Hampi Hopping, Royal Center: Underground Temple

There are many examples in Vijaynagar of the ground level around a ruin rising over the centuries to many feet above the level at the time the structure was built. In these situations, the temple gets partially buried underground, and when it is excavated to reveal the entire structure, a small retaining wall is built around the structure, indicating the difference in ground level. The ‘Underground Temple’ is a prominent example of this. Continue reading

Hampi Hopping, Royal Center: Lotus Mahal Enclosure

The Royal Center of Vijaynagar lies to the south of the Sacred Center, separated by a narrow and shallow irrigated valley. Immediately to the north of valley rise the series of Sacred Center hillocks facing the Tungabhadra River that include Hemakuta, Matanga and Gandhamadana Hills. To the south of the valley rise a lower set of hillocks beyond which spreads the Royal Center. Continue reading