The story of Vijayanagar  and its architecture takes us back to the 14th Century. In 1310 A.D., Malik Kafur, the famous general of Alla-ud-din Khilji, Sultan of Delhi swept down the Deccan  with his vast armies, defeating and capturing whatever came his way. Over the next few years, Malik Kufur ended the rule of the Hoysala and Yadava kings. Two brothers of the Sangama Dynasty, Hukka (1336-56 A.D.) and Bukka (1356-77 A.D.), established the Vijayanagar kingdom in 1336 A.D. Studies indicate that the brothers chose the location for a reason. Strategically located, the tempestuous Tungabhadra River formed a natural barrier on the north. Rocky granite ridges and hills on the other three sides made the area formidable. Hampi formed one of the cores of the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1336 to 1565.

 The site is of great importance in terms of architecture and historical significance. The demography is abundant with large stones which have been utilized to make larger than life statues throughout the ruins of Hampi. One can see a structure of historic importance every quarter of a mile.

One of the richest cities in the world at this time, it is noted for its palaces and enormous gateways. Built with a combination of Dravidic temple architecture and, for buildings with no religious significance, a mixture of dravida and local Islamic styles, the city is built on a site associated with both Shiva and Vishnu. It is also linked to Rama, the avatar  of Vishnu and hero of the ancient epic, the Ramayana. Its most important ruler was Krishnadevaraya, a great patron of the arts and literature who is credited with building many major monuments and temples. The Vitthalaswami Temple at Vijayanagar, dedicated to a form of Vishnu, dates to his reign and represents one of the finest examples of Vijayanagar architecture.

 Today, Hampi is included in UNESCO’s list of endangered sites. An international team of archaelogists has been working on the site since 1981.

The Vijayanagara style of architecture relied heavily on the availability of natural resources, namely granite, which was the material used primarily by the Sangamas. Other dynasties employed the softer schist rock, suitable for ornate carvings. Many of the palaces have long since disappeared, as the kings used wood and bricks in their construction. Some brickwork is still visible on the gates to the temple courtyards.

The temples of Hampi are famous for their large dimensions, florid ornamentation, both in painting and carving, majestic pillars, magnificent pavilions and a great wealth of religious and mythological depictions, including subjects from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
The Hampi Bazaar,  runs between Virupaksha Temple and the foot of the Matanga Hill and was once lined with magnificent houses and beautiful mantapas. The Virupaksha Temple rises majestically at the western end of the Hampi Bazaar. It is the oldest temple at Hampi, constructed in the 15th century, and is dominated by its 50 metre tall gopuram. The sculptures atop the tower reflect the local worship of the resident deity, Shiva, and inside, the temple contains the shrines of Shiva, Pampa, and Bhuvaneswari.

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