Hampi the lost city situated in Karnataka

Hampi The lost city

1. HAMPI The City Lost In Time

2. View of the Hampi

3. INTRODUCTION Hampi, a village and a temple town in Karnataka is one of the most historically rich places. Listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Site as the Group of monuments at Hampi, this city was also at one point one of the richest cities in the world when it was at its peak. Located inside the Vijayanagara city, This has been one of the most significant tourist places of attraction. Vijaya Vittala temple

4. LOCATION Built in the later half of the 14th Century Hampi is in Bellary district of Karnataka. It is a significant historical site in India which conveys message about the well-planned ancient cities and talks about one of the greatest Hindu kingdoms of Indian history. The closeness of Hampi to the river Tungabhadra adds to the magnificence of its natural setting. The property mainly covers an area of around 26 sq. km guarded by seven lines of fortifications. Despite being ruined by the passing time, the destination encompasses more than 1500 remains of artistic works including forts, royal and sacred complexes, riverside features, shrines, temples, pillared halls, Mandapas, memorial structures, defense check posts, gateways, stables, water structures, etc.

5. In 1986 , Hampi was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Hampi comes under cultural and built heritage which holds a significant value in the history. Hampi is the 14th century capital of the Vijayanagar Empire, located in the Tungabhadra basin in Bellary District, Central Karnataka. Vittal Temple Complex is the finest example of Vijaynagar Temple Architecture . A large number of royal buildings were raised by Krishnadeva Raya (A.D. 1509-30) and Vittal Temple Complex is one of them. Temples of Hampi are noted for their large dimensions, florid ornamentation, bold and delicate carvings and stately pillars which include subjects from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Majority of these temples in Hampi were provided with widespread bazaars flanked on either side by storied Mandapas . WORLD HERITAGE SITE Elephant Stable Vijaya Vittala temple

6. Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, owing to the ancient temples, forts and other monuments here. Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire around 1500 AD, and by some accounts, the second largest city in the world at that time. The terrain around Hampi is as mysterious as the ruins itself - the city is surrounded by boulders of different sizes, and you can climb to the top of them with a little effort to get a stunning view of the entire city and the geography. It is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. Famous for its massive, beautifully carved temples, Hampi tells the stories of its existing structures. Many a visitor climb atop the Matangaparvata and get a glimpse of Hampi and its environs. The way the city was built with temples and bazaars is exemplary in itself. On the North banks of the river Tungabhadra is the first capital of the Vijayanagar Empire, Anegundi , the temples and stories abound, which will help one to get a better understanding of the local heritage. ARCHITECTURAL DELIGHT Vijaya Vittala temple Virupaksha temple

7. HAMPI CULTURE Being a World Heritage Site, Hampi beckons thousands of tourists every year, due to which tourism industry turns out to be a chief support of the economy of Hampi. Other than that, opulent manganese and iron ores of Hampi and its sound agriculture comprise the major factors of its providence. The culture of Hampi is chiefly marked by the cultural and religious festivals celebrated here. Other than the traditional festivals celebrated in India, Hampi is noteworthy for its unique celebrations which include Vijaya Utsav, Purandara Festival and Virupaksha Car Festival. Vijaya Utsav, widely known as Hampi Festival is the most important event commemorated here against the backdrop of the sublime mementos of ostentatious yore. Organized by the Government of Karnataka, this annual cultural carnival is celebrated in the first week of November for three days. The premier attractions of this festival include puppetry shows, dance, drama and musical concerts, fireworks and topping all the fun, a grand procession. Vijaya Utsav certainly recreates the legacy of the royal heritage of Hampi.. Through their festivals, cuisine, artforms, rituals, folklore & oral tradition they are still connected to their past. This is why Hampi is often referred to as a living heritage site.

