Mythical Hampi

Hampi is land of mythology – stories from the historical past as well as the mythological anecdotes.

Hampi is also known as the Pampa Kshetra and Kiskinda Kshetra. These magical stories of Hampi are linked with the Hindu mythology. You can probably research more on these sections.

Hampi had reached its pinnacle during the reign of Krishna Deva Raya of Tuluva dynasty who ruled between 1509 to 1529. History says that Hampi was one of the largest business capitals in 1500’s and traders from all over the world visited here for spices, jewellery, gold, precious stones, Ivory etc

Hampi at that time reached great heights under the progressive and international trading practices. Also, the art and architecture flourished with beautiful and magnificent temples being made all around the city.

But the golden era of Hampi did not last long. The empire was brutally attacked by the Bahamani Sultans during 1565 and Hampi fell under their attack.

The Deccan Sultans looted and ransacked the city for almost six months leaving only mass destruction everywhere. The temples were damaged, and the markets were robbed; ultimately nothing left of the great empire. The empire was ruled by different kings after the massive attack, but it could never regain its lost glory. Gradually, the city lost its strategic importance and gradually lost into oblivion.

Hampi is also land of boulders, there are stories around which has mythological connects with Ramayana. It is said that Lord Rama, resided here for months when he was on the way to Lanka. The boulders in Hampi has the composition of granite and limestone.

Hindu mythology has a more colourful answer to the boulders of Hampi. The place was believed to be Kishkinda and there was a battle for power between the two monkey brothers Bali and Sugreeva. In the fierce battle between the two brothers, the army threw boulders at each other and thus these boulders were piled up all around Hampi. Well, almost everything in India has a mythological essence linked to it.

Hampi is a wonderland. It is an open museum; you just have to explore the place at your own pace and discover its charm and trust me! You will be surprised.

Pic: Musical Pillars

Places to visit:

Virupaksha Temple:

One of the most prominent structures of Hampi is the Virupaksha Temple located on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra river. One of the most prominent structures of Hampi is the Virupaksha Temple located on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra River. Its located in the market area, so no chance of you missing it. The temple also has an interesting engineering marvel – working of one of the first pinhole cameras can be seen here.

Vijaya Vittala Temple Complex: Entry-500 INR

The Vijaya Vittala Temple is the most marvelous architectural wonder of Hampi. The temple is spread across a large complex where there are numerous halls, pavilions and gateways. Its a town with large ruins,Vittala -another form of Lord Vishu was worshipped in the temple.Among the structures, the Devi shrine, Maha Mantapa or the main hall, Ranga Mantapa, Kalyana Mantapa, Utsava Mantapa and the much famed Stone Chariot which is also a part of Indian currency.

The large Ranga Mantapa is well known for its 56 musical pillars. These pillars are also known as SaReGaMa pillars, which are attributed to the musical notes emerging out of them. The musical notes can be heard when the pillars are gently tapped. One can find a set of main pillars and several smaller ones at the mantapa.

Pic: Stone Charriot

Ugra Narasimha

The Lakshmi Narasimha statue is the largest statue in Hampi. Narasimha is sitting on the coil of Seshnag, a giant seven-headed snake. The statue presents a menacing look of Lord Vishnu in his Narasimha avatar (incarnation). The original statue had Goddess Lakshmi sitting on the lap of the God. But the statue was damaged heavily during the fall of the Vijaynagar empire.

Pic: Lord Narasimha

Hemakuta Hills

The hill is just near the Virupaksha Temple. The hill provides a gorgeous sight of the Virupaksha Temple and the other ruins of the Vijaynagar empire. The hill itself has a large number of ruins of temples, archways and pavilions. This is one of the places to view the splendid sunsets at Hampi.

Pampa Sarovara

The Pampa Sarovar is one of the sacred ponds among the Hindus and is located near the Anjaneya Hills. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Pampa Devi beside the pond.

Anjaneya temple

The Anjaneya Hill is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. The hill is located on the other side of River Tungabhadra on the Anegondi Area. There is a temple on the hilltop dedicated to Lord Hanuman. This area is filled with sadhus and munis.

Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple

This temple is situated on the north-eastern slope of the Hemakuta Hills. Here a giant statue of Lord Ganesha is present that is carved out of a single stone.The belly of this statue resembles a Bengal gram (Kadalekalu, in Kannada) and hence the name.

Sasivekalu Ganesha

The temple is situated very near to the Hemakuta hills and a little south of the Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple. This is a giant statue of Lord Ganesha.