Hampi
Overview:
Historically the village of Hampi situated in the northern part of the Karnataka state region in India, served as the former capital of Vijayanagara during the 14th century. According to history, the empire of Vijayanagara was once the most majestic, powerful and wealthy empire in the southern parts of India. Such was the opulent grandeur and prosperity of the kingdom that diamonds were sold on the streets. The main diamond trading street was called ‘Pan Supaari’ Street, which in English translates to betel-leaf and betel-nut Street. Bounded by the banks of the torrential Tungabhadra River on one side and surrounded by defensible hills on the other three sides, Hampi was chosen as the capital of the empire due to its strategic location. The Deccan Muslim confederacy finally laid siege of Hampi in 1565. Hampi is spread over an area of about 26 square kilometers comprising the ruins of the once mighty empire. The first ancient settlements in Hampi date back to the 1st CE. The name "Hampi" is an anglicized version of ‘Hampe’ which is derived from Pampa; hence Hampi derived its name from the ancient name of the Tungabhadra River – ‘Pampa’, on whose banks it was built. Over the years, Hampi has also been referred to as Virupakshapura and Vijayanagara. Located amidst the flourishing verdant ambiance of Vidyanagar Township in the Bellary industrial district, preceding the empire of Vijayanagara, the au courant Hampi persists to be a substantial religious center, harboring the Virupaksha Temple, in conjunction with numerous other monuments belonging to the old city. Architecturally and historically significant the site and the ruins have been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The topography is characterized by the abundance of large stones which were also used to design statues of Hindu deities. Regular excavations in the area are conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India, to further discover artifacts and temples. While vacationing in South India, some tourists also like to make a short trip from Bangalore to Hampi by car. Hampi is at a distance of 353 kilometers from Bangalore and 74 kilometers from Bellary. The drive from Bangalore to Hampi by a car takes around 7 hours. Tourists prefer to hire cabs in Bangalore for the trip as it ensures that the journey is both fast and comfortable. Having a vehicle on-call makes commuting in and around the place easy and economical.
Places of Interest:
Hampi, a place of great historical importance in South India, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once the capital of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire, it is now in ruins. Built in 1336 AD by Harihara and Ukka, it was famous for its sacred shrines, great pavilions, grand markets, huge stables for royal elephants and gigantic forts. The Tungabhadra River flows to the north of Hampi while the other three sides of the town are surrounded by a rocky terrain strewn with granite stones.
One of the most famous tourist attractions of Hampi is the Virupaksha Temple located very close to the river Tungabhadra. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The walls of the temple are adorned with intricate carvings. Located at the heart of the town is the Hazara Rama Temple. On its outer walls are carved sequences from the epic Ramayana.
Other major tourist attractions in Hampi include the Lotus Palace, VijayaVittala Temple, SasivekaluGanesha Temple, MahanavamiDibba, Achyutarya Temple, MalyavantaRaghunathaswamy, Zenana Enclosure, PurandaradasaMantapa, and the Royal Elephant Stable.
Literally meaning ‘elephant pit’ in Kannada - Anegondi, was originally the capital city of the empire of Vijayanagara in the south-west region of India. Anegundi is the name of the modern day village and is a part of the Gangawati municipality of Koppal district, in Karnataka. It is located on the opposite bank to the Vittala Temple on the north banks of the Tungabhadra River. A city that dates further back then Hampi, Anegundi has many attractions for its visitors to explore. Gagan Palace, Anegundi Fort Entrance Gate, Pampa Sarovara Laxmi Temple (Lake), Srikrishnadevaraya Samadhi, Seven Headed Snake, Nava Brindavana (Nine Brindavana), Anegundi North Main Entrance Gate, Anegundi Lord Ranganatha Temple Anegundi South Side Entrance Gate,Chintamani Main Entrance Gate and Ganesh Temple are the names of few of the attractions here.
Things to do:
Hampi is worth a visit, especially for those who are architecturally and historically inclined. The region is simply dazzling; the millions of boulders which surround the area do not fail in inspiring awe from their visitors. Moreover, a little oasis with flourishing palms, mango and banana trees, is nestled near the river lying within this arid landscape. Visitors can spend days wandering around and discovering the rich, vibrant history and architecture while enjoying the seclusion and calm offered by Hampi.
The exact site or rather the street of the ‘Pan Supaari Street’ in Hampi, where diamonds were traded in the street at the height of Vijayanagara can still be seen by visitors as the Archaeological Survey of India has clearly marked it with a board.
Hampi is in close proximity of the steel manufacturing units in Bellary and Torangullu. Business travelers can book rooms at the Hyatt or other hotels which are conveniently located within short distance from the industrial town of Bellary known as JSW Steel Limited.
Commissioned by JSW an inaugurated by Australia's Minister for the Arts, the Hon Simon Crean MP, the Kaladham Museum in Vijayanagar, Karnataka is a part of Australia's largest ever cultural festival in India called as Oz Fest. The key exhibit of the museum is the project known as “Place Hampi”. The project is an interactive three-dimensional visual chronicle of the Unesco heritage site, it provides a virtual trip of Hampi.
The 'Hampi Utsav' is hosted at Hampi every year during the first week of November. Apart from being a cultural extravaganza of dance and music, the festival is also a visual delight as every monument and ruin is lighted throughout the night. In order to mark 500 years of Vijayanagar king Sri Krishnadevaraya ascending the throne, the Government of Karnataka had postponed the 'Hampi Utsav' to January 2010 instead of the first week of November in 2009.
