RANI SNANA GRUHAM (Queen's Great Bath) రాణి స్నాన గృహము

RANI SNANA GRUHAM (Queen's Great Bath) రాణి స్నాన గృహము -

This Great Bath for the bathing purpose of the Queen, was built using Lime-plaster, in Hindu- Muslim Style of Architecture. This structure is very beautiful to see and one can observe the similarities between the style of architecture used in this structure and also the style of architecture used in Kamala / Padma Mahal. In between, a swimming tank is built for the purpose of taking bath. This tanks is 8 feet deep. For the purpose of providing water to this tank, a stone Kaaluva (కాలువ) or a Stone Canal is built outside. For the purpose of letting off the used water, the Tank is provided with 4 sluices or outlets.

AKKA - CHELLELLA RAAYI అక్క- చెల్లెళ్ళ రాయి

AKKA - CHELLELLA RAAYI అక్క- చెల్లెళ్ళ రాయి -

These are two huge stones or boulders in Hampi, leaning on each other. These stones are known as the 2- sisters' stones or Akka - Chellella Raayi. Below these stones, there is a wide, vacant space. There is no specific historical story for these stones, but there is "mouth to mouth" story. It is not known how far this story is true. The story goes as follows -

Once, it seems that 2 sisters had come to visit Hampi. The visited Hampi and while returning they were tired and sat down for a while.At that time, the younger sister, it seems told her elder sister that it was better to stay in a Kompa (కొంప) i.e. a dwelling place, than Visit this Hampi. Immediately, they both were transformed into a rock. This is neither a story which can happen in a Punyabhoomi (పుణ్యభూమి) or a sacred place like this, nor it a possible story. The only intention for the formation of this story is that, one should not make fun of the historical incidents which happened in a Sacred place like Hampi.

UGRA NARASIMHUDU ఉగ్ర నరసింహుడు

UGRA NARASIMHUDU ఉగ్ర నరసింహుడు -

This is the biggest among all the famous Vigrahams or statues in Hampi. Its height is 22 feet, and was built in by a Brahmin, in the year 1528, during the reign of Krishnadevarayalu.

Even though this is known as Ugra Narasimhudu i.e. a very angry Narasimhudu, it is not truly meant to be a very angry Narasimhudu. When the statue was built, a Lakshmi Vigraham or statue was also built on the palm of Ugra Narasimhudu. Since this statue was built along with a Lakshmi Statue, it was perhaps known as Lakshmi Narasimhudu [లక్ష్మి నరసింహుడు] during those days.

DANDANAYAKUNI KOTA, GAJA SAALA

DANDANAYAKUNI KOTA (FORT) -

దండనాయకుని కోట

This Kota or Fort is one of the most famous fort in present day Hampi. Towards the south, there is an entrance provided. There are 4 Gopurams or Watch -Towers in the 4 corners of the Fort. But now these Gopurams are in a very ruined state and have also fallen down.

GAJAH SAALA OR THE ELEPHANT STABLES -

గజశాల

In order to tie the kings special elephants, big elephant stables or Gajah Salaas were built. There were 11 such stables here. To move between one stable to another, in between small dwarams or entrances were built. The elephant stables are in a good condition, even to this day. These stables were built with stone and powdered mortar. The top portion of the Elephant Stables are in the form of a Golam(గోళం) or a Doom.

There is a building towards the north of the Elephant Stables or the Gajah Saala. It is called as the rest-house for the watchmen. Towards the East of this Structure, is a Vishnu Temple. It is also the temple of Goddess Saraswathy also. Opposite to this lies a octagonal shaped great bath.

PADMA MAHAL / KAMALA MAHAL

PADMA MAHAL / KAMALA MAHAL -

పద్మ మహలు / కమల మహలు

Padma Mahal / Kamala Mahal is found near opposite to a Kota i.e. Fort, near the Mahanavami Dibba. In the wall of the Kota, one can see a small entrance, which leads to a huge Maidanam or field. In the middle of the field one can find the Padma Mahal / Kamala Mahal. It is also called as the Lotus Mahal or Chitrangini Mahal. This Lotus Mahal has Hindu as well as Muslim Style of architecture. It contains 2 floors or Storeys. To climb to the Second Floor, one can find Steps to the north . One can watch the beautiful scenery of the nature by climbing above the Padma Mahal / Kamala Mahal. The Mahal is so cool even during the peak Summer Time, that one can also store wine in this cool dry place. In order to get cool breeze, it is said that they would pour cool water, during those days. There is a proper provision for this also. We can also see provision for curtains to cover the windows. We can also find traces of Udyanavanam or garden, surrounding this building. Some people are also of the opinion that this might be the Maharani or Queen's resting place.

It is surrounded by a strong fortress wall. There is also a Gopuram or Tower -house for the Kota Kapali or the watchman of the fort. Steps are provided to climb up to the Gopuram of Tower - House.

