Re: Exploring the ancient architecture of Hampi, Karnataka

Approved!

Many bikes may come and go, but GP your bike is a looker (and in that shade!). Hampi is a lovely place to be and a proper detailed tour needs at least 3 full days.
Hope you guys had loads of fun. Now bring it on.

Re: Exploring the ancient architecture of Hampi, Karnataka

Great start! Bring on the rest.

Re: Exploring the ancient architecture of Hampi, Karnataka

Nice. Hampi has been on my list for quite some time.
Subscribed.

Re: Exploring the ancient architecture of Hampi, Karnataka

Day 1: The Ride.
As usual the ride begins early in the morning at 0530hrs, from Wakad Bridge, Pune. It was all dark until we reached KhedWai
We took few re-hydration stops before we reach Belagavi, where we had our lunch. The road condition from Satara to Hubli was in mint condition. Cruising at triple digit speed on this road is very easy, except for the 2 REs. Road from Pune to Satara is adequately good with some patch under construction. Passing through Hubli^rd exit, the road was closed so we had to take the forth exit and we were lost. Well getting lost in a unknown city that to in traffic is not what anybody wants, but thankfully a man came to us and started asking about where are we from and where we heading. He told us where to head to reach Hampi. He told us to look for Gadag and follow Gadag Road. It was almost Sundown when we reached Gadag. Passing though Gadag was also a pain due to traffic, there was not much traffic but after a long day ride even little traffic feels like a big jam. After Gadag, Koppal-Hosapete-Hampi

Finally after a long day we reached Hampi Bazar. It was almost 2100hrs, the owner of the guest house where we were about stay for next 2 days told us that everything will get close by 2200hrs, so after quick freshen up we rushed to the nearest Restaurant called Chill Out. After Dinner, it was the end of the day. Next day was all about exploring the ancient architecture of Hampi.




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Thank you sir, throughout the ride people use to come at me and say " Sir Bike super " and at Kampli a small village, near hampi some people where discussing about my Bike, don't know what they were say but all i can understand was Yamaha R15

No it's way, mate

As Said by Divya sir, at least 3 days are required for full tour of Hampi. i'll try to write as much detail as i can so that this will help others to plan their ride and avoid mistakes which we did

Re: Exploring the ancient architecture of Hampi, Karnataka

Nice read so far. Waiting for the main story - Hampi!

Re: Exploring the ancient architecture of Hampi, Karnataka

Day 2: The Exploration begins.

First we had our Breakfast at Mango tree Restaurant which was less than 5 min walking distance from the guest house. We decided to take only two bikes to fool around and keep other 2 at guest house, with helmets on.

We Visited the following places:-

Virupaksha Temple:

Virupaksha Temple is the main center of pilgrimage at Hampi and has been considered the most sacred sanctuary over the centuries. It is fully intact among the surrounding ruins and is still used in worship. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known here as Virupaksha, as the consort of the local goddess Pampa who is associated with the Tungabhadra River.

At present, the main temple consists of a sanctum, three ante chambers, a pillared hall and an open pillared hall. A pillared cloister, entrance gateways, courtyards, smaller shrines and other structures surround the temple. The nine-tiered eastern gateway, which is the largest at 50 meters, is well-proportioned and incorporates some earlier structures. It has a brick superstructure and a stone base. It gives access to the outer court containing many sub-shrines.

Entry is not free, one has to take a ticket which Rs. 2/- only. If you want to do photography you have to pay Rs.50/- and for Videography for have to pay Rs. 100/-. Strange part is you can keep the Camera inside your bag and use your Phone for photography or Videography.

Hazara Rama Temple:

This ruined temple complex is well known for elaborate frescoes from the Hindu religion and a sprawling courtyard well-laid with gardens. It is well known for more than many thousand carvings & inscriptions on & in the temple depicting the mighty story of Ramayana.
This temple is located around 4 km away from main Hampi bazar. There is many other monuments around this Temple complex.


Pan Supari Bazaar:

The Pan Supari Bazaar is a ruined market place of Hampi. It is located in the area opposite to the main entrance of the Hazara Rama Temple. The Pan Supari Bazaar is said to be one of the four main market places that existed during the Vijayanagara Empire. Today the market place stands merely as a remnant of its glorious past. However, the ruined market place is still visited by a large number of tourists who love to explore the relics of the long destroyed Kingdom of Vijayanagara.
Lotus Mahal:


Elephant Stable:

A set of large stables, to house the ceremonial elephants of the royal household. The area in front of them was a parade ground for the elephants, and for troops. This is another structure that shows Islamic influence in its domes and arched gateways. The guards' barracks are located right next to the elephant stables.

Re: Exploring the ancient architecture of Hampi, Karnataka

Thanks for bringing to us the amazing heritage of one of the best archaeological sites of India. Nicely captured!

Re: Exploring the ancient architecture of Hampi, Karnataka

Credit goes to that little tiny tripod..


hehehe.. thats me taking a much needed power nap.

Re: Exploring the ancient architecture of Hampi, Karnataka

Stone Chariot in the Vijaya Vittala temple grounds?

Re: Exploring the ancient architecture of Hampi, Karnataka

I didn't get your question mate, but if you are asking about Stone Chariot, then yes it is in Vittala temple ground which was covered on 3rd day.
I'm yet to write about and more

Re: Exploring the ancient architecture of Hampi, Karnataka

Hold your horses buddy, picture abhi baaki hai.. :P

Re: Exploring the ancient architecture of Hampi, Karnataka

Yeah, it is like a big thing in small package

Re: Exploring the ancient architecture of Hampi, Karnataka

Day 3: Exploring Vittala Temple and Ride to another side to the Tungabhadra River

Day 2 started a little late, at around 9:30 am we went to Mango Tree Restaurant for breakfast and at around 10:30 am we started to ride to another place called Vittala Temple. It is around 10 km from Hampi Bazar.


Vittala Temple:

Situated northeast of Hampi, this is one of the principal monuments of the city. It is dedicated to Vittala, an aspect of Vishnu worshipped in the Maratha country. It is believed to date from the 16th century. In front of the temple is the world famous stone chariot or ratha.This is one of the three famous stone chariots in India, the other two being in Konark and Mahabalipuram. The wheels of the ratha can be rotated but the government cemented them to avoid the damage caused by the visitors.
One of the notable features of the Vittala Temple is the musical pillars. But unfortunately it was under restoration and entry was restricted.
The road leading to the temple was once a market where the horses were traded. Even today we can seethe ruins of the market on both the sides of the road.


After covering most of this, we took some rest under a tree next to Tungabhadra River. We met a couple there who were from England, it was easy for me to make out that they were from England because I was there last year and I know that British accent very well. That guy was not feeling well and few mins talk with him might have made him feel better and the girl was struggling with her bicycle lock to which my friend Kireet jumped in like a hero and saved the day for her. It always feels good when people from other country take good memories with them, we should have taken a selfie with them.

The Ride

Re: Exploring the ancient architecture of Hampi, Karnataka

Very well said Parag, I strongly believe in this.. I've seen people making fun of foreigners and harassing them..
One small helping gesture from our side can make big difference..

There is a ferry system which runs through out the day from 7 am till 7 pm and charges 10 rupees per person and i think 50 per motorcycle to carry it across the river which is a 10 min ride.. But to do that one has to ride his bike upto the ferry which is a dangerous task.. It is 45 degree steep ride to reach upto river with few intersections where bikes with little ground clearance are bound to bump onto ground..

We saw an RE scratching its bottom at this place, after which we decided to ride for 50 kms and reach the other side safely.. We were in no mood to get our bottoms scratched.. :P