HAMPI
Hampi, a village and a temple town in Karnataka is one of the most historically rich places. Listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Site as the Group of monuments at Hampi, this city was also at one point one of the richest cities in the world when it was at its peak. Located inside the Vijayanagara city, Hampi has been one of the most significant tourist places of attraction. People from all over the country visit Hampi for its beautiful monuments and history. As per statistics of the year 2014, Hampi is said to be the most searched places of Karnataka online. People who visit Hampi are mostly people who love history and architecture. It is no surprise that Hampi is such a famous place for tourists that visit from all over the globe. Visit Hampi at any time of the year and you will see the place swarming with people. We will take you through the fascinating history of the city of Hampi and also the Vijayanagara Empire.
Stone Chariot
The chariot is actually a shrine dedicated to Garuda, built inside the Vittala Temple Complex. The massive sculpture of Garuda, Lord Vishnu's escort once was seated a top chariot but it is empty at the present date. The Hampi Chariot has earned it's name among the other three famous stone chariots in India- One in Konark, Odissa, and the other in Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu) You can still see the remains of the painting on the carvings of the chariot. Probably because it was relatively protected from the natural weather elements, the undercarriage of the chariot spots one of the best preserved specimens of this kind of paintings. It is believed the whole of the Vittala Temple’s sculptures were once beautifully painted in similar fashion using the minerals as medium.
In front of the chariot two elephants are positioned as if they are pulling the chariot. In fact these stone elephants were brought from elsewhere and positioned here at a later stage. Originally two horses were carved in that position. The tails and the rear legs of the horses can be still seen just behind these elephant sculptures. A broken stone ladder once gave access to the sanctum is kept between the elephants. You can still spot the marks on the floor and the doorsill where once the ladder stood.
There was even a dome like superstructure over the chariot. That too is missing now. However you can see them on the first ever photographs of Hampi taken in 1856 by Alexander Greenlaw.
Virupaksha Temple
When in Hampi make sure to visit the Virupaksha temple that will be a treat to the eyes for people who love history and religion. Located on the banks of the beautiful Tungabhadra and is a part of the Group of Monuments in Hampi. And since it is also a part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, there is no doubt that the beauty and charm of this temple are still eye-catching. The inscriptions that you will find on the structure go back to the 9th and 10th centuries. Built in dedication to Shiva, this site is one of the most important and visited pilgrim sites. When the temple was first built it was small however during the ruling period of the Vijayanagara Empire, the temple was extended. You must have read a lot about Hampi no longer having the same beauty as before, however, this temple is still beautiful and the sights of its architectural beauty is worth watching. The Virupaksha temple is also famously known as the Pampvathi temple and is exactly situated in the Hampi Bazaar. The most fascinating part about this temple is the stunning three gopuras and also a big high tower that stands tall at 160 feet hat is the main entrance. The temple also has an elephant called Lakshmi.
Lotus Mahal
Lotus Mahal literally means " Palace of Lotus". This structure was made for the Royal family of the Vijayanagara Empire. The palace stands around a walled compound near the Royal centre. The structure is laid out symmetrically with equal projections on four sides. The dome gives an illustration of an open lotus bud. The curves of the palace are inspired by the Islamic architecture and protect the palace from harsh weather conditions. It has two storeys, both with arched openings in multiple planes surrounded by elaborate plaster designs. It has total of eight pyramidal towers over the corners and one big tower in the middle of the structure and is supported by 24 pillars. The pyramidal tower is influenced by Indian Architecture.[2] The pillars are decorated with stone carved aquatic animals, plants.
Badavilinga Temple
The Badavilinga Temple in Hampi has the largest monolithic Shiva Linga in Hampi. The Shiva Linga has a three eye mark drawn on it in line carving. The three eye mark depicts the three eyes of Lord Shiva.
The beautiful Linga is made of black stone. It has a height of 3 meters. It is believed that the temple has been in existence since the period of the Vijayanagara Empire. Devotees come here from far and near to worship the Shiva Linga.
VITHALA TEMPLE
The Vithala Temple dates back to the 16th century. The main gate has an impressive arch with carvings, and opens in a large courtyard which has the famous stone chariot in the center. The famous stone chariot, which has become an iconic symbol of the architecture of Hampi, is located inside the premises of this temple. The main temple is located just behind the chariot and has beautiful carvings. There are also several other smaller temples inside the courtyard, all of which are definitely worth a visit. The carvings on the walls/pillars of these structures depict various gods in different forms.
