Image gallery of great Deccan empire - Hampi ( VijayaNagar )

The city of Victory ( Hampi - Vijayanagar )

The city of Vijayanagar, commonly known as Hampi ( Hampe ) is located on the banks of Thunghabhadra river in Karnataka, India. Between 14th and mid of 16th Century Hampi ( Vijayanagar - city of victory ) was the South India's wealthiest, largest and most powerful Hindu kingdom.

Hampi is not only known for its historical importance and magnificent ruins; Hampi's unique landscape and its religius association with great epic Ramayana makes it an important destination for local and international tourists and pilgrims.

Association with Ramayana

According to Ramayana, Hampi ( Vijayanagar ) was ruled by the monkey kings Vali and Sugriva. The granite boulders of varying tones of yellow-orange, grey and pink dominate the Hampi's landscape , distributed either as hills or as piles of rocks are said to be flung down by the armies of Vali and Sugriva in a show of strength.

For centuries, these hills provided unlimited supply of building material.

River Tungabhadra

The Tungabhadra river passes through the granite landscape in the northeasterly direction and acted as the natural defensive line in the north for the Vijayanagar kingdom. Flooding during the wetter era created pools, small islands and lagoons.

Virupaksha ( Pampapathi ) temple - Hampi

The Tungabhadra and its surrounding pools and hillocks are linked to ancient legends described in the Sthalapurana which is an ancient collection of work associated with the Virupaksha temple of Hampi. Sthalapurana identifies the goddess Pampa with the village of Hampi. Hampi was also known as Pampakshetra in the ancient times.

Pampa, the mind-born daughter of Braham, performed penance in the Hemakuta hill which is situated near Tungabhadra river and said to be attracted the attention of the lord Shiva who was meditating nearby. Shiva eventually married Pamapa and became Pampa's lord or Pampapathi and the land assciated with this divine union was called Pampakshetra.

Siege of Hampi ( Vijayanagar )

Between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries, this was the most powerful Hindu kingdom in the Deccan. Travellers such as Domingo Paez, who stayed for two years after 1520, were astonished by its size and wealth, telling tales of market full of silk and precious gems, beautiful, bejeweled courtesans, ornate palaces and joyous festivities.

However, in the mid of sixteenth century, the dazzling city was devastated by a six month Deccan Sultanates siege.

Contemporary Chroniclers who visited Hampi ( Vijayanagar )

Nicolo De Conti of Italy visited Vijayanagar during 1419AD - 1444AD

Abdur Razzak of Persia wrote his chronicle during the period of Deva Raya II (1443 )

Domingo Paes of Portugal visited city of victory during the rule of Krishna Deva Raya and stayed for a year ( 1520AD )

Fernao Nuniz of Portugal visited Hampi during Achyuta Deva Raya period and stayed between 1536AD and 1537AD

Firishtah of Persia visted the court of the Nizam Shahs of Ahmadnagar and wrote his chronicle in the year 1596

Important sites at and near Hampi

The Sasivekalu Pillayar, The Kadalekalu Pillayar, Virupaksha Temple, Vittala temple, Achyutaraya ( Tiruvengalanatha ) Temple, Krishna Temple, Anegondi, Lotus Mahal at Zenana enclosure, NobleMens' Quarters, Royal Enclosure, Matanga hill, Underground Shiva Temple,Band Tower, Mohamadean watch tower and Mosque near Mint Area, Hazara Rama Temple, Octagonal bath, Ragunatha temple, King's Balance, Elephant stables, BadavaLinga, Hemakuta Hills, Kotalinga, Bheema gate, PatabhiRama Temple at Kamalapuram, Temple at AnandaSayanaKudi, MuruganKoil at Kadiramapuram, Anjeyanadri Hill, Uddana Veerabhadra temple, LakshmiNarashimhar and many more.