Group Of Monuments At Hampi
The epitome of the glorious architecture of the Vijayanagara Empire, The Group of Monuments at Hampi is listed among UNESCO World Heritage sites in India. Nestled along the Tungabhadra River, Hampi comprises ruins that reveal incredible architecture, sculptures, and stories of the bygone days. With an array of structures and ruins, rugged landscape, and river Tungabhadra running in the background offering great photo ops, Hampi tops the list of historical monuments in Karnataka one must visit in a lifetime.
Hidden amid the craggy hills and open plains there are more than 1600 remains of history that take you back to the olden days. Explore the ruins of Dravidian architecture in form of forts, royal complexes, temples, shrines, pillared halls, mandapas, water reservoirs, stables, gateways, riverside features, etc.
The highlights are- Virupaksha Temple, Vitthala Temple, Hemakuta Hill Temples, Hazara Rama Temple, Archaeological Museum, Queen’s Bath, Elephant Stables, Lotus Mahal, Lakshmi Narasimha, Stepped Tank, Riverside Ruins, bazaars, residential areas, and tanks.
History of Group of Monuments at Hampi
Hampi has its name mentioned as Kishkinda in the epic Ramayana. The kingdom belonged to Bali and Sugriva. Bali was killed by Lord Rama. Sugriva wholeheartedly supported Lord Rama to get back his wife, Devi Sita from the Demon King Ravana from Lanka. Historical accounts verify that Hampi was the capital city of the powerful Vijayanagar Empire in South India. Under the rule of Krishna Deva Raya (1509-30) the empire was prosperous. Enriched by the cotton and the spice trade it was one of the most beautiful cities of the time. Its palaces and Dravidian temples were much admired by travelers, be it Arab (Abdul Razak), Portuguese (Domingo Paes), or Italian (Nicolò Dei Conti). Conquered by the Deccan Muslim alliance of 5 Kings in 1565, the city was looted over six months before being abandoned.
