Journey Date : 25 Oct, 2023 to 29th Oct, 2023
Mode of Transport : Train and Auto
Day Two
As we was tired on first day, Day two 26th October, starts with switching off the alarm and waking up late at around 7:00 a.m. As earliest as possible we got ready and left the hotel room and reached Hosapete bus stand. Same auto rickshaw drive Mr. Parshurama approach us and asked for one day business to explore Hampi, but we denied as we had already booked auto rickshaw, though we had not given any advance to Mr. Narayanan, but we don;t want to loos trust as most of the things here works on the trust.
Note : Notice board on the buses are in regional language (Kannada). you can use google lense to translate or take help of local people. Hampi to Kamlapur ordinary bus charge 16 Rupees and Express bus charge 17 Rupees, do keep change.
Very Important 10 Rupees coin not acceptable in public transport buses.
The auto rickshaw driver help us to board correct bus which goes to Kamalapura, we boarded the bus at 8:30 a.m and within 30 minutes at around 9:00 a.m we reached Kamplapura bus stop, were both Auto rickshaw driver Mr. Lucky (Narayanan's brother) and Guide Mr. Suresh are waiting for us. We introduce each other and started Hampi exploration.
North Hampi Explored Places.
- Talarigatta Gate
- Vijay Vitthal Temple
- King Balance
- Purandardas Temple
- Queens bath
- Stone Gate
- Mahanavami Dibba
- Pushkarni
- Ancient Lunch plate
- Secret Chamber
- Krishnadevaraya Palace
- King Audience hall
- Punishment Enclosure
- Hazar Ram Temple
- Pan Supari Bazar
- Museum
- Rani Ananantpura and Lotus Mahal
- Elephent Stable
- Ranganath Swami Temple
- Ellamma Devi Temple
- Underground Shiv Temple
- Panaroma point - sunset
👉 Go to Spending Tracker
Talarigatta Gate
We started from North Hampi, First we reached at Talarigatta Gate. Is one of the entrance gate of Hampi city, this gateway is strategically located in the North. This gate is also know as "Toll collection point". This is two storied structure, provision for guard pavilion in first storey. on North side of gate there is sculpture of Veerajaneyay (Lord Hanuman).
 |
| Talarigatta Gate |
After exploring Talarigatta gate, we moved ahead to Vijay Vitthal temple, Auto rickshaw dropped us at ASI gate, which is 1 km away from Vijay Vitthal temple. We scanned the QR code to pay ASI fees (Archeological Survey of India). Per person cost is 35 Rupees, same ticket can be used for Lotus Mahal and Museum at Kamlapur. (Kamlapur museum remain close on every Friday). We walked a short and stood in a quee for battery vehicle, Which drops you in front of the gate of Vijay Vitthal Temple, Battery vehicle is optional, if you wish to reach temple gate by walking then most welcome. 👉 Go to Top of the Page
 |
| Pushkarni, while going toward Vijay Vitthal temple by battery car |
Vijay Vitthal Temple
Battery vehicle per person cost is 20 Rupees (Two way). We waited for around 30 minutes. We sat in a battery vehicle and move towards Vijay Vitthal temple, our guide Mr. Suresh is with us, while moving towards the Vijay Vitthal temple he was explaining the details of temples and monuments beside roads. First one we saw Khudre temple, then Pushkarni and watch tower including Vitthal Bazar (shops). We got down at Vijay Vitthal temple gate, The gate is closed by ASI to protect it from damage, as it has high chances to collapse. On north-east of the gate there is a Shiv temple which was built for shaiva community. In ancient India, there are two communities first one is Shaiv and second one is Vaishnav, Shaiv means follower of Lord Shiv and Vaishnav means followers of Lord Vishnu. Vitthal is one of the form of Lord Vishnu!
 |
| One of the gate of Vijay Vitthal temple |
 |
| Shiv temple located on the right side of gate and ruins of bazar (shops) |
From left side of the gate, we moved ahead for about 20-25 steps, we reached another gate/entrance of Vijay Vitthal temple, we display our ticket and entered in the premises of Vijay Vittthal temple.
Vijay Vitthal temple have 3 gates, total 4 main building, at centre Lord Vitthal temple attached with Dancing hall which contains musical pillars and most famous stone chariot in front of the temple We spent around 2 hours to see ancient art, technology, even our Guide gave us extra 30 Minutes for photography, still we were unsatisfied we wanted to spend more time, but we have to see other monuments of Hampi city. 👉 Go to Top of the Page
There is a lot of carving, which was explained to us by Guide Suresh, mentioning all those on the blog is not a good idea, go to Hampi and experience it by yourself!
