Hampi

Wanted to visit Hampi since long..Had been to Belur areound six years back and i was told that Hampi is splendid and must watch.Hampi was the capital ofVijaya Nagara Kingdon from 1300 to 1500.
Virupaksha Temple
One of the earliest buildings to the western end of the city, Virupaksha Temple is dedicated to Virupaksha, a form of Lord Vishnu. The temple houses shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddesses Pampa and Bhuvaneswari. Parts of the temple is said to belong to 11th or 12th century. It is amazing to see that how when a ray of light passes from the east through a hole near the sanctum sanctorum, the shadow formed on the wall looks like a miniature shadow of the temple tower.
Hemakuta Hill
Not one of the tallest hills in Hampi. But this hill offers a splendid view of the sprawling ruins site. This hill is sprinkled generously with a large number of temples and arch ways and halls. The whole of the hill is fortified with tall wide stone walls. The ruins of which can be still be seen. Located at the south of Virupaksha temple.
Kadale Kalu Ganesha
Means Gram seed Ganesha ! The shape of the Ganesha statue is in the form of a gram seed. This is a 5 meter tall monolithic statue installed in an inner sanctum. The pillered hall infront is great with special carvings on.It’s located at the base of the Hemakuta hill, away from the Jain temples.
Sasive Kalu Ganesha
Means mustard seed Ganesha, since this Ganesha is in the shape of mustard seed! Ganapathi (Ganesha/Vinayaka) is notorious for his food habit. One day he ate somuch that his tummy almost busted. He just caught a snake and tied around his tummy as a belt to save his tummy.You can see the snake carved around his tummy. Also he holds the ‘ankush’, pasha (noose), and his broken tusk. The hand which holds modak (a kind of sweet) is broken and not reconstructed.Located very close to the Kadale Kalu Ganesha.
Jain temples
This is a case of mistaken identity. These temples are called/identified as jain temples owing to its architeture resembles Jain temples. They have beautifully detailed pyramid shaped roof structure.The fact is most of them are Shiva temples. But they are not functioning temples now. They are located on top of the Hemakuta Hills, adjusant and south of the virupaxa temple.

Monolithic Bull
Nandi, the monolithic bull, is one of the grandiose wonders in Hampi. This bull is locally known as Yeduru Basavanna, the ride of Lord Shiva. At the east end of Hampi bazaar, this bull is placed like a guard.






Ugra Narasimha/ Laxmi Narasimha
To the south of Virupaksha Temple, a top Hemkuta Hills, is the early ruins of Jain temples and the 6.7m tall monolith of 'Ugra Narasimha', a form of Lord Vishnu with head of a lion and body of a man. He is shown seated under the canopy of a seven-hooded snake. It was erected in 1528 during the reign of Krishnadevaraya and was carved out from a single boulder.
Badava Linga
This linga is again the largest monolithic linga in Hampi.Located next to the Narasimha statue. Legend has it that this was commissioned by a peasant woman and hence the name.The sanctum in which the linga is installed is always filled with water and a water channel is made to run through it.Hindu mythology has it that Lord Shiva kept his secret consort (river Ganga) in his hair as Parvathi being his ‘actual’ wife! Hence in all the Shiva temples you can see a water drip made to fall on the Shiva linga, to keep him drenched!
Vithala Temple
The Vithala temple is a World Heritage monument with fantastic sculptural work from the time of Vijayanagar Empire. It features 56 'Musical Pillars', which reverberate when tapped and an ornate stone chariot in the temple courtyard with an image of Garuda, the Bird-God and the 9m tall statue of Lord Ganesha along with recently excavated 'Nobleman's Palace'. To the east of Hampi Bazaar is the Vitthala temple, about 2 kms away. Located on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra River.
King's Balance
King's balance is a unique spot among the tours to Hampi. The King's Balance consists of two lofty carved granite pillars about 15 feet high supporting a stone beam about 12 feet, provided with three hoops on the underside. Also known as Tula Bhara or Tula Purushadana, the balance was used to weigh the kings of Vijayanagara on certain occasions like solar or lunar eclipse, New years day and coronation day against precious diamonds, gems, gold, silver, etc. and distribute them to the Brahmins.This 5-meter or so tall ‘balance’ is located near (southwest of) the Vittala temple.
Bhima’s Gate
This is one of the many gateways to the walled city. The gate(a huge arch) is interesting with its construction and the carvings on it. The gate got it’s name from the legendary Bhima of the Hindu epic Mahabaratha. A figure of Bhima, one of the five brothers - the Pandavas, is carved on the gate. Probably this is the reason for the name of the gate. Also there are carvings of Draupadi (Pandava’s wife) tying her hair. Also Kichaka vada (killig of Kechaka) who tried to molest Draupathi too is depicted here. Draupathi took the vow that she would not tie her hair unless it’s washed with Keechaka’s blood. Bhima eventually killed Keechaka and tied Draupathi’s hair. All of these are depicted on the gate. Another interesting feature of the gate is its smart design. You cannot see through the arch of the gate. That is immediately after the entrance strands a huge wall. You’ve to take a deviation and turn around to actually cross the gate.

Elephant Stables
This huge stable, a beautiful example of Hindu-Muslim style of architecture, housed about 11 elephants in separate compartments.

Lotus Mahal
A delightful blend of Hindu and Muslim style of architecture, this palace features two-storied elegant pavilion situated in the 'ladies' section' of the palace.

Hazara Rama Temple
The 15th century temple has finely carved basalt pillars in its hall depicting incarnations of Lord Vishnu while the sculptures on the exteriors of the hall depict main events from Ramayana.
Queen's Bath
A 15m square structure, Queen's Bath is 1.8m deep, has stark exteriors and highly ornate interiors and by delicate and elegantly ornamented arched corridors and projecting balconies.
This is the first ruined structure you would see when you enter into the Royal center from the Kamalapura-Hampi main road. South of the Hazara Rama temple.
Krishna Temple or Balakrishna Temple
This was built by the the king (Krishnadevaraya) in 1513 AD to celebrate the conquest of the eastern kingdom of Udayagiri or Utkala (in present day Orissa state). The main idol installed inside the temple is the statue of BalaKrishna (baby Krishna). This idol now is in the state museum in Chennai (the one near the Montieth Road). A huge slab installed inside the courtyard of the temple states the story of this temple and the conquest. This is one of the must see sites in Hampi. The carvings are especially spectacular with the Yarzis (dragon) on the pillars and the entrances flanged with impressive carvings of elephants. Many small shrines and pillared halls inside. The temple kitchen is located at the south east of the main shrine. The main tower at the east is an impressive sight with numerous carvings on it.You can see the carvings of the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu in this temple.

Anjeyanadri Hill
At the top of the hill is the temple dedicated for Hanuman. The statue of Hanuman is carved on the rock. Also is the small shrine for Rama and his consort Sita inside the temple. The view from the hilltop is marvelous. Patches of paddy fields, Coconut tree plantations and the whole of the ruins sites is visible stretching into the horizon. You have to climb 600 steps to reach the hill top.



Tungabhadra Dam
Tungabhadra Dam is built across the river Tungabhadra. It is one of the biggest multi purpose dams in Karnataka. It is spread over an area of 400 sq.kms. It has 33 gates from which water gushes out forming it into a breath-taking site. The water canals of this Dam genarate 27 mega watts of electricity and also irrigates thousands of acres of lands.