Hampi stone chariot "EMPOWER IAS"

Context: 

• Tourists can no longer get too close to the iconic stone chariot in front of the Vijaya Vittala Temple in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi. The architectural marvel has been cordoned off by a protective ring by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). ASI put up the barrier aimed at preventing people from touching or climbing the monument, causing damage in any way.

 

The Hampi Chariot

• The chariot inside the temple complex is a shrine dedicated to Garuda, but the sculpture of Garuda is now missing. 
• The Hampi chariot is among three famous stone chariots in India, the other two being in Konark, Odisha, and Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu. 
• It reflects the skill of temple architecture under the patronage of the Vijayanagara rulers who reigned from 14th to 17th century CE.
• The Stone Chariot is among the six monuments — the others are the Red Fort in Delhi; the Sun Temple in Konark, Odisha; the Taj Mahal in Agra; the Goa churches and the Padmapani painting in the Ajanta Caves — to have been chosen to feature on new currency notes of the denomination of Rs. 10, Rs. 20, Rs. 50, Rs. 100, Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000, respectively.
• The Stone Chariot is among the ancient monuments of the country that have been conserved as an “architectural marvel of human genius with outstanding universal values”, and it has been a major attraction for tourists thronging Hampi.

 

About Hampi:

• Hampi is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India located near Hospet town in the Karnataka state.
• It is located within the ruins of the city of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.
• The emperor Ashoka’s minor rock edicts in Nittur & Udegolan (both in Bellary district, Karnataka) lead one to believe that this region was within the Ashokan kingdom during the 3rd century BCE.
• A Brahmi inscription & a terracotta seal dating to the 2nd century CE were also discovered from the excavation site.
• The first historical settlements in Hampi date back to 1 CE.
• It is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.
• Hampi has various notable Hindu temples with some vedanta mythology inside the temples, some of which are still active places of worship.

 

Architecture:

• • Most of the structures at Hampi are constructed from local granite, burnt bricks and lime
  • Vijayanagara architecture is also known for its adoption of elements of Indo Islamic Architecture (like the Queen’s Bath and the Elephant Stables).
  • Dravidian architecture survives in the rest of Southern India spread through the patronage of the Vijayanagara rulers.
  • Temples of this city are noted for their large dimensions, florid ornamentation, bold and delicate carvings, stately pillars, magnificent pavilions and a great wealth of iconographic and traditional depictions which include subjects from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
  • The Vitthala temple is an excellent example of the Vijayanagara style. The monolithic statues of Lakshmi, Narasimha and Ganesha are noted for their massiveness and grace.

 

Vijayanagara Empire:

• Vijayanagara Empire or Karnata Empire or the Kingdom of Bisnegar was established in 1336 by Harihara-I and his brother Bukka Raya I of the Sangama Dynasty.
• Its ruins are located in current-day Hampi in Karnataka. Four dynasties – Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva and Aravidu – ruled Vijayanagar from A.D. 1336 to 1672. It reached its climax at the end of the 14th century.
• Krishnadevaraya (ruled 1509-29) of the Tuluva dynasty was the most famous ruler of Vijayanagar.
• He composed a work on statecraft in Telugu known as the Amuktamalyada.