Thread by @JamwalNidhi

#Hampi is an experience, hard to describe in words or through pictures. But, can’t help sharing what I did today. Walked through the magnificent history of Vijayanagara Samrajya (1336-1646). EACH stone of Hampi is a story in itself.

#Thread

1. Stone Chariot, Vitthala Temple.

2. Absolutely stunning single-stone carved structures. And, these are giant.

Here, single stone carved doors (with locking system), which used to be at the entrance of the Royal Enclosure in #Hampi.

Single stone 22 feet tall Laxmi Narsimha idol at #Hampi. Originally, Laxmi idol was sitting on its left side. See second pic. That is how it was supposed to be.

Single stone 12-feet tall Shivling at Badvalinga Temple #Hampi. It is 3 feet under water and 9 feet above it. Water level is always 3feet and comes through an underground network. And, still functional.

Another magnificent single stone idol . This one is 15 feet tall Ganesha at Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple #Hampi.

Pin hole camera technology :-)) at Vitthal Temple #Hampi. From sunrise to sunset, an inverted image of this is made on a wall of the temple through a small hole. This photo is through that hole.

Fascinating. Ingenious.

Correction: Sorry, this pin hole technology is at Virupakaha Temple of Lord Shiva #Hampi. Not Vitthal Temple.

Virupaksha Temple of #Hampi has three Nandis of Lord Shiva, not one :-)

Look at these amazing huge stone walls all over #Hampi. Interlocked stones. Wow.

So I was told there was a ‘technology’ to break huge boulders. These small holes were made in huge boulders and filled with some acidic liquid. In about 40 days, the boulders used to break on their own. You can spot lot of such stones with those ‘holes’. #Hampi

This gorgeous step-well is the most recent excavation at #Hampi in mid 1980s. Made of kadappa stone from Andhra Pradesh. This one of especially for you, @zenrainman :-)

And, I cannot even describe the entire water system. Water was brought from some 1-1.5kms away through these stone channels. Now these channels are broken and dysfunctional. Another one for you, @zenrainman #Hampi

Mahanavmi Dibba at Royal Enclosure #Hampi. The king used to enjoy Navratri celebrations sitting on top of that massive platform which had sandalwood pillors and a roof.

I posed on top of Mahanavmi Dibba :-))

Guess what is this? A plate for soldiers made of kadappa stone :-) #Hampi

And, my guide Appu said the kadappa plates are musical. And showed how.

Even pillars in #Hampi are musical :-)

The stone carvings at Royal Enclosure #Hampi. These stone carvings all over Hampi are enthralling. You can spend months looking at them and hearing unsaid stories. Like I said before, each stone at Hampi narrates a story.

Look at this wall of Royal Enclosure #Hampi. Each row has a different motif. Top one is elephants. Second is camels. Third is horses. Fourth and fifth is queens enjoying hunting :-)

Vitthal Temple #Hampi. Those pillars are musical pillars and each pillar used to give a different sound. Tourists have spoilt quite a few pillars!

And, I went crazy seeing these stone carvings at Vitthal Temple #Hampi.

Dandiya dance, too :-))

And, third picture is bangle design, I was told :-)

And, beautiful stone carvings of naughtiest child, Bal Krishna at Vitthal Temple #Hampi

In mother’s lap.

Dancing Krishna

Butter Krishna

Govardhan parvat Krishna.

And, a lot of stone carvings of Ramayan at Vitthal Temple #Hampi

Can you make out who is who and which part of Ramayan?

Last pic is Ram, Sita and Laxman.

Narsimha and Hiranyakashipu.

Vitthal Temple #Hampi

Old Kannada or Halegannada script, I was told

That’s Kumbhakarna sleeping :-)

Vitthal Temple #Hampi

Krishna with his cows

Bharatnatyam

Queen hunting

Vitthal Temple #Hampi

Queen’s Bath. #Hampi

So what if I am not a queen. I can pose at the personal swimming pool of that was connected through aqueducts.

Lotus Palace #Hampi.

It has a dugwell next to it, which still has water (@zenrainman). Water from dugwell was filled in a chamber on top of the palace and from there it used to flow to all pillars through mud pipes and keep the palace cool. Air conditioning? :-)

Lotus Palace #Hampi and it’s pillars.

A watchtower for queen’s palace

Artisan carving single stone. It is called Krishna stone.

Yes, I bought what he was making

And, my guide got me Kamalapur’s favourite sweet, MysorePak. And this one is dry variety. Tasty.

Here, all about Vijayanagara Empire of 299 years (I think) and 42 kings of four dynasties. #Hampi

And, I walked and walked around the #Hampi ruins today. It was hot. And Hampi’s imprint is on my feet 😁. The dividing line :-)

Thread ends.

Good night.