Hampi

Hampi belongs to Hospet Taluk of bellari district . Tourists must come to Hospet and then go to Hampi . There are buses to Hospet from all corners of Karnataka. Some trains connect Hospet to hubli , Hyderabad , Bangalore, Tirupathi and Miraj . There are good lodges in Hospet and Hampi

Hampi is about 12km from Hospet . The state government runs buses between Hampi and Hospet from six in the morning till eight in the evening

A sight – seeing bus is run by the tourism development corporation. There are two routes between Hampi and Hospet via kaddirampura and the other through kamalapura . A guide book is needed for those who wish to go on foot as the sites are spread over a large area

If we climb a down and take the chariot road a turn to the right leads to the river . We reach the temple of Kondarama . It is about 60 feet above the level of the river . In front of the temple the river flows between two rocky hills and forms a pind. During the rainy season when the river is in spate the water enters the temple. As the river flows rapidly along the hill it forms a whirlpool. The figures of Rama , seetha and laxman have been arranged. These statues are about 6ft . The tower and hall were added later

R

Dynasties

Sangama Dynasty : he ruled from 1336 to 1356. During his reign his brothers, who were loyal to him , looked after the various regions, Harihara’s regime was a model one

Saluwa Dynasty

Narasimharaya : by 1447 the kingdom had grown weak owing to the inefficiency of king Virupaxa as well as the invasions of the Bahamani rulers . Saluwa Narasimharaya was a general known for his valour . Narasimha the second : Narasimharaya had two sons, Narasanayaka of Tulu dynasty who was the minister of Narasimharaya had been appointed as their gaurdian .

Tulu Dynasty

Viranarasimharaya : he was the king of Tulu dynasty. His father was a famous cheiftain of saluwas , he had to contend with many rebellions. In 1509 he died accidentally. There was nothing noteworthy in his short rule of four years

He ascended the throne on 8th August 1509, on the eve of krishnashtami. At the time of coronation he was just 25. Though he had marks of small pox he was very handsome. He was hospitable to foreigners. He was embodiment of politeness. He was a just and able ruler

In Karnataka

It is situated on the southern bank of the river Tungabhadra and is surrounded by rocky mountains. Earlier, Anegundi , the near by ancient city , was the capital. Later the capital was shifted to Hampi from Anegundi . According to mythology this area was Pampa Sarovar and the capital of vali mentioned in the Ramayan. It was called Pampa Kshetra. An 11th century inscription and a 7th century Chalukya inscription call it Pampa Kshetra. According to another inscription it was Pampapathi Mahakula. Literary sources and some other inscriptions give it various names Virupaxapura, Hosapattana , Hosa Hampi Pattana, Hastinavathi, etc etc…..

The founders of Vijayanagar kingdom were selfless and broad minded, Their aim was to protect culture, increase knowledge and encourage literature. Their loyal seal bore the picture of Varaha since it is believed that God Vishnu incarnated as Varaha to destroy Hiranya who had confiscated the earth

Prajna T 20191COM0161