Exploring Hampi – The Kingdom of Vijayanagar Empire

Exploring Hampi – The Kingdom of Vijayanagar Empire started quite well. My first and only visit to Hampi but by the end of this trip, many things changed in my life. Some scars are not only unpleasant memories but also unravelled a scary health condition to be endured for the rest of my life.

The dates were planned and decided almost a month in advance. The last weekend of June 2017 was chosen for our trip. This was the first time I was travelling using the VIKALP Scheme, launched by the Indian Railways, South Central Division and it was getting popular.

Present day Hampi
Gopuram of the Virupaksha temple can be seen even at a distance

Hampi is a small village with a population of about 2000 people

View of the gopuram, Virupaksha (shiva) temple sitting on the banks of river Tungabhadra.
The temple is intact among the surrounding ruins and is still used in worship.

Ramayana on the pillar
Stone brought from the Kakatiya region to Hampi

Exploring Hampi with my then new Mirrorless camera – Sony Alpha 6000

Outside the Mandapa, the Temples of Hampi

The Mandapa Hall, Hampi

The Ceiling details so exquisitely carved in stone and restored.

Lotus Mahal, Hampi

Exploring Hampi and capturing sites/shots through my Sony Alpha camera

Temples on top of the Hemkuta hill, Hampi.
Dating from 9th to 14th century AD.

Pushkarani are sacred tanks attached to temples. The tanks catered for the ritual and functional aspects of the Temple.

This ‘well’ preserved tank was restored (excavated) by the Archaeological Department of India.

Royal #thali  at the Mahanavami Dibba, Hampi

Pushing East-West the Chariot of the Tulava Dynasty. Chariot Temple, Hampi

The most spectacular Monument in Hampi

A magical site at the World Heritage Site, Hampi.

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/241/

World Heritage Site, Hampi

Exploring on a bike is common here. A small place which can be covered if you have the physical stamina and the day weather is pleasant.

Exploring Hampi -One can hire a bicycle or by walking around.
Virtually every rock in Hampi has a story to tell…
#hampitrip #hampiness

Nutella Banana Pancake at Mango Tree, Hampi

#travelkarmas verdict:
Hastily done restoration. The scale of the well doesn’t match up to the function. The symmetry and size do not seem it could cater to the rituals. It’s more like a pit at the bottom. At least from what I have seen about stepped wells and this one.