Pallavi has always been an ardent fan of Hampi. I think this has to do with her penchant for history. Ruins that stand testimony to the might and skill of a flourishing empire 600 years ago is stuff of her best dreams.
We chose this place to celebrate the completion of 6 months of married life for the weekend 23rd and 24th of Feb, 2008. We traveled to and from Hospet (13 km from Hampi) by KSTRC bus. Accommodation was in a Karnataka tourism run Mayura Bhuvaneshwari hotel in Kamalapur (4 km from Hampi) - Contact # - 08394 241574 for reservations.
The ambiance or facilities of the hotel is not commensurate to the cost, so it would say a modest lodging that we found, though you do not have much choice close to the desolate ruins and deserted sands. But the beauty of Hampi is amazing. A terrain sculpted in boulders (by nature) and interspersed with beautiful temples, fortress walls, courtyard, tanks, pillars etc... (by man)
Hampi is a World Heritage Site under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) but very few of the monuments have been restored. Most of the sites are well beyond repair and will not stand the test of time beyond another 10-15 years. The ingenuity of the local folk and artisans in the heyday of the Vijayanagara empire (600 years ago) is vivid on each and every artifact that still stands to tell its tale.
The weather was extremely hot and we had to hire a rick to travel between the places. The distances between various sites is appreciable. We did visit most of the sites including the Virupaksha temple, Ganesha idols, Ugranarasimha temple, Underground Shiva temple, Palace ruins and fort, elephant stables, Kings balance, Raghunatha temple (for a breathtaking view of the sunset), Hazara Rama temple, Achutaraya temple, Pushkarni tank, Mahanavami mandapa, Vittala temple and few other places too...
Overall a very good place for people with a love of historical and holy places. (Pilgrimage type of folk). I would say best season is during winter months (Nov-Jan)
Pictures of the trip can be found here. Do leave your comments in the album.
Some sites with Hampi info
hampionline
hampi.in
6 comments:
Very nice...........
nice writeup.Good choice of words.Though you should consider revising few sentences
For example
But the ingenuity of the local folks men and artisans in the heyday of the Vijayanagara empire (600 years ago) is livid on each and every artifact that still stands to tell its tale.
--a sentence cannot start with but
-- is lurid on each and every artifact .livid is to be angry
--the ingenuity of the local folks and artisans -- No need for use of local folks & men
ambiance should be ambience. :P
Thanks da Sumant...
will take a fresh look at the post.
wanted to put in "vivid" but did a typo. good catch machi :)
Good one dude!!! And nice photos as well...Thanks for giving a Hampi darshanam..[:)]
great sudhir...loved ur pics...and would add this place to 'our list of places to visit'...
Hampi is really nice... went there last year in March :).
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