Group of Monuments at Hampi

Who built it: Harihara and Bukkaraya

Where is it located: On the banks of Tungabhadra River in the Northern part of Karnataka,
India

Visit Timing: Sunrise to Sunset

Entry Fee per Person: For Vitthala Temple Complex and Zanana Enclosure –Rs. 30/- for
Indian citizens and visitors of SAARC and BIMSTEC countries; Rs. 500/- for other foreign
nationals; free entry for children up to 15 years.

How to Reach: While the nearest airport and railhead to Hampi are Ballari (64 km) and
Hosapete (10 km) respectively; this ancient village is well-connected by road with several
South Indian cities including Mysore and Bengaluru.

Hampi a village located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River is regarded as one of the
most important world heritage sites in India. It was counted amongst the largest and most
prosperous cities of the world during its period of power and vigour. This site that holds
significance both historically and architecturally has several monuments, particularly the
Virupaksha Temple that is dedicated to the patron deity of the Vijayanagara rulers, Lord
Virupaksha, which is why it is often referred as Virupakshapura and Vijayanagara. Traces
of grandeur and culture of this lost city of Asia that lie within the Vijayanagara city, which
remained capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, is reflected from the remains of the city that
include temples, masjid, civil and military buildings among others. Recognised as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site (Group of Monuments at Hampi), this site has emerged as
one of the most visited historical destinations by tourists.

History of Hampi

According to rock edicts of Emperor Ashoka in Udegolan and Nittur, during the 3rd century
BC, this site remained under the jurisdiction of the Maurya Empire. It saw its first settlements
in 1CE. Hampi remained an integral part of the capital city of the Vijayanagara from 1343 to
1565 - being located in a strategically favourable position with the abounding Tungabhadra
River flowing on one side and hilly terrains surrounding the other three. The powerful
Vijayanagara Empire had two million men in its army and during 1500 AD the capital city
had an impressive 500,000 inhabitants that came to around 0.1% of the worldwide
population between 1440-1540, thus positioning it globally as the second largest city after
Beijing. While the conventional names of the place included ‘Bhaskara-kshetra’,
‘Kishkindha-kshetra’ and ‘Pampa-kshetra’, it derived the name Hampe from the old name of
the ‘Tungabhadra River’, ‘Pampa’. ‘Hampe’, the Kannada name was later anglicized as
Hampi.

The Deccan Muslim confederacy conquered the city in 1565. It was plundered for more than
six months following which it was abandoned. The yesteryear splendour of the place
including the royal, cultural and religious systems is manifested from the remains that
comprise of around 1600 structures encompassing royal buildings, temples, mandapas,
shrines, pillared halls, stables, defence check posts, water structures and gateways among
others. These remains speak volumes of the socio-economic and political developments of
Hampi.

In 1800 Colin Mackenzie discovered the remains of Hampi. Over the years the
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been conducting excavation works in the site.
Archaeologists opine that the ‘Islamic Quarter’, also referred as the ‘Moorish Quarter’ built
amidst the Talarigatta Gate and the northern slope of the Malyavanta hill were used for
residential purpose by the top ranking Muslim officers and military officers of the king.

Some of the Notable Structures at Hampi

Virupaksha Temple

The Virupaksha Temple also called the ‘Pampavathi Temple’ located in Hampi Bazaar is
one of the earliest monuments of Hampi even preceding the foundation of the Vijayanagara
Empire. Originally a small shrine, it was later developed into an imposing and rich temple
during the Vijayanagara Empire. Dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, the patron deity of the
Vijayanagara rulers, this temple has three entrance towers or gopuras with the main
entrance tower being the highest measuring 49 m, a second entrance tower comparatively
smaller leading to inner courtyard of the temple. The third gopura referred as Kanakagiri
gopura leads to another enclosed area that houses subsidiary shrines and finally to the
Tungabhadra River. King Krishnadevaraya dedicated the mandapa and the inner gopura to
the temple during his coronation in 1510 CE. Evidences found indicate the temple underwent
expansions works during the Hoysala and Chalukya period. Although the 1565 war
damaged the temple, it continued to remain as the central place of worship of the area.
Renovation works of this 9-tiered structure measuring 50 m were also carried out during the
early 19th century.
 Image Credit: wordzz.com

