People know each other in the Group, We have planned to get up at 4:30 AM on 2nd December and climb the Small Hill top for the Sun rise. By this Time we all came out in group it was 5:00 AM . The group was Lead by Girish . It was Pitch Dark on the Base of the Hill.Myself, Vani & Guruva in the front, to find the right trail. The time Nicked 5:20 am the Group reached the Hill top to witness the Sunrise.

 

Mathanga Hill top “ It Important Site to be Visited ?” One Side of mountain you can see the Ruins of Achyutaraya Temple, other side the Virupaksha Temple.This is how it goes “ Two Huge pillars of  Sanctum with thin ridge which comes and end up with Steps to  Mathanga other side you see the Achyutaraya. Here he Comes in the Distant “ the View of the Sunrise was awesome. “ The Arial view” - There are 3 piece of the picture, Left side of the Tungabhadra River which connects the entrance to the Temple of Achyutaraya, back side of temple with rocky mountain & “Sunrise with orange and reddish Sting rays hits the temples view and the Shadow falls into Deep Heart”  right side end the small stone road which connects our current world with the Past…..

 

We came down to the room at 8:00 AM, as girish & group planned for wonderful day out. The Entire Group Hired a Non Geared Cycle. We Started the Initial Pedalling to the Van to drop the Language. “Mango Tree – What is that ? – A beautiful Restaurant on the banks of the Tungabhadhara River” Why this Restaurant? We need to walk from the Entrance to the eat out area both side of the pathway covered with Banana Plants and end come the hotel on the river side. The Ambience and food is good here. Post the heavy breakfast the entire group started pedalling to visit Rani Bath, Underground Shiva Temple and royal Enclosure. By this time when we completed the visiting these places the Time was 12:30 Pm.