Hampi – South India's Finest Holiday Destination
Why This Travel Destination Should Be on Your South Indian Itinerary
Hampi is twenty six sq. km of barren land pierced by stone in jagged and gentle shapes, reflecting the boundless iridescence of the sky. An unusual upheaval scattered these incredible rocks over the land, giving it the appearance of a giant playpen.
Hampi is laced by the Tungabhadra River, on whose sacred banks, the goddess Hampi (Parvati) married Shiva and Sita's garments created an eternal impression on the rocks as she passed by. The monkey chieftain Sugriva, hid Sita's jewels in a cave here, after she was abducted by Ravana.
The Market Place – Hampi Bazaar
Once markets overflowed with the lustre of silks, diamonds, emeralds and rubies as big as nuggets. Courtesans bejewelled with golden girdles and anklets of hollow bells made from gold and seed pearls glided by in ornate palanquins.
This market place where dancing girls once followed the great temple chariots during festivals, is a riot of colours on Shivaratri, with flowers, coconuts, bright toys and sindur. The long market corridor flanked by shops leads to the main place of worship – the Virupaksha Temple rising to the heavens like a prayer.
The temple tower is aglow with lamps, burning like stars. Pilgrims and moneys throng its massive courtyard, pigeons flap noisily around an ancient well.
Vijayanagar -- The "Best Provided City in the World"
This once powerful Vijayanagar was praised by the historians Nuniz and Paes as greater and more powerful than Rome, its palaces plated with jewelled gold, the "best provided city in the world."
Here tanks held milk for the thirsty, temples echoed with the music of the soul, the tinkle of anklets, the dance of prayer. Monuments sprang up among the rocks and boulders, their contours in harmony with the landscape.
The Vittala Temple
Slender columns resound with musical notes when struck, and stone flowers in lyrical lines of overwhelming intricacy. A gnarled frangipani tree in the courtyard merges into the carvings. The famous stone chariot – sanctuary of Garuda, Lord Vishnu's vehicle, once moved on its stone wheels. It is said that Vishnu found the temple too grand to live in, and returned to his own "humble home".
The Lotus Mahal
In the zenana (women's) enclosure, stands the graceful Lotus Mahal, inspired by the beauty of woman. The breeze blowing over the water tanks beside it may have fanned faces flushed with excitement and intrigue. Yonder lies the crumbling watch tower, once guarded by eunuchs. From here the women of the harem watched the festivity of the land. Nearby are the sturdy guard house and the gigantic domed elephant stables.
Mahanavami Dibba -- a Platform For Dussehra
From this massive intricately carved platform, royalty viewed Vijayanagar astir with pomp and revelry during the nine bejewelled nights of Dussehra. King Krishnadeva Raya dressed in white garments embroidered with roses of gold, flung flowers and sprinkled perfume upon the decorated horses draped in silk and velvet, and the richly caparisoned elephants, their tusks encased in gold.
Courtesans, their steps weighed down with jewels, bore golden lamps. Nobles and neighbouring kings paid rich tributes to the king and fireworks added stars to the night sky. People danced on a carpet of roses, their garments studded with gems; torches flared, the music of drums and trumpets vibrated.
The Queen's Bath
The roofless bath is surrounded by a moat. Fountains and ornate channels spouted perfumed water into its vast pool. The ladies of the harem watched the frolic and fun of the bath from its filigreed balconies.
Ugra Narasimha Presides Over Hampi
The mighty presiding deity of Vijayanagar – Ugra Narasimha (The Angry Lion Man) watches over the land. With great bulging eyes, he rests beneath the sheltering hood of the seven-headed cobra, the monarch of all he surveys, upon his thigh, his consort, Lakshmi.
Hampi, even in ruins, stands proud. In its dust lie secrets yet to be revealed, like a woman's smile lost in oblivion. The sculptor's essence shall live on in the stark haunting beauty of Hampi.
How to Get to Hampi, etc.
Hampi is around 350 km from Bangalore. Or you can train or bus it to Hospet from Bangalore. From here, Hampi is about 20 km away and transport is readily available.
There are lots of places to stay in Hampi. The Italian Bakery is a great place to eat (cheap too). The pizzas and honey nut cakes are scrumptious. The Mango Tree Restaurant, shaded by what must be the tallest mango tree in the world, is famous for Nutella pancakes. The restaurant overlooks the Tungabhadra River where crocodiles can sometimes be seen sunning themselves.
Hampi is a Must-See
A tour of South India is incomplete without a visit to spectacular Hampi. This World Heritage Site is geologically one of the oldest in the world. Its temples with their grandiose soaring pillars are reminiscent of ancient Greek and Roman architecture. Perhaps nowhere else will the traveller find man-made structures in such complete harmony with the landscape.
Queen's Bath,Hampi, South India
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Hampi's Surreal Boulder-Strewn Landscape
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Lotus Mahal, Hampi,Karnataka
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