8. FOUNDATION OF CAPITAL CITY The site the Sangamas chose for their capital was on the banks of the Tungabhadra river, a place of religious importance, with river goddess Pampa (from which it derived its current name, Hampi) and Virupaksha. The folklore narrates a curious story as to why the Sangama brothers choose this location. As per the story, Harihara & Bukka (eldest of the 5 Sangama brothers) came to the foothills of Matanga Hill for a hunting expedition, where they met by a sage named Vidyaranya on the foothills of Matanga. The sage explained that this land protected the weak & gave them courage due to a curse laid by a Sage named Matanga. He then shared that he had a vision where lord Harihara appeared and tasked him with giving guidance to the brothers to build a capital city at this location and that it would bring great prosperity to the people and the land. It is said that it was Sage Vidyaranya that brought the brothers together at Sringeri and helped lay the foundation of the Empire. Vidyaranya went on to serve as an advisor to the Sangama brothers for several decades.

9. LOGICAL REASONING – SITE CHOOSING First, it afforded them a great defensive position , with the Tungabhadra River on the north, Sandhur hills on the south, and surrounded by ridgelines of boulder hills. Second, the Sangama brothers had local connections here that they could trust and rely on, they were related to the nobles of Kampli and Anegundi. Third, its geographical location on the northern edges of their territory allowed them to keep a check on their biggest enemy – the Bahmani Sultanate. It was during the reign of Bukkaraya that a new citadel was completed, located south of Hampi, what today we call as “Royal Center”, what was then named as Vijayanagara – The City of Victory. What led to the establishment of Vijayanagara Empire ? Continuous attacks by the Khilji dynasty of the North Political Instablity in the South Fear factor. Religious turmoil Need to protect the interests of the Hindus & Indian Culture

10. BACKGROUND The site of Hampi comprises mainly the remnants of the capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire (14th-16th century CE), the last great Hindu Kingdom. It encompasses an area of 4187.24 hectares , located in the Tungabhadra basin in Bellary District, Central Karnataka. Hampi’s spectacular setting is dominated by river Tungabhadra, craggy hill ranges and open plains with widespread physical remains. One of the unique features of temples at Hampi is the wide chariot streets flanked by the row of pillared mandapas . Its Famous places include Krishna temple complex, Narasimha, Ganesa, Hemakuta group of temples, Achyutaraya temple complex, Vitthala temple complex, Pattabhirama temple complex, Lotus Mahal complex, etc. By 1500 CE, Hampi-Vijayanagara was the world’s second-largest medieval-era city after Beijing, and probably India’s richest at that time, attracting traders from Persia and Portugal. The Vijayanagara Empire was defeated by a coalition of sultanates; its capital was conquered, pillaged and destroyed by sultanate armies in 1565 (Battle of Talikota), after which Hampi remained in ruins. Vijaya Vittala temple

11. ORIGINS OF RESTORATION From 1856, photographers began to record the monuments which enabled scholars to study them. As early as 1836 epigraphists began collecting several dozen inscriptions found at this and other temples at Hampi. In an effort to reconstruct the history of the city and the empire, historians collated information from these sources with accounts of foreign travellers and other literature written in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Sanskrit. The site was preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India and the Karnataka Department of Archaeology and Museums . In 1976, Hampi was recognised as a site of national importance. Then, in the early 1980s, an important project was launched to document the material remains at Vijayanagara in detail, through extensive and intensive surveys, using a variety of recording techniques.

12. METHOD OF RESTORATION The first step was to divide the entire area into a set of 25 squares, each designated by a letter of the alphabet. Then, each of the small squares was subdivided into a set of even smaller squares. Each of these smaller squares was further subdivided into yet smaller units. These detailed surveys have recovered and documented traces of thousands of structures from tiny shrines and residences to elaborate temples. They have also led to the recovery of traces of roads, paths, bazaars, etc. The latter have been located through finds of pillars bases and platforms all that remain of thriving markets.

13. METHOD OF RESTORATION

14. GROUP OF MONUMENTS IN HAMPI

15. SACRED CENTRE HAMPI

16. SACRED CENTRE

17. VITTHALLA TEMPLE This is the most artistically accomplished religious monument in the sacred centre. Vira Narasimha, the first ruler of the Tuluva dynasty, founded it in the first decade of the 16th century with additions made by his successors. Krishnadevaraya added the hundred columned hall built up to the southern enclosure wall, while two of his queens each added a Gopura. A third Gopura was an addition by Achyutaraya. In 1554, during the reign of Sadashiva, a magnificent "swing-pavilion" was added. Vithala temple complex showing the bazaar streets. Vithala temple complex from Bazaar Street

18. STRONG ROLE OF GEOMETRY IN INDIAN TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE The Indian temple architecture inoculates high level of geometric Proportions. Different types of proportions can be analyzed from the plan and the elevation of the temple complex in 1505 AD, the main shrine was built and the prakara around it such that the center of the Garbha Griha (Sanctum Sanctorum) falls at the center of a square. Development of the Vithala temple complex over the years showing the proportion Vithala temple complex showing the 9 square mandala

19. SPATIAL ORGANIZATION OF PARTS OF THE TEMPLE The temple plan is an elongated plan with the longer direction along principal axis . The platform on which the deity is installed is at the higher level than the prakara/circumambulatory levels. The other mantapas like kalyana mantapa, uyyala mantapa, and 100 pillared hall are kept at a little lower level than the sanctum sanctorum. The ceiling height at the center of the mantapa is raised and also the plinth at the center. (a). Plan of South-East Kalyana Mandapa, (b). Plan of North-East Utsava Mandapa, (c). Plan of Utsava Mndapa at the end of Bazaar Street Section of the temple

20. Plans and View of the South-East Kalyana Manatapa Mahamantapa along the axis of the main temple has a pillared hall with three entrances. The pillars are of four types . In addition there are exceptionally beautiful musical pillars which gives the sound of musical notes and musical beats. Also the huge sculpture panels depicting the story of Mahabharatha.

21. GRAMMAR OF COLUMNS AND DESIGN ELEMENTS Basically, we have four types of columns. One with Yali, other with sculpture panels and yet another with miniature musical pillars etc. The Yali column is a development from the 13th century Tamil tradition temple architecture. Basically, the Vijayanagara columns have two parts. One is the core shaft and the other is the figural column. Development of composite columns Column types (a).Yali, (b). Sculpture, (c). Sculpture core And Miniature (d). Core and Miniature.

22. VIRUPAKSHA TEMPLE The oldest shrine still in active worship within the Vijayanagara site is consecrated to Shiva as the consort of Pampa. Inscriptions referring to the 9th-10th centuries indicate that the temple existed before the foundation of the Vijayanagara capital. The Sangamas transformed the shrine into a major religious monument and the Tuluvas extended it. The hall with piers with delicately carved columns and fantastic yalis ridden by warriors reveal the shift in sculpture. Krishnadevaraya erected the grand Gopuram giving a monumental scale dominating the whole context. The broad colonnaded street served as the main bazaar of Hampi.

23. A plan of the Virupaksha temple Most of the square structures are shrines. The two major gateways are shaded in black. Each tiny dot represents a pillar. Rows of pillars arranged in lines within a square or rectangular frame appear to demarcate major halls, pavilions and corridors.

24. Delicately carved pillars built by Krishnadeva Raya to mark his accession.

25. One of the striking features of the Virupaksha temple, the most important living religious establishments in Hampi village (Hospet taluk, Bellary District), is the painted ceiling of the open pillared hall (maharanga-mandapa) abutting the main sanctuary. This hall was built in 1509/1510 by the order of Krishnadeva Raya (SII, IV, No. 258) and the general consensus among scholars is that these paintings are roughly contemporary with the building. However, after a careful examination of these frescos and the study of murals at eighteenth and nineteenth century sites in Andhra and Karnataka, it is necessary to re-assess their date. Ceiling Paintings in the Virupaksha Temple, Hampi

26. Achyutaraya temple and market complex The Achyutaraya temple , also called the Tiruvengalanatha temple , is about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) east of Virupaksha temple and a part of its sacred centre is close to the Tungabhadra River. It is referred to be in Achyutapura in inscriptions and is dated to 1534 CE. It is one of the four largest complexes in Hampi. The temple is unusual because it faced north . It is dedicated to Vishnu. In Vijayanagara times, the temple was traditionally approached from the river, first past a ceremonial tank then along the market street with a broad road. The temple had an outer gopuram leading into a courtyard with a 100-column hall and an inner gopuram leading to the Vishnu temple . On each side of each pillar in the 100-column hall are reliefs of avatars of Vishnu; other deities such as Shiva, Surya, Durga; scenes of daily life—rishi, amorous couples, jokers; people in yoga asanas; people in namaste poses; and Vijayanagara emblems. The temple gateway shows the Vijayanagara dynastic emblems ; a boar from Varaha, a sword, the sun and the moon. The temple and the market street are ruined but their layout suggests it was a major market with streets provided for chariot traffic. Unfortunately, this elegant and striking temple is in ruins as a consequence of the attacks by the monarchs of the Bahamani kingdom . It is greatly affected by the forces of nature over several centuries

27. Architecture of Achyutaraya temple The temple is built in Vijayanagara style of temple architecture. The principal shrine of the temple is located in the centre of a pair of rectangular concentric enclosures . There are pillared verandas on the interior flanks of the two courtyard walls. The outer walkways are in a state of decay, collapse, and disintegration. The temple is distinctly visible from the top of the Matanga Hill . It is at the end of the abandoned Courtesan Street . On entering the inner court one can spot a chamber that is facing the porch leading to the central hall. There is a small shrine chamber which once sanctified an image of Garuda. The accessible hall has few extremely lauded sculpted pillars in Hampi. The carvings are done on monolithic blocks of rocks. The statues and sculptures on the pillars reveal themes like lord Vishnu blessing an elephant, lord Krishna practising his flute while the calves are watching this scene with interest and infant Krishna dancing with a snake and holding it by the tail. There is a Mandapa which is a marriage hall of the Gods and the Goddesses for the yearly nuptials. 1.Gateways 2.Kalyanamantapa (Ceremonial Hall) 3.Colonnade 4.Open Hall 5. Main Shrine(Sanctum) 6. Shrine of Goddess 7. Shrine for Garuda 8.Veerabhadra Temple (atop Matanga Hill) 9.Durga Shrine 10. Courtesan's Street

28. Hemakuta hill monuments The Hemakuta hill lies between the Virupaksha temple complex to the north and the Krishna temple to the south. It is a collection of modestly sized monuments that are the best-preserved examples of pre-Vijayanagara and early-Vijayanagara temples and construction. The site has several important inscriptions, is easily accessible and provides views of the some parts of Hampi and the fertile, agricultural valley that separates the sacred centre from the urban core with its royal centre. The hill has more than thirty small-to-moderate-sized temples , together with water cisterns, gateways, and secular pavilions. The latest examples are dated to the early 14th century. Some of the structures are differently-sized prototypes of temples or mandapas, assembled from blocks of stones . Others are completed monuments of different designs, such as the Phamsana style . Two temple groups in this style look similar; each has a triple vimana consisting of square sanctums with each set connected to its own shared square mandapa. The towers (shikaras) on these are pyramidal granite structures consisting of eleven stacked, shrinking squares and a top in the Deccan-style square kalasha finial. Some of the temples in the northern side of the hill are TRIKUTACHALA STYLE of architecture, in which three shirnes are placed in a perpendicular position to each other face a common central hall, with outer plain walls except for the horizontal chain of floral motifs that provide ornamentation.

29. SCULPTURAL DETAILS Most of the dynasties had definite preference regarding sculptural themes in sacred and secular buildings. There is a marked shift in the preferences of the patrons from martial and courtly scenes to the depiction of mythological and religious themes. Narrative sculpture: Narrative granite friezes craved in expressionist style in shallow relief on courtly non-sacred themes of the royal imagery is seen on the compound wall of Hazara Rama Temple. Mythological ones had gradually replaced the royal theme, example Ramayana sculptures craved on outer walls of Ramachandra Temple in early fifteen century. Detail of an arch of the Lotus Mahal Swing pavilion from Gingee

30. ROYAL CENTRE HAMPI

31. The royal enclosure in Hampi was the Vijayanagara kingdom’s seat of power occupying an area of 59,000 sq.m . In its prime, it housed as many as 45 buildings including the durbar halls, platform, tanks, underground chambers, and temples. There are three entrances to the Royal Enclosure; two in the north and one in the west. Sprawling over many hundreds square meters, Royal Enclosure is scattered with a number of interesting relics of the bygone era.  The architectural style of this enclosure is symbolic of the Vijayanagara style of architecture with traces of Mughal influence. As with all the other features constructed by the Vijayanagara kings, the Royal Enclosure makes ample use of granite and soapstone . All the palaces face the east or the north and were built on raised granite platforms. These platforms feature multiple tiers and are decorated with carved details of flowers, geese, demon faces, elephants and human figures.

32. HAZARA RAMA TEMPLE The main temple is approached through an open mandapa, actually an addition of early 16th century, within which is the original entrance porch with finely carved columns. Side porches are seen on the north and south. The interior of the temple is unadorned, except for four ornately sculpted columns in the middle. An empty pedestal stands within the sanctuary; its three holes may have secured images of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita, but these are lost. The outside walls of the temple have the Ramayana sculptures already referred to set between pilasters. The walls are raised on a basement with finely set worked mouldings and overhung by curving eaves. A brick plaster tower rises over the sanctuary, its original details obscured by modern restoration. The temple is located near the core area between the residential and ceremonial area.

33. Hazara rama temple mandapam Hazara Rama temple

34. PRASANNA VIRUPAKSHA Temple The Prasanna Virupaksha temple is that it is located a few meters below the ground level . The roof of the temple is at par with the present ground level while the main structure of the temple stands on a low lying area. The Prasanna Virupaksha temple has been constructed following the Vijayanagara style of architecture . The temple is a simple and beautiful structure that is located inside a large courtyard surrounded by an enclosure wall. This Underground Shiva temple has a flat roofed main tower. There are steps leading from the main tower to the main pillared hall of the temple. The temple has a garbhagriha along with an antarala. The temple also has an aradha mantapa and a maha mantapa. The pillars of the temple are simple and austere in appearance, unlike the carved and engraved pillars found in most temples of Hampi.

35. ZENANA ENCLOSURE Northeast of the Royal Enclosure within the walled quarters is the Zenana enclosure .The enclosure is a sprawling compound that had tall walls surrounding it on all sides and watch towers were built. The fortified area has two entrances . The enclosure has 4 towers but now only 3 towers are standing. The structures of the zenana enclosures are designed in Indo Islamic architectural style. The Zenana enclosure houses the Lotus Mahal,Queen’s Palace,stepwells and watch towers.

36. LOTUS MAHAL The Lotus Mahal also known as the Kamal Mahal or Chitragini Mahal as per the old maps found during the discovery of Hampi.It is located within the Zenana Enclosure. The structure is surrounded by trees and lawns. The palace was specially designed for the Royal women of Vijayanagara empire for recreational activities. It was also used by the kings and ministers for meetings. The building resembles a lotus . The domes which cover the passage and balcony are similar to opened lotus bud. The central dome is carved as a lotus bud. The curves of the palace are given Islamic touch while the multi layered roof design is related to Indian style Architecture . This is a two storey pavilion which has massive pillars with arches having stucco molding . There are 24 pillars and the interesting fact about the pillars is that they can be filled with water to keep the palace cool during summer.

