(^58) Hampi
Once the seat of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire, one of the most significant
Hindu kingdoms in the Indian subcontinent, the magnificent ruins of Hampi are
today a World Heritage Site. Legend has it that it was here that the goddess
Pampa, daughter of Lord Brahma, impressed Lord Shiva to such an extent with
her devotion to him that he married her. Today, centuries-old relics and ruins are
scattered everywhere.
More than 1,600 monuments have been identified in Hampi. The surrounding
areas include statues, carvings, forts, temples, shrines, mandapas, royal
enclosures, baths, and gateways. An auto-rickshaw (tuk-tuk) made for easy
sightseeing around the ruins, which impressed us with its scale. Everywhere
one looked, old ruins were cut into massive boulders surrounding the town.
Unfortunately, the weather has taken its toll, and many boulders are
precariously balancing on the mountainside.
Hampi
The following morning, instead of by tuk-tuk, the remainder of Hampi was
investigated on foot. A substantial part of Hampi was situated on the opposite
side of the river. The sole transport across the Tungabhadra River was a
traditional round woven basket (or coracle). Amanda put her foot down and
refused to climb into such a precarious craft.
Instead of crossing the river, we spent most of the day at the Virupaksha
Temple. This 50-metre-high temple gateway remains one of Hampi’s most
identifiable landmarks. The temple was a bustling place still used to worship
Lord Shiva, as it has been for centuries, and we thought it an honour to be part
of the masses.
leana
(Leana)
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