The culture of India is one of the oldest and unique. In India, there is amazing cultural diversity throughout the country. The South, North, and Northeast have their own distinct cultures and almost every state has carved out its own cultural niche. There is hardly any culture in the world that is as varied and unique as India. India is a vast country, having variety of geographical features and climatic conditions. India is home to some of the most ancient civilizations, including four major world religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism.
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Saturday, October 1, 2011

Hampi

Location: Bellary district, Karnataka
Must See: Virupaksha temple, Vithala temple, King's Balance, Lotus Mahal
Temperature: Max 44°C, Min 29°C (summer); Max 28°C, Min 21°C (winter)
Ideal Time to Visit: October to March
STD Codes: +91-8394
Languages: Kannada, Hindi and English

Hampi
Hampi was the capital of Vijayanagar Empire, the last great Hindu Kingdom. Under the Vijayanagar rulers Hampi grew fabulously. The princes of Vijayanagar built numerous Dravidian temples and palaces. The records of foreign travelers between 14th and 16th century bear testimony to the grandeur of Hampi. However the magnificent capital of Vijayanagar was destroyed by the Deccan Muslim league in 1565. Hampi is a village in northern Karnataka, India. It marks the ruins of Vijayanagar, the former capital of the Vijayanagar Empire. The Hampi village also houses the well-known Virupaksha temple.

Hampi
Hampi contains several monuments belonging to the erstwhile capital city. The Hampi ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hampi is also identified with the legendary Kishkindha, the monkey kingdom mentioned in the Ramayana. The rulers of Vijayanagar chose Hampi as their capital because of its strategic location. Hampi was bounded by the Tungabhadra River on one side and granite cliffs on the other three sides. The ruins at Hampi bear testimony to the patronage of the Vijayanagar rulers to art and architecture. Excavations at Hampi have unearthed beautiful temples, one of them underground and also the ruins of once splendid palaces and gateways.
Posted by Surya Mishra at
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