My Yatras (ನನ್ನ ಯಾತ್ರೆಗಳು)

A small mandapam on the way to Sri Vijaya Vittala Temple

one more view from the Mahanavami Dibba

A view from atop the MAHANAVMI DIBBA (Elevation) which was construted by Krishnadeva Raya to Commemorate his victory over the Kalinga's (Orissa)

Pushkarini - III (Lavanya in the pic)

Pushkarini - II (Aditya in the pic)

Pushkarini - I

PUSHKARINI (A pond with steps) - It is assumed that this pond was contructed by the members of the Royal family for religious purposes. The steps arranged out of balck slabs of stones are well planned, perfect and exquiste and that is way this pond is named "Mettalukola Pushkarani". This was below the ground till about 1985 after which the ASI discovered it. There is also a systamatic STONE CANAL which feeds water to this pond.

A series of excavation sites - II

A series of excavation sites

A fantastic display of architectural ingenuity during the reign of Krishna Deva Raya

A beautifully carved pillar inside the Hazar Rama temple ...

both the gopurams seen at the Hazar Rama temple

The main gopuram of the Hazar Rama temple

Southern entrance to the Hazar Rama temple

Inside the Hazar Rama temple - It is said that all the members of the Royal family used to visit Sri Hazar Rama temple. This temple is east-ward facing and there are door for entrance from the North and Southern gates. Several ramayana pictures are engraved in three stages on the stone walls of this temple and hence it is called the Hazar Rama temple. On the stone walls, Putrakamesthi (performed by Dhasharata for begetting male issues). Birth of Sri Rama, Sri Rama' departure to the jungle, Apaharana of Sitadevi, war between Sri Ramam and Sri Ravana and many other carvings of Ramayana are quite beautifully carved. - Sri Krishnadeva Raya built this temple in memory of his expedition and victory.

Mom looking down from the watch tower

The watch tower near the Elephant Stable (Amme trying to get a world view)

Close-up of the mandapam of Sri Ranganatha Temple

The ruins of the Sri Ranghantha Temple (Part 2)

The Ruins of the Sri Ranganatha Temples (Part 1)

Near the Lotus Mahal and the Elephant Stable.

Elephant Stable - Only for the royal elephants.

One more view of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha (ಶ್ರೀ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ನಾರಸಿಂಹ)

This is the world famous single peice idol of (partly destroyed and later restored) Sri Lakshmi Narashimha (��� �Q�� ��g9A��). This statue was carved by an architect named Sri Krishna Bhat in 1528 AD during the reign of Sri Krishna Devaraya. The monolithic idol is about 22 ft high. The idol was with Sri Lakshmi but is no more - the victim of the onslaugth of the brutal and dumb islamic invaders (Shahi Kings)

Mandapam housing the "KadaLe Kai Ganesha"

Aditya sitting in front of the main Gopuram of the VirpAksha Temple

This is near the Durgadevi Temple - originally installed by Sri Vyasa Thirtharu

This is the main gopuram called the "Sri Bishtappayya Gopuram" (from inside the VirupAksha Temple)

A view of the intricate carvings of those time (inside VirupAksha temple)

"The Raya Gopura"

Inside the Virpakshesware Temple, The tower that see is about 165 feet high. This place was renovated by Krishnadevaraya during 1510. There are several temples within the compound - Sri Suryanarayana (Aditya), Sri Lakshmi Narayana, Saptamiatrikas, Sri Lakshmi Venkateshware, etc.The main Sanctum Sanctorum houses Sri Virupakshesware Swamy.

Aditya in front of the Tungabhadra (near Yantrodharaka - Hampi)

The Durbar near the Temple

Lavanya, Amma & Varuni Aunty in front of the Tungabhadra at Yantrodharaka (Near Hampi, Karnataka)

Photograph of Yantrodharaka 3 (MangalArathi)

Photograph of Yantrodharaka 2

Importance of yentrodhAraka hanumAn

Around 1500, shrI vyAsarAja started installing 732 hanumAn vigrahAs all over the kingdom starting with the yantrOdhAraka hanumAn (ಯನ್ತ್ರೋಧಾರಕ ಹನುಮಾನ್) at chakrathIrtha near Hampi. He also composed an ashTaka on hanumAn. There is an interesting anecdote about yantrOdhAraka hanumAn vigraha.

One day in chakrathIrtha (ಚಕ್ರಥೀರ್ಥ) while meditating on mukhya prAna dEvaru (ಮುಖ್ಯ ಪ್ರಾನ ದೇವರು) , he was inspired by mukhya prAna to draw a picture of hanumantha on one of the rocks on the hill. As per the inspiration shrI vyAsa tIrtha (ಶ್ರೀ ವ್ಯಾಸ ತೀರ್ಥ) drew a picture of hanumantha on the rock. It suddenly disappeared. He tried drawing once again. It disappeared again. Then shrI vyAsa tIrtha (ಶ್ರೀ ವ್ಯಾಸ ತೀರ್ಥ) applied digbhandhana (ದಿಗ್ಭನ್ಧನ) and the picture remained and took the form of a vigraha. To this day people who wish to master manthra siddhi, come to this place and practice to achieve their desires.

shrI vijaya dAsa has sung about this hanumAn in his dEvaranAma (ದೇವರನಾಮ) -

ಯೆನ್ತು ವರ್ಣಿಪೆ ನಮ್ಮ, ಯತಿಯಾ, ಯೆನ್ತು ವರ್ಣಿಪೆ ನಮ್ಮಾ
ಯೆನ್ತ್ರೊಧಾರಕನಾಗಿ ಮೆರ್ವನಾ, ಯೆನ್ತು ವರ್ಣಿಪೆ ನಮ್ಮ

Photograph of Yantrodharaka 1

Amma in front of Tungabhadra

Inside Suryanarayana temple near Yantrodharaka

On our way to Yantrodharaka next to the Tungabadhra river near chakrathIrtha, Hampi

Aditya, Amma and Varuni Aunty - in front of the Tungabadhra river near chakrathIrtha, Hampi

Lavanya, Amma and Varuni Aunty - in front of the Tungabadhra river near chakrathIrtha, Hampi

One of the many mantapams on our way to Hampi's main site

Entrance to Hampi

ಕಡಳೆ ಕಾಯಿ ಗಣೆಶ