Historically the village of Hampi situated in the northern part of the Karnataka state region in India, served as the former capital of Vijayanagara during the 14th century. According to history, the empire of Vijayanagara was once the most majestic, powerful and wealthy empire in the southern parts of India. Such was the opulent grandeur and prosperity of the kingdom that diamonds were sold on the streets. The main diamond trading street was called ‘Pan Supaari’ Street, which in English translates to betel-leaf and betel-nut Street. Bounded by the banks of the torrential Tungabhadra River on one side and surrounded by defensible hills on the other three sides, Hampi was chosen as the capital of the empire due to its strategic location. The Deccan Muslim confederacy finally laid siege of Hampi in 1565. Hampi is spread over an area of about 26 square kilometers comprising the ruins of the once mighty empire. The first ancient settlements in Hampi date back to the 1st CE. The name "Hampi" is an anglicized version of ‘Hampe’ which is derived from Pampa; hence Hampi derived its name from the ancient name of the Tungabhadra River – ‘Pampa’, on whose banks it was built. Over the years, Hampi has also been referred to as Virupakshapura and Vijayanagara. Located amidst the flourishing verdant ambiance of Vidyanagar Township in the Bellary industrial district, preceding the empire of Vijayanagara, the au courant Hampi persists to be a substantial religious center, harboring the Virupaksha Temple, in conjunction with numerous other monuments belonging to the old city. Architecturally and historically significant the site and the ruins have been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The topography is characterized by the abundance of large stones which were also used to design statues of Hindu deities. Regular excavations in the area are conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India, to further discover artifacts and temples. While vacationing in South India, some tourists also like to make a short trip from Bangalore to Hampi by car. Hampi is at a distance of 353 kilometers from Bangalore and 74 kilometers from Bellary. The drive from Bangalore to Hampi by a car takes around 7 hours. Tourists prefer to hire cabs in Bangalore for the trip as it ensures that the journey is both fast and comfortable. Having a vehicle on-call makes commuting in and around the place easy and economical.
Places of Interest:
Hampi, a place of great historical importance in South India, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once the capital of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire, it is now in ruins. Built in 1336 AD by Harihara and Ukka, it was famous for its sacred shrines, great pavilions, grand markets, huge stables for royal elephants and gigantic forts. The Tungabhadra River flows to the north of Hampi while the other three sides of the town are surrounded by a rocky terrain strewn with granite stones.
One of the most famous tourist attractions of Hampi is the Virupaksha Temple located very close to the river Tungabhadra. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The walls of the temple are adorned with intricate carvings. Located at the heart of the town is the Hazara Rama Temple. On its outer walls are carved sequences from the epic Ramayana.
Other major tourist attractions in Hampi include the Lotus Palace, VijayaVittala Temple, SasivekaluGanesha Temple, MahanavamiDibba, Achyutarya Temple, MalyavantaRaghunathaswamy, Zenana Enclosure, PurandaradasaMantapa, and the Royal Elephant Stable.
Literally meaning ‘elephant pit’ in Kannada - Anegondi, was originally the capital city of the empire of Vijayanagara in the south-west region of India. Anegundi is the name of the modern day village and is a part of the Gangawati municipality of Koppal district, in Karnataka. It is located on the opposite bank to the Vittala Temple on the north banks of the Tungabhadra River. A city that dates further back then Hampi, Anegundi has many attractions for its visitors to explore. Gagan Palace, Anegundi Fort Entrance Gate, Pampa Sarovara Laxmi Temple (Lake), Srikrishnadevaraya Samadhi, Seven Headed Snake, Nava Brindavana (Nine Brindavana), Anegundi North Main Entrance Gate, Anegundi Lord Ranganatha Temple Anegundi South Side Entrance Gate,Chintamani Main Entrance Gate and Ganesh Temple are the names of few of the attractions here.
Things to do:
Hampi is worth a visit, especially for those who are architecturally and historically inclined. The region is simply dazzling; the millions of boulders which surround the area do not fail in inspiring awe from their visitors. Moreover, a little oasis with flourishing palms, mango and banana trees, is nestled near the river lying within this arid landscape. Visitors can spend days wandering around and discovering the rich, vibrant history and architecture while enjoying the seclusion and calm offered by Hampi.
The exact site or rather the street of the ‘Pan Supaari Street’ in Hampi, where diamonds were traded in the street at the height of Vijayanagara can still be seen by visitors as the Archaeological Survey of India has clearly marked it with a board.
Hampi is in close proximity of the steel manufacturing units in Bellary and Torangullu. Business travelers can book rooms at the Hyatt or other hotels which are conveniently located within short distance from the industrial town of Bellary known as JSW Steel Limited.
Commissioned by JSW an inaugurated by Australia's Minister for the Arts, the Hon Simon Crean MP, the Kaladham Museum in Vijayanagar, Karnataka is a part of Australia's largest ever cultural festival in India called as Oz Fest. The key exhibit of the museum is the project known as “Place Hampi”. The project is an interactive three-dimensional visual chronicle of the Unesco heritage site, it provides a virtual trip of Hampi.
The 'Hampi Utsav' is hosted at Hampi every year during the first week of November. Apart from being a cultural extravaganza of dance and music, the festival is also a visual delight as every monument and ruin is lighted throughout the night. In order to mark 500 years of Vijayanagar king Sri Krishnadevaraya ascending the throne, the Government of Karnataka had postponed the 'Hampi Utsav' to January 2010 instead of the first week of November in 2009.
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