Hampi

Hampi / ಹಂಪೆ
—  town  —
Virupaksha Temple, Hampi, Karnataka
Hampi / ಹಂಪೆ
Location of Hampi / ಹಂಪೆ
in Karnataka and India
Coordinates
Country India
State Karnataka
District(s) Bellary
Time zone IST (UTC+05:30)
Group of Monuments at Hampi *
Country India
Type Cultural
Criteria (i)(iii)(iv)
Reference 241
Region ** Asia-Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription 1986 (10th Session)
Endangered 1999–2006
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List
** Region as classified by UNESCO

Hampi (Kannada: ಹಂಪೆ Hampe) is a village in northern Karnataka state, India. It is located within the ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Predating the city of Vijayanagara, it continues to be an important religious centre, housing the Virupaksha Temple, as well as several other monuments belonging to the old city. The ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed as the Group of Monuments at Hampi.[1]

Contents

Etymology

The name is derived from Pampa, which is the old name of the Tungabhadra River on whose banks the city is built. The name "Hampi" is an anglicized version of the Kannada Hampe (derived from Pampa). Over the years, it has also been referred to as Vijayanagara and Virupakshapura (from Virupaksha, the patron deity of the Vijayanagara rulers).

History

Hampi is identified with the historical Kishkindha, the Vanara (monkey) kingdom mentioned in the Ramayana. The first historical settlements in Hampi date back to 1 CE.

Hampi formed one of the core areas of the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1336 to 1565, when it was finally laid siege to by the Deccan Muslim confederacy.[1] Hampi was chosen because of its strategic location, bounded by the torrential Tungabhadra river on one side and surrounded by defensible hills on the other three sides.

The site is significant historically and architecturally. The topography abounds with large stones which have been used to make statues of Hindu deities. The Archaeological Survey of India continues to conduct excavations in the area, to discover additional artifacts and temples.

Geography

Hampi is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra river. It is 353 km from Bangalore and 74 km away from Bellary. Hosapete (Hospet), 13 km away, is the nearest railway head. Mantralayam, which is also on the banks of Tunghabhadra, in AP is some 150 km away.The principal industries of the village are agriculture, the support of the Virupaksha temple and some other local holy places in the vicinity, and tourism. The annual Vijayanagar Festival is organized by the Government of Karnataka in November.

Due to the presence of several mineral deposits in this region (iron-ore, manganese), mining has been going on for many years now. But a recent boom for the supply of iron-ore in the international market has led to increased levels of mining in this district. The World Heritage Site at Hampi as well as the Tungabhadra Dam is now under threat.

Important sites at and near Hampi

Temples

Hampi has various notable Hindu temples, some of which are still active places of worship. Among the most notable are:

Global Heritage Fund efforts

Non-profit organization Global Heritage Fund (GHF), in partnership with the Hampi Foundation, Cornell University, and the State of Karnataka, has been actively involved in the conservation of Hampi's unique cultural heritage. After producing a master conservation plan for the site of Chandramouleshwara Temple, GHF's efforts have moved to "stabilization of the temple and its associated structural features."[2]

Gallery

Scenery

Hampi Scenery, 360° Panorama Shot from Matanga Hill

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b "Group of Monuments at Hampi". World Heritage. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/241. Retrieved 2006-12-20. 
  2. ^ Global Heritage Fund - Where We Work - Hampi, India Accessed on 2009-04-24.

References

Karnataka State Gazetteer 1983.

External links