(Another view of the beautiful Dwaram or Entrance)

(Note the beauty of the arches of the Kamala / Padma Mahal)

(Another View of the Kamala / Padma Mahal . Note the newly created garden around it)

MAHANAVAMI DIBBA

MAHANAVAMI DIBBA (మహానవమి దిబ్బ) -

Also known as Maharnavami Dibba (మహర్నవమి దిబ్బ)

Mahanavami Dibba is a huge stone stage. It is 22 feet tall, upper part is 80 feet in length, and also 80 feet in width. This huge structure was built by Sri Krishnadevarayalu of Tuluva Vamsam. He had this structure built on account of his victory against Orissa Gajapathis. This structure is also carved with beautiful carvings on its walls. Hunting Scenes, Erotic Dancing Beauties and also some Historical pictures are some carvings found on the walls of the Mahanavami Dibba. To the south of this stage, there are some beautiful Silpams i.e. Stone statues. These statues were destroyed by the Bahumani Rulers, but still the beauty of these sculptures is not completely lost. In the top walls of this structure, we can see Enugula Ooregimpu i.e. Elephant Procession, and scenes where a person of high importance is seated on a throne and another person bowing before him, which are carved beautifully. The person who is bowing can be immediately identified as foreign ambassador, mainly due to the Persian cap, which is also shown by the sculptor clearly. Scenes of foreign ambassadors who are visiting the Holy temples are also carved very beautifully. On the other side, we can see the Holi (హోళి) festival scenes. It is said that on this Dibba, the King used to have a big Madapam (మండపము) constructed, and used to conduct Puja to the Deity and also used to conduct programmes like Darbaru, Singing Competitions, etc., with great pomp and splendour. Near by to the Mahanavami Dibba, we can see a Well. The well is about 42 feet deep and 2 feet wide. The speciality of this well is that, it is built with a Single Stone only (Monolithic Structure). There is also a Secret Mandiram, where the Discussions regarding the Kingdom Affairs used to take place. There is another well nearby, which is 300 feet in length, and 150 feet in width. It is said that this well might have been used for the purpose of swimming.

(Stair-case of the Maharnavami Dibba)

(Carvings on the walls of the Maharnavami Dibba)

(Elephant Scenes on the walls of the Mahanavami Dibba)

(These are the stairs which lead inward from the Mahanavami Dibba, and then lead outside the structure. We can also see the carvings on the walls.)

Ruins of HAMPI

HAMPI

Hampi ( హంపి ) is both a historic & relegious place in India. This was the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire. The ruins of Hampi, as it is popularly known today, is a vast open museum of history, architecture and religion . Spread over an area more than 25 square kilometers (10 square miles), Hampi ruins is packed with giant temples, palaces, market streets, aquatic structures , fortifications and an abundance of other ancient monuments.

The giant boulder strewn hills and the river that bisects make a bizarre landscape for this ancient metropolis. Together with its historic and mythological residues this rural area makes a perfect tourist spot. Hampi is in the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN HAMPI :-

The main sites in Hampi, which one has to visit are listed below,

1) Virupaksha Temple (శ్రీ విరూపాక్ష దేవాలయము) -

Virupaksha temple is the oldest temple in Hampi. This temple is located on the south bank of the river Thungabadra.Historically this temple has an uninterrupted history from about the 7th century. The Virupaksha-Pampa sanctuary existed well before the Vijayanagar capital was located here. Inscriptions referring to Siva date back to the 9th and 10th centuries. The Vijayanagar Rulers improved this temple from a small Shrine to a large Complex.

2) RajahThulabharam (రాజతులాభారము):-

This Thulabharam is erected on two huge pillars. During the Dasara Festival which used to be celebrated with a lot of pomp and splendour during those days, on the day of Mahanavami (or also known as Maharnavami), the ruler used to sit on one thrasu (plate) of the Thulabharam and on the other plate he used to order to fill precious stones like diamond, rubies, etc., to match his weight. Then these precious stones used to be donated to the poor and needy people.

3) Hajara Ramaswami Temple (హజార రామ దేవాలయము) -

The temple got its name Hazara Rama (a thousand Rama) Temple owing to this multitude of these Ramayana panels on its walls. On important thing one has to know here is that thestories of Ramayanam are carved, in long array, on the walls of this temple.

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4) Aavaginja Ganapathi (ఆవగింజ గణపతి)

This is a famous Ganapati Statue found at Hampi. It is popularly known as

Aavaginja Ganapathi (ఆవగింజ గణపతి) which means Mustered Ganapati.

5) Ugra Narasimhudu (ఉగ్ర నరసింహుడు)

This is the famous Statue of Ugra Narasimhudu - Angry Lion God, found at Hampi. Some parts of this Beautiful statue was destroyed by the Bahumani kings. Now the government has retained what is left out only i.e. just the dilapidated statue only.

6) Stone Radham or Stone Chariot (రాతి రధము)

This is the most important monument in Hampi, that one cannot afford to miss. It is said that during those days it was belived that if the chariot moves even an inch forward, then that moment would be the end of the world. Even this monument was ruiend mercilessly by the Sultans, but it has still not lost its beauty. It is found in the premises of the Vitalaswamy Temple.