Vijayanagara
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Template:World Heritage Sites in India
Vijayanagara (often written Vijayanagar), in northern Karnataka, is the name of the now ruined capital city of the historic Vijayanagar empire in the Southern part of India.
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Vijayanagara
Most of the city lies on the south side of the Tungabhadra river. The city was built around the original religious centre of the Virupaksha temple at Hampi. Other holy places lie within its extents, including the site of what is said to be Kishkinda, the cave home of Sugriva, the monkey king of the Ramayana.
The central areas of the city, which include what are now called the Royal Centre and the Sacred Centre, extend over an area of at least 40 sq. km. It includes the modern village of Hampi. Another village, Kamalapuram, lies just outside the old walled city, but is also surrounded by ruins and monuments. The nearest major town and railhead is the town of Hospet, about 13 km away by road.
The natural setting for the city is a hilly landscape, dotted with numerous granite boulders, of all sizes. The Tungabhadra river runs through a gorge alongside it, and provided protection from the north. Beyond the hills on the south bank on which the city was built, a plain extended further the south. Large scale walls and fortifications of hewn granite defended the centre of the city.
The name means 'City of Victory', from vijaya (victory) and nagara (city).
The ruined city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, (where it is called the Ruins of Hampi).
This site has been included in the 'UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger: 1999'.
History
The Hindu Vijayanagar empire was founded by the two brothers Hakka, (later named Harihara), and Bukka (later known as Bukka Raya), from 1336 onwards. It is known that their original base was located in the area. The capital was probably first placed at Anegondi, now a small village on the north side of the Tungabhadra, opposite the Vitthala temple. As the empire began to expand and prosper under Bukka Raya, the capital was established at the more defensible and secure location of Vijayanagara, on the south side of the river.
The city flourished between the 14th century and 16th century, during the height of the power of the Vijayanagar empire. During this time, it was often in conflict with the Muslim kingdoms which had become established in the northern Deccan, and which are often collectively termed the Deccan sultanates. In 1565, the empire's armies suffered a massive and catastrophic defeat at the hands of an alliance of the sultanates, and the capital was taken. The victorious armies then proceeded to raze, depopulate, and destroy the city over a period of several months. Despite the empire continuing to exist thereafter during a slow decline, the original capital was not reoccupied or rebuilt. It has not been occupied since.
The buildings in the city show a certain amount of Islamic influence considering the various levels of interaction with the Islamic kingdoms.
The Sacred Center
This title is given to the areas extending from Hampi village to Matanga Hill to its east. It is sometimes extended further northeast to the Vitthala Temple.
Virupaksha Temple
This surviving temple and temple complex is the core of the village of Hampi. It is also known as the Pampapati temple. It was built and extended between the 13th and 17th centuries, and has two courts with entrance gopurams. It faces a ceremonial and colonnaded street, that exends eastwards for more than half a mile, to a monolithic statue of Nandi.
The temple is still in use at the present day. It is dedicated to Virupaksha, an aspect of Shiva and his consort Pampa, a local deity.
Krishna Temple
This is a ruined temple, south of Hampi, built by the emperor Krishnadeva Raya after military campaigns in Orissa. Parts of the temple and its compound have collapsed.
Hampi3.JPG
Ugra Narasimha
Also to the south of Hampi is this massive rock cut idol of Narasimha, the fierce aspect of Vishnu, 6.7m high. The Narasimha statue has recently been restored; the granite strap binding between his knees is a recent addition to stabilise the icon. The donation of this statue is ascribed to either Krishnadeva Raya, or to a wealthy merchant during his reign.
Originally the icon bore a smaller image of Lakshmi on one knee; this had fallen off, probably due to vandalism. The statue is now in the museum at Kamalapuram.
Sugriva's cave
This is a natural cave, said to be the original home of the monkey king Sugriva, where Rama is said to have met him and Hanuman on his travels. The cave is marked by coloured markings, and the attentions of pilgrims.
Kodandarama Temple
Situated to the east of Hampi, in the sacred centre of the city, and by a narrow point of the Tungabhadra river. This temple marks the spot where Rama crowned Sugriva. The temple is still in use.
Vittala Temple
Situated northeast of Hampi, opposite the village of Anegondi, 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 the front of the temple is the famous stone chariot or ratha. This is itself a miniature temple, carved out of a single rock, to resemble the temple chariots or rathas in which temple idols are traditionally taken out in procession.
The Royal Centre
This extensive area starts about 2 km to the southeast of Hampi, and extends southeast, almost to the village of Kamalapuram. It contains the ruins of palaces, administrative buildings, and some temples directly associated with royalty. Little remains of the palaces except the foundations, as they were largely timber structures, for comfort. The temples and some of the other stone structures survive however, as do many of the surrounding city walls.
Ramachandra Temple
This is also known as the Hazararama temple (temple of a thousand Ramas), due to the recurrence of images of Rama in the friezes on the outside of the temple. It is situated in the Royal Center of the city, to the south and east of Hampi.
Underground Temple
Also known as the Virupaksha Temple (not to be confused with the temple of the same name at Hampi), this extensive temple stands in an excavation in the ground, and is surrounded by earth embankments.
Lotus Mahal
A palace for the queen that has special devices for environmental control such as pipes with running water.
Pushkarani
This is a stepped well designed for bathing, often referred to as the Queen's baths. Such sunken wells were created to provide relief from daytime heat. It is likely to have been protected by awnings or tents when the city was occupied.
Elephant stables
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.
External links
- Vijayanagara - City of Victory (http://www.cloudband.com/frames.mhtml/magazine/articles/feat_fritz_vijiyanagara_p1.html)
- A Guide to History and Tourism at Hampi (http://www.hampionline.com/)sv:Vijayanagara