2. Photography

Hampi

Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara empire. It was built from the mid 1400s to late 1500s. The Vijayanagara kings were very successful in fighting and conquering their neighbors. Each successful battle was followed by a renewed round of construction. The kingdom eventually fell to the combined forces of its neighbors. This was followed by six months of wanton destruction and looting. To see the ruins expect to cover over 30 km of distance, lots of climbing and scrambling and spending a lot of time thinking what a magnificent place it might have been - considering how beautiful it is today. These pictures were shot at various times of the day on Fuji 160S Pro film and scanned.
Read More
  • Virupaksha temple in the center of the Hampi bazaar. One of the few working temples from the Vijayanagar time. The temple has a naturally formed Shiva linga.

    Virupaksha temple in the center of the Hampi bazaar. One of the few working temples from the Vijayanagar time. The temple has a naturally formed Shiva linga.

  • A view of the Virupaksha temple complex in the distance and the mandapams from the Hemakuta hills. The temples on the hill are a mix of Hindu and Jain shrines.

    A view of the Virupaksha temple complex in the distance and the mandapams from the Hemakuta hills. The temples on the hill are a mix of Hindu and Jain shrines.

  • Hemakuta is located on a hill to the south of the Virupaksha temple. It has a very interesting collection of temples, single and two storied mandapams (four pillars and a roof).

    Hemakuta is located on a hill to the south of the Virupaksha temple. It has a very interesting collection of temples, single and two storied mandapams (four pillars and a roof).

  • Small temple in Hemakuta.

    Small temple in Hemakuta.

  • Two storey mandapam in Hemakuta at sunrise

    Two storey mandapam in Hemakuta at sunrise

  • A small Hanuman temple in Hemakuta

    A small Hanuman temple in Hemakuta

  • Hemakuta temples and mantapams

    Hemakuta temples and mantapams

  • The statue of Laxminarasimha or Ugranarasimha. This is pretty much the signature of Hampi. The band across his knees holds the legs which were broken in the rampage following the fall of Hampi.

    The statue of Laxminarasimha or Ugranarasimha. This is pretty much the signature of Hampi. The band across his knees holds the legs which were broken in the rampage following the fall of Hampi.

  • The Lotus Mahal is built in the Indo-Saracenic style. When there look around to see the staircase going to the second floor which seems like an unsightly hack - almost like the architect forgot about it and added it later.

    The Lotus Mahal is built in the Indo-Saracenic style. When there look around to see the staircase going to the second floor which seems like an unsightly hack - almost like the architect forgot about it and added it later.

  • Archway details in the Lotus Mahal.

    Archway details in the Lotus Mahal.

  • The fabled elephant stables of Hampi to house the fabled royal elephants. Note how each dome is different.

    The fabled elephant stables of Hampi to house the fabled royal elephants. Note how each dome is different.

  • The Hazararama temple (temple of 1000 Ramas).

    The Hazararama temple (temple of 1000 Ramas).

  • The story of Ramayana is depicted on the walls around the Hazararama temple.

    The story of Ramayana is depicted on the walls around the Hazararama temple.

  • The incredibly pretty water tank near the royal palace (of which nothing but the plinth remains)

    The incredibly pretty water tank near the royal palace (of which nothing but the plinth remains)

  • Random small temple on the way to the Vithala Temple

    Random small temple on the way to the Vithala Temple

  • Market palce near the Vithala temple. There are three surviving well constructed market places in Hampi. Wonder if shopping was as much a craze 500 years ago as it is today.

    Market palce near the Vithala temple. There are three surviving well constructed market places in Hampi. Wonder if shopping was as much a craze 500 years ago as it is today.

  • The brick and mortar gopuram at the entrance to the Vithala temple - the most ornate of all the temples in Hampi.

    The brick and mortar gopuram at the entrance to the Vithala temple - the most ornate of all the temples in Hampi.

  • The fabled stone chariot pulled by rather small stone elephants in the Vithala temple yard.

    The fabled stone chariot pulled by rather small stone elephants in the Vithala temple yard.

  • The incredibly ornate stone construction of the Vithala temple.

    The incredibly ornate stone construction of the Vithala temple.

  • Elephant themed entrance columns to the Vithala temple.

    Elephant themed entrance columns to the Vithala temple.

  • A beautiful water tank next to the gold market and the Krishna temple.

    A beautiful water tank next to the gold market and the Krishna temple.

  • Boats and the Tungabhadra river. Looks like the boat styles have not changed in the last 500 years in this place. The Portugese visitors to Hampi from the early 1500s describe boats just like these.

    Boats and the Tungabhadra river. Looks like the boat styles have not changed in the last 500 years in this place. The Portugese visitors to Hampi from the early 1500s describe boats just like these.

  • The stone mandapam is where Purandara Dasa is said to have composed a lot of his hymns. Purandara Dasa was probably responsible for the codification and formalization of the Carnatic style of classical music.

    The stone mandapam is where Purandara Dasa is said to have composed a lot of his hymns. Purandara Dasa was probably responsible for the codification and formalization of the Carnatic style of classical music.

  • Monkey family at the Yantrodharaka temple by the banks of the Tungabhadra river.

    Monkey family at the Yantrodharaka temple by the banks of the Tungabhadra river.

  • Photo Sharing
  • About SmugMug
  • Browse Photos
  • Prints & Gifts
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Owner Log In
© 2023 SmugMug, Inc.
    The fabled stone chariot pulled by rather small stone elephants in the Vithala temple yard.
    The incredibly ornate stone construction of the Vithala temple.
    Elephant themed entrance columns to the Vithala temple.