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| Hampi (KA) monuments stand forlorn, openthemagazine.com |
In terms of its size, riches, proliferating art, stunning architecture, a flourish of literature, and of its downfall and total destruction, Hampi (now a major tourist center in Karnataka), once the seat of power during the Vijayanagara rule is often compared with the old city of Rome. Vijayanagara, meaning ‘city of victory’ was the imperial capital of the last great Hindu empire to rule south India. Established in 1336 and named after its capital, the Vijayanagara empire expanded and prospered throughout the next century. The rulers had built many Hindu temples across southern India. Vandalism and plundering by the invading armies of Deccani sultanates in 1565 inflicted so much extensive damages now you can see an assortment of damaged heritage structures in the UNESCO World Heritage site often referred to as the ‘Group of Monuments at Hampi; the site represents the empire’s finest and highest concentration of architecture. consisting mostly of Dravidian style of design. It includes religious, courtly and military buildings, temples with water tanks, palaces with pillared audience halls and towering gateways, special bath facilities for royal women, bazaars, mandapas, gardens, etc. Many secular buildings with Islamic features, highlight the city’s cosmopolitan nature. Some of its religious complexes remain in use today.
They were subject to pillage and and now exhibit varying degrees of dilapidation that would make lovers of old heritage structures weep.
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| Hampi, Karnataka en.wikipedia.org |
Above image: Ancient Hampi ,Vijayanagara in early 16th century. The urban centre included major Hindu temples, various buildings, market area, etc, The urban core also included the royal centre;
Presented below are some of the structures belonging to the Group of Monuments at Hampi, KA :
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Ruins of Hampi, KA en.wikipedia.org
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| Hampi, KA temple in ruins. in.pinterest.com |
Above image: Old temple ruins of Vijayanagara, Hampi, India, circa 1868.
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| Narasimha temple,Hampi, KA. collections.vam.ac.uk |
Above image, Narasimha temple, Hemakuta hill, Hampi, KA
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Achyutaraya temple:
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Achyutaraya temple, Hampi in ruins, Alamy.com
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| Achyutaraya (Vishnu) temple, Hampi in ruins |
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| Achyutaraya temple Ruins of Hampi, KA en.wikipedia.org |
Above images: Hampi monuments, KA , Achyutaraya temple dedicated to Sri Vishnu 15th 16th CE in ruins now. It has square mandapa, 100 pillared hall, mini reliefs from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavata Purana.............
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Vijaya Vittala complex:
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Vitthala temple complex en.wikipedia.org
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| Vittala temple. Hampi, KA stone chariot 1850imgur.com |
Above images: Vijaya Vittala complex, Hampi, KA: Garuda shrine in the form of stone chariot is often pictured as a symbol of Hampi. Vittala temple complex is one of the major centers of pilgrimage in the Vijayanagara Empire' and it consists of a shrine complex with an entrance gopuram, a major market with broad road and various water tanks and shrines Famous Stone Chariot built in the 16th century was commissioned by King Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara Empire. The emperor is said to have been impressed by the Sun temple of Konark (now in Odisha) during the war with Kalinga and wanted to recreate a similar one in Hampi.....................
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Sri Krishna temple:
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Entrance to Krishna temple, Hampi, KA en.wikipedia.org
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Above image: Sri Krishna temple, entrance gate, Hampi, KA.16th-century temple with elaborately carved stone pillars & towers.................
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Ruins of Krishna temple, Hampi, KA,en.wikipedia.org
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| 1868 Krishna temple, Hampi, KA hampirarebooksocietyofindia.org |
Above image: Old temple ruins of Sri Krishna temple built during the Vijayanagara reign, Hampi, India, circa 1868. This photograph shows the Garuda shrine, maha mandapa and eastern gopura, Vitthala temple complex, Hampi (Vijayanagara) by first photographer Alexander Greenlaw (1856). Notice the well decorated and domed stone shrine which resembles a chariot with large stone wheels and is set in a courtyard. The gateway has elaborately sculpted tiers with rocky hills in the background The courtyard shows overgrowth of vegetation....................
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Stepwell
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| Stepwell, Hampi, KA wikipedia.org. |
Above image: Each major Hindu temple complex in Hampi had a large water tank known as Pushkarani. Jain temples of Hampi also feature a small water tank, - step well usually in front. Symmetrical, either square or joined double square in plan . there was a shrine in the the center of these some water tanks..These and the nearby Tungabhadra river had mandabs and bathing ghats for the public .....
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The Queen's Bath
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| Queen's_Bath, Hampi monuments, KA en.wikipedia.org |
Above image: .The Queen's Bath, an empty structure now, was once part of the royal women's quarter, The 30 square meter structure is surrounded by a moat on all sides with a bridge like structure to reach the pool. It was designed to prevent access by people from entering the area when the royals were bathing. The floor of the bath has some empty sockets that were once used to support pillars. These pillars are believed to have been part of a canopy that was destroyed during the Deccan Sultans attack on Hampi..............
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Hazara Rama (1000 Rama) temple
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| discoverindiasite.wordpress.com |
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Hazara or 1000 Rama, Hampi, KA en.wikipedia.org
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Above image: Hazara Rama (1000) temple, Hampi, KA - These bas reliefs were carved before the advent of Mogul rule in India, The panels show an array of musical instruments, dance mudras (pose), arts, dress and other cultural elements of Hindus in Vijayanagar Karnataka India. Also included are the episodes from the Ramayana, All these bas-relief works are on the outer walls of the tall compound walls that enclose the temple.It was built by King Deva Raya I (reign 1406-1422). The earliest inscription in the temple mentions “Deva Raya”. Another inscription mentions donation by Queen Annaladevi in 1416.
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| Hampi, Karnataka, India. bestcaptionsforinstagram.com |
Today Hampi. may stand as much deserted as it was left in utter ruins by the Deccani Sultanates in 1565, but in the rugged and haunting terrain with lots of boulders and rock outcrops, its glitter and glorious past remain intact.
