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15 Fun Hampi Facts
- In the Indian state of Karnataka, there is a historic hamlet called Hampi. It is well known for its importance in both history and archaeology.
- The Vijayanagara Empire, one of the biggest in Indian history, which flourished from the 14th to the 16th century, formerly had its capital at the hamlet.
- As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hampi draws lots of visitors and history buffs from all over the world.
Temples, palaces, markets, and other buildings may be found among the nearly 4,100 hectares of Hampi’s ruins.
- One of the most prominent sites & is the Virupaksha Temple. It is a Hindu temple built in the seventh century and is devoted to Lord Shiva.
- The Vittala Temple complex has the famous stone chariot, a magnificently carved stone edifice that is unique. It is one of the most striking representations of Vijayanagara architecture.
- A lively market that runs for more than a km is called the Hampi Bazaar. During the Vijayanagara Empire, it was once a vibrant centre for trade and commerce.
- The canals, reservoirs, and tanks that made up the ancient water system at Hampi were feats of engineering. Even during droughts, it made sure that the city had a constant supply of water.
- Beautiful bas-reliefs representing episodes from the Ramayana, an old Hindu epic, may be seen at the Hazara Rama Temple. It functioned as the Vijayanagara rulers’ personal temple.
- Hampi is encircled by a bizarre landscape of enormous stones, which enhances its natural attractiveness. Rock climbers and hikers love to explore these rocks.
- The renowned musical pillars are located within the Vijaya Vittala Temple complex. These stone pillars produce melodic noises that resemble different musical instruments when they are touched.
- Invading troops ravaged and devastated Hampi in 1565, which caused the city to dwindle and eventually be abandoned. The remains of this formerly spectacular metropolis are what we can see now.
- The Vijaya Utsav, also known as the Hampi Festival, is an annual cultural spectacle conducted to commemorate the history and magnificence of the Vijayanagara Empire. It features traditional puppetry, dance, and music.
- The famous book “The Rise of Sivagami” by Anand Neelakantan, which examines the history of the Vijayanagara Empire, is one of several literary works to draw inspiration from Hampi.
- Along with being a historical and archaeological site, Hampi provides chances for outdoor pursuits including cycling, coracle excursions on the Tungabhadra River, and animal discovery at the neighbouring Daroji Bear Sanctuary.
Text by Dhiraj Parmar