Hampi- World Heritage Attraction
Hampi is both a historic & relegious place in India. This was the capital of the Hindu empire,Vijayanagara, who ruled the south India during 14th to 16th century AD. The ruins of Hampi, as it is known today, is a vast open museum of history, architecture and religion .Spread over an area more than 25 square kilometers (10 square miles), Hampi ruins is packed with giant temples, palaces, market streets, aquatic structures , fortifications and an abundance of other ancient monuments.The giant boulder strewn hills and the river that bisects make a bizarre landscape for this ancient metropolis. Together with its historic and mythological residues this rural area makes a perfect tourist spot. Hampi is in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Matanga hill
Probably Matunga Hill is the most talked about hill in Hampi. Let it be its central location, the oversold sunset/sunrise view or the myths associated with it, this hill commands a special attraction. Being at the centre of Hampi, and also the highest point, Matanga hilltop is the best spot to get an aerial view of Hampi and it environs.Matangi Hill, which commands a spectacular attention, is the most talked hill in Hampi. Matanga Hill is one of the holy places described in the epic Ramayana as the hermitage of Saint Matanga. Matanga mount is the perfect spot to capture an aerial sight of Hampi and its surroundings, being the highest peak. Those who are adventurous enough to try trekking, Matanga hill is a perfect hillock with the northern region having a trekking route connecting the Hampi Bazaar with the Achyuta Raya Temple. The rooftop of the Veerabhadra Temple at the summit is the best suitable place to enjoy the beauty of sunrise and sunset of Hampi. Growing crowd is a feature of this place, with relatively a bigger crowd witness sunset than to see the sunrise. The whole Matanga Hill tour is free of entrance fees or camera charges.
Elephant stables
A place to keep the kings elephants which were the ceremonial ones used by royal household. Apart from the royal elephants, temples also had elephants of their own to perform various pujas.
One among the few least destroyed structures in Hampi, Elephant Stable is a major tourist attraction. This long building with a row of domed chambers was used to park the royal elephants. There are 11 domed tall chambers; some of them are inter- connected. The center one is specially decorated and big. Probably the musicians and the associated band troupes had been using this during ceremonies involving elephant processions.Legendary Elephant Quarter, the stables, a building which is dome shaped served as the quarters of the royal elephants, is situated nearby the Zenana Enclosure. These stables are ancient monuments, constructed as long structure with resting places for the royal elephants. There are a total of eleven domed tall chambers, out of which the center one is particularly decorated and big. This was supposed to be for the musicians and the connected band troupes to perform the talents during celebrations involving royal elephants. The metal hooks, which are used to knot the elephants, in the interior roof is still visible. The mahouts enter the elephant compartments through manholes located at the rear of each hall.
Statue of ugra narsimha
Ugra NarasimhaIt is the biggest idol in Hampi (22 Ft)This image of Lakshmi-Narasimha, popularly called Ugranarasimha, meaning Narasimha of terrifying countenance, is hewn out of a rock in-situ.
According to an inscription...found here, it was executed in 1528 A.D. during the rule of Krishnadevaraya. Originally, the icon bore a smaller image of Lakshmi sitting on his lap. This gigantic image, 6.7 meters in height, was mutilated and the figure of Lakshmi was entirely damaged and vandalized in 1565 A.D. Narasimha with an articulately chiseled and well delineated mane and large bulging eyes and broad chest still retains His awesome charm. He is seated on the coils of the snake Adisesha, who rises behind him with seven hoods, which serve as a canopy. The entire image is set within a Makara torana, or arch, with a lion-mask above the hoods of Adisesha.This single stone structure of Lord Narasimha is a major Tourist Attraction in Karnataka and is considered to be an important Monument in Karnataka.
Queens bath
This is the first ruined structure you would see when you enter into the Royal center from the Kamalapura-Hampi main road.For some mysterious reasons this was called as the queen bath. But in all probability this was a royal pleasure complex for the king and his wives.It a bit an assuming plane rectangular building from out side. But when you get inside, the story is different.
Queen's Bath, located in Royal Enclosure, is a rectangular building with the long veranda inside approaching a square tank of 6 feet depth from all sides. This is considered as the Royal bath, where the king and his wives had their baths. It's believed that water in the tank was filled with perfumes and fragrance flowers for the royal family. Outside the Queen’s bath lies the pond encircling the building. Bridge like structures are seen at some points where one can cross the pond. The building is designed such a way that intruders could be prevented from walking into the place where the royal women take their bath.The architecture of the bath is in the style of Indo-Saracenic and seems to be bit Islamic style than the Hindu style. Presently, as many other sites in Hampi, it is in ruins.
The underground temple
For some curious reasons, this temple dedicated for Lord Siva was built many meters below the ground level. For this reason, almost all the time the sanctum and the core parts of the temple are under water, restricting entry to the inner areas. A water cannel system too is visible around the main temple. But this canal is dry and you can walk down to a point from where it impossible to go further. There is a small temple for Siva consort too near the mail shrine. The Kalyanamantapa (ceremonial marriage hall) is great a structure. It has been believed that this is one of the oldest temples in Hampi.
View of the main hall infront of the shrine. The main tower too can be seen Your entry to the temple passes through the main tower in front of the temple campus. It looks like this tower was an addition done later on and was never completed. A series of wide large steps along the axis of the tower and the sanctum leads you to the inner part of the temple. The main hall in front of the shrine is huge with massive cubical pillars supporting the roof. The lamppost actually protrudes through the roof. Depending upon the water level you may be able to proceed to the sanctum area.There is a beautiful lawn built around the temple. Usually a less crowded location, the outside (and to some extend the top portions) of this temple you can survey by going around this lawn.
