Hampi

Hampi

The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) is about to install a wooden barricade around the stone chariot inside the Vittala Temple complex at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi, Dharwad district, Karnataka, to protect it from damage.

About Hampi

Hampi is a spectacular place with the beautiful flow of Tungabhadra river and enclosed with the hill ranges. The greenery plains spread widely and give a lot of attraction to the city.

The city was thrived nearly 250 years. Many monuments here still indicate you the past glory of the capital. The complexes, Shrines, Royal Palaces, Forts and many remain to narrate the glory of Hampi to the visitors.

Temples of Hampi are noted for their large dimensions, florid ornamentation, bold and delicate carvings and stately pillars which include subjects from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Majority of these temples in Hampi were provided with widespread bazaars flanked on either side by storied Mandapas.

The Mahanavami Dibba, a variety of ponds and tanks, and the row of pillared Mandapas are some of the important architectural remains of Hampi.

Vijaynagar Empire

The Vijayanagara Empire had been established in 1336 AD and over two centuries was the most flourishing empire state of South India. It was a hub of commerce, culture and arts, and had a thriving trade with Persia, Arabia and the Far East.

It stretched from the river Krishna in the north to the extreme south of the peninsula.

Vijayanagar Empire was ruled by four important dynasties and they are:

• Sangama
• Saluva
• Tuluva
• Aravidu

Krishnadevaraya (ruled 1509-29) of the Tuluva dynasty was the most famous ruler of Vijayanagar.

He is credited with building some fine temples and adding impressive gopurams to many important south Indian temples.

He composed a work on statecraft in Telugu known as the Amuktamalyada.