37. ELEPHANT STABLES This imposing building is the best preserved and largest in the Royal Centre. The stables comprise a long line of eleven chambers , all with lofty arched doorways opening onto a large open space. The central (eleventh) chamber has a flat roof since above this sits an open gallery probably once used by musicians and drummers. Its temple-like roof has long ago collapsed. The other chambers are roofed with plain or fluted domes that alternate with twelve-sided pyramidal vaults . Both domes and vaults are arranged symmetrically about the central gallery. While the arched openings and domed chambers of the elephant stables are obviously sultanate in origin, in accordance with the general features of the Vijayanagara courtly style , the building as a whole is an original creation.

38. QUEEN’S BATH The Queen’s bath is located close to the royal enclosure. It was a private bathing area for the kings and queens. The 30 sq.m . building which is in a rectangular shape has plain exteriors and extravagant interiors the building speaks different architectural stories. The interiors of the buildings are in Indo Saracenic Architecture . The building is made with a veranda around facing a big open to sky pond in the middle . The veranda consists of windows projecting into the pool. As the city was connected by the water canals, the pond also consist of an inlet in the center of the veranda. The balconies are decorated with tiny windows and supported by lotus bud and tipped brackets. The domes in the buildings are also individually treated with different designs. The building also has a staircase which leads to a passage on the top, it was used by the guards for the look – out.

39. Also known as the House of Victory ,is the most impressive structure in the area as the processions for Navarathri festival were held. The 3 tier structure stands tall at a height of 8 meters with a base measuring to 40 sq.m. and the topmost platform measuring to 24 sq.m. The staircase hand rails are formed by elephants and Yaali’s trunk while the friezes or the carvings on the exterior showcase the processions, animals and hunting scenes. MAHANAVAMI DIBBA KING’S AUDIENCE HALL K nown as the Durbar Hall of the King of Vijayanagara , this ruined structure of the building has vestiges of pillar sockets and bases. An interesting fact to note is that it was a hall with a hundred pillars , as is proved by the number of pillar sockets. The sockets of the 100 pillars are arranged in an array of 10 x 10 on a platform of the building. These are the remnants of the pillars that had once supported the superstructure of the building. The King’s Audience Hall was built with huge blocks of stone and wood . It is believed that the two storey superstructure of the building was mostly made of wood and the pillars were carved out of sandalwood trees .

40. STEPWELL Among the most beautiful ruins of Hampi are the pushkarnis, ancient water tanks. Like many Hindu temples in India, Hampi’s majestic temples have accompanying stepped tanks or basins used for religious and ceremonial purposes. The pushkarnis all follow a similar architectural form, designed symmetrically as either rectangles or squares . Each generally has several large tiers which contain multiple steps in semi-pyramidal form , leading down to the next level. These sacred tanks were integral parts of each temple complex.  The pushkarnis were fed with the water of the nearby Tungabhadra River through a series of canals and aqueducts. While some, like the tank at the Krishna Temple, are no longer functional, others still receive some water through the ancient water systems.

41. WATCH TOWERS The other types are mostly located well within the royal area and other civil localities. They are more decorated (with plastered walls, domed roof, arches etc) than the military (made with rock slabs) ones located at the hilltops. The watchtowers located in Danaik’s Enclosure and the one inside the Zenana Enclosure are example of the fine watchtowers. Mohammadan Watch Tower inside the Danaik’s Enclosure is the most ornate of all the surviving the watchtowers in Hampi. Along the riverside on top of the boulder hills, you can spot four-pillared tiny rock pavilions in isolation. A number of these were used as military observatory posts.

