Hampi, Karnataka

Hampi is very close to my heart as I started this initiative of reminiscing broken monuments at Hampi. In total, we have a collection of 21 digital illustrations of re-imagined broken monuments at Hampi.

Hampi is a small village on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra River. It was once the capital of the great Vijayanagara Empire and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its religious and cultural value. The boulder-filled landscape of Hampi is one of the oldest exposed surfaces on earth. Sadly, many structures were destroyed after the Battle of Talikota in 1565 CE, and over the years, the city was further damaged by abandonment and illegal mining.

The Vijaya Vitthala Temple is one of the most famous structures in Hampi. It has a Vimana whose height is generally not more than the innermost Gopuram, and the Rangamandapa has a flat roof with a parapet wall. Near the temple, the Stone Chariot stands as a symbol of victory. It was built as a shrine for Garuda, the vahana of God Vitthala. The top part of the chariot was destroyed after its rediscovery, but photographs are available online for those interested. The East Gopuram and the first innermost North Gopuram mark the entryways to this temple. Sculptural elements like the Yali with an elephant at its feet can be seen as part of stair railings on temple plinths, adding detailed beauty to the architecture.

Water management was carefully planned in Hampi, with Aqueducts. One of the remarkable platforms in the city is the Mahanavami-Dibba, a huge base that once supported a nine-storey royal palace. It was used by the king to view Dasara celebrations. Another platform, the King's audience hall, was built for dancers, musicians, and poets to perform during festivals.

The Prasanna Virupaksha Temple, also known as the Underground Shiva Temple, lies several meters below the ground level. A Gopuram was added later during the temple’s expansion after the rule of King Krishnadevaraya but was never completed.

The Achyutaraya Temple is located in a valley between the Gandhamadana and Matanga hills and has an entrance from the river. It was built during the reign of King Achyuta Raya and is dedicated to Lord Tiruvengalanatha, a form of Vishnu. The Rangamandapa here shows how cultural and religious life were woven together in temple design.

In the Zanana enclosure, a set of 11 domed elephant stables with small doors for mahouts also reflect a mix of Indian and Islamic styles along with the Lotus mahal. At the Lakshmi-Narasimha statue, one can see the broken hand of Goddess Lakshmi still visible from the back of Narasimha’s figure. She is said to calm him down, making it easier for devotees to worship.

One of the largest structures in Danaik’s enclosure is popularly known as ‘The Mosque.’ Built in the Indo-Islamic style, its actual purpose is still unknown. Though the main function of this building remains unclear, its scale and style suggest that it played an important role in the life of the city.

Hampi, also known as Vijayanagara or the City of Victory, is a place where myths, devotion, and architecture come together. Even in ruins, Hampi remains a living monument of history, full of stories re-imagined by us in Reminiscing History.