King Balance
After exploring Vijay Vitthal temple, we aheaded towards the Purandardas temple, on the way we saw King Balance, King's Balance is an ancient 15th-century weighing scale that was used to weigh the king with the royal jewels, every year on special occasions like King's birthday, festivals, lunar and solar eclipse, etc. The jewels were then donated to the temple priests. The structure has intricately carved pillars. It is made of granite and the pillars support a stone beam that has hooks that were used to suspend the balance. Also saw two storey building that used as a southeast entrance of the Vijay Vithhal temple. 👉 Go to Top of the Page
 |
| King Balance |
Purandardas Temple
After a walk an about 300 to 400 meters we reached Purandardas temple, the temple is located at the bank of river Tungabhadra, during the rainy season the temple is not accessible as it goes under water.
The temple is very simple, with no carving on the pillars, on entrance of the temple observed encryption. Inside the temple one small sculpture of saint and singer Purandardas. His real name was Srinivasa Nayaka.
Note : A famous compotition "Chandrachood Shiv Shankar Parvathi..." was written by Purandardasa and he had composed 4,75,000 keerthanas (songs)!
 |
| Purandardas Temple |
After spending some time at the river bank and taking some photos, we turned back towards Vijay Vitthal temple, while returning we had sugarcane juice to overcome thirst. We reached at the gate of Vijay Vitthal temple and stood in the queue for the battery car.
We reached the main entrance and decided to have lunch, we asked the auto-rickshaw driver to drop us at Kali restaurant at around 1:00 p.m, Lunch was unlimited per plate 200 Rupees, My review, the food was ok, but 200 Rs was not worth it. After having lunch we went to the saree shop "Hampi Silk saree and Handicraft", the shop is just below the Kali restaurant. Sarees are made from unique fiber made from banana trees. After shopping, we resumed Hampi exploration. Auto driver Lucky dropped us at Queens Bath. 👉 Go to Top of the Page
Queens Bath
Though the exterior may appear simple, the interior is stunning, with graceful arched corridors, projecting balconies and lotus shaped fountains that once spouted perfumed water for the ladies of the court. Queen's Bath Outside around the building is a big water cannel encircling the building. You need to cross that at some places where a bridge like structure is made. Probably this was designed to prevent intruders from walking into the place where the royal women folks took bath! 👉 Go to Top of the Page
 |
| Queens Bath |
Stone Door
The Stone Doors in Hampi are an impressive pair of monolith doors that were once part of one of the entrances of the Royal Enclosure in Hampi. Located near the Mahanavami Dibba platform in the Royal Enclosure, the remarkable stone doors are believed to be a part of the imposing fortification of the enclosed area during the period of the Vijayanagara Empire. These doors were opened and closed with the help of Elephents. 👉 Go to Top of the Page
 |
| Stone Gate near Mahanavmi Dibba |
Mahanvami Dibba
This is the tallest structure in this area and hence the first thing you would notice as you enter the Royal Enclosure. From a distance this looks like an ordinary elevated square stage. As you go close, the details emerge. The whole structure is made as a giant square structure in three layers.
There are mainly two stairways to reach the top. The front side (east facing) is highly decorated on either sides with carvings of elephants, horses and a host of other things. On the top there is nothing special to see except the great views on the campus around it. At the back of the platform a twin staircase is located. Probably this was used as a service staircase during the ceremonies. Generally one climb up through the front stair & get down through the rear, though there are no restrictions.The sides of this three layered platform is basically fluted design with chains of sculptures (largely of elephants one behind the other). The most celebrated of the carvings are of the panels at the sidewall in the bottom portion. These dexterously carved sculptures and ornamentations depict any thing from the royal ceremony to the city life to the erstwhile foreign envoys to the kingdom to the hunting scenes to the…... Also any things from the Portuguese to Arabic to Chinese connections are visible. Probably this was made as a photo gallery for the benefit of the foreign envoys who had been visiting the capital. They could get the picture of the pompous celebrations held annually at the capital through theses depictions. 👉 Go to Top of the Page
 |
| Mahanavmi Dibba |
Pushkarni
A huge step pond made up of black limestone makes it unique because all the monuments in Hampi city are made up of Granite stone, but the step pond and Mahanavmi Dibba are made up of black limestone brought from Andhra Pradesh.
