The second day of Hampi itinerary starts at the Vitthala temple - one of the most famous temples in Hampi. The itinerary covers roughly 3.5 km to explore different temple ruins along the bank of the Thungabadra river. One can cover the distance by walking, however given the hot climate of Hampi, it is better to hire a bi-cycle of a two wheeler. Some stretch in this itinerary requires a walk through the rock boulders to explore the riverside temples and monuments. You can park your vehicle at some place and do this stretch.

Hampi Day 2 Itinerary

8:00am - 10:00 am - Vitthala Temple Complex 
10:15am - 10:45 am Purandaradasa Mantapa 
11:00 am - 11:30am Kings Balance and the Double storied Gateway 
 12:00pm - 12:15pm Sugreeva’s cave 
12:30pm - 1:30pm Narasimha temple 
 1:30pm to 2:30pm - Lunch break 
2:45pm - 3:00pm - Kodandarama temple  
3:30pm - 4:30pm Achyuta Raya’s Temple complex 
4:45 - 5:00pm Ranganatha Temple
5:15pm - 6:15pm Climb over the hill to reach Monolithic bull  
6:30pm - 7:00pm Yantrodharaka Anjaneya Temple

8:00am - 10:00 am - Vitthala Temple Complex

If Hampi is the crown of Vijayanagara architecture, the Vitthala Temple is the crown jewel. The Vitthala temple is a sprawling complex with intricately carved pillars and grand Mantapas. The complex also houses the stone chariot, which is considered as the epitome of the Vijayanagara art and sculpture. Vitthala temple lies around 2.7km north-east of the Virupaksha temple, over the bank of the Tungabhadra river.

The sprawling Vitthala temple - Hampi Pick, Pack, Go
The sprawling Vitthala temple
By Archana Ramesh (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons


The temple was dedicated to Vitthala – a form of Lord Vishnu. Even though there is no clear evidence, scholars believe that the construction of the Vitthala temple started under the patronage of Devaraya II (1422-46 AD) and later expanded by Krishnadevaraya (1509-1529) and his queens.As we enter the Vitthala temple, be prepared to be owe struck. What we are about to witness is nothing less than an architectural magic, which would instantly transport you to the ancient times. 


10:15am - 10:45 am Purandara Dasa Mantapa

Situated quite close to the Vitthala temple, there is a small Mantapa which stands partially inside the Tungabhadra River. It  is the Purandara Dasa Mantapa. Purandara Dasa(1484-1564) was a great musician and composer of ancient times. He is considered as the father of the classical Carnatic music.It is said that Purandaradasa spent his last years in this very own Mantapa singing and composing songs that praise his favorite deity Lord Vitthala. He signed his compositions with the mudra (pen name), "Purandara Vittala".
Ancient temple Purandara Dasa Mantapa - Hampi Pick, Pack, Go
The submerged Purandara Dasa Mantapa
By Dr Murali Mohan Gurram (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
 During the raining seasons, the Mantapa becomes more picturesque as it partially get immersed in the river. Every year, a Karnatic classical music fest is conducted around here, known as the "Purandaradasa Aradhana" as a tribute to the legendary composer.


11:00 am - 11:30am Kings Balance and the Double storied Gateway

As we get off from the side road of Purandaradasa Mantapa and  walk through the road parallel to the Tungabhadra river, we pass through a double storied gateway. Right in front of the gateway there is a curiously shaped structure, which at the first sight looks like just another gateway.

Ancient stone Balance - King's Balance -   Hampi Pick, Pack, Go
The King's Balance and double storied gateway
By Srikar.agnihotram (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
However, it is known as the “King’s Balance”. One of the interesting facts about the King’s Balance is that one can find an image of Krishnadevaraya inscribed on the balance. It is rare depiction of King Krishnadevaraya. The King’s Balance – as the name suggests- was used to weigh the King against gold or other precious material and then as a religious offering, the measured material was donated to the temple or distributed to the Brahmin priests. This practice is prevalent in south Indian states and known as “Thulabharam”.


12:00pm - 12:15pm Sugreeva’s cave

From the King's balance, a short walk through the rocky terrain along the river takes you to the Sugreeva’s cave. As the name suggests, this cave is related to Sugreeva – the monkey king- from the epic Ramayana. The entrance of the cave is a crevice painted with white and ochre stripes. There are many locations in Hampi that is closely related to different events from the epic Ramayana.