Badavi Linga

It is the largest monolithic Linga in Hampi measuring 3 feet, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Housed
within a chamber, this Linga is situated beside the Lakshmi Narasimha statue. Three eyes
of the Lord are etched on the Linga. According to legends a peasant woman commissioned
to build it which is why ‘Badya’ meaning poor in local language became associated with its
name. A water channel is linked to the sanctum of the Linga which always remains
submerged in water.
 Image Credit: tourmet.com

Vittala Temple Complex

The most famous part of the site is perhaps the Vittala Temple complex that apart from
housing the famous Vittala Temple also includes halls, pavilions and many other temples
most notably the colossal stone chariot that has become iconic with the site and is presently
used as a symbol by Karnataka Tourism. The Vittala Temple dedicated to Lord Vittala, an
incarnation of Lord Vishnu, built in 15th century AD is an architectural gem that consists of
wondrously created pillared halls. Remains of the Vittalapura Township that once existed
around the complex are visible from the complex.
 Image Credit: justaboutev3rything.blogspot.in

Ganigatti Jain temple

Hampi housed several Jain temples including the Ganigatti, Parsvanath Charan and
Ratnantraykut Jain temple most of which are in ruins and devoid of idols. The remains
indicate that the temples date back to the 14th century. Of these the Ganigatti Jain Temple
made in the shape of a stepped pyramid with six gradually tapering storeys is one of the
earliest temples of the Vijayanagara Empire. It was built by Iruguppa Da??an?yaka during
the rule of king Harihara II and consecrated in 1386 AD manifested by an inscription on the
column. Dedicated to the 17th Thirthankara of the Jaina faith, Kunthunatha, it is also called
the Kunthunatha Jaina Temple and ‘The Oil-Woman Temple’. Built in the Vijayanagara style
of architecture with some elements from temples of Chalukya era, it is adorned with different
Jain sculptures and consists of an inner sanctum or the garbha griha and two halls namely
the antarala ardha mantapa and the maha mantapa.
 Image Credit: Dr. Murali Mohan Gurram

Krishna Temple

Krishna Temple was constructed in 1513 CE during the rule of king Krishnadevaraya to
commemorate his conquest over the Gajapatis of Orissa. Abandoned during the fall of the
Vijayanagara Empire, this temple continues to attract tourists for its technical marvels that
include the swing pavilion and the renowned musical pillars apart from a Sacred Tank or
Pushkarani. A huge slab installed in its courtyard bears and inscription about its history. The
central idol of the temple, a figure of infant Lord Krishna referred as Balakrishna, now finds
place in the Chennai State Museum.

Image Credit: kevinstandagephotography.files.wordpress.com

Lotus Mahal

This Lotus-like two-storied symmetric structure also referred as the ‘Lotus Palace’,
‘Chitrangini Mahal’ and ‘Kamal Mahal’ is located in the ‘Zanana Enclosure’. The enclosure
meant for the Queen and other royal ladies include private temples and servant quarters.
The palace stands as one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture with the base
depicting Hindu foundation of stone typifying Vijayanagara style of architecture while the
upper pyramidal towers illustrate Islamic architecture

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Hampi Bazaar

This bazaar also referred as the Virupaksha Bazaar is situated in front of the Virupaksha
Temple at the foothill of the Matanga Hill. This place around a kilometre in length comprised
of residences of the nobles as also a series of old pavilions that formed parts of the market.
A gigantic figure of Nandi, mount of Lord Shiva, is installed at the eastern end of the street
that also houses a platform. This platform acts as the central stage during the annual Hampi
festival. Currently this area houses several shops and residences of poor villagers with a
nursery school for the village children, marking it amongst the oldest nursery schools of the
world.
 Image Credit: rontravel.com

Archaeological Museum

One of the main attractions of Hampi is the Archaeological Museum located at Kamalapura
which was established by ASI. It began moving the antiques to the museum from 1972 and
presently houses four galleries that display different sculptures, armoury, religious items,
gold and copper coins, sati stones, brass plates among other items dating back to
Vijayanagara Empire.
Image Credit: worthview.com