On each layer odd number of steps will be observed with decreasing order from top to bottom. Also, one noticeable thing is, that still numbering done 1000 years back on each stone is visible. 👉 Go to Top of the Page
 |
| Pushkarni - Step Pond |
Ancient Lunch Plate
It is strange to see lunch plates of soldiers made up of black limestone, the science behind making lunch plates of stone is that these plates are reached with iron which helps their soldiers to remain healthy and strong. Also, the important thing is each plate generated a different sound by tapping on it similar to musical pillars. These plates are non-movable and kept in a fixed place. Now some of the plates were stolen by local people to use as a grinder. After exploring the plates we headed towards the secret chamber. 👉 Go to Top of the Page
 |
| Ancient Lunch Plate |
Secret Chamber
A secret chamber near the step pond and within the royal enclosure of Mahanavmi Dibba is used by the king and his commander to discuss war plans, share secret information, etc. As per the guide in ancient times, one could not easily identify the secret chamber because it was made underground and on top big fountain was present. There are steps on both side of the secret chamber, we went down and explore the chamber, we use mobile phone torche for light as under way path is too dark. 👉 Go to Top of the Page
King Audience hall
This is an important structure near the Hazar Ram Temple, this structure is the palace of King Krishnadevaraya, we did not go near the palace, we saw it from a distance from the audience pavilion, There are approximately 7 to 10 such palaces, which would make it difficult for the enemy to know exactly which palace the king is in. Currently, only the foundations of these palaces remain. 👉 Go to Top of the Page
Krishnadevraya Palace
It is a ruined structure, near Hazar Ram temple, we didn't go close to the palace, but from the King's audience hall we saw those, there are several palaces present, around 7 - 10, which was made to confuse the enemy/traitor to identify exact palace where the king resides, if they try to attack the king. 👉 Go to Top of the Page
Punishment Enclosure
We came down and reached at punishment area, which was used for small punishment. Tow rock cut vertical pillars, on top of horizontal rock pillar were kept, usually, both hands of the culprit were tied to the pillar and executed the punishment order based on time. There is a rock sundial kept in the punishment area, by keeping a stick or store rod in the dial, calculate the time with the help of the shadow of the stick or rod. 👉 Go to Top of the Page
 |
| Punishment enclosure |
 |
| Sundial |
Hazar Ram temple
The Hazara Rama Temple is a unique temple in many aspects. The first thing that draws attention about the temple is its name. The term ‘Hazara Rama’ literally means a thousand Rama. The walls of the temple carry the story of Ramayana carved on stone. The outer walls of the temple are decorated with bas-relics of Rama and Krishna. Black limestone is used for inner pillar of the temple. carving on limestone pillars are amazing, sharp and clear. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama, a hindu deity. It was once the private temple of the kings and the royal family of Vijayanagara. 👉 Go to Top of the Page
 |
| Hazar Ram Temple |
 |
| Hazar Ram temple back side |
 |
| Inner pillar of Hazar Ram temple |
Pan Supari Bazar
The Pan Supari Bazaar is a ruined market place of Hampi. It is located in the area opposite to the main entrance of the Hazar Ram Temple. The Pan Supari Bazaar is said to be one of the four main market places that existed during the Vijayanagara Empire. After exploring Pan Supari Bazaar we headed towards Hampi museum, within 5 minutes we reached at museum by auto rickshaw. 👉 Go to Top of the Page
 |
| Pan Supari Bazar |
Archeological Museum Hampi
 |
| Nandi Statue in the Museum |
Rani Ananantpura and Lotus mahal
Before entering into the campus of Lotus Mahal, we have to display ticket which we purched by scanning QR code at the gate of Vijay Vitthal temple. We entered into the premises of Lotus Mahal and initially came across the Rani Anantpura (Queens Palace).
This place was used to keep the queens safe when the king went out of the city for war.There are two Queen Palaces, as King Krishnadevraya had two Queens. Entier area is protected by 20-25 feet wall with four watch towers.
Very importat information provide by guide is, for protection of queens there was a army of transgenders. Why transgenders? Women could not be kept for protection because they were not as strong as men, and male soldiers were avoided to protect from ill intentions towards the queens.
After exploring Rani Anantpura we headed towards Lotus Mahal, which is few step away. Beautiful building and amazing architecture, got stunned by seeing water dripping system build inside the building with the help of clay pipes to keep surrounding cool during summer season. Beside Lotus Mahal there is a well, water of same well were used to pour into clay pipes.
After exploring Lotus Mahal, we went to the Elephent stable, which is at walkable distance behind Lotus Mahal. 👉 Go to Top of the Page
 |
| Lotus Mahal |
Elephant stable
The Elephant Stable in Hampi is an impressive structure that was used to provide shelter for the royal elephants of the Vijayanagara Empire.It is one of the very few structures that have not suffered extensive damage during the Islamic attack on Hampi that led to the downfall of the Vijayanagara Empire. The elephant stable is a long building with a rectangular shape. The building has a row of eleven huge domed chambers. Each chamber is large enough to accommodate two elephants at a time. The domed chambers are interconnected with large arched openings.
The elephant stable in Hampi is one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic style of architecture. Most of the structures and monuments in Hampi were built using the Vijayanagara style of architecture. On the left side of the elephant stable, there is a castle for the guards, although entry is prohibited, don't forget to see it from out side.
