Font size:
Print
Hampi: A Timeless Tapestry of Vijayanagara’s Grandeur
Context:
Recently, a temple pavilion at Hampi collapsed due to heavy rainfall, raising questions about the conservation efforts and apparent neglect of the World Heritage site.
About:
- Hampi, located in the Vijayanagara district of Karnataka, India, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Group of Monuments at Hampi.” This site represents the ruins of the medieval capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. The city is situated at the south bank of river Tungabhadra.
- An elaborate list of around 1600 monuments, spreading across 250 sq. kms. comprising forts, riverside features, royal and sacred complexes, temples, shrines, pillared halls, Mandapas, memorial structures, gateways, defence check posts, stables, water structures, etc. makes Hampi one of the largest UNESCO world heritage site.
Vijayanagara Empire:
- Known as the last medieval Hindu kingdom, Vijayanagara was established by two brothers Harihara I and Bukka I in 1336 of the Sangama dynasty.
- The empire’s foundation marked the beginning of a new era in South Indian history, characterised by militarisation and the rise of regional powers. At its peak Vijayanagara empire encompassed the entire south India.
- The Vijayanagara Empire, which flourished from 1336 to 1646 CE in southern India, was ruled by four major dynasties: the Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, and Aravidu.
- The Sangama dynasty, founded by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I, established the empire and expanded its territories significantly.
- The Saluva dynasty, initiated by Saluva Narasimha, restored stability after a period of internal strife.
- The Tuluva dynasty, under the leadership of Krishnadevaraya, marked the zenith of the empire’s power, with significant territorial expansion and cultural achievements.
- Finally, the Aravidu dynasty, founded by Tirumala Deva Raya, continued to rule after the empire’s decline following the Battle of Talikota in 1565, until its eventual fall in 1646.
Significance of Hampi:
- Hampi is a melting pot of different cultures, including Hindu, Jain, and Islamic influences, which is reflected in its diverse architecture and monuments. The city is home to numerous temples, each showcasing intricate carvings and unique architectural styles.
- Notable sites include the Vittala Temple, famous for its stone chariot and musical pillars, and the Virupaksha Temple, known for its exquisite sculptures.
- Vittala Temple, considered the pinnacle of Vijayanagara architecture, is renowned for its stone chariot and musical pillars. The temple complex includes a Garuda shrine designed as a chariot, a large bazaar street, and a Pushkarani (stepped tank), showcasing the advanced engineering and artistic skills of the time.
- Virupaksha temple is one of the oldest and significant temple in Hampi dedicated to Shiva. It features elaborate pillared halls and elaborate carvings of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The towering Gopurams. have great architectural prominence.
- Portuguese traveller Domingo Paes, who visited Vijayanagara in 1520 wrote about the city ‘as large and beautiful as Rome’.
- Hampi has been a subject of various books, including Salman Rushdie‘s recent work Victory city, a fictionalised reinterpretation of rise and fall of the Vijayanagara empire.
- Hampi’s religious landscape is further enriched by its association with Hindu mythology, particularly the Ramayana, identifying it with the mythological kingdom of Kishkindha.
- Hampi’s architecture relied heavily on locally available materials like granite and schist rock. The Vijayanagara style incorporated massive stone blocks without the use of mortar, employing interlocking techniques for stability and durability.
Conservation and Preservation:
- The Hampi National project was started in 1976 by ASI in a concerted effort to uncover and preserve the rich heritage of Hampi.
- The Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority (HWHAMA), constituted under the Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority Act of 2002.
- This body was set up when UNESCO put Hampi on the ‘World Heritage in Danger List’ following the Karnataka Government’s decision to construct a bridge on the Tungabhadra river. This body provides an integrated solution for the protection of Hampi.
- HWHAMA established a master plan dividing the entire area into three parts in 2007. Each of these zones have been brought under specific rules and laws regarding construction and commercial purposes.
- A core zone of 40 sq. km. that has all the major monuments
- A 90 sq. km. buffer zone
- the remaining as a periphery zone.
