UNESCO World Heritage Site
Hampi
Vitthala Temple
Virupaksha Temple

Hampi

UNESCO World Heritage Site...

A World Heritage UNESCO Site, Hampi is situated at about 13 kms from Hospet on the banks of the Thungabadra river. This heritage site was once the capital of the great Vijayanagara Empire. This site comprises of the sacred and royal centers, bazaar streets and natural defense locations. The city was fortified completely for the security and is separated from the sacred places. Today also, we can able to visit the canals and waterways belongs 15th century.

Sights at a glance:

Elephant Stables,
Hazara Rama Temple,
Kadalekalu Ganesh Statue,
Krishna Temple,
Lakshmi Narasimha Statue,
Lotus Mahal,
Mahanavami - dibba,
Queens Bath,
Sasivekalu Ganesha Statue,
Virupaksha Temple,
Vitthala Temple.

Elephant Stables

To Park the Royal Elephants...

This long, lofty and dignified building has eleven large chambers with beautiful arched entrances. The ceilings of the chambers have lotus motifs. The domes over the roof are of different types - circular, ribbed ones and octagonal and are systematically arranged on either side of the central chamber.

Hazara Rama Temple

Historic Temple...

This small but highly ornate temple is no longer in use and the sanctum is empty but originally it was dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Rama. The name Hazara-Rama denotes Thousand Ramas carved on the temple walls. This palace temple is close to the Royal enclosure. The outer walls are richly carved in bold bas-relief and depict scenes from the Ramayana. At the centre of the inner hall, there are four exquisitely carved and polished pillars of the black stone. The ornate central ceiling has the usual alternating square courses with a finely carved lotus motif in the middle. This temple is a veritable picture gallery. Its walls and pillars capture the immortal legends of the Ramayana in stone.

Kadalekalu Ganesha Statue

A Unique Monument in Stone...

A monolith, ironically called Kadalekalu or gram seed Ganesha is a huge seated figure carved out of a massive boulder, is around 4.5 m high and enshrined in a large temple with an open-pillared hall in front. The tall, slender and graceful pillars are of the cubical ornate structure and the hall is of classical style for its architectural proportions. A panoramic view of Hampi can be obtained from the temple.

Krishna Temple

Temple with Unique Architecture...

This large and ornate east-facing temple complex is built in the typical Vijayanagara style in 1513. A large open corridor with high walls contains the sanctum for main deity and as well as there are many sub-shrines. One of the pillars in the interior hall is noteworthy as all the ten incarnation of Lord Vishnu are carved on it. The west face of the tower contains stucco figures of warriors with shields, spirited horses and elephants.

Ugra Narasimha Statue

Lord Vishnu with lion face...

A huge monolith, 6.7 m high, stands within a walled enclosure. It is a four-armed seated figure of Narasimha, but all the arms are broken now. A large seven-hooded serpent curls above it head. Originally there was a figure of Lakshmi seated on Narasimha left thigh. The deity is seated between two ornate pilasters. Note especially the remnant of Lakshmi arm was originally placed around Narasimha waist. Only the shapely hand remains intact. The ravages of time had left the statue badly mutilated but conservation efforts helped it become one of the most striking monuments in Vijayanagar today.

Lotus Mahal

Also called Chitragani Mahal and Kamal Mahal...

Lotus Mahal is a two-storeyed structure that is a blend of Indian and Islamic secular architectural styles. It is built on a moulded stone. Arches supported by twenty-four square pillars carry the super-structure. Originally, there appears to have been a large amount of lime-plaster and stucco ornamentation along the exterior. The interior of the building is severely plain and the ceiling consists of vaults and domes systematically arranged. The central bay has a plain flat-coffered ceiling decorated with a lotus bud at the centre. The upper storey has a number of balconies with windows having foilated arches. This super-structure consists of nine pyramidal sikharas (domes) of varying sizes, the central one being the the tallest. In their original state these were fully decorated, painted and is covered with polished lime plaster work. In earlier times, the king may have spent time with scholars well-versed in literature, music and art.

