trip down history

“I can only imagine of people that I have not seen or met but have come across what they did-they gave life to rocks”……such is the splendor of the ruins of Hampi. Scattered over an area of about 80 sq km on both banks of the river Tungabhadra are the relics and ruins of ancient city of Vijayanagara. A standing proof of Indian history, civilization, engineering, art and prosperity.

A rather unscheduled plan led to this travel experience, I and my brother (who having canceled his picnic trip to Hogenekel Dam) started very late that evening to Yeshwantpur Railway Station, coupled with a rough auto ride midst teeming Friday Bangalore traffic and fear of missing the train. We were lucky to reach in time, the train arrived Hospet at around 2:20 AM early in the morning (8 hrs from Bangalore). Then we waited for the sun to rise. It was almost 7 AM when we reached the very small town of Hampi surrounded by rocky hills; it was hardly 12 KM from Hospet. Rinku have had his privileged nap during the Bus ride and was now feeling hungry, so was I. The first thing we did was start looking for breakfast and it was hot pooris and rich chytney and sabji. With our tummy tight we started looking for rooms. There are no hotels in Hampi town, here all are Inn’s, since it was off-season now we easily got one big double bedded room for 250 bucks. Soon we were ready for the day’s tour, as for baggage we had only one bag so we decided to take it along. Our Inn owner had already told us how to begin and where to go and we took no maps (map’s sometimes kills the adventure of re-Discovery). Hired two bikes from Hampi Bazzar near the main temple (40 Rs for a day) and also bought two pair of cheap shades (200 Rs). The temperature was already rising at a rapid rate, so water (15 Rs). Now with bikes, shades and water in the bag we started towards our first destination the “Royal Enclosure”

The Royal Enclosure was not a big mahal or quilla as we had thought, infact if was much bigger then what we imagined though there was no significantly standing building except a few temples and high platform, ruins of Pan-supari market, Royal-mint, Royal graineeries, the Elephant Stables, etc . We parked our bikes and started walking past the ruins following information boards, easily one can know one most usual thing-the water system, underground drains linked smaller wells to larger wells and likewise. The high platform must have been still higher; there are signs of columns removed or destroyed by time. At around 12:30 noon when the temperature was as high as 43 *C, we were back in our room (after having Lunch in Hampi bazaar). We were pretty tired and slept till 4:30PM. The second half started at around 5 PM, destination the Vittala Temple, there are many routes to this place but with our bikes we took the one that goes by the river (a bad decision we thought). Most of the times on this route we were either toiling over an uphill ride or dragging our bikes and even carrying them on our shoulders. At the river bank small dingis will take you for a ride across the river that we did not do. On our way we stopped to see many structures that had their own significance in its time. We also went to take a dip in the rive near the ancient bridge (only the columns remain now). When we reached the Vittala temple it was almost dark, this temple is inspired by the Konark Sun Temple in Orissa however it has its own significance. The walls and columns of the temple make musical notes when tapped, but the security guard will not allow you to go knocking and tapping everywhere. We were back in Hampi bazzar by 7:30 PM, returned our bikes and went on a walk towards the main river bank. Later at night we had dinner at Mango Tree restaurant before getting back to our room in Aum Guest House. It was already 10:30 and utterly tired we slept like the rocks outside.

Next day we woke up as early as 5 AM, can’t miss the sun rise. Hurriedly we walked towards the Himakutta Hills and a small climb to the highest rock possible and a splendid sun rouse, we sat there on the rocks over looking the Hampi bazzar and the massive gateway structure of the Virupaksha Temple till we felt our tummy growling for breakfast. It was Sunday and our final day here so we checked out from our room, and went to walk along the river side, we slowly started climbing the hill till we reached the temple like structure on top of it, we thought it was a cave doorway. The actual cave was quite below us, near the river bank. Once we came down from the hill we went straight back to the bus stand near Hampi bazzar and back to Hospet. We still longed to see the other side of the river but we did not have enough time or money as the ATM machine in Hampi was not working!!! That evening we took a long bus journey back to Bangalore.

Hampi Trivia:

1) Every rock has its own story, do not ignore. Or else you might step on a Shiva Linga.

2) Every restaurant, inn or whatever that sells is recommended by some L* Planet. Names worth mentioning are Lonely Planet, Lovely Planet and Living Planet.

3) Everything is 25% more costly; try not to bargain most of the times it doesn’t help.

4) There are lot of hippie like dresses available (patched in multi colors) and so are te hippies. Spend some time with them if they allow you to join in.

5) December and January is the best time to visit Hampi, however our time was the most adventurous.