Hampi

A short weekend trip which could have really been bad but ended well. Started on the drive really early in the morning when we realized the car had no petrol and the highway had no open petrol bunks. One open bunk just before the last drop ran out and a long drive with bad roads at only the trip end made sure we got there late evening. After some much needed lunch at a "Mango tree" (quite a nice place), we made our way to the Virupaksha temple. The first sight that caught my eye after crossing the river on a ferry was the snake charmer with 4 cobras.

Although Virupaksha temple is quite old, unlike the others it is still in use (supposedly the oldest functioning temple since 7 century AD). Most interesting is the inverted image of the Gopurum in the inner sanctum using a pinhole.There is the temple elephant and bunch of hawkers pestering you to buy bananas for it. Photography is not allowed in the inner sanctum, architecture of course like everywhere else in Hampi is intricate and in Vijayanagar style. The hill overlooking the temple was a nice place to laze around.

Later in the evening we went to the nearby Achyuta raya temple. Funny name but since it is not too popular, there was almost no one there.The architecture of course was beautiful. The next morning was mostly spent at the more famous Virupaksha temple. The coracle ride there being just as fun after haggling for the price quite a bit. The stone chariot and the musical pillars showcasing the pinnacle of intricate Vijayanagar architecture.