HAMPI

HAMPI

Hampi (hampi, hampe, pampAkshEtra) (ಹಂಪಿ, ಹಂಪೆ, ಪಂಪಾಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ) is one of the most important places in Karnataka from the point of view of political history, architecture, sculpture and archaeology. Hampi and Pattadakallu are the only UNESCO World Heritage Monuments in Karnataka. Hampi was the capital of the renowned Vijayanagara Empire for more than two centuries starting from 1336 A.D.

Hampi is now a small town located in Hospet talluk of Bellary district. It is about 360 kilometers away from Bangalore and is at a distance of 13 kilometers from Hospet. It stretches on a large area on the banks of Tungabhadra River. The ruins of Vijayanagara cover a large area enclosed by the villages of Kaddiramapura, Kamalapura and the Tungabhadra River. Excavations are taking place even at the current times and many sites and relics of archaeological, architectural and sculptural significance are being found on a regular basis. It is difficult to give a historical and artistic introduction to Hampi within the limited space of this article. The information should be supplemented by the on-line references and bibliographic information provided at the end.

There are evidences to conclude that Hampi was a well known pilgrimage centre even before the advent of Vijayanagara Empire. Mythological references link Hampi to Kishkinda the capital of Sugreeva and Waali. Places such as ‘Pampa Sarovara’ and Anegondi are linked with this period. Archaeological excavations made by S.R. Rao near Hajara Rama temple have yielded some Buddhist relics taking back the antiquity of Hampi to the early centuries of the Christian era. The Virupaksha temple was built during the regime of Kalyani Chalukya kings even though it was extended further by the kings of the Hoysala dynasty and the Vijayanagara Empire.

However, Hampi saw glorious days during the rein of the Vijayanagara Empire and its downfall occurred during the last few years of the Empire culminating in the great Rakkasatangadi war and its aftermath. Harihara-1 the founder of the empire chose Hampi as his Capital and that decision heralded a glorious chapter in the history of Karnataka. Hampi rose to become one of the great cities in medieval India. Travelers from abroad such as Nicolo Conti, Domingi Paes, Nunnez and Abdul Rajaq have described the wealth and splendour of Vijayanagara in glowing terms.

The ruins of Hampi are spread over a region of 23.3 square kilometers. They are usually divided in to five separate zones which are designated as the sacred center, royal center, Islamic quarter, Kamalapura and Anegondi. These zones contain temples as well as relics of royal abodes. Virupaksha, Vijayavittala, Hajara Rama, Kodanda Rama, Malyavantha Raghunatha, Pattabhirama, Krishna, Achyutaraya and Ganagitti Jinalaya constitute the important temples of Hampi. People perform worship and other rituals wherever the main icon is not broken. Virupaksha temple belongs to this category. Worships are discontinued even after a slight damage to the icon. Lotus Mahal, Queens’ Bath, Elephant Stable, Mahanavami Dibba, Purandara Mantapa, watch tower and the famous bajaars of Hampi are the non religious monuments that are of great significance. There are some statues in small temple like enclosures such as Lakshminarasimha, (Ugranarasimha, 22 feet tall) kaDalEkALu GaNapati and sAsive kALu gaNapati which may be admired in their isolation.

The architectural and sculptural features of the temples of Hampi do not resemble either the Chalukya/Hoysala models of the past or the Islamic models that were contemporaneous to them. They have greater affinity to the pure Dravida Vimana style of temple building. The architects have succeeded in adding certain details to that mode and have succeeded in evolving a style of their own. Usually stones are used for flooring and brick-mortar combinations are used for the building and the tower. Most of the sculptures are made of rough quartz stone which do not give much scope for miniature work and intricate carvings.

Virupksha (virUpAksha) temple is one of the very few temples in Hampi, where religious worship and rituals continue to take place. This temple predates the Vijayanagara dynasty. It was built in its skeletal form in the seventh century during the rule of Kalyani Chalukyas. It was expanded further during the regime of Hoysala Veera Ballaala in the same style of architecture. However it has acquired many additions and modifications over a period of time during the regime of many kings belonging to the Vijayanagara Empire. Now, ‘it is a sprawling complex with many sub shrines, pillared halls, flag posts, lamp posts, towered gateways and even a large temple kitchen.’ The temple has pillars rounded in a lathe, intricately carved doors and a roof decorated with paintings. The sancta contain the icons of Shiva, Bhuvaneshvari and Pampaa. The eastern side of the edifice has a tower which is 120 feet high. This giant tower contains a number of carvings some of them erotic in nature. The court yard in front of the shrine has a central pillared hall known as the Rangamantapa (navaranga) this was added to the temple complex by Krishadeva Raya in 1510 A.D. This hall with 5 aisles and 38 pillars is used for temple rituals including wedding ceremonies. The highlightsn of the temple include rows of pillars shaped with rampant lion like mythical creatures (Yalis) standing on aquatic creatures (Makara or Crocodiles). The mural panel on the central portion of the hall is one of the few remains of this form of Vijayanagara art. Most of it is based on religious themes except the one at the eastern end. Here the founder sage of the empire, Vidaranaya, is portrayed moving in a procession.

Vijaya Vittala temple is one of the most magnificient temples in the country. It is best known for the pillars installed within the hall (Navaranga) and the glorious monolithic chariot temple of Garuda (ratha) placed right in front of the place where the Vittala idol would have stood. The musical pillars constitute a central pillar surrounded by seven small pillars each shaped as a separate musical instrument. These pillars emanate the seven musical notes as produced by that particular instrument. The nature of the sound varies depending on whether it is a purcussion, wind or stringed instrument. (sapta svara) “Phalapujaa’ and ‘Kalyanamantapa’ sections were added to this temple by Krishnadevaraya in 1513 A.D. These two structures and some skillful carvings of lotuses, swans, cranes, creepers and towers go in to the making of the unique Vijayanagara style. The rectangular pillars in the Kalyanamantapa have exqusitely craved bas reliefs on three of their faces.

Hajara Rama temple (The Rama temple in the court yard) situated in the Royal zone is another important temple dedicated to Rama. The outer walls of the inner court yard of this temple contain extremely beautiful bas reliefs depicting stories selected from Ramayana and Bhagavata (Krishnaleelaa) The outer walls of the temple are carved with picture frezes from top to bottom. They show many Hindu Gods, Yoga postures and scens from every day life. The pillars made of soap stone have dashavataara icons in decorated box like structures.

It is not possible here to give even a cursory account of many other temples located in Hampi.

The non religious edifices in Hampi include Lotus Mahal a dancing hall, Elephant stable, Mahanavami dibba built in order to celebrate the victory over the king of Orissa, pushakarini (Stepped pond, queens’ bath) watch tower and the king’s balance. Some of these structures show Islamic influence in their architecture what with vaulted ceilings, arched gateways and domes.

Many inscriptions found in the vicinity of Hampi have provided invaluable information about the history of the Empire. Scholars have tried to link some of the structures found here with eminent Kannada poets of the past such as Harihara and Chamarasa.

Hampi is a gloriuos reminder of the artistic achievements of an Empire that marked an important chapter in the history of Karnataka.