Thursday, December 17, 2009

Hampi Bazar

This is the only post in Hampi Series that does not concentrate on architecture. Rather this focuses mainly on how the city layout was formed in terms of markets. It gives basic idea on the location of markets and how they are organized.

During the Vijayanagara rule in the 15th century, the Bazaars (markets) happened to be the centers of all the commercial activities. It is believed that these bazaars were not only just commercial regions but were also the sprawling quarters of the capital city of the empire. These bazaars are mostly situated opposite the temples. 

In
Hampi there were main four bazaars of varied sizes, all of them in front of the temples. They are, the Virupaksha Bazaar opposite the Virupaksha Temple, the Soolai Bazaar opposite the Achyutapura Temple, the Krishna Bazaar opposite the Krishna Temple and the Vithala Bazaar opposite the Vithala Temple. Today, except the Virupaksha Bazaar, the other three bazaars have been deserted over a period of time and no activity can be seen.


Virupaksha Bazaar with Virupakasha Temple tower at the far end

Virupaksha Bazaar is 1 km in length and the market stretches from the doorstep of the Virupaksha Temple and extends in the western direction till the the Bull Temple. Both sides of the street are lined with a series of old pavilions, some of them are two storied. These structures were once part of a thriving market and residence of the nobles. Today here one can find everything from the coconuts and flowers to offer at Virupaksha Temple to rare coins and antiquities of great value.

Vithala Bazaar


47 comments:

Photo Cache said...

Another must visit spot. Enjoy your weekend.

Priyanka Khot said...

very different take on Hampi. Most people just talk about the architecture of the place. Liked the post a lot.

Happy Blogging!

Sumandebray said...

another Good to Know Post.
Hope I will be able to be in Hampi once more to see all these in detail

eden said...

Lovely pictures. Thanks for the info.

My entry

Carver said...

Interesting post about the bazaars.

joo said...

It's different from the places you showed and I really appreciate the variety here!
Lovely weekend to you:)

Zuzana said...

As always, a very interesting post and an insight into your history, well complemented by pictures.
Zuzana

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing this interesting place.Have a wonderful weekend.

Samson said...

Nice writeup Rajesh, nice captures

Red Red Sun

Anonymous said...

It's like stepping into the past to visit these places; fascinating.

The street seems to be very wide. Do you know why that is?

Regina said...

Awesome history. Thank you for sharing.

Karine said...

I was very happy to learn something about your country on top of seeing some lovely photos here. India is one of the countries that I know very little about (except for the Taj Mahal, but everyone knows about that...). Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting!

Mark Kreider said...

As always, more observations to ponder, more history reealed and much more learned for one who's learning in no way focused on India... my loss!

Lakshmi said...

lovely..just went to Hampi last month

Joe Todd said...

Thanks so much for the tour of the Bazaars

SandyCarlson said...

Markets. Ephemeral places that required space. You feed my imagination!

magiceye said...

very interesting

Phivos Nicolaides said...

It is interesting and reminded me that I have to post something similar from our region!

Mridula said...

Never been able to be there till date but one day ...

Nisha said...

Never been there but a must visit place. Off late been reading abt it.

Gattina said...

That's a very interesting bazaar !

Pearl Maple said...

Amazing views of interesting palces to see.

penny said...

Your a wonderful wealth of information and great photos of your country.

Robin said...

Bazaars are a great way to get the feel of a new place, aren't they?

Reader Wil said...

I believe that markets were the most important places to meet, to buy or sell in the old days. Everywhere in the world!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Rajesh: What neat history about the bazaar.

Carol said...

Interesting post and photos...I also enjoyed the cave paintings...

Diane AZ said...

Interesting history, thank you for showing Hampi Bazar.

George said...

Thanks for the interesting information and history of the bazaars in this city.

Linda said...

That must have been quite incredible in its heyday.

LadyFi said...

I'll have to use my imagination to conjure up a picture of busy markets from long ago..

aspiritofsimplicity said...

They do look very empty.

Anonymous said...

Hampi is simply superb and a great place for photographers.

Pietro Brosio said...

It's interesting that the Bazaars are situated opposite the Temples. Really wonderful place and pictures! Nice post!

sandeep said...

very informative post - thanks for sharing these tit bits :)

biologion said...

intresting post and quite amazing history stuff!

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Rajesh:)

Very interesting and informative post along with lovely photos. You have done a great research on these markets. Many thanks for sharing.

Have a nice day:)
Joseph

GMG said...

Hi Rajesh! 15th century bazaar; amazing!! Alwaays learning!!

Time to relax with a visit to a museum? Blogtrotter is at the British! Enjoy and have a great holiday season!

Bengbeng said...

i find yr take on bazzars n markets interesting. the everyday lives of the people n not just the architecture of the place. i would love to see more close up pics of the market though.. things people buy n sell, that kind of stuff.. local fruits n vegetables etc :)

anupama said...

Dear Rajesh,
Good Morning!
first time here n found your space very interesting n informative!
good job by introducing our BHARAT MAHAN to the world.
keep doing;good luck.
wishing you A MERRY CHRISTMAS,
Sasneham,
Anu

radha said...

A story so different from what one reads. Interesting.

Anonymous said...

Felia Natallllllllllllll.
Bjs

Rajesh said...

Sumandebray: Thanks, it can be seen any number of times. Even me too want to go again.

Eden, Carver, Protege, Awang, Regina, Karine, Mark, Joe, Robin: Thanks for the appreciation.

Priyank, Joo, Radha: Thanks, Hampi is known well for the architecture. I wanted to touch other aspects about the place.

Photo Cache, Lakshmi: Thnaks, it is a nice place to see.

Pam, Sandy, magiceye, Phivos, Gattina, Maple, Kirigalpoththa: Thanks for the appreciation.

Wren: Thanks, this is a 15th cetury place.

Mridula, Nisha: Thanks, it is a must see place.

Carol, fishing guy, Diane, George, Deepak, Pietro: Thanks for the appreciation.

Reader, Linda, LadyFi: Thanks, very true.

Sereia: Thank you.

hipchik: Thanks, these were the market place in the 15th century.

Sandeep, biologin, Joseph, GMG, Bengbeng, Anupama: Thanks for the appreciation.

Anonymous said...

I have seen photographs of Hampi, never been there...

This was an informative post.

Rajesh said...

indianhomemaker: Thanks for the appreciation.

Unknown said...

Thanks for a great writeup.

Regards
Hampi Tourism

Deguide said...

Four bazars, according to me at least 6 bazars must have been in existence considering the amount of trading activities were taking place in the Vijaynagar empire.....some of the ports in Goa, Karwar, Malpe etc too served as port trading bazars. Remember the best diamonds in the world was traded in open streets particularly @ Soole Bazaar