Vittala Temple, Hampi

Vittala Temple. Hampi in karnataka As the epicenter of Hampi’s attractions, Vittala Temple is the most extravagant architectural showpiece of Hampi. No amount of words can explain this spectacle. The temple is built in the form of a sprawling campus with compound wall and gateway towers. There are many halls, pavilions and temples located inside this campus. Vittala, after whom the temple is known, is a form of lord Vishnu. This aspect of Vishnu was worshiped in this part of the country as their cult deity by the cattle herds. The temple was originally built in the 15th century AD. Many successive kings have enhanced the temple campus during their regimes to the present form. Yon can even see the remains of a township called Vittalapura that existed around this temple complex. The highlight of Vittala temple is its impressive pillared halls and the stone chariot. The halls are carved with an overwhelming array of sculptures on the giant granite pillars. The stone chariot located inside the campus is almost an iconic structure of Hampi.(hampi.in)

Virupaksha Temple

virupaksha temple hampi in karnataka The temple's history is uninterrupted from about the 7th century. The Virupaksha-Pampa sanctuary existed well before the Vijayanagara capital was located here. Inscriptions referring to Shiva date back to the 9th and 10th centuries. What started as a small shrine grew into a large complex under the Vijayanagara rulers. Evidence indicates there were additions made to the temple in the late Chalukyan and Hoysala periods, though most of the temple buildings are attributed to the Vijayanagar period. Under the Vijayanagara rulers, in the middle of the 14th century, there began a flowering of native art and culture. When the rulers were defeated by invaders in the 16th century, most of the wonderful decorative structures and creations were systematically destroyed. The cult of Virupaksha-Pampa did not end with the destruction of the city in 1565. Worship there has persisted throughout the years. At the beginning of the 19th century there were major renovations and additions, which included ceiling paintings and the towers of the north and east gopura.(wikipedia)

Vittala Temple Hampi

Vittala Temple Hampi in karnataka As the epicenter of Hampi’s attractions, Vittala Temple is the most extravagant architectural showpiece of Hampi. No amount of words can explain this spectacle. The temple is built in the form of a sprawling campus with compound wall and gateway towers. There are many halls, pavilions and temples located inside this campus. Vittala, after whom the temple is known, is a form of lord Vishnu. This aspect of Vishnu was worshiped in this part of the country as their cult deity by the cattle herds. (hampi.in)

View from Bhongir Fort

View from Bhongir Fort in india At the foot of the fortified rocks 609.6 meters above the sea level stands the town of Bhongir, it has a unique egg-shaped construction with two entry points protected by huge rocks, so the fort was considered practically impregnable by invading armies. The splendid historical fort with the awe-inspiring rock and the aesthetically fortified courts which have stood the ravages of time stir the imagination of tourists. A moat that encircles the fort, a vast underground chamber, trap doors, an armoury, stables, ponds, wells etc., make for fascinating viewing. The view from the top of the surrounding countryside is simply breathtaking. The Bala Hisar or citadel on the top of the hill gives a bird's eye view of the neighbouring area. The fort is associated with the rule of the heroic queen Rudramadevi and her grandson Prataparudra.(WIKipedia)

Kuntala Waterfall

Kuntala Waterfall in india
Kuntala Waterfall in india Kuntala Waterfall is waterfall located in Kuntala, Adilabad district, Andhra Pradesh. It is located on Kadem river in Neredigonda mandal. It is the highest waterfall in the state of Andhra Pradesh with a height of 147 feet (45 meters). According to the popular and prevalent local belief Kuntala Waterfall got its name after Shakuntala, the beloved wife of King Dushyanth; the pair fell in love with each other and were mesmerized by the scenic beauty of the surroundings. The locals also believe that Shakuntala used to bathe by the waterfall. Formed by Kadam River, Kuntala falls cascades down through two steps and can be seen as two separate adjacent falls after the peak rains. It is one of the famous one day outings from Hyderabad. There is a motorable road till the entry point of falls from where steps are available to reach bottom of falls. The falls is about 10 minutes (one way) walk from the entry point. Monsoons and post-monsoons are the best seasons to visit Kuntala Falls. It is dangerous to get into water at the bottom when the water flow is high due to sharp rocks and twists. Public transport is available till Neredikonda from where private vehicles can be hired. Nirmal & Adilabad are base stations. (Wikipedia)

Tal Chhapar Sanctuary

Tal Chhapar in india Tal Chhapar Sanctuary is a sanctuary located in the Churu district of Northwestern Rajasthan in the Bikaner division of India. It is known for black bucks and is also home to a variety of birds. The sanctuary is 210 km from Jaipur on the fringe of the Great Indian Desert and situated on road from Ratangarh to Sujangarh. The Tal Chhapar sanctuary lies in the Sujangarh Tehsil of Churu District. Tal Chhapar is a refuge of the most elegant Antelope encountered in India, "the Black buck".(wiki)

Golconda Fort

Golkonda fort in hyderabad
Golconda fort in hyderabad
Golconda fort in hyderabad Golconda Fort is one of the most wonderful monuments, located 11 km. from Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh. The name of Golconda originates from the telgu words "Golla" and "Konda" which means 'shepard's hill'. One of the most important features of this fort is that the sounds of hands clapped at the entry gate can be heard quite clearly at the top of the hill.(Wikipedia)

Bhongir Fort

Bhongir Fort in india