Hampi - ಹಂಪಿ ರುಇಂಸ್
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Once the majestic capital of the powerful Vijayanagara Empire, Hampi is now a ruined city of ancient palaces and forts. Founded by Harihara and Bukka in 1336, the landscape of Hampi was dotted with magnificent palaces, sacred temples, massive fortifications, baths, markets, pavilions, and stables for royal elephants. The Vijayanagara kings were great patrons of art and Hampi became the epicenter of a flourishing indigenous culture.
All of these were gradually reduced to rubble as the Empire fell to the Muslim invaders of North India in 1565 after the disastrous Battle of Talikota. The victors mercilessly pillaged this capital city and the ruins were left to tell the tale of the bygone era. Now declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, tourists and enthusiastic backpackers travel to Hampi in large numbers.
The sprawling city was planned in such a way that the important structures are located in two areas, referred to as the Royal Centre and the Sacred Centre. The Royal Centre contains remnants of opulent palaces, baths, pavilions, royal stables, while the Sacred Centre locates holy temples. The Sacred Centre is situated on the northern edge of the city along the banks of the holy Tungabhadra River.
This great Hindu empire, the successor of the Hoysalas, was founded in 1336 by two brothers - Harihara and Bukka Sangama - who were sent to Hampi by the Delhi Sultanate to pacify that region. Rescinding their allegiance to their former masters, the Sangamas established an empire that blocked Muslim southward expansion until 1565, when a coalition of forces defeated the usurper king Ramaraja and sacked the royal capital. The fatally weakened empire eventually fragmented into a collection of independent Nayaka kingdoms, ruled by their former Vijayanagara governors.
In addition to its historical importance, Vijayanagara is also a sacred site, the location of Hanuman's kingdom. This legendary association, which extends to the identification of specific places mentioned in the Ramayana, was at the forefront of consciousness of the people who designed and constructed the city.
The Vijayanagara site is approximately a square, 5km on each side. In the site plan, above, a diagonal line from southwest to northeast divides the site into two areas, a "Sacred Center" (north) and a "Royal Center" (south). In the Royal Center, a vertical line, drawn due north from the Hazara Rama Temple, intersects the top of Matanga Hill. East of this line, are located the public and ceremonial spaces of the Vijayanagara court, together with an enclosure (to the north and east) which contains various Islamic-styled buildings (Lotus Mahal, elephant stables). West of the line are private palaces and residences of the court.
Where Kings and Gods Meet, the site documentation report by John M. Fritz, George Michell, and M.
S. Nagaraja Rao.
Vijayanagara Research Project web site by John M. Fritz and George Michell
Traditionally known as Pampakshetra of Kishkindha, Hampi is situated on the southern bank of the river Tungabhadra. Once it was the seat of the mighty Vijayanagara empire.
The monuments of Vijayanagara city, also known as Vidyanagara in honour of the sage Vidyaranya were built between AD 1336-1570, from the times of Harihara-I to Sadasiva Raya. A large number of royal buildings were raised by Krishnadeva Raya (AD 1509-30), the greatest ruler of the dynasty. The period witnessed resurgence of Hindu religion, art, architecture in an unprecedented scale. The contemporary chroniclers who came from far off countries-such as Arabia, Italy, Portugal and Russia visited the empire, have left graphic and glowing accounts of the city. It covers an area of nearly 26 sq km and is stated to be enclosed by seven lines of fortifications.
Extensive remains of the palaces can be seen within innermost enclosure of the ancient Vijayanagara. The various religious and secular structures which include Hindu and Jaina temples, audience hall of the king, the magnificent throne platform to witness the festivals and other events, the king's balance (tulabhara) are awe-inspiring.
Temples of this city are noted for their large dimensions, florid ornamentation, bold and delicate carvings, stately pillars, magnificent pavilions and a great wealth of iconographic and traditional depictions which include subjects from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The largest extant temple is that of Pampapati (now in worship) was extensively renovated. Its magnificent entrance tower was caused by Krishnadeva Raya. The Vitthala temple is an excellent example of Vijayanagara style. The monolithic statues of Lakshmi, Narasimha and Ganesa are noted for their massiveness and grace.
The Krishna temple, Pattabhirama temple, Hazara Ramachandra and Chandrasekhara temple as also the Jaina temples, are other examples. Majority of these temples were provided with widespread bazaars flanked on either side by storeyed mandapas. Among secular edifices mention may be made of the Zenana enclosure wherein a massive stone basement of the Queen's palace and an ornate pavilion called 'Lotus-Mahal are only remnants of a luxurious antahpura. The corner towers of arresting elevation, the Dhananayaka's enclosure (treasury), the Mahanavami Dibba carrying beautifully sculptured panels, a variety of ponds and tanks, mandapas, the elephant's stables and the row of pillared mandapas are some of the important architectural remains of this city.
Recent excavations at the site have brought to light a large number of palatial complexes and basements of several platforms. Interesting finds include a large number of stone images, both in round and relief, beautiful terracotta objects and stucco figures that once embellished the palaces. In addition many gold and copper coins, household utensils, a square stepped-tank (sarovara) at the south-west of Mahanavami Dibba, and a large number of ceramics including the important variety of porcelain and inscribed Buddhist sculptures of 2nd -3rd century AD have also been unearthed.
