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Hampi, or the Hampi group of monuments, are located in the southern state of Karnataka in India. It was once the capital of the Vijayanagara empire, a name synonymous with wealth and prosperity. Moreover, Hampi is India’s most known archaeological site full of ruins of statues, royal residences, ancient temples, and towers over a massive area. In simple words, Hampi is a museum for people who love to explore the history of India. Here are some interesting facts about Hampi that will help you learn more about its history.
Amazing Fun Facts About Hampi
Table of Contents
1. Hampi was traditionally known as Pampakshetra of Kishkinda.
2. The name Hampi is derived from the word Pampa, the old name of the Tungabhadra River.
3. Hampi refers to the ruins of the famous Vijayanagara Empire.
4. It was probably the hub of coin mint for the Vijayanagara Empire.
5. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in India.
6. It is located near the river Tungabhadra.
7. According to Ramayana, Lord Rama and Lakshmana, his brother, visited this place while looking for goddess Sita, Rama’s wife.
8. Locals also believe that Sugreeva, the monkey king, used to live in Hampi.
9. Hampi is also the place where goddess Sita dropper her jewels as a mark for others when demon king Ravana abducted her.
10. Hampi houses the famous ancient Vittala temple, known for its architecture. It has 56 musical pillars, also known as Saregama pillars, made from solid stone.
11. In 2019, the NY Times ranked Hampi number 2 among the best places to visit in India.
12. Locals believe that Hemakuta Hills, located on the southern side of Hampi, is the place where lord Shiva burnt Kama, the god of love, with his third eye for intervening in his meditation.
13. The chariot on the reverse side of a Rs 50 note is actually a stunning image of the chariot from Hampi.
14. About 200 species of birds were recorded in Hampi. This included species like the Indian eagle owl, yellow-throated bull, spurfowl female, and jungle bush quail.
15. Apart from temples, Hampi also houses the famous Ahmad Khan mosque and tomb, named after an army officer who constructed it in 1439.
5 Fun Facts About Hampi
Here are some fun facts about Hampi that you must read:
- The Hampi water management systems, like the stone aqueducts and stepwells, have been constructed to supply water to the city and its temples. Some of these are visible even today.
- In Hampi, there is a giant stone balance. Here, kings were weighed against the precious gems and stones. Later, these precious stones were distributed to the poor as charity.
- Hampi has several subterranean temples. For example, the Underground Shiva Temple. This remains partially submerged during the monsoon.
- The city has beautiful stepped tanks, or “pushkarnis,” that were used for bathing and water storage.
- You can find unique inscriptions on the walls. These inscriptions are written in ancient Kannada, Sanskrit, and Telugu.
Also Read: Top 10 Interesting and Unknown Facts About Ramayana
10 Points About Hampi
Here are the additional points about Hampi in English that you must know
- The ruins of Hampi cover 25 square kilometres and consist of 1600 monuments. (As per the Archaeological Survey of India)
- The architecture of the city reflects urban planning. Separate zones are made for the royals, public spaces, and for sacred purposes.
- It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is celebrated for its ruins and temples
- Hampi used to be the major centre for the diamond trade in medieval India. Merchants from Portugal and Persia used to visit for the same.
- The city’s fortifications consist of massive watchtowers, gateways, and defensive walls built using interlocking stones without mortar.
- The archaeological excavations have uncovered coins, pottery, and artefacts from the early 3rd century BC.
- The architecture includes both Hindu and Islamic motifs. This is particularly visible in the Queen’s Bath and Elephant Stables.
- The Tungabhadra River, flowing beside Hampi, played an important role in maintaining the city.
- The city was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empir,e which once controlled much of South India.
- The site is still an active pilgrimage destination, especially during the annual Purandaradasa Aradhana music festival.
FAQs
Three interesting facts about Hampi are that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was known as the Pampakshetra of Kishkinda, and lastly, it is located near the river Tungabhadra.
Hampis is famous for being a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Karnataka, India. Moreover, it was also once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.
Hampi is famously known as the Lost City. This is because it was reduced and demolished to ruins after the Sultanates attacked this beautiful city. Today, Hampi is barren land with ruins that narrate the story of the past.
The special thing about Hampi is the ancient architecture consisting of intricate stone carvings, The ruins tell the story of an ancient empire. Hampi had modern water management systems, such as stepwells and aqueducts. It also has a blend of sacred and royal sites
The engineering behind the musical pillars in Hampi creates different tones when struck. The exact method used to move and balance massive granite stones without modern technology remains unsolved.
The landscape of Hami was made out of ancient granite outcrops. It was formed by millions of years of geological activity. The natural erosion has shaped these rocks into boulders. The abundance of granite provided an ideal building material. The boulders were also used as natural fortifications.
Hampi is known for worshipping Lord Virupaksha, a form of Shiva. Lord Virupaksha’s temple is the oldest in the city. Other important deities that were worshipped are-Lord Vishnu (at Vittala Temple) and Lord Rama (at Hazara Rama Temple)
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