- The foundation of Vijayanagara Empire
- The history and the mythological story of Hampi
- Octagonal bath, Saraswati Temple and Chandrashekara Temple in Hampi
- Queen’s Bath, in Hampi
- Mahanavami Dibba, Hampi
- The Audience Hall and the Tanks and Baths of the Royal Quarters, Hampi
- Hazara Rama Temple, Hampi
- The Elephant Stable and the Guards room, Hampi
- The Zenana Quarters, Hampi
- Krishna Temple, Hampi
- Uddana Veerabhadra and the Chandikesvara Temple, Hampi
- Noblemen’s and Muslim Quarters, and the Underground Shiva Temple, Hampi
- The Monuments of Hemakuta Hill, Hampi
- The statue of Lord Narasimha and His never ending stories, Hemakuta hill, Hampi
- Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
- Kannappa Nayanar
- Malyavanta Hill, Hampi
- Vijaya Vittala Temple, Hampi – The Architectural Show-piece of Vijayanagar Empire
- Hampi Trivia
- Roaming around, in Hampi
- Coracle Ride on the river Tungabhadra, Hampi
- River Side Sculptures along Tungabhadra at Chakratirtha, Hampi
- 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.
Just adjacent to the outer boundary of the Vittala temple is a ruined temple with remanent stucco-art.
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.
Further ahead is a beautiful double-story gate-way. Some school children-are resting under it.
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.
Again, for sometime no-one is in sight, except for these three local girls walking with bowls having puja-samagri.
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.
And then this one-cell minor shrine with an eye-catching Deepa-stambha in front.
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.
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.
The boulder strewn landscape of Hampi keep on presenting interesting natural rock-formations to the trekkers.
On this way we keep on crossing ruins of several amazing monuments and temples.
Soon we reach a plateau and around here are several beautiful monuments, even the rocky-landscape appears appealing.
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.
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
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.
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.
It’s a rocky, barren, boulder-ridden landscape with a distant view of the river Tungabhadra and the Virupaksha 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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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
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