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Heritage

A glimpse into the past

Sudha Mahalingam

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Hampi’s uniqueness lies in the fact that despite the many centuries over which it was built and the many dynasties that ruled it, the architecture is distinctly Dravidian and reflects a “highly evolved multi-religious and multi-ethnic society”.

 

The Virupaksha temple in Hampi, Ballari district, Karnataka.
The Virupaksha temple in Hampi, Ballari district, Karnataka.Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
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The gopuram of the Virupaksha temple as seen from a hillock strewn with the ruins of temples.
The gopuram of the Virupaksha temple as seen from a hillock strewn with the ruins of temples.Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
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The Hampi ruins are spread over a vast rocky area.
The Hampi ruins are spread over a vast rocky area.Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
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The Vittala temple complex’s richly sculpted stone chariot (ratha), considered to be the most stunning piece of architecture of the Vijayanagara kingdom..
The Vittala temple complex’s richly sculpted stone chariot (ratha), considered to be the most stunning piece of architecture of the Vijayanagara kingdom..Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
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The Vittala temple complex.
The Vittala temple complex.Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
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The Hemakuta hill temples.
The Hemakuta hill temples.Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
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Nobleman riding a yali, pillar detail.
Nobleman riding a yali, pillar detail.Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
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Carvings on the granite lintel of the Durbar, or Audience, Hall of the Hazara Rama temple.
Carvings on the granite lintel of the Durbar, or Audience, Hall of the Hazara Rama temple.Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
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Panels in the Hazara Rama temple depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.
Panels in the Hazara Rama temple depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
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Panels in the Hazara Rama temple depicting marching bands, dancing damsels, ambling elephants and trotting horses.
Panels in the Hazara Rama temple depicting marching bands, dancing damsels, ambling elephants and trotting horses.Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
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Ruins of a sprawling market square that abuts the Virupaksha temple. The Tungabhadra can be seen in the distance meandering on its rocky riverbed.
Ruins of a sprawling market square that abuts the Virupaksha temple. The Tungabhadra can be seen in the distance meandering on its rocky riverbed.Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
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A stepped Pushpakarani, perfectly proportioned and made of granite, which was used for religious and ceremonial purposes. Pushkarnis were fed with the water from the nearby Tungabhadra river through a series of canals and aqueducts.
A stepped Pushpakarani, perfectly proportioned and made of granite, which was used for religious and ceremonial purposes. Pushkarnis were fed with the water from the nearby Tungabhadra river through a series of canals and aqueducts.Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
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Granite lintels, mandapas, alters and friezes near the Hazara Rama temple.
Granite lintels, mandapas, alters and friezes near the Hazara Rama temple.Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
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Kadalekalu Ganesha, which is en route to the Hemakuta Hill.
Kadalekalu Ganesha, which is en route to the Hemakuta Hill.Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
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A monolithic Lakshminarasimha.
A monolithic Lakshminarasimha.Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
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The impressive colonnaded walkway, mostly intact, at the periphery of the market square.
The impressive colonnaded walkway, mostly intact, at the periphery of the market square.Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
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A pavilion on a rocky outcrop.
A pavilion on a rocky outcrop.Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
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The facade of the Hazara Rama temple.
The facade of the Hazara Rama temple.Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
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Hampi is an open-air museum of antiquity. It also offers something for everyone. Its stunning location and vantage perches offer Instagram-worthy images.
Hampi is an open-air museum of antiquity. It also offers something for everyone. Its stunning location and vantage perches offer Instagram-worthy images.Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
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The Lotus Mahal. It is a pleasing monument that sports a syncretic architecture. Despite its aesthetic appeal, the Lotus Mahal does not seem to have had any specific royal purpose.
The Lotus Mahal. It is a pleasing monument that sports a syncretic architecture. Despite its aesthetic appeal, the Lotus Mahal does not seem to have had any specific royal purpose.Photo: Sudha Mahalingam
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