After last week's Amboli Trip, we planned to visit Hampi -' One of the finest heritage city in India'.
We thought of having a 2 day trip initially, but later dropped the plan as few of the members had some personal work on Sunday and then finalized for a one day trip. So, it was set - 20th September, 11 members.
Hampi has a lot of package that it gives to tourist, one day is definitely not sufficient to visit all the places in Hampi and understand the culture and their importance.
Given that we had only one day we planned to leave early at 6am on Saturday morning. Unlike the last time, we were ready at 6 am but it was a delay from driver's end as he managed to reach at 6:30 am. We left Hubli at 6.50 am.
We booked a traveler of 11 seats and it was comfortable. Because we were going to Hampi, we did a background reading on Hampi and its history. We also prioritized the places which we wanted to visit and the schedule for the day.
With Music loaded in our system and lot of excitement in our heart, we set out to Hampi.
Hampi is 170km far from Hubli. Hampi is traditionally known as Pampa-kshetra, Kishinda-kshetra or Bhaskara-kshetra is derived from Pampa, which is the old name of the Tungabhadra River on whose southern banks the city is built. It is located within the ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.
As usual, we had breakfast on the way, this time we managed to have it in the Durga Vilas Hotel, Gadag. We then left Gadag around 8:30am.
We reached Hampi around 10.45am, the first stop in Hampi was Virupaksha Temple.
Hampi was once a flourishing capital city, its rulers were known for great love towards art and literature.The glory of Hampu tragically ended when Mughals destroyed the city, its palaces, gateways and beautiful art temples.
Virupaksha temple is the oldest temple in Hampi, constructed in the 15th century, and is dominated by its 50metre tall gopuram. The sculptures on the tower, pillar reflect the local worship of the resident deity inside the temple contains the shrines of Shiva, Pampa, and Bhunvaneswari.
There was also good turn out by tourists also. People from Germany, US also had come to see the rich art and literature of Hampi.
We were thankful for the weather as it was cloudy and most important the SUN was off. Hampi is one of the hottest place and it is very difficult to visit temples which are made of rock and that too you have to cover a good distance.
We spent almost 2 hours in the reckoning and praising the art of the Virupaksha temple.
We admired the beauty and creativity of Virupaksha temple and the inverted shadow of its huge gopura. We wondered about the artistic skills and architectural expertise of the artists who had built such beautiful art.
It was 1pm and we were very Hungry, we could not go for Mango-Tree restaurant as it would cost us more time. We searched for a nearby restaurant, but we understood that it was a village and can not expect to have lunch in restaurant. We found on Hotel nearby and the meal was delicious. We enjoyed the food and with tummies full, sleep was round the corner, but we knew the importance of time and did not waste time by setting to nearby place to view more and more art and literature.
We also visited these places: Kadle kalu Ganapati, Sasuve Kalu Ganaptu, Mahanavami Dibba, Hazaramma Temple, Lotus Temple, Elephat's stable and Ranga Temple.
It was about 4pm we decided to leave for the Vijaya Vittal temple.
Here we took help of the Guide, later we realized that it is important to have guides who will explain each and every bit of the history.
Earlier we denied of having a guide in the Virupaksha temple as he charged 700rs and understanding the scriptures would take at least 3-4 hours.
The guide who we asked for explanation in Vittal temple had a good command in English, he spoke clearly and answered the questions asked with more details. We felt it was worth having a guide to understand the scriptures. Unless you don't have deep knowledge on art and literature you will see a pillar as a pillar with some art carved in it. But with guide you will be surprised to see that the each carved art has a story to tell and the story continues to other art in same pillar. Each pillar was a Novel with each art as its chapters.
We really liked the art and even though after a hard day we were all enthusiastic to ask more question to understand things better.
One of the thing that fascinated me was the musical pillars. Pillars was build in such a way that each pillar gave a unique sound when it was hit by a stick with gold coating in the olden days.
The guide explained using his fingers against the pillar. We were really surprised to see the creativity of the Maharajas during those times.
We had planned to visit Mathanga's hill to see Sun Set, but we cancelled it as it was already 5:30pm and we also needed to cover more distance. We also visited the Pancharanga Temple, which was sub merged with Tungabadra river.
Later we had a option to see "Tungabadra Dam", but we skipped as we planned to visit Rajastani Heritage house.
We were welcomed with Rajasthani beats , a guy used Horse doll to please us with his dance and yes it was impressive. We also put a dance with Rajasthani beats.
The entry would cost 400rs each person , since we had planned we decided will explore the heritage house we entered anxiously . We were welcomed again inside by a Rajasthani women with tirtha, and then by a melodious music and a welcome drink.
In the Heritage house we had an option to try House's,Camel's and Bullock cart's ride. And yes, we tried all three and it was fun. There was a Dance performance by 2 beautiful ladies which resembled the Rajasthani's folk dance. We tried the other options as well like Astrologer, Magic show.
It was fun and most important it was lifting our mood.
So, now it was time for Dinner.
Yes we knew that Rajasthani will have sweet dishes and they will have ghee in each item. We were made to sit in a straight row and they used to serve us. But we were surprised to see that they don't put ghee on chapati but chapati on ghee. Few of the servers used to come and serve a lot of food,sweets even though we told them that we were done with food. They entertained us and made us feel comfortable. They enjoyed serving and we enjoyed eating. All dish were good and we were all set to return back to Hubli .
We reached Hubli at 12am which was as per the plan.
This was a much needed trip, it helped us to have a grasp and endover the beauty of the history.
Our culture and religion were surely rooted very deeply here.
