Land of the forgotten - Hampi
03 April 2025
Land of the forgotten - Hampi
Hampi is a geological marvel dotted with giant stones, interspersed with wild, bushy trees, carpets of paddy and banana plantation irrigated by the Tungabhadra basin- an eclectic mix of brown, green and blue. The great empire of Vijaynagara was a well planned kingdom, fortified with seven walls of stones. Among its kings, the rule of Krishnadevaraya is considered a glorious chapter in history. Trailblazers set off with a group of students from an international school of repute to explore this wonderland with the objective of becoming aware of the rich tradition and culture of this part of India and understanding the conservation movement of UNESCO heritage sites.
Students visited the Royal center, an iconic temple with musical pillars and chariots, a palace with cooling pipes and guarding towers, magnificent elephant stables depicting a blend of Jain and Indo–Saracenic styles of architecture, and stepwells with conduits delivering water from the nearby Tungbhadra. Trailblazers experts shared the information on history and architecture with students, after which they trekked to the top of a hillock to experience the beauty of the landscape. Students were left awestruck by the largest statue in Hampi, the Shivlingam, the Ganesha, Hemkuta and Virupaksha temples and Hampi Bazaar nearby where they shopped for souvenirs for friends and family. They also debated the pros and cons of the Tungbhadra dam - the lifeline of the region, after which they had fun enacting stories from Ramayana. The group also visited the nearby sloth bear sanctuary and enjoyed their experience of watching bears in their natural surroundings besides other fauna and flora. We look forward to more majestic adventures with these youngsters!
