Hampi also referred to as the Group of Monuments at Hampi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in east-central Karnataka. It was the capital of Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century. State Hampi was said to be a prosperous, wealthy and grand city situated near the Tungabhadra River. City had numerous temples, farms and was one of the major marketplace for the traders.
By 1500 CE, Hampi-Vijayanagara was the world’s second-largest medieval-era city after Beijing and probably India’s richest at that time, attracting traders from Persia and Portugal. The Vijayanagara Empire was defeated, its capital was conquered, pillaged and destroyed by Muslim sultanate armies in 1565, after which Hampi remained in ruins.
Hampi’s ruins are spread over 30 sq kms with more than 1,600 surviving remains of the last great Hindu kingdom in South India that includes “forts, riverside features, royal and sacred complexes, temples, shrines, pillared halls, mandapas, memorial structures, water structures and others”.
Some of the important Hampi monuments include Virupaksha Temple, Underground Shiva Temple, The Stone Chariot, Ganesha Monument, Ruins of Vijaya Vitthala Temple, Shiva Linga and Yoga-Narasimha Monoliths, Hazara Rama Temple, Lotus Mahal, Elephant Stable, A Square Stepwell.
Musical Pillars: The musical pillars are a testimony of Hindu art. The Large Ranga Mandapa in Vijaya Vitthala Temple has 56 Musical Pillars also known as the SaReGaMa Pillars. The pillars produce musical tones when tap with a finger gently. It sounds like bells ringing.
There is a set of main pillars and many smaller ones at the mandapa. Each pillar offers support to the ceiling of mantapa, while the main pillars are designed in the style of musical instruments. Each main pillar is wrapped with seven minor pillars, which emit the musical notes. Each smaller pillar has variable height. Each note emitting from these pillars produce different sounds, which also change as the string, percussion and wind instrument being played. If the pillars are hit by sandalwood, they release rhythmic sounds close to SaReGaMa.
Hampi is a place for photographer. Capturing every monument, stone carvings, depicting the ancient developed civilisation, is always a treat, especially for them who are interested in knowing history.
Hampi monuments:
