A photo-feature on Ancient Kampa Bhupa Path in Hampi

In this article, we would explore the offbeat Hampi, and walk over the ancient Kampa Bhupa Path in Hampi.

Offbeat Hampi after visiting the Vijaya Vittala Temple

We are well satiated with our visit to the icon of Hampi – The Vijaya Vittala temple. And as something that has become a norm in this trip, after every touristic visit, kids want to do something offbeat. This time as well, they suggest to trek on an ancient pathway that leads from one of the exit of the Virupaksha temple and passes under the king’s balance and a double-story gateway.

Monuments on kampa bhupa path in Hampi
Temple Ruins, Kampa bhupa path, Hampi

Just adjacent to the outer boundary of the Vittala temple is a ruined temple with remanent stucco-art.

monument on Kampa Bhupa path in Hampi
Another temple ruin, Kampa Bhupa path, Hampi

King’s balance on Kampa Bhupa Path in Hampi

The King’s balance which lies in close vicinity to the Vittala temple has two lofty pillars of carved granite, supporting lintel with three stone hoops on underside to take metal chain.

It is believed that during festive celebrations and after successful military campaigns, the Rayas of Vijayanagar, weighed themselves here and donated gold equivalent to their own weight (Tulapurusha-dan) to the temple.

Monument on Kampa Bhupa path, Hampi
A double-storey gateway, Kampa Bhupa Path, Hampi

Further ahead is a beautiful double-story gate-way. Some school children-are resting under it.

Kampa Bhupa Path, Hampi
Walking Ahead

Kampa Bhupa Path – an ancient pathway

The path on which we are walking is Kampa-Bhupa path – a two kilometer stretch that extends from Vittala Temple to the Hampi Bazaar. This path was built by Kampa Bhupa, son of Harihara-II, in 1383 AD and hence is known by his name.

In Hampi there are many such paths that exists from the time of the Vijayanagar empire. ASI believes that there are many more such paths to be dug and discovered which got covered under the sand after centuries of no-use.

Kampa Bhupa path, Hampi
Girls with flowers, Kampa Bhupa Path, Hampi

Again, for sometime no-one is in sight, except for these three local girls walking with bowls having puja-samagri.

Monuments on Kampa-Bhupa Path, Hampi
Ruins of a Vaishnav Temple, Hampi

On the way we cross this Vaishnava temple, with empty interiors, but the guards of the garbhgrih are fairly intact. The four-handed guards are holding mace, conch and one of their hand is in abhay-mudra.

Monument on Kampa Bhupa path

And then this one-cell minor shrine with an eye-catching Deepa-stambha in front.

Monument on Kampa Bhupa path
Second Double-storey gateway, Kampa bhupa path, Hampi

Further ahead we see no-one except for a Japanese tourist couple. We stop, exchange pleasantries and quickly share what to expect on the way.

The path on which we are walking appears desolate today but during the reign of the Vijayanagar empire it was the way for the devotees and locals moving from Virupaksha Pura to the Vittala-pura.

monuments Kampa Bhupa Path, Hampi
Lord Hanuman

Sighting of carvings of Lord Hanuman in Hampi is a usual sight even on desolate paths and areas. The fresh decorative markings suggest that it is not a neglected statue but is still in worship.

Kampa-Bhupa Path, Hampi

The boulder strewn landscape of Hampi keep on presenting interesting natural rock-formations to the trekkers.

Monument on Kampa Bhupa Path, Hampi
A temple with its preserved Vimana, Kampa Bhupa Path, Hampi

On this way we keep on crossing ruins of several amazing monuments and temples.

Kampa Bhupa path, Hampi
A platuea, Kampa Bhupa Path, Hampi

Soon we reach a plateau and around here are several beautiful monuments, even the rocky-landscape appears appealing.

Kampa Bhupa Monuments, Hampi
Cave in which Sugriva hid Devi Sita’s jewellery and Sita Sarovar, Kampa Bhupa Path, Hampi

Sita Sarovar and Sugriva’s cave along the Kampa-Bhupa Path in Hampi

From a vantage point around, we notice clear-cut white markings on a cleft in a rock. This we learn is Sugriva’s cave and the water body in-front of it is Sita Sarovar.

It is believed that at this place, Devi Sita noticed settlement from Pushpak Vimana while Ravana was abducting her, and threw her jewelry, so it might help Lord Rama to trace her.

