Hampi was capital of Vijaynagara empire in South India in 15th and 16 century AD.This 25 square kilometer area had everything that a city needs to have, viz the houses, markets, palaces, temples, baths, administrative buildings and of course a river! During our first visit to Hampi in June 2015, one feature that appealed to me the most was huge number of pillar carvings, both religious and secular. This blog is an small attempt to document some of these. Please note that we are not historians or archaeologists. The interpretation of carvings is entirely based on our knowledge of Hindu mythology and/or commonsense. It could be off in some cases.
The first time we began noticing pillar carvings was when we reached Achyutaraya temple. This temple is about 1.2 kilometers from famous Virupaksha temple of Hampi, short distance behind Ekshila Nandi.
As on today, this blog only shows carvings from Achyutaraya temple. There are about 90-100 pictures more that need to edited and uploaded. So do watch this space as and when you can!
Enjoy.........
Royalty seems to receiving some advice from a wandering mendicant
The first time we began noticing pillar carvings was when we reached Achyutaraya temple. This temple is about 1.2 kilometers from famous Virupaksha temple of Hampi, short distance behind Ekshila Nandi.
As on today, this blog only shows carvings from Achyutaraya temple. There are about 90-100 pictures more that need to edited and uploaded. So do watch this space as and when you can!
Enjoy.........
The first glimpse of Achyutaraya Temple
One of the temples in Achyutaraya Temple Complex. This is where we started noticing the pillar carvings.Also notice Matunga Hill in the background. You can see a hint of Veerabhadra temple on its top!
Hampi apparently had a fairly large number of elephants in the days of Vijaynagara empire. This engraving shows an elephant being blessed by the God (Vishnu?).
A beggar or a monk?
A View of the adjoining Sule Bazaar
Musician and the dancer
A Hunting Scene
Enraptured dancer and Lady with the Mirror
Dancer and the Show-off (could be a snake-charmer)!
Vijaynagara kings were visited by a number of Portuguese travellers. Could the bearded dancer on the right be of one of those? Or is he a travelling salesman, with basket and all?
Snake and the Peacock
Elephant enjoying a meal and the lion preparing one.
A Scene from Krishna's life: Slaying of the serpent Kaliya
Interesting dress and an interesting prop for a dance!
God (Vishnu?) and a mendicant
And how can we forget this cute fawn!
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