I am not an archeological expert, but my personal opinion is that this architecture might be built or modified post-Islamic invasion, but not at the time of Krishnadevaraya's rule. Guide and other people say such architecture was built as "Sarva dharma Sambhav" which means Secularism, If you know Indian history, there is no word like Sarva Dharma Sambhav in ancient India and such words are not followed by Islamic invaders. They know only one religion that is Islam. Personally not agree with such information, information is cleverly modified by seculars and lefties.
After exploring Elephant stable we moved ahead for Ranganath swami temple which is 5 minutes away, we reached it by Auto. 👉 Go to Top of the Page
 |
| Elephent Stable |
Shri Ranganath Swami Temple
When we reached Ranganth swami temple, it was about to be sunset, we entered the temple but as usual, sanctum (garbhagruha) was empty, no idol present. There was nothing much to see inside thetemple except a large carved idol of Lord Hanuman and inscriptions on the walls. 👉 Go to Top of the Page
 |
| Sculpture of Shree Hanuman at Ranganath Swami Temple |
Ellamma Devi Temple
After exploring Ranganath swami temple, we reached Godess Ellamma temple, which is beside Ranganath swami temple at a walkable distance. After exploring we moved ahead to underground Shiv Temple by auto. 👉 Go to Top of the Page
 |
| Godess Ellamma |
Underground Shiv Temple
The entrance of the temple is unique as compared to other temples in the Hampi. We went down by stairs and reached Maha Mandap. Guide alerted us about crabs, bats and snakes, so we entered into Mahamandap by keeping each step carefully, Maha mandap is slightly filled with water and Garbhgruha (sanctum) is submerged in the water, No one tries to enter it because of the bat droppings. We have not spent much time over there and came out and went behind the temple, to explore. This temple is also known as Prasanna. Virupaksh Temple. 👉 Go to Top of the Page
Note: During the rainy season, the temple is completely submerged in to the water.
 |
| Entrance of Underground Shiv Temple |
Panaroma point - sunset
After exploring Shiv temple, the guide decided to end the day. We started our return journey towards the hotel room. Suddenly guide remembered about Sunset Point, and he asked the Auto driver to take a U-turn. Without saying a single word or resistance auto driver took U-turn and dropped us at Sunset Point.
After watching and capturing the sunset on the mobile, we boarded an auto and headed towards Kamlapur where in the morning we met. We asked the auto driver to stop at a restaurant where we could have a snack. Notable information is, in the evening you will not get Idli, dosa, etc, so the auto driver stopped at Snack Center. where we had a cheese sandwich and Lassi.
We tried to pay the current-day charges to the Driver and Guide, but they refused to take them and told us to pay by the end of the next day. The auto driver dropped us at the Kamlapur stop, luckily bus for Hosapete arrived. As usual notice board on the bus in the Kannada language, but the Auto driver informed us that this bus will drop you at Hosapete bus stand.
We boarded the bus at around 7:00 p.m, ticket conductor approached for a ticket, we thought a per-person ticket would be 16 Rupees, a Total of 48 Rupees; but the total fare was 51 Rupees, which means per person fare was 17 rupees. So I took back 8 rupee change from him and gave him 10 Rupee coin, but he refused to take them, initially, At first I didn't understand what he meant, but Vinayak had an idea about it.. He told me 10 Rupee coin is not acceptable in Andhra and Karnataka state buses. Finally, I gave all the change to him and took the ticket.
We came to know that for an Ordinary bus, the fare is 16 Rupees from Hosapete to Kamlapur and for an Express bus fare is 17 Rupees.
We got down at the Hosapete bus stand and by walking reached at hotel room at around 7:30 p.m, we all three got fresh and started the calculation of the whole day's spending. After completion of the spending tally, decided to go for dinner. This time we tried a different restaurant named Chandrasheela. Note: Unlike Mumbai, in Karnataka most of the shops and restaurants close at around 9:30 pm to 10:00 pm.
We already reached late at around 9:15 p.m. We were ordering one item at a time, to avoid food wastage, The Waiter was accepting the order calmly, but inside the kitchen, chef was getting frustrated, but we are not aware of it. When we gave the final order of Paneer pulao we heard some angry conversation between chef and waiter. Finally, the chef personally served the paneer pulav in an angry mood. at that moment we realized that we made a mistake by coming late, as restaurant staff also need to wind up all things before going home.
We completed the dinner as soon as possible and went for a walk, while walking on the bus stand road we reached the statue, we took the help of Google Lens to translate the Kannada language, but Google Lens also gave us the wrong information, after that we search our current location on map and identified the name, the statue of Saint Kanakdasa, he was a Haridasa saint and philosopher, popularly called Daasashreshta Kanakadasa.
We returned to the room and set the alarm for the next day at 5:00 a.m., as we got advice from auto driver Lucky, to reach Kamlapur early so that we could explore as many places as possible.
Spending summary Day 2
No comments:
Post a Comment