The impact of this jewelry was so huge that it created a pond in front; this pond is now known as Sita Sarovar. Sugriva noticed the ornaments thrown by Devi Sita and expecting some future relevance, hid them in the adjacent cave (known as Sugriva Cave now).

After Lord Rama and Sugriva became friends, he presented the jewelry to Lord Rama to ascertain that they belonged to Devi Sita; the confirmation helped the monkey king to get an idea in which direction Ravana took Devi Sita.

Kampa Bhupa Path monuments in Hampi

Temples along the Kampa-Bhupa Path in Hampi

Here on the top of the hillock is the above striking deepa-stambha. This deepa-stamba stands in front of a temple that stands on rising ground above the pathway facing the river and has the usual stepped tower (something similar to the temples on Hemakuta Hill) over the shrine which is generally associated with Jaina temples

Monuments on Kampa Bhupa path in Hampi
A temple with stepped pyramidal top (Jaina or Vaishanva Temple)
Monuments on kampa-bhupa path, Hampi
ancient stairs carved in front of the temple

This shrine faces the east and has the usual pillared hall in front and is surrounded by a walled enclosure. It has a two-storeyed mandapa on the south and is provided by a flight of stone steps leading up to the courtyard on its northern side.

Monuments on Kampa Bhupa path in Hampi
Shrine with two-storey mandapa, Hampi

In the sanctum-sanatorium there is no idol. On the doorways into the hall, in front of the shrine, is bas-relief sculpture of Gajalakshmi.

The figures of Hanuman and Garuda respectively are carved on each side of both doorways, while on the base of the southern entrance are representations of Vishnu acting as the door-keeper or guardian of the temple.

Garuda, Hampi
Garuda in attendance
Lord Hanuman carved on the wall, Hampi
Lord Hanuman
Monuments on kampa-bhupa path in Hampi
Lord Vishnu as dwarpal!
Monuments on Kampa Bhupa path, Hampi
View of Tungabhadra from the temple top

It’s a rocky, barren, boulder-ridden landscape with a distant view of the river Tungabhadra and the Virupaksha Temple.

Monuments on Kampa Bhupa path, Hampi
Varaha (Shaiva) temple

The Varaha Temple – Kampa Bhupa path

Further, we walk up to this Varaha temple. The name is misguiding as this is a Shaiva temple and not a Vaishanava temple (Varaha being one of the incarnation of Lord Vishnu).

The temple is known as the Varaha temple as on its eastern entrance the royal emblem of the Vijayanagar empire – Varaha, a dagger, and sun and moon represented above – is carved.

This temple is constructed over a Jagati, and has a sanctum, vestibule and an open mukhamandap. In the picture the shaiva dwarpals can be seen with trident, mace and damru. The wall portion of the sanctum and vestibule have devakosthas. Gajalakshmi is carved on the door lintel.

We walk further and towards the west of the Varaha temple, we come across the picturesque ruins of a temple dedicated to Anantsayana or reclining Vishnu on the coils of sheshanaga.

Monuments on Kampa Bhupa path, Hampi

Temple dedicated to Reclining Vishnu at the end of the Kampa-Bhupa Path in Hampi

A broken statue of Lord Vishnu on Sheshnag with devotees can be see on the cornice of the front of the building. Sheshnaga can be seen protecting the lord under its hood. It is evident that this stucco carving was wonderfully intricate.

Monuments on Kampa Bhupa path, Hampi

At the entrance of this temple of Anantsayana is the below relief. I am not able to identify the deity and request readers to help me out. Ideally, at the entrance of the Vishnu temple, Garuda is carved. Is the below carving of Garuda, I am not sure?

Monuments on Kampa Bhupa path in Hampi

The sanctum of the temple has the broken statue of Lord Vishnu with two female figures, which I believe would have been of Bhu-devi and Sridevi.

monuments on Kampa Bhupa path, in Hampi

As we move further we find ourselves at Chakrateertha. With the end to this ancient path, I would like to end the article too and I am so tired now, after this two kilometer of walk that I would prefer to imitate the guard in the picture below.

monuments on Kampa bhupa path, Hampi

Important Facts

  • Timing: It is open from dawn to dusk on all days of the week
  • Entry Fee: There is no entry fee required
  • Photography: Allowed
  • Video Camera: Allowed
  • Trekking Duration: Leisurely walk for an hour
  • Best time to visit: From November to February

Please Click here for more of offbeat Hampi

Please Click here to read about the link of Hampi with mythology

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