By Roopa Rani Bussa
Contributing Author for Spark Igniting Minds
Hampi is one of the most remarkable places and leaves one with stunning pleasure. A must visit place of our nation with historical reverence. One can have a short trip and visit a few spots that would make your trip adventurous too.
Hampi is situated in the state of Karnataka. The nearest town is Hospet, Bellary district. The capital city of Karnataka is Bengaluru, which is 385 kilometers from Hampi. The rich and ravishing epitome of the Krishnadevaraya dynasty, it has the attractions for every visitor.
The best time to visit is from October to January. The travel options are train, bus or personal vehicles.
The accommodation options are Maurya Bhuvaneshwari, a 3-star hotel, kamalapur. Then there is Hotel Shanbhag, Hospet; Hotel Sandarshan, Hospet.
It takes great pride to intrigue the world by its historical significance. There are stories of Ramayana as Sri Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana lived in those parts of Dandakaranya in Treta Yug. A euphoric emperor of ancient India, Krishnadevaraya ruled and captured southern parts of India. He built many temples, artistic sculptures, and paintings which brought a beautiful treasure which is priceless even today. Archaeologists from various departments are putting in great efforts in finding many monuments buried under the soil. Flora and fauna of those times have been carved by artists excellently on the sculptures. The riches of the golden days of Krishnadevaraya dynasty’s residues are exemplary.
The official language of Hampi is Kannada. Agriculture is the main occupation for many. Arts and culture practices include folk dances, rangoli, huli vesha and celebrating the Hindu calendar festivals. Customs and rituals are most important for the people of that area. Mannettina hunnive, Chaitra gowri vrata, and the cart festivals are few auspicious traditions they follow. Important landmarks are Virupaksha temple where inside the temple one can unravel the reverse shadow visibility, Vijaya Vittala temple, Sasvekalu Ganesha, Kadlekalu Ganesha, Akkatangi Gundu, the market area where gold was sold in the Vijayanagara kingdom, rock cart, Narahari Teerthara Betta, Lotus mahal, queens bath, anesalu, ontisalu, Malyavanta, Matanga parvata, Anjanadri betta, sunset points, Navavrindavana, Yoga Narasimha, Badavi Linga.
The ladu is a sweet which is very famous and so are Shavgi paysa, chivda,poha (flattened rice)
Paddy, sugarcane, banana, coconut are grown. The main source of water is the Tungabhadra River.
Matangaparvata
Perfect witnesses of Ramayana can be found in the area of Hampi. Matanga Parvata situated in Pampa Kshetra was the land of Sugriva where Rama gave a word to kill Vali for the well-being of Kishkinda that is the monkey kingdom. Matanga Parvata is the place where Lord Hanuman took gigantic form and flew to Lanka in search of Sita Mata. One can visit the place even today and witness the biggest foot impression in the temple of Matanga Parvata. These places were discovered by the Vijayanagara kingdom and the temple was built on the hill as a representation of the Ramayana and holds historical significance.
Nava Vrindavana
A religious and ideological place called Nava Vrindavana is near Hampi. It is a peaceful and inspiring place for meditation and has beautiful panoramic views on the banks of the Tungabhadra river which was earlier called river Pampa. To reach out there bus facilities are available from Hospet to Talavargatta or can go by private vehicles. To go from Talavargatta to Anegundi there is only one way to cross the river that is by haragolu. Those are small round Coracles. One of the occupations is to help visitors cross the banks of the river in Coracles. Aanegundi is an island and was regarded as a jail in the Krishnadevaraya period. Ranganatha Devasthsna in Anegunde is famous to date. From Anegunde to other bank one has to take another (hargolu) coracle to the island called Navarindavana.
It’s a religious and auspicious place for Madhva pilgrims and a feast for nature and peace lovers. Brindavanas were home to powerful seers who attained peace in the bestowed island. One small Hanuman temple is also found there. People worship there for prosperity and happiness. Madhwamoola guru’s disciples continued the legacies and passed on religious traditions, rituals along with ideologies to present generations. Those nine seers remained salient. They wished to be in peace and constructed Vrindavan (a holy Plant Tulasi). Nine in Sanskrit is Nava and so named it as Navavrindavana. Tungabhadra water is very clean. It is a perfect setting as a calm place for meditation and feels like we are in the middle of nature with small hills and rocks all around. It’s a kind of adventurous visit to the middle of nature. Nature lovers would enjoy the landscapes with fresh, clean air and a pleasant atmosphere.
