Monday, September 6, 2010

Hampi World Heritage Site

Hampi, the Forgotten Empire (for more) once was the flourishing capital city of the Vijaynagar Empire in the 14th Century. The city spread across the rocky terrain of 26 sq.km had plenty of palaces, temples which exhibited its rich culture and wealth in its hay days.

For the same reason it was ransacked by Muslim Sultans. Today it is a site of splendid ruins of palaces, temples and gateways of the broken city, that silently narrate the story of once glorious past and the final senseless destruction. 

In the above image rocky nature of the place and various temples can be seen.

Above is the carvings on the pillars of one of the many temples in the place.

On 5th December 1986, Hampi was inscribed on the World Heritage List for it represents a unique artistic creation. One can spend 2 to 3 days to cover each corners of this place.

62 comments:

George said...

The carvings certainly justify the inclusion of Hampi on the World Heritage List. It must have been amazing before it was so senselessly destroyed.

Nalini Hebbar said...

Great place! have been there too

Indrani said...

I will be going there again, I love to get lost in such ruins. Beautiful pics Rajesh.

P.N. Subramanian said...

Beautiful post. Hampi is superb.

Zuzana said...

Beautiful place and so worth to be included in the World Heritage List. You are indeed an avid traveler and it is always so much fun to share your trips with you.;)
xo

giorno26 ¸¸.•*¨*•. said...

Meravigliosi e mastestosi pilastri... immagino uomini sudati con lo scalpello....

Lowell said...

It is so sad that all over the world beautiful structures and cultures have been destroyed because of warring factions - most often of a religious nature!

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Marvelous post! Someday, basis your posts alone, I'd like to go on a long travel! Hopefully!

Arti said...

Wow... The pics only suggest what a majestic place it might have been in the days gone by!! A lovely post...

Kavita Saharia said...

Every time i read your post and look at the pictures -i am amazed .Thanks for sharing.

Enchanting India…a treasury of art and architecture !

LadyFi said...

Impressive pillars! Must be a wonderful place to visit.

Sylvia K said...

Marvelous post as always, Rajesh! Such a gorgeous, historical place. Hope you have a great week!

Sylvia

EG CameraGirl said...

So many civilizations have risen and then crumbled...and so many have been in India!

Noel Morata said...

aloha,

what a beautiful view, the columns on this temple is so beautiful and ornate


i have an interesting place to visit today on my sari site

DeniseinVA said...

I would want to spend two or three days looking around this beautiful place. Incredible imagery.
An English Girl Rambles

Kay L. Davies said...

It's so beautiful, Rajesh. I really wonder at senseless destruction such as this. Your country has such a long and fascinating history, while my country is so young. When we studied Canadian history in school, we all found it very boring indeed, although I'm not sure why.
Thank you for sharing your lovely photos.
Kay
Alberta, Canada

LifeRamblings said...

interesting history and beautiful ruins. love the intricate carvings.

magiceye said...

wow! what a wonderful place!

Carver said...

Great shots from your world and very interesting information.

SandyCarlson said...

Wowie kapowie! Amazing.

Penelope Notes said...

It is hard to imagine that the "broken cities” of the past were once thriving the way our cities do now. Although only remnants remain, the artistry of their creation is still magnificent to behold.

Randy said...

Those pillars are so beautiful!

Urmi said...

Amazing pictures. Very beautiful and spectacular shots.

alicesg said...

Wow fantastic photos of the ancient building. Nice information about them too.

BraCom (Bram) said...

Thank you for sharing this beautiful photos

Have a nice week,
Greetings, Bram

My Word Tuesday post

Seen on My World Tuesday

Urmi said...

Very beautiful place. Shall visit during my India trip.
You are welcome at my new posts -
http://urmi-z-unique.blogspot.com/
http://amazing-shot.blogspot.com

Jossie said...

Great post again. Such a pity that so much of the beautiful city got lost. It is a place for silence and reflection.

YOSEE said...

Hampi is a dreamland. I will never forget the awe of the first time I stood at the end of Bazar street facing the magnificent Virupaksha temple at sunset!

Jeevan said...

Your write up capture our attention and exhibit the Hampi into more interesting. Loved the panoramic view of the vast hampi!

Eden said...

What a great place! Great photos.

Dianne said...

the pillars are amazing
I can only imagine how exceptional this place was before the destruction

Lene said...

I would love to visit with my camera :)

Wendy said...

I am so fascinated by India and it has long been a dream of mine to visit there, esp. the old temples. Thanks for a wonderful post

Cezar and Léia said...

Very interesting post I love those columns, just wonderful!
Léia

Vinay Leo R. said...

been there, friend.. its an amazing place fr sure :)

My H Post

Rune Eide said...

And it absolutely served to be included.

Nanka said...

Great temple architecture from southern India. Reminded me of Belur and Halebeedu.

Francisca said...

Yet another site to add to my "travel wish list"... Beautiful.

Roger Owen Green said...

So much HISTORY! Gorgeous.

On behalf the ABC Wednesday team, thank you!- ROG

Kim, USA said...

This is an amazing palace!! A great history. Happy Wednesday!
ABC Wednesday-H

Coffeeveggie addict. said...

what a fantastic and wonderful you have....your world is full of great great structures to be envied by others///thanks for sharing those with us..

Joy said...

Must be an amazing place to wander around, and imagine how it once was.

Joy
ABC Wednesday Team

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Rajesh: It deserved to be honored for a neat structure.

photowannabe said...

Amazing pillars and architecture.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Amazing as always Rajesh.

We just learned that our grandson is going to India soon. (He is the younger brother of the one who has already been there!). I am happy for him and know he will love what he sees in your beautiful country.

Modern Mom said...

Fabulous pictures.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures, Rajesh. And an equally beautiful description. Hampi has been on my radar for a long time but not getting time to travel towards south.

Unknown said...

Visited Mangalore,bangalore, Mysore but not Hampi. Would like to visit. I hope i will be able to go soon

Verns said...

wow, this is yet another interesting ruins in your country ... awesome..

Hope you can drop by
My ABC Wednesday post here

Phivos Nicolaides said...

Amazing place, monuments and pictures. Great post.

Unknown said...

Interesting, informative and beautiful post.
Thank you for sharing.
Best wishes,
Anna

Anna's H-word-abcWed

Shey said...

Fantastic shots again. You had a nice vantage point at the top to see the various temples. :)

Gayle said...

I had no idea of the enormity of the pillars until I saw the person standing in the background. Impressive.

Rajesh said...

Thanks to all for the lovely words. Yes, its inclusion in World Heritage List is certainly justified.

The Legend Returns said...

Hampi is one place on my travel list. The more I see and read about it, the desire only increases. Thanks for sharing your travel experiences through the blog - Maneesh

Sudhir R said...

Tell u what Rajesh, I belong to this District, Am yet to go there with a camera, although I have speant many a days roaming around Hampi in my school days with my Eyes as the camera, Hampi can never tire, always beautiful

radha said...

Saw this many decades ago, have been planning a trip here. Somehow it is not happening. Till then, will feast my eyes on pictures like these!

Rajesh said...

Thanks. This is one place where I discover new things on every visit.

S.R.Ayyangar said...

This is the one place, I am waiting to explore in near future.

drpratibha said...

hampi is beautiful

Teamgsquare said...

Its never ending story of Hampi , more you see more you get . One incredible place . I have visited this place at-least 5 times . Yet this place is still unexplored for me .

Rajesh said...

Thanks to all for the lovely words. Yes this is one place, one can never have enough.