By Kratika Agarwal
The Indian continent is known for its cultural heritage across the world. Our monuments and intricate architecture never fails to draw the world’s attention. But what sets these architectural wonders apart is the stories behind them. India is a land of colours, culture, and communities, and it’s our stories that bind the whole country together.
Ancient Indian history has always found a way to convey its past to the present. Sometimes, it’s done via people, but in many other instances, these stories are told through long lost places. Let’s make a voyage to the land of ruins, which was once an important part of Vijyanagar empire—Hampi.
The incredible capital of Vijyanagar, Hampi
Hampi is a World Heritage Site marked by UNESCO. Since the medieval period, Hampi has contributed extensively to India’s cultural heritage. The ruins of the city consist of a group of monuments and carved structures, where each fallen pillar tells the tales of the vast Vijyanagar empire.
It has attracted many spectators over time and is still on the bucket lists of many history lovers. No local needs to decipher the tales of the figurines etched inside the monuments here. The great city is surrounded by hills from three sides and a trail of River Tungabhadra on the fourth side.
Hampi, although a ruined city, is still protected by its strong stone-structured walls.There are many fascinating temples to visit and explore, some of which even feature Asian and Middle-eastern figurines. This is a great indicator of the excellent trade and cultural relationships the region had with other countries in that time.
Once fortified, the walls today lay like defeated soldiers on the ground, still trying to guard the city’s essence. Temples like Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Achyuta Rayas Temple, and Hazara Rama Temple represent the city’s religious history and faith.
The eternal tale of love
Hampi is famous by another name, Pampa. It is believed that the Hindu goddess Parvati or Pampa used to worship Lord Shiva to win his heart in one of the surrounding hills. That’s where the city got its name from—Pampa later became Hampa and then, Hampi.
A hill in Hampi is known as Hemakuta, which literally translates to ‘heap of gold’. As the famous belief goes, when Shiva and Parvati got married, there was a shower of gold from the heavens. This is perhaps why gold has a religious significance in many parts of Southern India.
Hampi is also well-known for its resemblance with Kishkindha, which has been mentioned in the Ramayana. As per local folklore, events in the mythical tale happened near Hampi. Do pay a visit to some of these places associated with episodes of Ramayana when you visit the city.
The beauty left behind
A magnificent sight in Indian tourism, Hampi carries a glimpse into medieval India for every visitor to marvel at. The grand city which once sold jewels in open spaces now is a broken remnant of its glorious past. Within its wreckage, it carries the stories of the people who served it. And its beauty shines even through its ruins.
