Hampi, December 14, 2008

Wow Hampi is just amazing. This place is magic. The scenery is just unbelievable with the many temples and boulders every where.
Good pictures here
Hampi, was the medieval capital of the Hindu empire Vijayanagara (the City of Victory).
Hampi in the Karnataka state of India is listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
It has large stretches of boulder-strewn hills make the backdrop of Hampi unique. Around the hills and valleys are 500 plus monuments. Among them are beautiful temples, basement of palaces, remains of aquatic structures, ancient market streets, royal pavilions, bastions, royal platforms, treasury buildings.., the list is practically endless.
The city is very sacred for the Hindi and full of pilgrims. In special today (sunday) due to the full moon a huge festival it is very crowded with pilgrims which come to the various temples and to bathe on the river.

The overall atmosphere and scenery is breathtaking.
I'm staying in the Shanti Guest House, which is right across the big temple where most of the action happens. Pilgrims even sleep in the temple during the night on the floor.
The guest house is in the middle of the action, but at the same time quiet and a bit isolated. It has this very nice internal garden which is an island of silence in the middle of this chaos of people, cows, pigs, monkeys, etc, etc.
In principle you can see the main sites in about two days, but the atmosphere is conquering and invites you to stay longer.
Yesterday I went for a bike ride of about 12+ KMs with my British/Uruguayan friend. It was amazing and very pleasant. You bike very slow on this magic place while at the same time going through small authentic Indian villages. In those place we (whites) are really and attraction and everybody wants to shake our hands or take a picture with us.
Many small guest houses and restaurants in the area. Many roof-tops where you can sit, watch the chaos from the top and enjoy amazing views. The food is excellent. In principle no alcohol is allowed in this sacred place, but many places serve special drinks (vodka and so) and also we found a place which had beers.
Lots of backpackers just come and enjoy the energy, while chilling down with books, etc on the guest houses.
In the main temple nearby they have an amazing elephant, Laxmi. People give Laxmi 1 rupee coins, the elephant will take the coin, give to his master and salute people very gently in the head with his tromp. Sometime people come with kids in their hands, give two coins and Laxmi will salute both people. Very clever elephant. The kids love it.
I'm still touched by everything that is happening here. I'll probably stay two more nights and decide where to go next. WOW