A close-up shot of an excavated statue at the ASI museumCarvings on an entrance arch – notice the sun and moon on the top; these were symbols in the Vijayanagar Empire’s crestA warrior and his companionFlower carvings on doorsThe weathering of the ruins can be seen with most features of the faces smoothed outA headless statue of a court dancer. It is fascinating to note that none of the female statues had any clothing on the upper body apart from the jewels that adorn it. The society was far more progressive and open than what we see todayA broken Nandi Bull statueCarving depicting citizens appreciating the KingWar scenes on a door archShaivism was one of the influences in Vijayanagara and here we see a carving of a ShivlingThe architects of this era were nothing short of genius and achieved all these carvings without the help of modern tools. The rings on these stones were made by tying ropes tightly around the stones and rotating them, thus making a perfect symmetrical carvingCourt dancers etched on stone columnsRemnants of the old Kannada script can be found on numerous ruins throughout the areaA female statue on the ASI museum groundsThe dyes used during the era are still intact in some of the ruinsA close-up of the top of Virupaksha Temple’s gopuramThe congregation hall to the left of the sanctum sanctorum at Virupaksha TempleThe steps leading to the Sanctum Sanctorum. The animal carving on the side is such that at different angles you can see 5 different animalsInside the main temple hall, surrounded with intricate carving on each pillarCarved columns of the dharamshala – an area where visitors could restA bright tinted section of the ceiling that has preserved its organic colours. Notice the Anglo influence on the left corner with a painting of an angelHunting scenes at the temple plinthA portion of the ruins in Virupaksha TempleAnother section of the dharamshala, which have now been claimed by monkeysWhatcha eating?Evolution in motion – monkey (foreground) to man (background)Don’t let me adult, I am too young to adult!Who goes there? Show yourself!A hearty meal followed by a nap is the best way to spend this lifeVirupaksha Temple’s pushkarani, with the boulders in the distanceLakshmi – the temple elephant – all dressed up and ready for the day after her bathEvery temple had a market area in front of it. This is the gold and diamond market at Virupaksha Temple. People sold gold and diamonds by the kilos!A danseuse at Kadlekalu Ganesha complexOne of the 4 watchtowers of the empire. This is visible from every part of the ruinsThe dharamshala at Krishna TempleCorridors of the main temple resplendent with intricately carved pillarsThe front of the Krishna Temple complexThe visitor’s resting area behind the main templeIt was awe inspiring to see how even the smallest of structures were given equal importance when it came to design and constructionThis inscription in the Devnagri script (not indigenous to this region) is at the entrance of the Krishna Temple and is thought to have been the influence of the King’s wedding to the princess of OrissaThe crumbling facade of the Vittala Temple, which is under restoration by ASIThe ruins of the market in front of Vittala Temple that traded in horses. The pavilion had cobbled pathways which can still be seenThe Vittala Temple courtyard with the Stone Chariot adorning its centerCarvings of horse traders at the temple base. At close inspection, you will notice that the men are dressed in traditional garbs of Mongolia (third from left), China (fourth from left) and Portugal (extreme right)Could not get enough of the famous Stone Chariot!Legend has it that Ram while on a mission to rescue Sita, rested in Hampi – the resting bow on his shoulder (a depiction found only here) backs the claimsNowhere are any depictions of Ram in a seated position, and this carving here in Hampi calls out to the legends of Ram having crossed through here, meeting Hanuman and resting before attacking LankaA depiction of Kumbhakarna being woken up to go to warInside the Kalyana Mantapa of Vittala TempleThe backyard entrance to the templeA portion of the dharamshala at Vittala TempleUp close of the Rang MahalCarvings of war elephants at the on the ceremonial throne at the Royal EnclosureStepwell influenced pushkarani at the royal enclosureThese are stone plates that the soldiers used to eat their meals. That is definitely some big appetite!Sunrises are spectacular in Hampi; this taken from my balconyEven when the moon shines on the other end of the skyThe sunsets are an equally stunning display of colours
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