This was our first trip together with out our family or any organization's assistance (No guardians). So it was a great trip towards independence and to learn about our past.
We were put up at Hospet which is the nearest railway station and place to stay when any one visits Hampi as Hampi is just 12kms from Hospet. This was a trip with my friends Deepa and Shivakami.
We used to take daily morning bus to Kamalapura which is a half an hour drive from Hospet. Kamalapura has the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) office. On our first day which was a Friday, entrance to all the temples was free. So we went by ourselves without much guidance and we walked and walked seeing only major temples, but best are those which most tourist don't even see as these temples have been destroyed during the great war (Battle of Talikota - 1565) and so they are not worshiped any more, but they tell us a great story just by looking at them. So our first day at hampi was the worst day, as we did not see what we came here to see. Well we were tired and felt wasted. We did not plan well. and Hampi is vast and dry place.
So the next day we walked from Kamalapura which has few other must visit monuments like Queens bath Lotus mahal and Mahanavami Dibba, well in Mahanavami Dibba we were tired and we were resting and Deepa found a Gardner working far away, he was the Only other human other than us there, she went behind him and found out that he is a ASI employee and had accompanied archeologist during some of the excavations here. He showed interest to show us his work place THE GRAND VIJAYANAGAR EMPIRE, which would take minimum of 2 months to study. but we had just 3 days. So he agreed to show us some "not so visited" places in Hampi. We started visiting unique and beautiful monuments and we got special permission for the next 3 days from the chief archeologist. So special permission to see recent excavations. it was wonderful experience, the guide with us explained us so well it was as if we were living it. He told us a story about Tanaliramakrishna and his King Krishnadavaraya who ruled this place. He said this story when we were at Mahanavami Dibba.
Mahanavami Dibba which is said to be Krishnadavaraya's Palace, the building is not there now because it was believed and analyzed that the palace was built using wood and during Talikota war with the Muslim invaders, that they might have burnt the place down. The story goes this way. Once King Krishnadavaraya asked all his ministers in the office, if any one can build a taller building than the King's Palace in one day. Tanali Rama Krishna went on top of a mountain which is opposite to the King's Palace and placed few piller's and a slabs on top of it. When the King got up early in the morning he saw a shelter on top of the mountain so he call's his help to know about the structure that had come over night. His help had no clue. When he meets his office to find out if any one were successful in building a taller building than his palace. Tanali stands up asks him how the King missed the sight of the tallest building when he got up early morning. So smart was Tanali, even till date Tanali's shelter which is called as Tanali Rock can be seen from anywhere in Hampi.
The best time visit Hampi is just before Monsoon as it windy and not so Hot. During sun set the big big boulders give Hampi its beauty. During Sunset we were at Mathanga Parvata well Mathanga is a Sage and Parvata meaning Mountain. Sage Mathanga's daughter's name is Pampa hence Hampi. At sunset we could witness the Golden days of Hampi, the huge boulders were shining like Gold with the sun's rays falling on them. During those days Hampi was in its best time, they were selling gold like vegetables are sold today.
The next 2 days with our guide Basheer we walked in the morning and evening we hired 2 bicycle me in one as I had to double one and Deepa and Shivakami peddled by turn. We cycled on rocks (rock biking). I was having time of my life. We could cover more excavated places and saw much more. We saw lot of foreign tourist in these "not so visited" places. They had come to Hampi just like us to learn the great culture sadly they were all foreigners. I have observed something in this trip we Indians never give any importance to the great things that we have but those foreigners who have come from far away land stand in front of one monument for hours together with a book in their hand and appreciate each and every inch of the sculptures our forefathers have created. When we do that study we will understand that we were no less than the great empires or civilization of the world.
There is an ASI museum in Kamalapura. I advice all to go to this place first and see miniature model of the entire Hampi that have been excavated, which will give a better knowledge of the place.
Well we saw about 58 monuments in 5 days and still we have managed to see just 20% of the Ruined city. I give all the credit to the ASI as its only because of them that we can see our history in front of us as in monuments and stories sculpted on its boulders. Before ASI started excavating 99% of what we see today was under sand and mud and only one Virupaksha Temple was intact, which is worshiped even today.
Do visit Hampi it's yours and mine.
Picture Source : www.hampi.in
