Read Premium Articles -

Follow us on

|

Hampi

Hampi: A cosmopolitan legacy

Hampi, with its temple complexes, palaces and fortresses, epitomised the rich historical, architectural-cultural and cosmopolitan legacy of the Vijayanagara Empire, which flourished on the banks of the Tungabhadra for more than 200 years from the mid 14th century. It is second on The New York Times list of 52 places to visit in 2019.

 

The Stone Chariot temple, dedicated to Garuda, within the Vitthala temple.
The Stone Chariot temple, dedicated to Garuda, within the Vitthala temple. Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
1/16
A bird’s-eye view of the Virupaksha temple and the monuments at Hemakuta Hill.
A bird’s-eye view of the Virupaksha temple and the monuments at Hemakuta Hill. Photo: By Special Arrangement
2/16
The Queen’s Bath. It is a pavilion with balconies overlooking a square central pool.
The Queen’s Bath. It is a pavilion with balconies overlooking a square central pool. Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
3/16
The stepwell at the Royal Enclosure along with an aqueduct.
The stepwell at the Royal Enclosure along with an aqueduct. Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
4/16
The double-storeyed gateway and King’s Balance near the Vitthala temple.
The double-storeyed gateway and King’s Balance near the Vitthala temple. Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
5/16
Incarnations of Vishnu and the characteristic horse rider sculptures on piers in the kalyana mandapa within the Vitthala temple complex.
Incarnations of Vishnu and the characteristic horse rider sculptures on piers in the kalyana mandapa within the Vitthala temple complex. Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
6/16
The interior of the Hazara Rama, or Ramachandra, temple, built by Devarya I, with its polished black stone pillars carrying images of Vishnu and scenes from the Ramayana
The interior of the Hazara Rama, or Ramachandra, temple, built by Devarya I, with its polished black stone pillars carrying images of Vishnu and scenes from the Ramayana Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
7/16
Scenes from the Ramayana on the outer wall of the mandapa of the principal shrine at the Hazara Rama temple.
Scenes from the Ramayana on the outer wall of the mandapa of the principal shrine at the Hazara Rama temple. Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
8/16
The Underground Siva temple, which is mostly flooded, lies west of the Hazara Rama temple.
The Underground Siva temple, which is mostly flooded, lies west of the Hazara Rama temple. Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
9/16
Two-storeyed Talarigatta Gate, which was built into the fortification wall that enclosed the capital city.
Two-storeyed Talarigatta Gate, which was built into the fortification wall that enclosed the capital city. Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
10/16
The Lotus Mahal and a watchtower (on the right) in what is popularly, though erroneously, called the Zenana Enclosure.
The Lotus Mahal and a watchtower (on the right) in what is popularly, though erroneously, called the Zenana Enclosure. Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
11/16
The Elephant Stables, one of the most impressive courtly structures at Hampi.
The Elephant Stables, one of the most impressive courtly structures at Hampi. Photo: Vikhar Ahmed Sayeed
12/16
The inner and outer entrance gateways of the Virupaksha temple as seen from the inner courtyard.
The inner and outer entrance gateways of the Virupaksha temple as seen from the inner courtyard. Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
13/16
The monolithic Lakshmi-Narasimha statue, which Krishnadevaraya commissioned in 1528. It is 6.7 metres high and depicts the man-lion god sitting in a yogic posture on the coils of the cosmic serpent, Sesha Naga.
The monolithic Lakshmi-Narasimha statue, which Krishnadevaraya commissioned in 1528. It is 6.7 metres high and depicts the man-lion god sitting in a yogic posture on the coils of the cosmic serpent, Sesha Naga. Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
14/16
The Monolithic Kadalekalu (Bengal gram) Ganesha, so named because the belly looks like unsplit Bengal gram.
The Monolithic Kadalekalu (Bengal gram) Ganesha, so named because the belly looks like unsplit Bengal gram. Photo: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
15/16
16/16