Sugreeva's cave  -   Hampi Pick, Pack, Go
Entrance of the Sugreeva Cave
This photo of Hampi is courtesy of TripAdvisor 
According to the legends, this cave is believed to be the place where Sugreeva hid the jewels of Sita that was dropped down while she was being abducted by Ravana. Even though there is not much to see within the cave, one can see large foot prints carved on to the rock, which is believed to be that of Rama and Lakshmana.
Sugreeva's cave  -   Hampi Pick, Pack, Go
Interior of Sugreeva's Cave with huge foot prints
This photo of Hampi is courtesy of TripAdvisor


There is also a pond near the Sugreeva’s cave, which is known as  “Sitasarovar”

12:30pm - 1:30pm Narasimha temple

Quite close to the Sugreeva's cave one can find the double storied gateway of the Narasimha temple. It is located on the slop of the Gandhamadana hill facing the Tungabhadra River. This temple’s architecture suggests that it was constructed in the Pre-vijayanagara period. The temple can be reached by following a flight of steps starting from a double storied Mantapa. Pillars of this Mantapa are carved with the images of Garuda and Hanuman. The inside pillars have finely carved circular tops.  

 The Kadamba architecture style of the Narasimha temple resembles that of the Jain temples. Hence the Narasimha temple is also referred (wrongly) as the Jain temple.
The central sanctuary of the temple doesn’t have any idol now however scholars are of the opinion that it was dedicated to Narasimha –the fourth Avatar of Vishnu. The roof of the temple is a pyramid with eave-like mouldings which resembles the shrines on the Hemakunta hill.


 1:30pm to 2:30pm - Lunch break
There are not many hotels near the Narasimha temple, as most of the good restaurants are concentrated in Hampi Bazaar in the Virupaksha temple area. However, it is just around 1km from the Narasimha temple to the Hampi Bazaar. One can have lunch in the Hampi Bazaar and come back to the itinerary in an hour,

2:45pm - 3:00pm - Kodandarama temple 

 Kodandarama temple looks like any other ordinary temple from outside. Nevertheless, this small temple which faces the Chakratheertha of Thungabhadra River is a very important pilgrim spot due to its connection to the epic Ramayana. In Ramayana, Sugreeva is a monkey-king who helps Rama to reach Lanka, in order to rescue his wife from Ravana- the demon king.

Ancient Kodandarama temple - Hampi Pick, Pack, Go
View of the Kodandarama temple from Thungabhadra
Photo courtesy:John and Siv O'Neall (http://sjoneall.net)
The location of the temple is quite picturesque. It faces one of the holiest points of Thungabadra river. There is a tall deepa stambha in front of the temple and a pipal tree adjacent to it. one can enter into the pillared double porch to reach in front of the sanctum.

3:30pm - 4:30pm Achyuta Raya’s Temple complex  

Achyuta Raya’s temple, which is also known as the Tiruvengalanatha temple is situated in a secluded valley created by the created by the Gandhamadana hills to the east and Matanga hills on the west. he temple is popularly known by the name of King Achyuta Raya- the younger brother of Krishna Devaraya . 
Ancient Achyutaraya temple - Hampi Pick, Pack, Go
Ariel view of the Achyutraya temple
By ablogger aka albert (Flickr) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Contrary to popular belief, it was not King Achyuta Raya built this temple. It was built by by Hiriya Thirumalaraja, the brother-in-law of Achyuta Raya in 1534. The main gateway is of particular interest because it has a carved image of the Vijayanagara emblem, “the boar and the sword” which can rarely be spotted on the Hampi ruins. The emblem of Vijayanagara might have been the prime target of destruction during the invasion in 1565.

4:45pm - 5:00pm  Ranganatha Temple

As we exit the Achyuta Raya’s Temple and walk through the courtesan street, there is a small temple which looks as if in a ruined state. However this temple – known as the Ranganatha temple houses one of the most detailed sculptures of AnantaShayana – the cosmic sleep of Lord Vishnu.
Ancient Ranganatha temple - Hampi Pick, Pack, Go
Ranganatha temple entrance
By G41rn8 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
 The sculpture is so rich in detail so that one can observe that the Brahma sitting on a lotus that is sprouted from the naval of Lord Vishnu.

5:15pm - 6:15pm Climb over the hill to reach Monolithic bull

From the Achyutaraya temple, one can start climbing the Matanga hill and on the other side of the hill we can find a stone pavilion contains the black monolithic sculpture of Nandi – the vehicle of Lord Shiva. This pavilion is built in 2 stories of pillars and it looks quite beautiful with the heaps of boulders in the background.


Monolithic bull - Hampi Pick, Pack, Go
Nandi - The Monolithic Bull
By Tania Dey (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

6:30pm - 7:00pm Yantrodharaka Anjaneya Temple

It is a small Hanuman shrine located close to the bull statue. The idol of Hanuman is installed within an amulet or Yantra, hence the name “Yantrodharaka”. Hanuman’s mother in Anjana and Anjenaya means the son of Anjana. It is another name by which Hanuman is addressed. There is a more famous Hanuman temple in Hampi – which is believed to be the birthplace of Hanuman. It is located on top of the Anjaneya Hill.


Yantrodharaka Anjaneya Temple - Hampi, Pick, Pack, Go
Yantrodharaka Anjaneya Temple
This photo of Hampi is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Route Map for the Day 2 itinerary

  


 

 








3 Comments

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post