Final words on this Trip: The cultural, architectural and sculptural excellence that embellished the heritage sites of Hampi enamored us and enlightened us about ancient Indian glories. We enjoyed this trip with lot of learning also.
Thanks to Sujit for contributing the Photos.
- Prashanth M
We thought of having a 2 day trip initially, but later dropped the plan as few of the members had some personal work on Sunday and then finalized for a one day trip. So, it was set - 20th September, 11 members.
Hampi has a lot of package that it gives to tourist, one day is definitely not sufficient to visit all the places in Hampi and understand the culture and their importance.
Given that we had only one day we planned to leave early at 6am on Saturday morning. Unlike the last time, we were ready at 6 am but it was a delay from driver's end as he managed to reach at 6:30 am. We left Hubli at 6.50 am.
We booked a traveler of 11 seats and it was comfortable. Because we were going to Hampi, we did a background reading on Hampi and its history. We also prioritized the places which we wanted to visit and the schedule for the day.
With Music loaded in our system and lot of excitement in our heart, we set out to Hampi.
Hampi is 170km far from Hubli. Hampi is traditionally known as Pampa-kshetra, Kishinda-kshetra or Bhaskara-kshetra is derived from Pampa, which is the old name of the Tungabhadra River on whose southern banks the city is built. It is located within the ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.
As usual, we had breakfast on the way, this time we managed to have it in the Durga Vilas Hotel, Gadag. We then left Gadag around 8:30am.
We reached Hampi around 10.45am, the first stop in Hampi was Virupaksha Temple.
 |
| Virupaksha Temple! |
Hampi was once a flourishing capital city, its rulers were known for great love towards art and literature.The glory of Hampu tragically ended when Mughals destroyed the city, its palaces, gateways and beautiful art temples.
Virupaksha temple is the oldest temple in Hampi, constructed in the 15th century, and is dominated by its 50metre tall gopuram. The sculptures on the tower, pillar reflect the local worship of the resident deity inside the temple contains the shrines of Shiva, Pampa, and Bhunvaneswari.
 |
| Destroyed Empire |
There was also good turn out by tourists also. People from Germany, US also had come to see the rich art and literature of Hampi.
We were thankful for the weather as it was cloudy and most important the SUN was off. Hampi is one of the hottest place and it is very difficult to visit temples which are made of rock and that too you have to cover a good distance.
 |
| Nearby Virupaksha Temple |
We spent almost 2 hours in the reckoning and praising the art of the Virupaksha temple.
We admired the beauty and creativity of Virupaksha temple and the inverted shadow of its huge gopura. We wondered about the artistic skills and architectural expertise of the artists who had built such beautiful art.
It was 1pm and we were very Hungry, we could not go for Mango-Tree restaurant as it would cost us more time. We searched for a nearby restaurant, but we understood that it was a village and can not expect to have lunch in restaurant. We found on Hotel nearby and the meal was delicious. We enjoyed the food and with tummies full, sleep was round the corner, but we knew the importance of time and did not waste time by setting to nearby place to view more and more art and literature.
We also visited these places: Kadle kalu Ganapati, Sasuve Kalu Ganaptu, Mahanavami Dibba, Hazaramma Temple, Lotus Temple, Elephat's stable and Ranga Temple.
It was about 4pm we decided to leave for the Vijaya Vittal temple.
Here we took help of the Guide, later we realized that it is important to have guides who will explain each and every bit of the history.
Earlier we denied of having a guide in the Virupaksha temple as he charged 700rs and understanding the scriptures would take at least 3-4 hours.
 |
| Stone Chariot: Vijaya Vittal Temple |
We really liked the art and even though after a hard day we were all enthusiastic to ask more question to understand things better.
 |
| Sculptures in Vittal Temple |
The guide explained using his fingers against the pillar. We were really surprised to see the creativity of the Maharajas during those times.
 |
| Musical Pillar's |
Later we had a option to see "Tungabadra Dam", but we skipped as we planned to visit Rajastani Heritage house.
 |
| Areey Rajasthani |
We were welcomed with Rajasthani beats , a guy used Horse doll to please us with his dance and yes it was impressive. We also put a dance with Rajasthani beats.
The entry would cost 400rs each person , since we had planned we decided will explore the heritage house we entered anxiously . We were welcomed again inside by a Rajasthani women with tirtha, and then by a melodious music and a welcome drink.
 |
| Camel Ride! |
 |
| Horse Ride |
In the Heritage house we had an option to try House's,Camel's and Bullock cart's ride. And yes, we tried all three and it was fun. There was a Dance performance by 2 beautiful ladies which resembled the Rajasthani's folk dance. We tried the other options as well like Astrologer, Magic show.
It was fun and most important it was lifting our mood.
 |
| Dinner Time! :-D |
So, now it was time for Dinner.
Yes we knew that Rajasthani will have sweet dishes and they will have ghee in each item. We were made to sit in a straight row and they used to serve us. But we were surprised to see that they don't put ghee on chapati but chapati on ghee. Few of the servers used to come and serve a lot of food,sweets even though we told them that we were done with food. They entertained us and made us feel comfortable. They enjoyed serving and we enjoyed eating. All dish were good and we were all set to return back to Hubli .
We reached Hubli at 12am which was as per the plan.
This was a much needed trip, it helped us to have a grasp and endover the beauty of the history.
Our culture and religion were surely rooted very deeply here.
Final words on this Trip: The cultural, architectural and sculptural excellence that embellished the heritage sites of Hampi enamored us and enlightened us about ancient Indian glories. We enjoyed this trip with lot of learning also.
Thanks to Sujit for contributing the Photos.
- Prashanth M
