Hampi (Kannada: ???? hampe) is a village in northern Karnataka state, India. Located within the ruins of Vijayanagara, Hampi is 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. As the village is at the original centre of Vijayanagara, it is sometimes confused with the ruined city itself. The ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed as the Group of Monuments at Hampi. [1] [edit] EtymologyThe 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). [edit] History A Hindu temple naga decoration at Hampi. Hampi is identified with the historical Kishkindha, the Vanara (monkey) kingdom which finds mention in the Ramayana. The first historical settlements in Hampi date back to 1 CE.Hampi formed one of the cores 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 utilized to make larger than life statues of Hindu deities. A structure of historic importance appears every quarter of a mile.The Archaeological Survey of India continues to conduct excavations in the area, to discover additional artifacts and temples. [edit] Geography Hampi overview Hampi is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra river.
It is 353 km from Bangalore, 254 km from Bijapur and 74 km away from Bellary. Hosapete, 13 km away, is the nearest railway head. The chief languages spoken are Kannada and Telugu. 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 excessive mining in this district. The World Heritage Site at Hampi as well as the Tungabhadra Dam are now under threat. [edit] Important sites at and near Hampi Virupakska Temple location map Vitthala temple with musical pillars, Hoysala style multigonal base Hampi •Achyutaraya Temple/Tiruvengalanatha Temple •Akka Tangi Gudda •Anegondi •Anjeyanadri Hill •Aqueducts and Canals •Archaeological Museum at Kamalapura •Badava Linga Chandramauleshwar Temple •The Kings’ balance •The Underground Temple •Tungabhadra River •Uddana Veerabhadra temple •Ugra Narasimha
