The small town of Hampi
gives one a reality check to the long lost glories and marvels of a nation,
looted and used, probably the most, by invaders. Beautifully carved and
created, each stone wonders in Hampi has tales to tell, of kings and queens,
tenants and peasants, lovers and ‘devdasis’, so many of them!
Hampi is situated in Northern Karnataka, and ‘cos I traveled
by road from Bangalore,
it took me 7-8 hours (P.S: The roads are killer. Super roadtrip it is!). Ruins
of Vijayanagara kingdom, Hampi still stands tall with all the beauties and
lovely sights history had to offer. Hindu deities and gods are carved and
sculptured everywhere.
Hampi is ruins. The small town has temples, palaces, and
buildings used in the 15th century. The creeks and fowl smells
inside these buildings bear testimony to the fact that we had a rich tradition,
and our ancestors actually made them, carved them, out of stones. So you stand
there breathless, looking at everything Hampi has to give you. Stoned! Literally
that is.
They say there are umpteen hidden spots where tourists and
locals gather to ‘smoke up’. Well, I was not fortunate enough to witness any of
those places. But I did ‘trip’ royally on the intricate patterns and designs
each stone was carved out of. You wouldn’t believe. There are hundred stories
in each stone. Snakes, insects, spiders and reptiles crawl through the
corridors and insides of these ancient wonders. Scare not, worry not, they are
there to relish on history too.
Clearly a town that still lives to show the simplicity and
majesty in which our ancestors lived, Hampi is truly a place to visit. Being a
history ardent fan, Hampi is a place I wouldn’t mind visiting another 10 times.
Photo Courtesy: Jayesh Mohan
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