I’m participating in the #AtoZBloggingChallenge 2016 with the theme – Pins on the Map of my Memory – which is about places that bear a special connection with me for reasons mostly personal!
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H for Hampi
In April 2015, a 7-hour drive from Bengaluru took us to a remote village in the Tungabhadra basin in Central Karnataka’s Bellary district, where a vast expanse of damaged structures lies across a 26 square meter area. Once the seat of the mighty Vijayanagar Empire, between the 13th and the 15th centuries, Hampi is now a village that lies in ruins, a place where each stone has a story to tell.
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- The rarely used black Cuddappa stones create an extraordinary effect on the pillars outside the inner sanctum of the temple.
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- The tree in the temple courtyard.
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- The top of the gopuram.
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- The empty pool and the protruding balconies inside the Queen’s Bath.
Dravidian architecture flourished in Hampi during the early 13th century before the large impressive empire was attacked by the Deccan Muslim Confederacy in 1565. The most unfortunate fallout of this was the systematic destruction of the beautiful architecture in Vijayanagar – the buildings, the temples, the forts, the riverside features, royal and sacred complexes, shrines, pillared halls, mandapas, memorial structures, gateways and stables – wiping out everything. The destruction and damage to the entire region was so severe that an Italian scholar who visited India in the 16th century is said to have noted how he found Hampi to be a tiger-infested area with not a single human in sight, forcing him to seek shelter in the ruins.
Although the place holds great attraction for history buffs, it is as much a destination for those seeking a unique holiday experience as for those who are interested in adventure and thrilling activities. To best explore the ruins an easy and interesting way is to hire bicycles or buggies (the latter, available for only select points). Besides rock-climbing and trekking which are both popular activities in Hampi, quite a few people also opt for a coracle ride (A coracle is a circular shaped country boat that can carry about 6 to 8 people on a single trip across the river).
A key attraction of Hampi is the Hampi Utsav hosted every year during the first week of November. It is a visual delight and an absolutely wonderful opportunity for photography enthusiasts when all the monuments and the ruins are lit up at night followed with a cultural extravaganza of dance and music.
The best part of traveling to Hampi in summer was to find it less crowded and more manageable. Worth keeping in mind that since Hampi is generally very hot and dry all through the year, sunscreen, hat and parasol are absolute musts, anytime you visit.
Adjacent to the village of Hampi is the JSW township where we stayed. It was a charming place with bougainvillea-lined roads and gigantic industrial estates. There was also a man-made lake, where children feed the ducks, a museum exhibiting relics based on the life and work of the industrialist O.P. Jindal and a massive sculpture in the shape of a matka (a container used to hold water) sliced in half.
Kaladham – the Art Village, was also our favourite stop in the vicinity. It is a museum of the Hampi ruins, that showcases an outstanding Photo exhibition and 3D – 360-degree photographs, presented to give viewers an immersive experience of Hampi. After a half-hour show, I picked a souvenir or two from the craft shop next door. Thus ended our truly memorable and humbling experience at the ruins of Hampi, of the incredible sculptural work that remains the pinnacle of Vijayanagar art.
Bewitching, forlorn and yet spellbinding, in every sense of the word!
23 Comments
the bespectacled mother
There are so many interesting places at every nook and corner. This is the second pist on Hampi from you and read one more from Parul. Someday in life, will have to visit Hampi.
Esha Mookerjee Dutta
Time being tight, I had to take some bits from my previous post as well to put in here…if time permits do take a look at my new travel blog (still a work in progress!) and tell me how it feels…would appreciate your feedback! As for Hampi, well, you can plan it in the winters some time!
Esha Mookerjee Dutta
the link to the new travel blog is here…https://magicalpotpourrie.wordpress.com/
Miss Andi
Beautiful photos and what an interesting although sad place!
Esha Mookerjee Dutta
Thanks you so much Miss Andi!
Natalie
Wow, such beautiful pictures 🙂 I’d love to visit someday. Thank you for sharing 🙂
@LunaNoctis from There She Goes
Esha Mookerjee Dutta
Thanks so much, Natalie
Rosa
Oh I so enjoyed this post and the pictures are amazing. I really need to travel more in my life! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Rosa
@RosaT_Author
Rosa Temple writes…
Esha Mookerjee Dutta
Thank you so much, Rosa! You’d love to see India…so much to see here…come over!
Rajlakshmi
the architecture looks beautiful!! I wish I visited the placed when I lived in Bangalore.
A Whimsical Medley
Twinkle Eyed Traveller
Esha Mookerjee Dutta
There’s always a next time, Raj! Come over any time you’re in the South India 🙂
Vasantha Vivek
Interesting and beautiful post Esha !!! Photos are looking fantastic !!! Love to visit Hampi soon !!!
Esha Mookerjee Dutta
Thanks a lot Vasantha! You’ll love the place, am pretty sure 🙂
Kala Ravi
This is superb Esha. Another place added in my bucket list of places to visit! Fabulous pictures and riveting narration. The splendour that was Vijaynagari!
@KalaRavi16 from
Relax-N-Rave
Esha Mookerjee Dutta
Thank you so much, Kala! Your warm words of appreciation means a lot to me 🙂 Indeed, What a fall for a grand empire that crumbled to dust in a matter of 500 years…!
Parul Thakur
Oh I loved Hampi and your pictures are gorgeous. I wish to go once again in better weather and walk around more to see much more. What s lovely informative post with that history!
Esha Mookerjee Dutta
Thank you so much, Parul! I agree soaring temperatures are not a great idea with Hampi because there is so much of outdoor exploring to do! Winters will be better, anyday.
Alana Mautone (@RamblinGarden)
So many ruins, so little time. Amazing!
Esha Mookerjee Dutta
Couldn’t agree more Alana! Amazing place!!
BellyBytes
This is one place I just have to visit. All my friends who’ve visited this place have told me this is one place I have to see. Your post has convinced me of the truth of this. Thanks !
Esha Mookerjee Dutta
Absolutely, Sunita. Hampi has so much to offer…you must visit it at least once, but try and avoid the peak summer season as temperatures can soar and exploring the outdoors can get really difficult.
BellyBytes
Sure will target November as per your advice
Esha Mookerjee Dutta
That’s great! And when you do visit, do not forget to let us know your experience there! 🙂