Context: The recent collapse of the Saalu Mantapa at the Virupaksha temple in Hampi has ignited discussions about the potential neglect of one of India’s largest World Heritage Sites.
Introduction - Hampi
- Hampi is a treasure trove of monuments. Some structures stand proudly against a backdrop of colossal granite boulders, while others lie in disrepair, marred by the ravages of time and conflict.
- Scattered throughout the site are damaged sculptures, elephants missing trunks and musicians with missing limbs, testimonies to the destruction inflicted by a 16th-century war.
Conservation efforts:
- Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, Hampi's heritage is regulated, though it encompasses 30 villages across two districts, each managed by separate local authorities.
- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Karnataka government's Department of Archaeology are responsible for the task of preserving these historical treasures.
- Hampi remained largely forgotten until the late 18th century when British explorers began documenting the site.
- Colin Mackenzie, the first surveyor-general of India, created the first map of Hampi in 1799, and early restoration efforts began.
- Systematic excavation began in the 1970s, leading to the Hampi National Project of 1976. This initiative uncovered significant remnants of the 14th-century metropolis, such as the submerged granite pavilions of the Vitthala temple.
- Recent excavations have continued to reveal parts of Hampi's vibrant past, including the paan-supari bazaar, a kilometre-long market.
Impact of UNESCO’s World Heritage status:
- The World Heritage designation has spurred increased conservation efforts but has also introduced challenges.
- In 1999, Hampi was briefly placed on the ‘World Heritage in Danger List’ due to a proposed bridge construction.
- This led to the establishment of the Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority (HWHAMA) in 2007, which implemented a masterplan dividing the site into core, buffer, and peripheral zones.
- While the designation has protected Hampi’s monuments, it has also led to the displacement of local residents and their commercial activities.
- The HWHAMA regulations have been criticized for excluding local communities from the conservation process.
- For example, the bustling market in front of the Virupaksha temple was cleared to comply with these regulations, affecting local livelihoods.
Need for balancing conservation with community needs:
- The conservation of Hampi involves more than preserving its physical structures; it requires balancing heritage protection with the needs of local communities.
- Hampi needs better sanitation, green mobility plans, and architectural guidelines.
History of Hampi
- Founded in 1336 by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty, the Vijayanagara Empire flourished across southern India.
- The site of Hampi was the last capital of the Kingdom of Vijayanagar.
- Anegundi was the first capital of the Vijayanagara empire.
- The other capitals of Vijayanagara were Penukonda and Chandragiri.
- The Dravidian temples and palaces won the admiration of travellers between the 14th and 16th centuries, like Portuguese Domingo Paes, who described it as ‘as large and beautiful as Rome.’
- Hampi is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.
- Zones of the Hampi:
- Sacred Centre: This zone, identified by scholars like Burton Stein, is considered the spiritual and religious heart of the site.
- Urban Core/Royal Centre: This area represents the administrative and royal hub of Hampi, central to the city's governance and elite activities.
- Metropolitan Vijayanagara: The remaining expanse of the site beyond the sacred and royal zones, encompassing the broader urban and suburban areas of the Vijayanagara Empire.
Monuments and temples
1. Virupaksha temple:
- Known as the ‘Pampavathi Temple,’ the Virupaksha Temple is one of Hampi's oldest structures.
- Dedicated to Sri Virupaksha (Lord Shiva) the temple was originally constructed by Lakkan Dandesha, a chieftain under Deva Raya II of the Vijayanagara Empire.
- Pampadevi, associated with the Tungabhadra River is also worshipped.
- The temple's history dates back to the 7th century CE, with inscriptions referring to Shiva found from the 9th and 10th centuries.
- It features three gopuras (entrance towers).
2. Vittala temple complex:
- The Vittala Temple Complex, famous for its iconic stone chariot and the symbol of Karnataka Tourism, is a notable feature of Hampi.
- It is dedicated to Lord Vittala, an incarnation of Vishnu.
- The Temple dates back to the 15th century. It was built during the reign of King Devaraya II (1422-1446 A.D.), one of the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire.
- Several portions of the temple were expanded and enhanced during the reign of Krishnadevaraya (1509 -1529 A.D.).
- The complex boasts intricately carved pillared halls and remnants of the Vittalapuram Township that once surrounded it.
- The Ranga Mantapa is one of the main attractions of the Vittala Temple. It is renowned for its 56 musical pillars. These musical pillars are also known as SAREGAMA pillars, indicating the musical notes emitted by them. The musical notes emanate when the pillars are tapped gently.
3. Mahanavami Dibba:
- Also known as the ‘Great Platform’ or ‘House of Victory,’ it is a grand ceremonial monument in the royal centre of Vijayanagara.
- The platform's three-tiered design includes detailed granite reliefs depicting royal activities, battles, and festivities.
- The top tier, originally supporting a wooden pavilion, was destroyed, but the intricate carvings on the lower tiers remain.
- Adjacent features include an audience hall with stone stubs, an aqueduct leading to a large stepped tank, and additional water pools and gardens.