Mahanavami Dibba

Tallest Structure in Hampi...

This massive east facing platform rises to a height of 12 m and is built in three diminishing tiers. The first tier and the one above measures 40 and 24 square m respectively and is built of well dressed massive granite blocks. The Mahanavami Dibba was the hub of religious ceremonies like Durga Puja, Navarathiri, Diwali that were celebrated by the Vijayanagar Kings.

The Mahanavami platform is popularly known as the throne platform or house of victory and was built in three phases. In the first phase, the platform was definitely imposing and majestic. It was built of well dressed granite blocks and decorated with a variety of courtly scenes, festive moods, hunting scenes and rows of animals and birds, carved in relief around the platform, representing the life and times of the people of Vijayanagara. In the second phase, a chamber was provided on the eastern side with a flight of steps in the north and south, leading from the chamber to the roof of the platform. The platform was decorated with panels depicting elephants, geese, dancers, musicians, medallions and miniature shrines carved in relief. The third phase of the platform was encased with beautifully carved schist blocks.

Queen''s Bath

Colossal Bath...

Queen''s Bath is a large, square structure with a plain exterior and an ornate interior. It has a bath, 15 m square and 1.8 m deep, surrounded by decorated corridors and projecting balconies. Some remnants of elaborate stucco work and variegated designs are visible on the ceilings of each bay. It is located near the Royal Enclosure. It was used by the women of noble families and occasionally by the King himself.

Sasivekalu Ganesha Statue

Mustard Seed Ganesha...

On the slope of the Hemakunta hill, a stone image of Ganesha called Sasivekalu is about 2.4 m high and is also known as mustard seed Ganesha. The image is covered by a large and open hall with plain rough square pillars. You can get a good panoramic view of the Krishna Temple from here. The back view of the Ganesha statue resembles a feminine posture.

Virupaksha Temple

UNESCO World Heritage Site...

Virupaksha or Pampapati Temple has been, for centuries, considered the most religious of the temples at Hampi. It is situated on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra river. The temple complex lies within a long rectangular enclosure divided into two large courts. The lofty eastern tower gives access to the outer court, while a smaller, inner tower in the east leads to the inner court containing the main sanctum with its subsidiary shrines. The 52 m high tower in the east is the main entrance to the temple. The sanctum has an outer hall with ornate pillars and the panels of Vijayanagara paintings. The themes of the paintings are the legends of the great kingdom of Vijayanagara. Facing the Virupaksha temple is the once impressive Hampi Bazaar (about 10.6 m it lies wide and 732 m long) with double storeyed colonnaded structure flanking its sides. Though it lies in ruins today, it once served as one of the important bazaars in the city.

Vittala Temple

UNESCO World Heritage Site...

Vitthala temple depicts the art and architecture of the Vijayanagara Empire. The corridors have three massive gateways that are adorned with lofty towers in the north, east and south. This temple stands in a large rectangular enclosure. All along the enclosure walls on the interior side are pillared colonnades. The main temple was dedicated to Vishnu as Vitthala. There is an open Mahamadapa (hall) with fifty-six pillars each around 3.6 m high, forty of these are arranged to form an aisle around three sides, while the remaining sixteen form a rectangular court in the centre. Each pillar is a monolithic sculptural group. Some of the inner pillars on the east contain figures of women, dancers and drummers. Thick stone rings at the corners were for holding stone chains. There is an open-pillared hall in the south-east of the courtyard is symmetrically planned and has the usual arrangement of composite pillars. It also displays the vestiges of original Vijayanagara paintings. The ceremonial hall to the north-east is similar to the previous one in style.

The stone chariot of the Vitthala temple is a remarkable structure. The chariot with the image of Garuda with in it replaces the Garuda shrine normally seen in Vishnu temples. All the intricate and delicate details found in a wooden chariot are simulated in this stone chariot. For your kind information this monument was declared as an UNESCO World Heritage Monument.