Ok the second part of our 2 day trip was spent in Hampi.11 kms off hospet, in the middle of nowhere in today’s terms.I’ll start off by telling you a bit of the history behind the place.
HISTORY:=>
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. It was not just the largest Hindu empire of its time, but was also one of the largest trading centres of the world. 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 (litre like measurement, commonly used even today in many parts of rural India). Gold and silver were the currencies.
Hampi, built in the year 1336 flourished and had a population of over half a million. The city was important not just for the traders but also for devotees and poets. There were temples built in hundreds, which stand as an evidence to the religious inclination of Hampi. Public ceremonies and festivals were celebrated in their true meaning. Names like Shri Purandhara Dasa and Tenali Rama can be linked with Hampi. Hampi is also the place where Lord Rama met Hanumantha and killed Vali in exchange for help from Sugreeva.
As the saying goes, everything that goes up must come down. It was true in case of Hampi also. After seeing its golden reign during King Krishna Deva Raya (AD 1509 – 1529), Hampi fell down to the attacks of the five Sultans of Deccan – Bidar, Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmednagar and Berar in the year 1565. 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.
After that short history lesson which the Guide narrated to us in halting Hindi and Kannada which the poor guy switched rather patiently while showing us around the Shri Vijayavittala temple.The temple did not have deity,it was moved to a village near sholapur in Maharashtra. It consisted mainly of the main temple and as is mandatory in hindhu tradition Marriage,music and dance halls.Now each of these were marvels by themselves.One had these array of pillars that made different sounds when struck with sandalwood sticks.The guide told us that it was down to the weight and structure of the beams which i understand to be resonance to us Science people.Then there was this huge stone chariot carved from one full stone.It wasn’t mobile of course but back then during important festivals the wheels were rotated to give you the illusion that it was moving.
From there it was a short walk via the river to the Shri Virupaksha temple which to this day people go and pray.En-route we stopped by the river and it was a splash and dash,it was already 3 and we hadn’t had lunch.Though the bajji’s served at the tiny shack were tempting,it was an appetite killer.We finally reached the temple after like an hours walk and after a bit of shopping(i got this awesome tribal neckband with carved beads for a bargain…its already broken!!!!). At the temple we were “blessed” by the elephant, and once we were done offering our prayers at the sanctum sanctorum we went on the have our lunch which was at around 5 i think.
Virupaksha Temple
That brings an end to day 2 of our trip.We proceeded to hospet where we had dinner and at around 10 we started on our return journey back to bangalore.
Overall it was a very good trip,i had a good time.I was accompanied by a good bunch of friends and wouldn’t mind doing it all over again.
