JA Lens

Anjaneya Hill marks the spot where the locals believe that Hanuman was born. Steps snaking up the hill were filled with pilgrims; some chanting repeatedly as they hiked up the stairs. The view is quite breathtaking, to say the least.

Once at the top, one can take in the 360 degrees view. The arid landscape strewn with giant boulders interspersed with green paddy fields stretched as far as the eyes can see. The other-worldly landscape actually provided the ancient Vijayanagara empire with the rocks needed to build the capital in Hampi. Ancient palatial ruins and temples still dot the UNESCO-listed area.

This drain-like structure forms part of the aqueduct system in the ancient Hampi city in Kartanaka. The criss-crossing of rock aqueducts transports water across the city to palaces, royal residences and water tanks. Some of these were raised high above the ground to ensure that the water is carried across different terrains.

Hampi was once home to the ancient South Indian Vijayanagara empire. It was founded by two brothers on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in 1336. Hampi was a major centre of Hindu rule and civilization for 200 years. Today, one can still visit the ancient ruins of the city made of rocks and boulders, which are abundantly found across the landscape as far as the eyes can see.

The Lotus Mahal is one of the main highlights in the royal Zenana Enclosure in Hampi. The two-storey structure has ornate plaster decorations above the multiple archways leading into a pavilion. The upper floors have balconies with arched windows while the center dome is in the shape of a lotus bud.

Hampi was once the capital of the ancient Vijayanagara empire, which was said to stretch from the Arabian Sea to the Indian Ocean. It was home to a population of half a million and protected by more than a million soldiers. The 26 square kilometers area in Hampi still contain sacred sites and palatial areas of old opened to visitors. The still active 7th century-built Virupaksha Temple is also found here.