All of these were gradually reduced to rubble as the Empire fell to the Muslim invaders of North India in 1565 after the disastrous Battle of Talikota. The victors mercilessly pillaged this capital city and the ruins were left to tell the tale of the bygone era. Now declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, tourists and enthusiastic backpackers travel to Hampi in large numbers.
The sprawling city was planned in such a way that the important structures are located in two areas, referred to as the Royal Centre and the Sacred Centre. The Royal Centre contains remnants of opulent palaces, baths, pavilions, royal stables, while the Sacred Centre locates holy temples. The Sacred Centre is situated on the northern edge of the city along the banks of the holy Tungabhadra River.
Pronunciation: [VEE-jay-uh-NAHG-uh-ruh] (formal), or [VIJH-uh-NAHG-ruh] (informal)
The royal site of Vijayanagara ("Victory City") in Karnataka, is located just south of the Tungabhadra river between Hampi and Kamalapuram. Measuring approximately 5km by 5km, this was the capital of an empire that during its greatest extent (King Krishna Devaraya, 1510-1529) ruled most of southern India, from the uplands of the Deccan plateau to the southernmost tip of the Indian subcontinent.This great Hindu empire, the successor of the Hoysalas, was founded in 1336 by two brothers - Harihara and Bukka Sangama - who were sent to Hampi by the Delhi Sultanate to pacify that region. Rescinding their allegiance to their former masters, the Sangamas established an empire that blocked Muslim southward expansion until 1565, when a coalition of forces defeated the usurper king Ramaraja and sacked the royal capital. The fatally weakened empire eventually fragmented into a collection of independent Nayaka kingdoms, ruled by their former Vijayanagara governors.
In addition to its historical importance, Vijayanagara is also a sacred site, the location of Hanuman's kingdom. This legendary association, which extends to the identification of specific places mentioned in the Ramayana, was at the forefront of consciousness of the people who designed and constructed the city.
The Vijayanagara site is approximately a square, 5km on each side. In the site plan, above, a diagonal line from southwest to northeast divides the site into two areas, a "Sacred Center" (north) and a "Royal Center" (south). In the Royal Center, a vertical line, drawn due north from the Hazara Rama Temple, intersects the top of Matanga Hill. East of this line, are located the public and ceremonial spaces of the Vijayanagara court, together with an enclosure (to the north and east) which contains various Islamic-styled buildings (Lotus Mahal, elephant stables). West of the line are private palaces and residences of the court.
For additional information
The monuments of Vijayanagara city, also known as Vidyanagara in honour of the sage Vidyaranya were built between AD 1336-1570, from the times of Harihara-I to Sadasiva Raya. A large number of royal buildings were raised by Krishnadeva Raya (AD 1509-30), the greatest ruler of the dynasty. The period witnessed resurgence of Hindu religion, art, architecture in an unprecedented scale. The contemporary chroniclers who came from far off countries-such as Arabia, Italy, Portugal and Russia visited the empire, have left graphic and glowing accounts of the city. It covers an area of nearly 26 sq km and is stated to be enclosed by seven lines of fortifications.
Extensive remains of the palaces can be seen within innermost enclosure of the ancient Vijayanagara. The various religious and secular structures which include Hindu and Jaina temples, audience hall of the king, the magnificent throne platform to witness the festivals and other events, the king's balance (tulabhara) are awe-inspiring.
Temples of this city are noted for their large dimensions, florid ornamentation, bold and delicate carvings, stately pillars, magnificent pavilions and a great wealth of iconographic and traditional depictions which include subjects from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The largest extant temple is that of Pampapati (now in worship) was extensively renovated. Its magnificent entrance tower was caused by Krishnadeva Raya. The Vitthala temple is an excellent example of Vijayanagara style. The monolithic statues of Lakshmi, Narasimha and Ganesa are noted for their massiveness and grace.
The Krishna temple, Pattabhirama temple, Hazara Ramachandra and Chandrasekhara temple as also the Jaina temples, are other examples. Majority of these temples were provided with widespread bazaars flanked on either side by storeyed mandapas. Among secular edifices mention may be made of the Zenana enclosure wherein a massive stone basement of the Queen's palace and an ornate pavilion called 'Lotus-Mahal are only remnants of a luxurious antahpura. The corner towers of arresting elevation, the Dhananayaka's enclosure (treasury), the Mahanavami Dibba carrying beautifully sculptured panels, a variety of ponds and tanks, mandapas, the elephant's stables and the row of pillared mandapas are some of the important architectural remains of this city.
Recent excavations at the site have brought to light a large number of palatial complexes and basements of several platforms. Interesting finds include a large number of stone images, both in round and relief, beautiful terracotta objects and stucco figures that once embellished the palaces. In addition many gold and copper coins, household utensils, a square stepped-tank (sarovara) at the south-west of Mahanavami Dibba, and a large number of ceramics including the important variety of porcelain and inscribed Buddhist sculptures of 2nd -3rd century AD have also been unearthed.
 Photo by : pardeshi in Flickr |
 Photo by : *shutterbug_iyer* in Flickr |
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 Photo by : fredcan in Flickr |
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 Photo by : suresh_krishna in webshots |
 Photo by : suresh_krishna in webshots |
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 Photo by : suresh_krishna in webshots |
 Photo by : suresh_krishna in webshots |
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