HAMPI(Kannada:HAMPE)is a village in northern karnataka state,India.It is located with in the ruins of Vijayanagara,the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.Predating the city of Vijayanagara,it continues to be an important religious centre,housing the Virupaksha Temple,as well as several other monuments belonging to the old city.
As the village is at the original centre of Vijayanagara,it is sometimes confused with ruined city itself.The ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site,listed as the Group of Monument at Hampi.
1 Etymology
2 History
3 Geography
4 Important sites and near Hampi
5 Temples
6 Global Heritage Fund efforts
7 Gallery
Etymology:
The name is derived from pampa,which is the old name of the Tungabadra River on whose banks the city is built.The name "HAMPI" is an anglicized version of the Kannada Hampe(derived from Pampa).Over the years,it has also been referred to as Vijayanagara and Virupakshapura(from Virupaksha,the patron deity of the Vijayanagara rulers).
A Hindu temple naga decoration at Hampi.
Hampi is identifeid with the historical Kishkindha,the Vanara(monkey)kingdom mentioned in the Ramayana.The first historical settlements in Hampi date back to 1CE.
Hampi formed one of the core areas of the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1336 to 1565,when it was finally laid siefe to by the Deccan Muslim confederacy.
Tungabadra river on one side and surrounded by defensible on the other three sides.
The site is significant historically and architecturally.The topography abounds with large stones which have been used to make statues of Hindu deities.The Archaelogical Survey of India continues to conduct exacavations in the area,to discover additional artifacts and temples.
Geography:
Hampi is situated on the banks of Tungabadra river.It is 353km from Bangalore and 74 km away from Bellary.Hosapete(Hospet),13KM away,is the nearest railway head.Mantralayam,which is also on the banks of Tungabadra,in AP is some 150km away.The principal industries of the village are agricluture,the support of the Virupaksha temple and some other local holy places in the vicinity,and tourism.The annual Vijayanagar Festival is organized by the Government of Karnataka in November.
Due to the presence of several mineral deposits in this region(iron-ore,manganese),mining has been going on for many years now.But a recent boom for the supply of iron-ore in the international market has led to increased levels of mining in this district.The World Heritage Site at Hampi as well as the Tungabadra Dam is now under threat.
Important sites and near Hampi:
Vitthala temple with musical pillars,Hoysala style multigonal base Hampi
Achyutaraya Temple/Tiruvengalanatha Temple
Akka Tangi Gudda
Anegondi
Anjeyanadri Hill
Aqueducts and Canals
Arcjaeologiacal Museum at Kamalapura
Badava Linga
Chandramausleshwar Temple
The King's balance
The Underground Temple
Tungabhadra River
Uddana Veerabhadra temple
Ugra Narasimha
Virupaksha Temple
Vittala Temple
Yeduru Basavanna
Yentrodharaka Anjaneya temple
Zenana enclosure
Virupapura
Madhavan Palace with more than 1,000,000 pillars
Sasivekalu Ganesha
Elephant stables
Lotus temple
Temples:
Hampi has various notable Hindu temples,some of which are still active places of worship.Among the most notable are:Virupaksha Temple known as the Pampapathi temple,it is a Shiva temple situated in the Hampi Bazar the founding of the Vijayanagar empire.The temple has a 160-foot(49m) high tower at its entrance.Apart from shiva.the temple complex also contains shrines of the Hindu goddesses Bhuvaneshwari and Pampa.Hazara Rama Temple Complex:This ruined temple complex is well-known for elaborate frescos from Hindu Mythologies and sprawling courtyard well-laid with gardens.
Krishna Temple complex:This temple complex had been recently excavated through the last decade,and restoration work is still in progress.
Vittala Temple Complex:This is perhaps the most famous and well known among the ruins of Hampi.The iconic stone chariot in the vicinity of this temple complex is a symbol of Karnataka Tourism.Offlate,floodlights have been installed in the temple complex that provide illumination at dusk,thereby adding to the grandeur of the architecture.
Global Heritage Fund Efforts:
Non-profit organization Global Heritage Fund(GHF),in partnership with the Hampi Foundation,Cornell University,and the state of Karnataka,has been actively involved in the conservation of Hampis unique cultural heritage.After producing a master conservation plan for the site of Chandramoukeshwara Temple,GHF's efforts have moved to "stablization of the temple and its associated structural features".
Gallery:
Virupraksha Temple tower
Farms as seen from Anjeyanadri Hill
Hemakunta complex
Lotus Mahal the Zenana Enclosure
Stepped Tank near the Underground Temple
Elephant stables
The stone chariot at Vittala complex
The remains of a giant Bukka's Aqueduct located near Anegondi
