Hampi-ness Starts with Hampi Diwali : After an overnight journey, on the day of festival of lights, I jaunt on Hampi to surround myself with lights of mountains, sun and the stars instead of surrounding with the lights of crackers which was happening since my childhood. With a colourful and confusing map in my hand, trying to figure out the way and plan accordingly. Also with a blank mind, doesn't know what to do next and where to go next, I totally left to Hampi to take me anywhere it wants.
Matanga Hill : Starting the trip with an insane trek. Not a high altitude trek, but it's a slippery boulders trek. One wrong step and you're done. .
About the hill: It's the place where people trek to the top early morning and do meditation while the sun is rising. Such a peaceful environment. A point in this place looks similar to Dolphins nose situated in Kodaikanal. .
There were many routes which can confuse you, still there's always a white mark taking to the hilltop. The view was just amazing from the top. There were only 4 people (a family) with a female photographer whom I just admired, who has got so much of photography skills even at that old age. The place where I was afraid to keep my next step as I was carrying a heavy bag at my back.
On my way to hill, I just crossed it without having any fear, Later when I was returning, something made me to stop there and ask myself "Did I just cross this? Is this the right way? And yes, I was so much afraid to cross it while returning as it was so slippery and one wrong step can take you anywhere. Fortunately crossed it in the bare foot.
Having a map in my hand, seeing the directions and was planning for the next two days.
North-East Hampi : Now, It's time to walk a long distance, crossing the Hampi bazaar and ending in the Vitala temple. Between these two places, there were many places to visit which I did just post lunch. Then later had idly-poori combo in a local shop at the point where I left Hampi to take me. Then thought of crossing the Hampi's Hippie Island as rest of places I have planned perfectly so that I don't miss sunrise and sunset at the hilltop, especially for which I came for.
The Birth place of the God Hanuman (Anjanayar temple) : Sunsets are beautiful, especially when it is admired from a hilltop. After exploring all the peaceful places, now it's time to experience my first sunset from a hilltop with freaky foreigners and friends.
Into the fearful darkness: After a beautiful sunset, I was so hungry and also had to look for a place to pitch my tent. Apart from all those, I ahve to find the route back to near the island, the only place where we can get good food and drinks with happy hours offers. It's more than 2 kms, I had to walk in a dark road amidst the greenish environment with 5% of charge in my phone which I was using to give light to my pathway. I thought, I lost the route and myself, yet still continued to walk the same way hoping to find the route back to island. A sudden thought striked in my mind, The reason I got lost is that because of admiring the starts and forget to look around for the way I came, or are those stars helping me to find the way?! Luckily, It was the stars which helped my find my way back. I was just admiring and following and ended up finding the way I came. Then it was back to normal track again. Dinner time, cheesy cheesy pizza with hot chocolate, a must needed dinner after a walk for such long distance without proper lunch
Laughing Buddha Guest House : The place where I pitched my tent. Beautiful place and the people over there should be thanked a lot for their hospitality. Mornings be like, An amazing coffee and a tea in a cozy environment with a relaxing music and a view of the river from the place.😍 Best morning ever.
Peanut Ganesha : There are two monolithic Ganesha idols in Hampi: the smaller one (the Sasivekalu Ganesha) is called the ‘mustard Ganesh, the larger one is the 18 ft tall Kadalai Kalu Ganesha, or the ‘peanut Ganesha. (Interestingly, everybody seems to refer to this as the peanut Ganesha, but the Archaeological Survey of India’s signboard at the entrance refers to this as the ‘Bengal gram Ganesha’.) These Monolithic stones carry a Lotus Orb at their spine. The shrine housing the statue of Kadalekalu Ganesha is situated on the slope of the Hemakuta Hill in Hampi. He was a master in importing and exporting peanuts across countries hence he was referred to as "Peanut Ganesha" - Our Local Guide.
The guide who gave us some of his amazing knowledge about Hampi and its beauty, who gave us all a cycle for a day to roam around along with him, who also gave us unlimited delecious South Indian Thali made by his wife. For the people who wants to know quirky things about Hampi, who wants to have a delecious food which was loved even by all the foriegners in our group, He is the one for you all. Name, number and photo is provided below in the gallery. Check it out.
Also For SUGARCANE JUICE : You can get amazing sugarcane juice with lemon or ginger just opposite to the Big Siva Lingam's place. Photos Shared below.
Old Hampi Bazaar : This was the other bazzar which was even older than the Hampi bazaar. This is also known as the star bazaar. The Moutain in the long distance is referred to as "The Writers Place" where the poets used to sit between the arc at the top and write poems.
The Imaginary Creature - Yalis, Hindu Mythology creature : This is an animal made up of 8 different animals. Tiger's Leg (Strong legs), Horse's back, Lion's face, elephant's head and trunk and so on. The is one of the very famous sculpture in Hampi. Yalis are believed to be more powerful than the lion or elephant in Hindu mythology.This creature is mostly used in the south indian sculpture, known as Yali (In Tamil).
Other Sculptures :
Siva Lingam statue : This is the place where early morning people do pooja to spreading positive vibes.
The Lakshmi Narasimha statue : It's the Largest Monolithic Statue in Hampi
Nandi Bull Statue: Monolithic Bull pavilion Nandi is the mount of lord Shiva and it's symbolic that this one faces the Shiva shrine (Virupaksha Temple) in Hampi.Locally known as Yeduru Basavanna.
Lotus Mahal or Chitrangi Mahal or Kamal Mahal : It's the place where it's been provided with 24x7 water through a big pipe hence known as the Natural Ac Room. Situated inside the Zenana Enclosure. Zenana Enclosure : The place with tranquil gardens, arches & elaborate carvings and also a place for wild elephants to reside.
Underground Siva temple: Prasanna Virupaksha temple is also known as the Underground Shiva Temple. The temple is situated below the ground level and was dedicated for Lord Siva hence the name Siva temple. It was built in 14th Century and was submerged in water and no light enters the cave and that's the reason for bats to reside there.
One last time - Sunset in Hemakuta hill : After visiting all the places, now it's time for the sunrise and I have to find another hilltop to see its beauty and finally ended up finding this hill near Virupaksha temple. Showing off some photography skills with my phone camera (Redmi note 4), setting up the environment with my cycle and my bag so that the rays falls on them. Good to see lots of foriegners came to Hampi and returned back without disappointments. Then after the sunset was over, left my cycle from where I took and got the bus which took me back to my routine life.
TARUN J
(Drunken Egwah)
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Currently working in Bangalore as a creative designer, simultaneously exploring more about UI/UX designs and tools. I have begun using JustinMind, Adobe XD and Mobirise for rapid prototyping, design and development. I am looking forward to helping design enthusiasts with free tutorials and tips . Finally, a huge fan of Adobe and its products.
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