Hampi, in Karnataka, is no ordinary archaeological site. It is a place with some of the most beautiful architecture. It is a place where history comes to life. The ruins of these architectural constructions tell the story of a glorious era of the Vijayanagara Empire. The place is important both mythologically and historically.
It is believed that Rama and Lakshman met Hanuman and his monkey army, mentioned in the Ramayana, in Hampi. It is also believed that Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati at the Hemakuta Hill in Hampi. Hampi is thus a place of value in both Vaishnavism (dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu) and Shaivism (dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva). Rama was considered the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The architecture of the kings mainly was related to these two deities.
Historically, Hampi flourished as a city during the Vijayanagara dynasty. The kings of Vijayanagara defended their kingdom for around 200 years from Muslim rulers. Eventually, the four sultans of the Deccan defeated Aliya Rama Raya and subdied him. Four dynasties in total ruled Vijayanagara. Rama Raya was the ruler of the last dynasty. Sadasiva Raya who sat on the throne was merely a puppet ruler with Rama Raya holding the strings.
When the four kings attacked, Rama Raya was too old to retaliate. After they took over Hampi, the four Sultans beheaded the king and destroyed many monuments built by the Vijayanagara kings. Yet even now some stand-in splendour under the skies. These include the Achyutharaya complex and the Vitthala complex.
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