Hampi Trip
Posted by Ashwini | Posted in Temples of India | Posted on 06-01-2010
Tags: chakra teertha, Hampe, Hampi, Karnataka, Kodandarama Temple Hampi, Musical Pillars Hampi, nandi with 3 heads, Temples of India, Tourist attractions of Karnataka, Travelling, virupaksha temple hampi, Yanthrodharaka Anjaneya, Yantrdharaka Hanumanta Temple, Yantrodharaka Hanumanta, yantrodharaka hanumantha, ಯಂತ್ರೋಧಾರಕ ಹನುಮಂತ ಚಕ್ರತೀರ್ಥ ಹಂಪಿ
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When ever we go to Mantralaya, we will try to visit Hampi also.Its around 150kms from Mantralaya.
You would need complete 3 days to visit whole Hampi.There are good accommodations available in hospet which is around 12km form hampi.Summers would be very bad here. August – January is the best time to visit Hampi.
Hampi, the capital city of Vijayanagara Empire, was founded by two brothers Harihara and Bukkaraya (more popularly known as Hakka and Bukka), under the guidance of their Guru Vidyaranya. The markets in Hampi were always crowded with merchants from all over the world to barter their goods in exchange of spices and cotton, grown abundantly in the area. Rubies, diamonds and all precious stones were sold on the streets in the scale of seers.
As the saying goes, everything that goes up must come down. It was true in case of Hampi also. After seeing its golden period, Hampi fell down to the attacks of the five Sultans of Deccan – Bidar, Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmednagar and Berar . The city was looted for a period of 6 months. The temples were destroyed and the markets were plundered. The golden empire had come to an end.
Virupaksha Temple,Hampi
Virupaksha temple is the oldest and the principal temple in Hampi.This is the only one temple which has been survived from the attacks of Muslim kings.The reason is that Royal Emblem of Vijayanagara Kings has a pig in that and it has been carved in the entrance of the temple.Pigs are considered to be auspicious for muslims and they stepped back from here.So every temple/structure has been destroyed by Muslim Kings in Hampi except this.
Royal Emblem of Vijayanagara Kings
Below picture is shows a bull/nandi which had 3 heads.
3 headed nandi in Virupaksha Temple,Hampi
Can you figure out the pig in the royal emblem?
Royal emblem
Mantapam inside the temple
Apart from many architectural places, Hampi is also famous for Ramayan History.
We can see a small hill where Sugreeva used to stay during the period of Ramayan.Also there is a small river which is called Chakrateertha.
Chitrakoota,Hampi
Chakra teertha,Hampi
There are 2 main temples to visit here.One is Kodandarama temple and the other one is Yantroddharaka Anjaneya Temple.My mom is a great devotee of Yantroddharaka Anjaneya and we will never miss a visit to this temple.The temple has a very interesting story behind its origin which you can find in this link.
http://ashwini.logukrishnan.net/2010/05/24/yantrodharaka-hanumantahampi
Kodandarama Temple,Hampi
Yantrdharaka Hanumanta Temple,Hampi
Kadale kalu Ganesha,Hampi
Akka Tangi Kallu,Hampi
Ugra Narasimha,Hampi
Badavi Linga,Hampi
Lotus Mahal,Hampi
Elephants Stable,Hampi
Mahanavami Dibba,Hampi
Vijaya vittal temple is one of the key attaractions in Hampi.Its built by KrishnaDevaraya.
The temple has around 56 musical pillars. When tapped gently, these pillars produce musical sounds. These pillars are popularly known as Musical Pillars or SaReGaMa pillars.
Inside the vijaya vittal temple we can find the stone chariot.We can find only 2 stone chariots in India one is in Hampi and the in Konark Sun Temple,Bhuvaneshwar.
Vijaya vittala Temple,Hampi
Musical Pillars,Hampi
StoneCart,Hampi
Stepped Tank,Hampi
There are several useful links about Hampi where you can get all the information.
http://www.hampionline.com/
http://www.hampi.in
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In Hampi, Never rent bicycles/scooters/bikes from GOPI Bicycle Rentals which is located very close to virupaksha temple. They operate as a network. More than 5 to 6 men work for him. They provide bicycles/scooters/bikes to you an economical rental price as displayed in the websites. However prices vary greatly for an Indian to a foreigner.
Moreover here is what they do:
Happily after renting is your exploration of various temples/monuments at Hampi. You get involved yourself in to the beautiful architectures of Hampi. It eventually takes a toll of your conscious awareness of the present. And there comes Gopi and his men. Without your knowledge you will be followed by one of his men. In case, if you have hired a KINETIC HONDA, your batteries will be stolen while you have parked the bikes outside the temple/monuments. Off-course his men steal it. With frustration, you will either call him if you have his number or try to push vehicle to the destination (his shop) or call police.
In either of the situation, he has a greater control over us. If you call him, two of his men will come and fix it up. You will be charged around Rs.2500 for a battery (While a normal battery cost only Rs.600). If you push the vehicle by yourself, well and good, you end up paying the same. If you call police to book a FIR, by the time you reach his place, you will find one a police men without uniform trying to panic you about the trouble you would face if you book a FIR. Towards the end, you are just another loser paying money for a battery stolen by Gopi and his men themselves.
It’s better to avoid such shops. I again strongly emphasize not to hire any vehicle from GOPI Bicycle Rentals located near virupaksha temple. The feel of losing your hard earned money to a fraud is something dreadful. Beware guys.