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
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
Vithala Bazaar
47 comments:
Another must visit spot. Enjoy your weekend.
very different take on Hampi. Most people just talk about the architecture of the place. Liked the post a lot.
Happy Blogging!
another Good to Know Post.
Hope I will be able to be in Hampi once more to see all these in detail
Lovely pictures. Thanks for the info.
My entry
Interesting post about the bazaars.
It's different from the places you showed and I really appreciate the variety here!
Lovely weekend to you:)
As always, a very interesting post and an insight into your history, well complemented by pictures.
Zuzana
Thanks for sharing this interesting place.Have a wonderful weekend.
Nice writeup Rajesh, nice captures
Red Red Sun
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?
Awesome history. Thank you for sharing.
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!
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!
lovely..just went to Hampi last month
Thanks so much for the tour of the Bazaars
Markets. Ephemeral places that required space. You feed my imagination!
very interesting
It is interesting and reminded me that I have to post something similar from our region!
Never been able to be there till date but one day ...
Never been there but a must visit place. Off late been reading abt it.
That's a very interesting bazaar !
Amazing views of interesting palces to see.
Your a wonderful wealth of information and great photos of your country.
Bazaars are a great way to get the feel of a new place, aren't they?
I believe that markets were the most important places to meet, to buy or sell in the old days. Everywhere in the world!
Rajesh: What neat history about the bazaar.
Interesting post and photos...I also enjoyed the cave paintings...
Interesting history, thank you for showing Hampi Bazar.
Thanks for the interesting information and history of the bazaars in this city.
That must have been quite incredible in its heyday.
I'll have to use my imagination to conjure up a picture of busy markets from long ago..
They do look very empty.
Hampi is simply superb and a great place for photographers.
It's interesting that the Bazaars are situated opposite the Temples. Really wonderful place and pictures! Nice post!
very informative post - thanks for sharing these tit bits :)
intresting post and quite amazing history stuff!
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
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!
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 :)
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
A story so different from what one reads. Interesting.
Felia Natallllllllllllll.
Bjs
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.
I have seen photographs of Hampi, never been there...
This was an informative post.
indianhomemaker: Thanks for the appreciation.
Thanks for a great writeup.
Regards
Hampi Tourism
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
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