Hampi: The Indian Atlantis
Hampi: The Indian Atlantis
Hampi! Its name conjures up visions of an exotic Indian spiritual paradise ensconced within the folds of a subcontinent of timeless beauty and vast cultural heritage. This ancient capital of the mighty 14th century Vijayanagara Empire that preceded the Mogul era, is located the on the banks of the Tungbhadra River, near Hospet in northern Karnataka. Abandoned after the 16th century, it was rediscovered by British explorers in 1800. I spent a rewarding weekend there last winter, and viewing that city from on a hillock at dawn, Wordsworth’s words echoed in my mind: “Earth has not anything to show more fair.”
The name Hampi has geographical and Indian mythological origins. Built along the banks of the Tungabhadra River, …show more content…
The empire’s principal exports included the usual spices such as pepper, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and more unusual items such as myrobalan, tamarind timber, anafistula, musk and rhubarb, along with precious and semi-precious stones. Cotton textiles and was shipped to Burma (Myanmar) and indigo powder to Persia (Iran). Hampi’s chief imports were from Palestine and included copper, quicksilver (mercury), vermilion, coral, saffron, coloured velvets, rose water, knives, coloured camlets, gold and silver. Horses were imported into Cannanore from Persia, and undertook a fourteen-day overland journey to their desination, Hampi. Silk was imported from China and sugar from Bengal. Additionally, Hampi housed the main coin mint of the Vijayanagara Empire. The coinage of Vijayanagara comprised of circular gold, silver and copper coins that had images of gods, animals and birds engraved on them. We also visited the ruins of the mint near the Royal …show more content…
Its magnificent temples, royal palaces, ancient markets, and pavilions making it a tourist’s delight, a pilgrim’s heaven and a backpacker’s paradise. These edifices are much vaunted for their large dimensions, florid ornamentation, bold and delicate carvings, stately pillars, magnificent pavilions and a vast array of iconographic and traditional depictions from the epics Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The largest existing temple is dedicated to Pampapati, and boasts a magnificent entrance tower constructed by Krishnadevaraya. The colossal statues of Lakshmi, Narasimha and Ganesha are noted for their mass, interwoven with graceful beauty. A distinct Vijayanagara style evolved over time, combining the distinctive architectural features of Chalukyan, Cholan, Hoysalan and Pandyan styles of architecture. The Vitthala temple is an outstanding example of the Vijayanagara style of architecture, and visiting it was the highlight of my
Hampi! Its name conjures up visions of an exotic Indian spiritual paradise ensconced within the folds of a subcontinent of timeless beauty and vast cultural heritage. This ancient capital of the mighty 14th century Vijayanagara Empire that preceded the Mogul era, is located the on the banks of the Tungbhadra River, near Hospet in northern Karnataka. Abandoned after the 16th century, it was rediscovered by British explorers in 1800. I spent a rewarding weekend there last winter, and viewing that city from on a hillock at dawn, Wordsworth’s words echoed in my mind: “Earth has not anything to show more fair.”
The name Hampi has geographical and Indian mythological origins. Built along the banks of the Tungabhadra River, …show more content…
The empire’s principal exports included the usual spices such as pepper, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and more unusual items such as myrobalan, tamarind timber, anafistula, musk and rhubarb, along with precious and semi-precious stones. Cotton textiles and was shipped to Burma (Myanmar) and indigo powder to Persia (Iran). Hampi’s chief imports were from Palestine and included copper, quicksilver (mercury), vermilion, coral, saffron, coloured velvets, rose water, knives, coloured camlets, gold and silver. Horses were imported into Cannanore from Persia, and undertook a fourteen-day overland journey to their desination, Hampi. Silk was imported from China and sugar from Bengal. Additionally, Hampi housed the main coin mint of the Vijayanagara Empire. The coinage of Vijayanagara comprised of circular gold, silver and copper coins that had images of gods, animals and birds engraved on them. We also visited the ruins of the mint near the Royal …show more content…
Its magnificent temples, royal palaces, ancient markets, and pavilions making it a tourist’s delight, a pilgrim’s heaven and a backpacker’s paradise. These edifices are much vaunted for their large dimensions, florid ornamentation, bold and delicate carvings, stately pillars, magnificent pavilions and a vast array of iconographic and traditional depictions from the epics Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The largest existing temple is dedicated to Pampapati, and boasts a magnificent entrance tower constructed by Krishnadevaraya. The colossal statues of Lakshmi, Narasimha and Ganesha are noted for their mass, interwoven with graceful beauty. A distinct Vijayanagara style evolved over time, combining the distinctive architectural features of Chalukyan, Cholan, Hoysalan and Pandyan styles of architecture. The Vitthala temple is an outstanding example of the Vijayanagara style of architecture, and visiting it was the highlight of my