Malyavanta
Malyavanta a historic monument situated on the banks of Tungabhadra. To reach there, bus facilities are available or private vehicles can also be arranged. Take Kampli bus from Hospet and get down at Malyavanta stop. Malyavanta is on a straight road on the lamplight route from the Kamalapur bus stand.
At the time of exile, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana reached Bhaskara Kshetra. In and around Dandakaranya, they lived on Malyavanta hill for Chaturmasya dhyana that is four months from July (ashada)to November (Karthika). They sat for meditation. It is the only temple in the country where one can witness Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana in sitting and meditating pose.
To live, water is an essential substance. On the top of the hill, Sita had asked Rama from where to fetch water for their living. That very moment, Rama stroke an arrow and water splashed out from the rock that place is called Rama Dhoni. A boat in Kannada is called as Dhoni. The boat-shaped well has been fabricated by Rama. One can see water even today; it never has dried even in extreme summer. A few steps ahead above the hill, another arrow was released by Lakshmana and that is called Lakshmana Dhoni. Even in that well, water is still seen. Malyavanta cart festival is celebrated on an auspicious day of Ramanavami since Krishnadevaraya Commandment. Continuously throughout the year recitation of mantras will be offered to the divine deity. In the period of their stay on the hill of Malyavanta Rama, Lakshmana got the news of Dussaratha’s death. They performed all rituals there and offered pind Pradhan that is offering food to the soul. On the big rock one can spot three big rounds of pindas sculpted on that rock by people of Vijayanagara kingdom.
Moreover, the hill has a very good panoramic view of the village called Kamalapur, banana plantations, Hampi Kannada Vishvavidyalaya that is the University of Hampi. It is the place where Research of Jana Pada Sangeeta that is folk songs, Kannada literature etc are taught. Unblemished sunset point is the place hundreds of people visit at sunset time to enjoy the ecstasy of deep nature.
Ganagitti Mahal
Ganagitti mahal (an industry of oil) was situated within 3.5 km before Hampi, near the Kamalapur bus stand. This is the place that used to supply the oil to Hampi civilians those days. The treasurable monument is used by UNESCO for major objectives today.
Chakratheertha
Tungabhadra River takes a turn near Kodanda Rama temple and hence some part of water comes as backwaters at once. The force of the water causes swirls and whirlpools so that place is called Chakra Theertha. Swirl is called chakra in Kannada. On the bank the temple of Kodanda Rama, Seeta, Lakshmana Anjaneya is sculpted on a big rock. Deities are very tall. When rains are more than substantial, water reaches the feet of Rama. It’s a belief that Ganga touches Rama’s feet and hence it’s very divine. Chakrateertha is not the place for swimming because it’s the place where many crocodiles live and also whirlpools are deadly.
Great emperor’s unlimited pride through excavations
Recent excavations around 2010 revealed a township opposite mosque and behind sunset point. It’s been told by locals and excavators that there was a township of Krishnadevraya kingdom. Big well found the opposite of Hajare Rama temple which was used as a water resource for the people of that time. Maha Navami Dibba has been proved as a palace area of those days now after excavations in the 1980’s archeological department has been concluded as palace area as seven forts basements are found. Unfortunately, the palace had been demolished by Bijapur sultans. Beautiful Pushkararani that is a water storage pond was discovered on the way to the Vittala temple. Profound sculptures with artistic carvings are the best attraction of Pushkarani.
The awesome curvatures are enthralling. The experience of visiting Hampi is fixed as an unforgettable place in my heart and embellished the eagerness to know more and more obelisks of our proud history.
(Featured Image from Google)
About Roopa Rani Bussa
Roopa Rani Bussa is a homemaker living in California and is a nature lover, the beholder of positive power, a believer of social services, a Passionate teacher and a well organized passionate writer.
The journey of writing began two years ago and she considers it an honor to carry forward the legacy of her father.
She writes quotes and poetry in Telugu, Kannada, Hindi English, and Urdu.
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