Hampi - Sun sets.

The after colors in the sky after the sun sets.














sunset in hampi at the hemukta hills.

















The tunga beyond the ruins while the sun sets over the forgotten empire.

















Sun sets on the lone tree and the hanuman temple

Hampi - Mango Tree Restaurant

hurray Mango tree, the must visit place in hampi. Awesome is the word,
The most laid back place, we had most of our meals over here. Getting there is an adventure in itself since it is located at a walkable distance from the main bazzar through a banana plantation on the banks of tunga under a mango tree.

(above) the laid back ambience, mostly phirangs hang around. No wonder no idlies and dosas on the menu, but you will find anything from israeli to tibetian to continental. You can just doze away after a hearty noon lunch, the seating is perfect. We almost wasted a day here despite of having so many places to visit.








the swing hanging from the mango tree sways you right into the river. no wonder you'll head to this first on arrival. cute looking french girls having their turn!












Tempting enough!! the lantern light supper along the gushing river in pitch dark. the most romantic place to be, no wonder we saw more couples at this time of the day.

Hampi - Green Brown and the changing colors of the skies

An awesome mix of the ruins, the greenery and the blue skies are more than enough for some good snaps, declared the World heritage center, it attracts quite a lotta crowd from across the globe.

(above) The stone wall through the corridor of the krishna temple










The elephant stables













The light house surrounding the Queens palace!














The antique walls against the skies, an exciting combination












the Vittala Temple courtyard which houses a chariot made of stone, the temple whose pillars strike musical chords, the broken gopuram entrance and a lone tree which is a delight in any snap. This place speaks history to you. ideally located along the tunga river this is the masterpiece of it all.











The ruins along the tunga banks. the whole area is covered with standing or displaced structures.












The Mandapam on the courtyard of the Vittalla temple. It was cloudy all through our stay. The occasional drizzles in this part of north karnataka, was a great relief.













Pushkarni, This place is surrounded by the corridors seen in the picture on all sides which used to be the market place for the citizens of the Vijayanagar empire.


9 hours journey by bus from bangalore will land you in hampi(only one bus by ksrtc. numerous buses to hospet though, from there its jus half an hour's journey). numerous guest houses and cheap shacks dot the bazaar. We stayed at Vickys (300 for a double bed). During peak season( october - jan ) people stay across the river running thru hampi where all the action happens, but you will be shuttling to and forth by a croacle since most of the ruins are on the bazaar side, though the stay there will be relaxing. A very small town , where you end up meeting the same people time again and gradually exchange smiles and conversations. Lotta ruins to be explored. can be done by hiring cycles(20 per day) or bikes( 150- 200/day w/o petrol). yet another must thing to do here is to experience some of the most stuning sunsets and sunrises of the region. Its been recently removed from the ''Endangered'' list. That would be some basic info, rest -- go explore urself.

More pics in the posts to come .

Hampi

Had been to Hampi over the Independence day holidays.
Will be posting the pictures of hampi as three series.

Hampi's ruins
Sunset at Hampi
Hampi's Mango Tree

Belur Halebid

Belur Halebid
Suituated just 200 kms from Bangalore, These two places are architechural marvels.


The very famous Gometeshwara at Shravanabelagola. Since the statue was under maintenance, could not get a proper picture of the entire statue. So the feet.


















The Goddess adorning the either sides of the main shrine. The lightings were faint and the interiors were cold.


















Little did i know the poojari was staring at me, Only realised after i saw the pic on my computer ( was trying to focus on the women worshiping). Also can see deities of God in three levels.
















This mythological animal whose name i dont remember, if you notice has parts of 7 animals.

the stomach of a pig
the legs of a tiger
the eyes of a monkey
the ears of a cow
the mouth of a crocodile
the tail of a peacock.
and the seventh one, dont remember.

This animal was found almost everywhere on the temple.















The jain deity which was a Budda lookalike.












Darshan which opens in the evening. Lucky me was there in time to get some good pictures of the crowd and the freshly decorated shrine
















The intricately carved statues in haledid, this temple is bigger and more grand than Belur, Though it is incomplete owing to an invasion by the Delhi sultan during their times.


















Yet another idol of jain importance.
Didn expect people would let you take pictures at this proximity





















The temple at Halebid.