42. Octagonal fountain Noblemen’s quarter Shiva temple Palace Vira harihara Stone doors Royal centre

43. Until the mid-19th century The Hampi site remained largely ignored 1856 Alexander Greenlaw visited and photographed the site. He created an archive of 60 calotype photographs of temples and royal structures that were standing in 1856. 1980 photographs published which were held in a private collection in the United Kingdom 1885 Alexander Rea, an officer of the Archaeological Survey department of the Madras Presidency within British India, published his survey of the site 1900 Robert Sewell published his scholarly treatise A Forgotten Empire bringing Hampi to the widespread attention of scholars.The growing interest led Rea and his successor Longhurst to clear and repair the Hampi group of monuments. CHANGES OVER TIME

44. 1986 Hampi was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO 1999 hampi added to the list of endangered sites 2005 heritage manage plan 2007 the site is removed from danger list. 2009-2011 Chandramauleshwarar temple conservation first complex 2012 Award of merit for cultural heritage conservation from UNESCO- asia pacific 2015 Regular state of conservation reports submitted by state party The Archaeological Survey of India continues to conduct excavations in the area.

45. CHALLENGES – INTEGRITY The area of the property is adequate to accommodate, represent and protect all the key attributes of the site. Most of the monuments are in good state of preservation and conservation. Maintaining these conditions of integrity poses significant challenges •Mainly from pressures associated with development, planned and unplanned, which pose a threat to the landscape of the property, as well as encroachments and changes in land use , increased agricultural activity of commercial crops that might threaten the physical stability of the diverse monuments. • Regulating residential constructions and potential development to accommodate visitor use , as well as infrastructure to address communication needs attention particular bypass roads. •Also addressing the visual impact of modern electrification fixtures , telephone poles and other elements, will also be important to maintain the integrity of the property.

46. • The authenticity of the site has been maintained in terms of location and setting , as the original setting comprising of river Tungabhadra and boulders is fully retained. • In terms of form and function, the integration of the geographic setting with man-made features in the design and functional layout of the entire capital can still be discerned and the form of the original city planning with suburban pattern is evident. • The largely untouched archaeological elements provide ample evidence of authentic materials and construction and interventions have maintained qualities when undertaken. • The stages of evolution and perfection of the Vijayanagara Architecture are evident in the monumental structures. CHALLENGES – AUTHENTICITY

47. • As for traditions and techniques, the physical remains are a befitting tribute to the ingenuity of the builders in shaping the metropolis of this grand scale by utilizing locally available material, traditional knowledge system and skilled craftsmanship. • Today there is a continuity of several religious rituals, associations, traditional skills, and occupations within the society that have been maintained. • The Virupaksha temple is in constant worship, this has led to many additions and alterations to different parts of temple complex . • Similarly, the haphazard growth of modern shops, restaurants in and around it and its bazaar that caters to religious and social tourists has impacted adversely on its setting as has the asphalting of the roads over the ancient pathway in front of the Virupaksha temple. • The tensions between modern uses and protecting the fabric and setting of the ancient remains need to be managed with the utmost sensitivity. CHALLENGES – AUTHENTICITY

48. Site photos BEFORE AFTER

49. UNESCO criticises upkeep efforts in Hampi - The Hindu- May 8/2013 The World Heritage Committee, in a recent report, has severely criticised conservation efforts in Hampi, 16th century capital City of the Vijayanagara empire. It has found the finalisation of the heritage management plan, which began in 2005, slow and the modalities of the implementation unclear. Referring to recent eviction and demolition of habitation in front of Virupaksha temple, the only religious structure under worship, the committee said “the setting of the temple needs to be managed with utmost sensitivity” and the government should work “in close cooperation with the local community.” UNESCO inscribed Hampi in the list of World Heritage Sites in 1986 and has provided about $100,000 for its so far. In 1999, following complaints of poor site management, lack of traffic regulations and construction of two bridges, UNESCO placed the monuments in the list of endangered sites. Since then, it has been periodically reviewing conservation efforts there. Hampii on media

50. Thankyou